Passengers aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will join experts from the marine wildlife charity ORCA, who will offer wildlife viewing tips, host deck sessions, and give guests the opportunity to assist in vital conservation research.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled its plans to resume sailing this summer, welcoming ORCA experts aboard the new ships Bolette and Borealis, and the returning Balmoral, for seven sailings in July and August. The ORCA team will spend their days on deck, helping Fred. Olsen guests spot, identify, and record data on marine wildlife, as well as giving talks and holding Q&A sessions onboard.
Steve Jones, Director of Partnerships at ORCA, said: “British waters are incredibly rich in wildlife, and having the opportunity to showcase them to Fred. Olsen guests is something ORCA is delighted to be involved in. Our cruise conservationists will not only be able to teach guests about the wonderful world of whales and dolphins in the UK, but they will also be able to collect important scientific data to help ORCA protect them for future generations.”
Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service, said: “Our Welcome Back Scenic Outings have been designed to let you enjoy our beautiful British Isles, and this is a fantastic way to do so, showcasing the many species of marine wildlife that can be found here. These British Isles cruises, some of which include the Faroe Islands and the Norwegian fjords, offer the chance to see dolphins, as well as porpoises and minke whales. Guests may even spot rarer visitors, such as the iconic humpback whale. We know our customers are looking forward to coming back on board this summer, and having ORCA with us will make these outings even more special.”.
Highlights of ORCA sailings with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines this summer include:
The three-night 'Maiden Voyage' cruise, departing from Liverpool on July 5, 2021. Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Firth of Lorn, Scotland – Duart Castle, Scotland – Sound of Mull, Scotland – Fingal's Cave, Isle of Staffa – Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr), Scotland – The Small Isles, Scotland – Loch Fyne, Scotland – Culzean Castle, Scotland – Liverpool, England
Borealis' five-night 'Scenic Orkney & Faroe Islands' cruise departs from Liverpool on July 17, 2021. Itinerary: Liverpool, England – The Needle, Orkney, Scotland – Old Man of Hoy, Hoy, Orkneys – Marwick Head, Orkneys – Fair Isle, Shetlands – Sumburgh Head, Shetlands – Cape Enniberg, Faroe Islands – Kalsoyarfjørður, Faroe Islands – Leirvíksfjørður & Djúpini, Faroe Islands – Vestmanna Cliffs, Streymoy, Faroe Islands – Gásadalur, Faroe Islands – Mykines, Faroe Islands – Gáshólmur, Tindhólmur & Drangarnir, Faroe Islands – Hestur & Koltur, Faroe Islands – Liverpool, England
Bolette's five-night 'Scenic British Isles & Summer Wildlife' cruise, departing from Dover on August 19, 2021. Itinerary: Dover, England – Duncasby Sea Stacks, Scotland – The Needle, Orkney – Old Man of Hoy, Orkney – Loch Eriboll, Scotland – Loch Broom, Scotland – Marwick Head, Scotland – Sumburgh Head, Scotland – Fair Isle, Shetland Islands – Dover, England
The ORCA Cruise Conservationist program is a unique whale and dolphin monitoring project that uses these cruises to identify and monitor whale and dolphin populations worldwide. The data collected during these cruises will be analyzed and used as part of ORCA's broader research into whale and dolphin conservation.
