For only the second time in its history, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has celebrated the coming together of its fleet of four ocean ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch.
The four ships sailed into the Spanish harbour of Cadiz at just before 8am on Monday (10 September) , carrying 4,000 guests, and were welcomed by the Los Sones de Cádiz band and a port bedecked with Captains in Cádiz fiesta-style bunting and banners.
Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch depart from the Port of Cádiz following the historic celebrations
Mike Rodwell, managing director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We have named this year’s event Captains in Cádiz, as our Captains – and their dedicated crews – help to make the cruise experience across our fleet such an enjoyable and memorable one.
“Our cruise ships have been calling here since 1987, and the excellent port facilities mean that we can berth all four ships in close proximity to each other.”
He added: “Captains in Cadiz has been two years in the planning, and follows on from the tremendous success of our Four Ships in Bergen event in July 2015, when we brought our four ocean ships together for the very first time.”
A key part of the celebrations was the bringing together of the eight ships’ Masters from across the Fred. Olsen fleet: Captains Victor Stoica and Rommel Pineda from Balmoral, Captains Jozo Glavic and Jens Erik Gulowsen from Braemar, Captains Juha Sartela and Mikael Degerlund from Boudicca, and Captains Henrik Mattsson and Valentin Giuglea from Black Watch. Also attending the event was chairman of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Fred. Olsen Junior.
Captain Mikael Degerlund, Master of Boudicca, said: “The event was wonderful, not only for all of us eight Captains, but also for all the staff and crew, who had a great opportunity to meet and mingle with guests from across the fleet. Wherever you walked and turned, there was always a familiar face.
Working closely with Cádiz Port Authority and the various Cádiz and Andalusian tourism partners, Fred Olsen provided a fun-packed programme of festivities and activities during the day, along the quayside and throughout the city.
One of the highlights was a ceremonial Plaque Exchange on stage, attended by all eight Captains, Fred. Olsen Junior, Mike Rodwell, the Mayor of Cádiz, President of Cádiz Port Authority and other local dignitaries, at which ships’ plaques were presented by the Captains and commemorative gifts received from the city of Cádiz, followed by a VIP reception on Balmoral.
Pictured in Cadiz, left to right: Captains Jens Erik Gulowsen, Juha Sartela, Mikael Degerlund, andHenrik Mattsson, Fred Olsen Junior, Mike Rodwell, and Captains Valentin Giuglea, Victor Stoica, Rommel Pineda and Jozo Glavic
Guests also had the opportunity to visit all of the Fred. Olsen ships during the day, and many took advantage of the chance to meet up with each other – or their favourite crew members – and get to experience the rest of the fleet for themselves.
At 5pm, all four ships departed Cádiz in convoy, led out of the harbour by a fire tug boat spraying its water cannons. The fleet passed under The Constitution of 1812 Bridge in formation before setting sail for their next destinations: Braemar to Southampton, both Balmoral and Black Watch to Lisbon, and Boudicca to Ibiza.
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