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Cruise And Ferry

Biscay bashing forces Fred Olsen’s Balmoral to lick wounds in Bilbao

Cruise line says cruise ship will wait out ongoing storm in Spanish port after incurring some minor damage

Passengers looking forward to an early winter escape to Southern Spain and the Canary Islands with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines were instead given a severe pummelling when their ship got caught up in a nasty storm in the Bay of Biscay.

After battling gale force 8 winds and waves as high as 10 meters for two days, the 43,500-gt cruise ship Balmoral (built 1988) diverted to the Spanish port of Bilbao, where it docked on Thursday night.

“Our trip to the sun so far….! Broken windows, deck 4 partially flooded, hatches firmly battened down and just docking in Bilbao when we should be in Cadiz,” said one relieved passenger on a social media post.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, in an update posted on its social media, said that the rough seas caused some damage on deck four of the ship “which has affected a small number of cabins and an area of our Neptune Lounge”.

The company added that worsening sea conditions made it impossible for the Balmoral to continue on its planned course to the Canary Islands. The ship will remain docked in Bilbao’s Getxo port until at least Saturday, when the weather is expected to improve.

“Our Captain is keeping guests on board up to date with any information on our onward plans,” the company said.

There have been no reports of any injuries to passengers or crew.

The Balmoral is part of the cruise company’s fleet of four ships serving the UK cruise market.

Fred Olsen Cruise Line is owned by Bonheur, a Norwegian-owned investment company that also owns DN Media Group, the parent company of TradeWinds.

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TradeWinds is part of DN Media Group. To read more about DN Media Group, click here

Villa Vie’s Odyssey Enters Drydock in Belfast

• May 8, 2024

Villa Vie Residences shared a video update of Odyssey’s drydock progress, ahead of its Continual World Cruise departing May 30..

Formerly known as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ MS Braemar, the Villa Vie Odyssey entered drydock in Belfast on April 28 to undergo various enhancements, including extensive pool deck renovations and the refurbishment of all 480 cabins.

“After the preliminary inspection, we’re very pleased with what we’re seeing so far,” said Director of Technical Operations Charlie Kinnear.

“No major dents, no major problems that we can see…It’s a good day!”

The video also shows the process of lowering the equipment and preparing the ship for the high-pressure wash before stocking it with hotel supplies. 

The video is available here .

The Villa Vie Odyssey was originally scheduled to depart on May 15 from Southampton. Due to operational enhancements, the journey has been rescheduled for May 30, departing from Belfast.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

This hidden bar on a cruise ship comes complete with its own ghost

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Cruise lines are really pulling some tricks out of their hat with their offerings, as they attempt to entice younger and more diverse audiences onto their ships.

From ice grottos to ultimate booze cruises , other-worldly expeditions and *checks notes * robot bartenders , we’ve come a long way from hopping on board to spend a week simply sipping pina coladas on the lido deck (but, hey, we also won’t turn that down, let’s be honest).

Princess Cruises has recently launched a pretty impressive hidden gem on its newest ship the Sun Princess, called Spellbound.

And, as the name suggests, it’s got magic at its core.

Magic shows on a boat? Just about as groundbreaking as florals for spring, right? Been there, abracadabra that, we hear you.

This bar takes things to another level, though – first of all, it’s a hidden bar, tucked behind a nondescript black door on board. You’d be forgiven for walking straight past it on the way to the buffet and having no idea of the wonder that sits on the other side.

Vote for your chance to win a cruise

Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!

Metro has partnered with the  Sailawaze Excellence Awards , highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.

And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.

The best bit? By voting before the end of the day (May 10) you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.

Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of ‘best large ship’ or ‘best luxury cruise line’ and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.

Vote for your favourite here now .

It’s also Victorian-themed, to give it that real added zest, with mind-bending entertainment performed by magicians as they (the travellers, not the magicians) sip on theatrical cocktails served with sleight of hand.

