A celebration marked the historic union of the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral joined forces in Madeira for the first time for the Fleet in Funchal event on Thursday, November 9.
The three ships arrived at the port of Funchal with more than 3,000 guests, who were welcomed with live music and a pier decorated with banners, entertainment and carnival stalls.
Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “This year marks the 175th anniversary of Fred. Olsen as a shipping company and we are delighted to have been able to bring our current fleet together for the first time, although this is the third time we have held fleet events, with Bergen in 2015 and Cadiz in 2018.”
“A huge thank you must go to the Ports of Madeira and our partners in the city for their incredibly warm welcome and for the phenomenal fireworks display as the three ships sailed away into the night“.
“Of course, our Fleet events wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful teams working at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, so a big thank you to them all.”
“We hope our guests thoroughly enjoyed an unforgettable experience with the Fleet celebrations in Funchal.”
In collaboration with the Ports of Madeira and the Madeira Tourist Office, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines organized a program full of festivities and activities throughout the day.
Paula Cabaço, General Manager of the Port of Madeira, stated: “For Madeira, it was an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to host the first post-pandemic reunion of the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet in the port of Funchal.”
“For the port of Funchal, it was a beautiful and unprecedented event, during which everything went perfectly and will undoubtedly remain in our memories.”
“This wonderful initiative fostered a unique synergy between the port and the city, with unique moments of interaction and celebration where passengers and crew came into contact with the local population and regional customs and traditions.”
“We believe it was a turning point and demonstrates that the cruise industry is vibrant and works for the benefit of all.”
During the celebrations, guests were able to take part in a treasure hunt around the city before returning to the dock to enjoy live music, dance performances by the ships' theater companies, sample local culinary delights, taste Madeira wine and cheer on the crew in the tug-of-war competition between ships.
The show continued with a battle of waiters preparing cocktails and juggling bottles.
Captain Rommel Pineda, captain of the Borealis, who has been with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for more than 25 years: “Fleet in Funchal was a magnificent gathering of our fleet of smaller ships and such a special event for both the guests and the crew.”
“At all times, whether along the pier or aboard the ships, there were smiling faces enjoying the festival-style celebrations.
“I am very proud to be part of the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines family and how we put 175 years of experience into every day for our guests.”
Guests also had the rare opportunity to visit all three Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ships throughout the day, and many took the opportunity to meet up with friends or their favorite crew members, and experience the entire fleet for themselves.
The event culminated with the departure of all the ships from Funchal, while a tugboat launched its water cannons and the guests enjoyed a farewell party on the deck of each ship and an impressive fireworks display from the port.
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