Gerald Scarfe Joins Fred. Olsen

As part of its growing cruise enhancement programme, Vistas, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to announce that the artist and satirical cartoonist, Gerald Scarfe, CBE, RDI, will be joining Braemar’s cruise to the Atlantic Islands next April.

Best known for his biting and highly individual political cartoons, as well as his collaboration with Pink Floyd on their epic production of The Wall, Scarfe was born in St. John’s Wood, North London, in 1936 and started to draw and create models as he recovered from bouts of asthma as a child.

He started drawing cartoons for national newspapers and magazines, including the Daily Sketch, Evening Standard and Punch magazine and was one of the early contributors to Private Eye. His work is also familiar from the opening credits of the 1980s TV series ‘Yes Minister’ and ‘Yes, Prime Minister’. From drawing, he moved into creating papier-mâché models of politicians, and gradually into television, film and other areas of the arts.

Scarfe was awarded the distinction of ‘Royal Designer for Industry’ in 1989, in recognition of his talents as an illustrator. He was then awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008, remarking: “I am pleased, but surprised, since I’ve spent so much of my professional life being rude to people.”

He will host a ‘Drawing’ theme on Braemar's M1208 cruise to the Atlantic Islands, a 14-night voyage that departs from Dover on April 14, 2012, calling at Lisbon and visiting the islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Palma in the Canaries, and two ports in the Azores, Praia da Vitoria and Ponta Delgada, before returning to Dover.



Prices start from £1,429 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’, and includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. There is no extra charge for taking part in Gerald’s Vistas workshops.

Find out more about by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

John Blashford-Snell & The Amazon with Fred Olsen

As part of Vistas, its wide-ranging cruise enhancement programme, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is proud to welcome on board the famed explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell. Lecturing aboard Braemar’s cruise of the Brazilian Amazon, M1203, appropriately he will be talking about ‘Amazonia’ and expeditions to this fascinating region.

There could hardly be a better guest speaker for such an exciting cruises as Blashford-Snell has led some of the most ambitious expeditions ever undertaken. In 1968, when Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia invited the British Army to send a team to explore the Blue Nile, the then Royal Engineers’ Captain Blashford-Snell was invited to select and lead a team. The success of that venture led to many more, including the first vehicle crossing of the Darien Gap in 1971/2, and in 1974/5 the navigating of 2,700 miles of the Great Zaire River (also known as the Congo).

Colonel Blashford-Snell has led more than 100 expeditions, resulting in many important discoveries and supports numerous charities. His knowledge and experience will no doubt make him a fascinating and well-informed speaker.

The cruise departs on February 2, 2012, with flights from London-Gatwick and Manchester, to join the ship in Bridgetown, Barbados. Braemar then sails for the mouth of the Amazon, and cruises deep into the heart of this mighty river, visiting Santarem, Parintins and Manaus. The vibrant rainforest, with its colourful flora and fauna, will be brought even more vividly to life by the expert talks courtesy of Col. Blashford-Snell.

On the return journey, Braemar visits Tobago, then returns to Barbados for the flights home. Prices start from £1,939 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes return chartered flights and transfers, accommodation and all meals and entertainment on board, in addition to port and airport taxes. Flights are with a fully-escorted exclusive Fred. Olsen charter.

Find out more about this cruise by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com or more about the Vistas enhancement programme at www.fredolsencruises-vistas.com or, for bookings, contact the UK's leading specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Ken Barlow's Fred Olsen Cruise

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to announce a treat for soap fans. The legendary Coronation Street actor William Roache, MBE, who has played Ken Barlow ever since the long-running soap first aired in 1960, and is the only member of the original cast still starring in the programme, will be joining a Braemar cruise to the Western Mediterranean in June, travelling as a VIP guest.

During the cruise, William will be giving a special talk and holding a separate Question and Answer session, which guests on board are invited to attend at no extra charge.

William will be aboard Braemar’s 14-night ‘Captivating Cities of Iberia’ cruise M1113, departing from Dover on June 19. Ports of call are Gibraltar, Cartagena, Barcelona, Seville – where William will leave the cruise – Portimao and Lisbon, before returning to Dover.

As Ken Barlow, William has become something of a national treasure, and there will be numerous fans on this cruise who will be thrilled to meet their favourite soap star, and gain an insight into his varied and fascinating career.

Prices for this cruise start from £1,049 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. £100 per cabin free onboard spending is available on this cruise, and free parking. The price includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.co.uk or contact specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.