Spellbound has been created in conjunction with the reknown Magic Castle, a private club in Hollywood for magicians and enthusiasts, which specialises in teaching and performing magic. It’s this crop of spellbinding men and women who will be performing on the cruise line’s latest ship, too.

With its ornate décor that includes magical artefacts, vintage curiosities, and interactive special effects, the bar, and its series of themed rooms, is meticulously designed to capture the essence of this exclusive club (which will set you back $149 (£118) to enter for an evening).

For instance, in the Music Room, guests will meet the spirit of Isabella (of course) who will share her stories of sailing on Sun Princess. The venue will also feature a vintage Parlor Bar featuring Artemis the owl who is revealed through interaction with skilled illusionists before entering the intimate 30-seat, Spellbound theatre, to experience close-up magic that will blow guests’ minds.

So, knowing all this, it perhaps comes as no surprise Princess Cruise is up for a gong in Sailawaze’s Excellence Awards in the entertainment category.

But, it’s got some strong competition.

It’s up against Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Prima, which features the world’s first venue that transforms from a three-story theatre into a Vegas-style nightclub, the world’s first freefall dry slide and a three-level racetrack at sea. Add the legendary GLOW party with DJs on decks, fantastic dance music and glow sticks, and the Norwegian Aqua, due 2025, which will boast Aqua Slidecoaster, the first rollercoaster and waterslide hybrid.

Then there’s P&O’s Mission Control – the cruise line’s first multi-sensory immersive submarine simulation game, exclusive to Arvia. Navigate through danger, mysteries, and puzzles in incredibly realistic 3D ocean environments in one of two one-hour experiences: a family-friendly adventure suitable for all ages and an adult-oriented adventure.

Marella Cruises’ Exchange Speakeasy Bar is an exclusive, hidden-away adult-only venue that’s also nominated. It’s got a unique cocktail menu not found elsewhere on the ship with live music and immersive entertainment in the evenings.

Over to Carnival Cruise Lines, and its new ship Carnival Jubilee, which features Currents, a technology-rich underwater-themed area spanning two decks. Its promenade also transforms into an immersive experience with evening showcases of otherworldly destinations during drinks and dinner, while Soundwaves Jukebox, a music-activated visualiser, brings guest-chosen songs to life through images and light displays. That’s before we even get to the interactive gameshow…

The other nominations

Food & beverage.

Virgin Voyages

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

A-Rosa Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Havila Voyages

Pandaw Expeditions

Holland America Line

CroisiEurope

Hurtigruten

Celebrity Cruises

VIVA Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Saga Cruises

A- Rosa Cruises

SUSTAINABILITY

AE Expeditions

The Majestic Line

Portsmouth International Port

Royal Caribbean’s nomination includes AquaTheater, which showcases acrobatics, synchronised swimming and high-dives, plus an ice arena that displays spins, lifts and jumps by world-class professional figure skaters. On board cruisers can also enjoy Broadway musicals, including the first rendition of The Wizard of Oz at sea.

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Montreal's 2024 cruise season sets sail with HAL's ms Volendam

The Port of Montreal (Quebec Canada) announced the commencement of the 2024 cruise season with the inaugural arrival of HAL-Holland America 's ms Volendam .

Notably, MS Volendam previously served as a refuge for 1,500 Ukrainian citizens in April 2022. This marks the ship's first visit to the city, and in adherence to maritime customs, Captain Laurentius Oscar van Eerten was presented with a customary gift.

Anticipated to match the success of the previous year, the 2024 cruise season expects to welcome ~50,000 passengers from May 4 to October 28, with a total of 41 operations comprising 9 visits and 32 embarkations/disembarkations. The vessels visiting vary widely in capacity, from the 180-passenger Le Bellot to the 1,440-passenger Volendam.

