At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we cater for both seasoned cruisers and those who are new to a holiday at sea. For our passengers who are cruising for the very first time, we like to offer that extra special attention to ensure that your first cruise will be a memorable experience.

After you have booked your first cruise you will, no doubt, have many questions to which you would like answers.  We hope that this comprehensive A-Z guide will answer many of your questions about cruising for the first time.

If you have any specific questions, please either contact your travel agent or Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Administration on 01473 292444.

“New to Cruising”

Available for cruises departing from UK ports, excluding mini cruises, our “New to Cruising” programme offers a number of activities that will ensure you are taken special care of as soon as you set foot on board a Fred. Olsen ship:

• Priority Boarding – Once we have embarked our Gold and/or Silver Oceans members you will be the next group of passengers to be called forward and directed to your cabin.
  
• Guided Ship Tours – Shortly after boarding, there will be a chance to have a guided tour of your cruise ship to help familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. You will also be able to ask any questions whilst being shown around.
  
• “New to Cruising” Get-Together – Early in your cruise, you will be invited to a get together in one of the lounges so that you can meet key ship staff, your fellow first-time cruisers and hear advice about how to get the best out of your cruise.
  
• “New to Cruising” Representative – Our “New to Cruising” representative will be on hand each day at a nominated time and place to answer any questions and offer advice about any aspect of your cruise.

This programme may also be offered on our Caribbean fly/cruises, but we regret the ‘priority boarding’ feature cannot be offered.

If you would like to register for our “New to Cruising” programme, simply complete the attached card at the back of this book and post it back to us. Please note that numbers are limited for this programme, and applications will be accepted in date order.

All our vessels have a fully-equipped fitness centre offering treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes and a variety of free weights. A choice of fitness classes to suit most levels is available throughout the cruise, including yoga, aerobics, stretch & tone and pilates, conducted by fully qualified fitness instructors. A small charge is made for some classes. The minimum age to use the fitness centre is 18 years.

Additionally you may wish to ‘smile a mile’ (5 times walking around the deck on Black Watch equals 1 mile), swim a few lengths of the pool (Black Prince’s indoor pool means you have no excuse even when the sun isn’t shining!). Black Watch and Boudicca both feature state of the art SwimEX exercise pools. You can practice your golf swing in the nets on board all our vessels with the exception of Black Prince.

After your workout, showers are available. You may then wish to relax in the sauna or steam room (steam room not available on Black Prince, and steam room and sauna not available on Balmoral).

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines offer an extensive fly/cruise programme, including regional departures, details of which can be found in our main brochure. Should you have any special dietary needs it is important that we be advised at the time of booking. Most diets, with the exception of kosher, can be accommodated by the airlines. If you are in need of assistance at the airport it is important that you provide us with specific requirements for both the airport authorities and airline. This is particularly relevant if you are travelling in your own wheelchair.

On both Balmoral and Braemar, televisions in cabins and public areas offer our own interactive information channel called FOi. This offers pay-per-view movies, shore tour information (and the facility to book via FOi), up to date information on activities taking place on the ship during your cruise, wine ordering (to your table), future cruise destinations (including promotions) and all general information relating to your cruise on board.