Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning 2020

5 1 a wider range of locations for visits, enabling guests to enjoy new sights and opportunities. “The smaller size of our ships also allows us to showcase the beauty of a destination without having to leave the comfort of the ship,” he adds. “For example, in 2019, our ship Braemar made history by becoming the largest ship to ever traverse the historic Corinth Canal in Greece. “Our Norwegian Fjords sailings are also always extremely popular. We can take advantage of the smaller size of our ships, especially Balmoral and Braemar, by sailing scenic routes to show off Norway’s dramatic scenery. We use our smaller ships to go off the beaten track, to seek out the most unique and dramatic fjordland scenery. After all, the reason you book a fjords cruise is to see the fjords, right?” The cruise line considers various other factors when planning its itineraries. “We offer experience-led itineraries, and the experiences each destination offers are key to that,” says Lister. “It’s not just a case of going to new ports, or those that are the most profitable – we must also think about the available shore excursions, and whether guests can explore independently. Are there historic sites and points of interests nearby? Can they get something to eat and drink? How far is the town or city centre from where we can berth? “But the process doesn’t stop once the itinerary is confirmed. We continue to research the area to see if new experiences or tours become available, for example. It’s not a process, it’s a journey.” When cruise ships are able to sail again, things will be slightly different for Fred. Olsen. The cruise line’s fleet will be bolstered with two new ships, Bolette and Borealis. With capacity for just under 1,400 guests each, the new vessels are slightly larger than Balmoral, which Lister sees as an opportunity to get creative. “Their size is great as it means guests have plenty of space onboard and lots of public areas to enjoy, but it is also something we must consider in our itinerary planning,” he says. “It may mean that we have to rethink some of the routes we follow with other ships, but it also means we can plan new types of cruises, which, for me, is the most exciting part of the planning process.” CFIP Fred. Olsen’s small ships enable guests to visit destinations such as Hellesylt in Norway, which is inaccessible to larger vessels “We have a more traditional approach to cruising which is centred around the destinations we visit”