Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines marked 20 years of sailing from Newcastle yesterday with a special programme of entertainment for guests joining smallest ship, Balmoral, at the Port of Tyne.

Since launching its inaugural programme of sailings from Newcastle in 2006, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has welcomed more than 180,000 guests aboard its fleet of smaller ships, sailing from the city to destinations including the Norwegian fjords, the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.

With a further 21,000 guests already booked on future sailings from the Port of Tyne, Fred. Olsen is looking ahead to its biggest-ever programme of cruises from Newcastle, with 27 sailings scheduled for 2027.

To mark the milestone, guests joining Balmoral, which this year achieved record levels of guest satisfaction, were welcomed by a quayside performance from North Eastern band Four Worried Men, while local piper Andrew Lawrenson played as they boarded the ship. The event culminated in a sail-away celebration on the ship’s deck, with Balmoral departing the Port of Tyne to a water cannon salute.

Samantha Stimpson, Chief Executive Officer at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We’re delighted to be celebrating 20 years of sailing from the Port of Tyne and bringing cruising closer to home for our guests across the North East.

“Newcastle remains a key part of our regional cruise programme, and we’re excited to be building on our strong partnership with the Port of Tyne as we look ahead to our biggest-ever programme of sailings from the city in 2027.

“I’d like to thank the Port of Tyne for helping make yesterday’s celebrations so special, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests from across the North East aboard our fleet in the months and years ahead.”

Craig Morton, Commercial Director at the Port of Tyne, added:

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 20 years of partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines at the Port of Tyne. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strength of our long-standing relationship and the confidence Fred. Olsen continues to place in the Port as a gateway for its guests.

“Cruise is hugely important to both the Port and the wider region, supporting inbound and outbound tourism, bringing significant economic benefits and helping showcase the North East to visitors from across the UK and beyond. It is a sector where we see strong opportunities for future growth, and one we are committed to developing further.

“We are delighted to join Fred. Olsen in celebrating this anniversary and look forward to building on our successful partnership for many years to come.”

Following a successful winter and spring season, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has three cruises departing from Newcastle remaining this year, with two already sold out.

Limited availability remains on the final sailing, a 14-night European Cities & Scenic Rivers cruise departing in September, featuring picturesque waterways, historic cities and regional food and wine experiences across France and Belgium.

Looking ahead to 2027, guests can choose from a range of carefully curated cruises from Newcastle, from Arctic adventures in search of the Northern Lights and cultural discoveries across Scandinavia to relaxing escapes to warmer shores.

Highlights include:

Bolette’s 10-night T2706 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 4^th March 2027. Prices start from £1,299 per person.

• Take the chance to look for the Northern Lights from Bolette‘s decks
• Marvel at the beauty of the Vesterålen archipelago’s fjords and forests
• Enjoy an overnight stay in Harstad, perfect for aurora spotting

Itinerary: Newcastle, United Kingdom – Ålesund, Norway – Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Harstad, Norway – Sortland, Norway – Molde – Newcastle, United Kingdom