9 ships will make their inaugural calls to Montreal during this season:

• Holland America's Volendam, the season's first and largest ship
• Two Ponant ships, Le Champlain and Le Lyrial , offering an intimate luxury experience for 180 and 264 passengers, respectively
• Villa Vie Odyssey from Villa Vie Residences , accommodating 924 passengers
• World Explorer from Rivages du Monde, designed for adventurous journeys with a capacity of 200 passengers
• Seven Seas Grandeur from Regent , with 750 passengers
• Nautica from Oceania Cruises , carrying 684 passengers
• Borealis from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines , welcoming 1,320 passengers
• Azamara Journey from Azamara Cruises , marking the return of this cruise line to Montreal after an 8-year hiatus, with 718 passengers.

Additionally, three significant milestones will be celebrated, underscoring the strong relationship major cruise lines maintain with Montreal as their preferred port of call:

Regent's Seven Seas Grandeur will host its 25,000th passenger on September 19th.

Viking OCEAN 's Viking Neptune will welcome its 30,000th passenger on September 27th

Oceania's Nautica will reach its 40,000th passenger on October 6th.

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• Cruises from Newcastle

Cruise from Newcastle

Fred. Olsen's cruises from Newcastle are the perfect gateway to discovering incredible destinations and memorable sights and experiences across Europe. Join a mini cruise from Newcastle to the Netherlands, discover Scandinavia and Northern Europe in search of spectacular highland and fjordland scenes, or visit our homeland of Norway . Take an Iceland cruise from Newcastle to explore its natural wonders, or choose one of our Baltic cruises from Newcastle and experience a variety of captivating cities.

We’d love you to join us to experience Norway’s fjords at their greenest, marvel at the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights, or discover the wildlife of Iceland.

We have a great selection of cruises for you to embark upon, whether you'd like a cruise packed with sunshine, scenic sights or city delights - see below to find out more about Fred. Olsen cruises from Newcastle.

45 Ocean Cruises

Springtime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights • L2414

• Enjoy a taste of the Norwegian fjords in five nights
• Sail the picturesque Nordfjord on board Balmoral
• Learn how the Briksdal Glacier has changed over time

The Life & Nature of Scotland's Scenic Isles • L2415

• Discover natural wonders and wildlife close to home
• Join ORCA to spot marine life from Balmoral's decks
• Take a tour to Skara Brae from Kirkwall
• 2 offers available

Spring Falls, Glaciers & Norwegian Fjords • L2416

• See the natural highlights of the Norwegian fjords in spring
• Witness the power of the sprawling Fureberg Waterfall
• Hike to the awe-inspiring Briksdal Glacier from Olden

Rugged & Remote Spitsbergen with the Midnight Sun • L2417

• Marvel at the rugged Arctic Fjord Landscapes
• Witness the surreal phenomenon of the Midnight Sun
• Search for marine life from Balmoral's decks with OWE

One-Night Mini-Cruise • L2418

• Enjoy one night of Fred. Olsen’s small ship cruising
• Sample delicious food, entertainment and personal service
• Relax and enjoy a taste of ocean cruising on Balmoral

Summertime Norwegian Fjords & Folklore • L2426

• Sail the picturesque Nordfjord, Langsfjord & Innvikfjord
• Hike to Briksdal Glacier from Olden
• Take in the sheer vastness of Trollveggen Mountain
• 1 offer available

Iceland's Whales, Waterfalls & Way of Life • L2427

• Uncover remarkable landscapes, folkore and wildlife in Iceland
• Discover more about the local way of life in remote Ísafjörður 
• Spot cetaceans from the decks of Balmoral with ORCA conservationists

Norwegian Fjords & Autumn Fruit Harvest • L2428

• Marvel at the nature of the Norwegian fjords as the seasons change
• Experience local fruit produce in Ulvik
• See the orchard-covered valleys of the Hardangerfjord from Balmoral

Exploring the Islands of the Mediterranean • L2429

• Uncover the scenic bays, harbours and islands of the Mediterranean
• Indulge in the region’s laid-back lifestyle and delectable cuisine
• Delve into the history of the Romans and the Knights Templar

Norwegian Fjords & Autumn Fruit Harvest • L2430

• Experience Norway as it turns from summer to autumn
• In Ulvik, sample local fruit produce, such as apple juice and cider
• Sail past Hornelen - Europe's highest sea cliff

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