Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launches ‘Music & Laughter’ programme for 2011/12

July 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Provided at no extra cost, the programme offers a star-studded line-up of quality acts from the worlds of comedy, music and entertainment. A diverse range of musical styles is represented, including pop, soul, jazz, classical and opera.

Among the leading names signed for the 2011/12 season are: Seventies’ soul legend, George McCrae, best known for his smash hit ‘Rock Your Baby’ – a Number One hit in over 82 countries; Sixties’ legends ‘The Tornados’, whose hit ‘45’, ‘Telstar’, was the first single by a UK group ever to reach Number One in the USA; and the dynamic ‘Sounds of Boney M’, featuring original band member, Sheyla Bonnick. As well as the Fred. Olsen premiere of these stars, some of the most popular acts from previous years are making a welcome return. Among them, the glamorous and  hugely talented ‘Operababes’, the super-cool Swing band ‘Dominic Halpin & the Honey B’s’; and trad-jazz giants ‘Colin Bryant & His Hot Rhythm Orchestra’.

From the world of comedy, the enormously popular Don Reid will be cruising again, and is joined in the ‘Music & Laughter’ season by other talented comedians, including Rikki Jay – who made his debut on LWT’s ‘The Big, Big Talent Show’ – and Berni Flint – winner of ‘Opportunity Knocks’ a record 12 times!

Here are a few of the cruises featured in the programme:-

Braemar’s M1123 11-night cruise to Iberia, departing from Dover on 28th October 2011, stars ‘The Operababes’ and renowned West End opera singer, Anthony Stuart Lloyd. The cruise visits Motril, Ibiza and Cartagena in Spain and the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, before returning to Dover. Prices start from £729 per person*. Through Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ enhancement programme, Vistas, the cruise also has a theme of ‘Choirs at Sea’ – so any guests inspired by the opera performances can try to develop their own singing talents, too. (*Cabin grade given at time of booking, cabin number allocated on embarkation).

Comedy and Swing make a great combination on Balmoral’s seven-night L1120 ‘Northern Europe’ cruise, which departs from Southampton on 10th November 2011. Visiting Hamburg and Bremerhaven (Germany), Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium), the cruise stars ‘Dominic Halpin & the Honey B’s’ and comedian Berni Flint. Prices start from £549 per person.

For lovers of Soul, Balmoral’s L1121 cruise to the Canary Islands will be a treat, as it stars George McCrae. This 13-night cruise sails from Southampton on 17th November 2011, and visits the islands of Madeira, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, before calling at Portugal’s elegant capital, Lisbon, and then returning to Southampton. This cruise also features a Vistas theme of ‘Ballroom Dancing’, for those whose love of music brings them up onto their twinkle-toes! Prices start from £849 per person.

Boudicca’s cruise to the Canaries, D1125, plays host to Sixties’ pop legends ‘The Tornados’. Founder member and drummer, Clem Cattini, reformed the award-winning band, whose hit ‘Telstar’ sold an amazing nine million copies. Departing from Portsmouth on 26th November 2011 for 14 nights, the cruise visits Leixoes (for Oporto), Portugal, then the islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and Madeira, as well as the Spanish port of Vigo, before returning to Portsmouth. Prices start from £899 per person.

All prices are quoted per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board, including the ‘Music & Laughter’ programme, and port taxes.

Find out more about all Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘Music & Laughter’ cruises by visiting http://www.fredolsencruises.com. Book online, via Reservations on 01473 742424, or through any ABTA travel agent. More information on Vistas themes and lecturers is available at http://www.fredolsencruises-vistas.com.

# # #

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has defined and refined the cruise experience, and judging by the number of passengers that come back time and again, we have styled it to perfection.