Case Study

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

UK-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is famous for its inspirational cruise holidays with its fleet of four classic ocean ships, Black Watch, Braemar, Boudicca and Balmoral. It has won numerous awards, including Feefo's 'Gold Trusted Merchant Accreditation' four years running, and 'Best for Itineraries' by the Cruise Critic experts for the third year in a row. Founded in Norway in 1848 by three Olsen brothers, Fred. Olsen is now in the fifth generation of the family.

THE CHALLENGE: Fred. Olsen promises its guest 'the holiday of a lifetime', and has one of the highest repeat rates of any company within the cruise industry. On some of its cruises, as many as 60% of guests are Fred. Olsen 'regulars'. Its smaller-scale ships give guests a taste of ports around the world that other larger vessels cannot reach. 

THE SOLUTION: Fred. Olsen has been operating cruises from the Port of Tyne since 2006. A key benefit is the Port of Tyne's International Passenger Terminal, which can handle almost 10,000 passengers in a single turnaround call and provides ample secure parking with easy access - offering an ideal departure point for cruise guests from across the North of England and beyond. 

THE OUTCOME: Fred. Olsen accounts for the main bulk of cruises starting from the Port of Tyne, and it continues to expand its programme and range of itineraries - to include Iceland, Greenland and the Northern Cape; St. Petersburg and Stockholm; France, Spain and Portugal; and the Canary Islands. In recent years, it has also offered shorter 'taster' options and themed cruises. In 2018/19. Fred. Olsen's flagship Balmoral will be operating 15 different departures from the Port of Tyne, in April and May, and from July to October.