Vanilla Islands applauds Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines

Demand for Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines’ first-ever ‘Islands of the Indian Ocean’ fly-cruise, which was launched on May 3, 2016, was unprecedented in the company’s history, and meant that the cruise was almost fully-booked in under ten hours! In response to those customers who were disappointed at not being able to book this exotic cruise holiday, Fred.Olsen has launched two new itineraries on board 880-guest Boudicca in Autumn/Winter 2017, to explore the much-sought-after Indian Ocean region: a new 33-night sailing to the ‘Mediterranean, Zanzibar & Mauritius’, departing from Liverpool on October 14, 2017, and a new 15-night ‘Islands of the Indian Ocean’ fly-cruise, ex London/Manchester to Port Louis, Mauritius on November 16, 2017.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We are sorry that we had to disappoint so many of our guests when we launched our original ‘Islands of the Indian Ocean’ fly-cruise at the beginning of May; we received thousands of calls for this one itinerary to our Reservations Centre and, unfortunately – despite our best efforts – we were completely overwhelmed by the response.

“It is clear that we significantly underestimated the demand for this type of holiday. After listening to our customers, we have now organized two new fly-cruises to this hugely-popular region, so that our loyal guests who missed out on the first sailing now have two further opportunities.”

Details of Boudicca’s two new Indian Ocean itineraries in late 2017 are as follows:

– 33-night D1724 ‘Mediterranean, Zanzibar & Mauritius’ fly-cruise, ex Liverpool on 14th October 2017 (flying back into London / Manchester). Prices start from just £2,999 per person*, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded Interior Room, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus port / airport taxes, flights and transfers. (*This holiday can also be booked on a cruise-only basis, from just £2,399 per person).

Ports of call: Liverpool • Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain • Palma, Mallorca, Spain • Valletta, Malta • Iraklion, Crete, Greece • Suez Canal Transit • Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt • Salalah, Oman • Zanzibar, Tanzania (overnight) • Mozambique Island, Mozambique • Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar • Port Reunion, Reunion • Port Louis, Mauritius

– 15-night D1725 ‘Islands of the Indian Ocean’ fly-cruise, ex London/Manchester to Port Louis, Mauritius on November 16, 2017. Prices start from just £2,999 per person*, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded Interior Room, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus port / airport taxes, flights and transfers. (*This holiday can also be booked on a cruise-only basis, from just £1,849 per person).

Ports of call: Port Louis, Mauritius (overnight) • Praslin Island, Seychelles (overnight) • Cruising Silhouette Island at sunset • Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles (overnight) • Mamoudzou, Mayotte, Comoros • Hell-ville (Andoany), Nosy-Be, Madagascar • Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), Madagascar • Port Reunion, Reunion • Port Louis, Mauritius

For guests who book these exclusive new fly-cruises by May 31, 2016, Fred.Olsen will cover the cost of their gratuities and offer a 50% discount on cruises departing between October 7 and December 16, 2016 (excludes ‘Party Nights’).

Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred.Olsen’s great-value ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

The Vanilla Islands is an organization that promotes the Indian Ocean islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion island and Seychelles.