There's no doubt that the ever-growing popularity of cruising holidays leaves today's cruise passenger spoilt for choice. So what makes Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines different from all the others?

The fact is, Fred. Olsen is something of a rarity. It is a flourishing family-operated company with over 150 years of proud seafaring heritage, dedicated to preserving the time-honoured qualities of cruising at its most traditional. Consequently, the company is able to offer that magical combination of hospitality and warmth, which results in a welcoming and personal on-board atmosphere, friendly service, and a commitment to ensuring a relaxed and trouble-free holiday. The three ships of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are small by today's standards - Black Prince carries just 412 passengers, Black Watch 807, Braemar 727, Boudicca 839 and our newest addition Balmoral 987 passengers - which is the ideal size for many British cruise passengers. Life on board is geared to making the British passenger feel at ease from the minute he steps on board.

At 28,613 tons, Black Watch provides the passenger with a taste of elegance and traditional sophistication, which is hard to find in many of today's new cruise fleets. Her teak decks have ample space for all her passengers, and facilities include two stylish formal restaurants and one bright and airy informal restaurant inside. On deck are two more dining areas, golf driving nets, a deck tennis court, and a promenade deck where five laps equal one mile, and two beautiful pools with Jacuzzis. Inside is a fully equipped gymnasium and fitness centre, superb library and card room, internet room, plenty of bars and lounges and casino. All passenger cabins have television, telephone, and private facilities, and Premier, Marquee, Superior and Balcony Suites also have private balconies.

The 11,209-ton Black Prince is a well-established favourite with the British cruise market. She is small enough to provide a friendly, almost club-like atmosphere on board where all her passengers feel instantly at home. Facilities include two indoor formal restaurants, plus an informal conservatory style restaurant, which can be open-air in warm climates, or protected by sliding glass walls in cooler conditions. In addition there are two swimming pools (one indoors and one on deck with Jacuzzis), a gymnasium, well-stocked library, card room, shops, beauty salon and a choice of bars and lounges. All cabins are equipped with television, and all have private facilities.

The 28,388-ton Boudicca joined the Fred Olsen fleet and set sail in February 2005.  Boudicca has a light and airy design and is reassuringly human in scale, ensuring that Boudicca offers the same special atmosphere, which exists throughout the fleet.  Cabins on Boudicca are generously roomy, and the suites are sumptuous and unrestrained.  With just 450 cabins and a maximum of 900 passengers – totally in keeping with the Fred. Olsen cruising values of friendliness and intimacy.

Balmoral, the newest addition to the Fred Olsen fleet, is due to set sail January 2008.  The 34,242 ton cruise ship will be the largest Fred Olsen cruise ship, with 523 cabins holding a maximum of 1150 passengers onboard.  The introduction of a fifth ship to the Fred. Olsen Cruises fleet gives us marvellous opportunity to broaden our horizons with a series of exciting fly cruises to the Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean in the spring.