YEAR 2009-10

August 23, 2008 - Fred Olsen has dramatically reduced the itineraries for two of its ships for the summer 2009 and winter 2009/2010 seasons. The new programme affects the number of Braemar and Boudicca fly/cruises over the next two years.

Originally scheduled to operate a summer season of fly/cruises using the port of Civitavecchia as a base, Braemar will, on return from the Caribbean in early May, now operate from Dover to northern Europe and Iceland, the Baltic and Mediterranean.

The ship will return to the Caribbean in November for its normal fly/cruise programme based in Barbados instead of Miami.

Boudicca remains unchanged until December 2009 at which time the previously published programme of Caribbean fly/cruises from Barbados is replaced with an extended ex-Portsmouth series until after Christmas when the ship will relocate to Southampton.

Cruises from Southampton include a 28-night Caribbean round trip, as well as itineraries to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean.

All the new itineraries went on sale on August 20.

The changes have been made in light of likely sustained higher fuel costs, which particularly affect long-haul fly/cruise programmes.

Nigel Lingard, Olsen's marketing director, said: "Our fly/cruise programme was originally designed and costed on operating costs in effect almost two years ago. However, with the dramatic increase in fuel prices we have taken the decision to offer a more cost effective programme. This also gives us the opportunity to further widen the choice of ex UK cruises for our traditional clientele."