Enhanced Programme of European River Cruises

Fred. Olsen River Cruises has returned to the stunning waterways of Europe this month with its first sailing for 2019 – a five-night ‘Springtime Dutch Discovery’ fly-cruise from Amsterdam –  with a further 27 fly-cruises on offer this year

Building on a successful inaugural year in 2018, 156-guest Brabant will return to the Danube, Moselle, Rhine and Main rivers, with durations ranging from five to 25 nights, with an expanded enrichment programme of expert speakers to allow guests to experience the best of each destination.

Keith Norman, River Sales Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We enjoyed a very successful first year with Brabant in 2018, but in 2019 we stop being the ‘newcomers’ and will really stake our place in the river cruise market. People have found a love for what we do, and bookings are already up by more than 30 per cent on the same time last year.

“In 2019, our guests can enjoy an expanded enrichment programme, with knowledgeable speakers – experts in their respective fields – joining a number of sailings to enhance the holiday experience. This adds to our immersive programme of shore excursions, which are led by insightful guides local to the various ports of call.

“There is a big difference between taking a tour and thinking ‘What a lovely building!’, to taking a tour with a real expert, equipped with the knowledge and understanding as to why that building is located where it is, who designed it, who built it, and who lived in it. It is about having a ‘genuine’ experience and appreciation of the place that you are visiting.”

Among the highlights of Brabant’s 2019 programme are a seven-night Valleys & Mountains of Germany fly cruise, ex-Nuremberg, flights from Heathrow/Manchester on May 30, 2019, prices from £999; a seven-night Romantic Rhine & Moselle Marvels fly cruise, ex-Basel, flights from Heathrow, on June 27, prices from £999; and a 10-night Sailing the Danube, fly cruise, ex-Hirsova, Romania, flights from London Heathrow/Manchester, on September 7, 2019, prices start from £2,199 per person.

Experts set to enhance the guest experience on board Brabant in 2019 include: cyclist and travel writer, Andrew Sykes; Hugh Ellwood, with expertise in history and architecture; wine expert, Martin Ward; and Second World War historian, Philip Sanders. These experts will deliver a series of lectures on board Brabant, which they will then build upon by accompanying a number of tours and providing hands-on advice and guidance to guests throughout the shore experience.

Fred. Olsen guests – who are predominantly British – will feel at home on board Brabant, with English spoken throughout and all transactions conducted in Pounds Sterling. The British taste will also be reflected in the cuisine, customer service and shore tours on offer.

All prices shown are based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded Standard Room, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, port/airport taxes, flights and transfers.

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