DESTINATIONS CARIBBEAN | CRUISE


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Watch video highlights of the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Caribbean Tourism Organization mega-fam trip at


bit.ly/focl-cto2019 AGENTS’ VIEWS


“I’d recommend Braemar to customers who’ve been on bigger ships but are now looking for something smaller and quieter. The crew make it so special – they treat you like family.” Julie Collings, formerly Thornton’s Travel


“I’d recommend this for older passengers who are reasonably active and for whom dining is important. And with Braemar being a smaller ship, getting off and on for excursions is so much easier.” Anne Knight, Flamingo Travel


CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Food stall in Marigot, Saint Martin; the St Kitts Scenic Railway; Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar PICTURES: Shutterstock; Mike Walsh


three new mud pools has greatly enhanced its appeal. I slathered my skin with the squishy brown stuff and sank into the enveloping warmth of the water. As sulphur steam rose from the surface, I marvelled at this volcanic phenomenon that provides such a rugged contrast to Saint Lucia’s beautiful beaches – while silently wondering if the mud would ever come off. In truth, few of my fellow Fred Olsen passengers had opted for this dermatological delight – and even fewer for the zipline adrenaline rush – but no matter. The adventurous options were there for those who liked them.


HIT FOR SIX


In Antigua, a popular excursion – or tour, as Fred Olsen prefers to call them – was the Island Safari. This was a sightseeing drive, but instead of being transported in an air-conditioned minibus, we were carried in the back of an open-sided Land Rover, which made for another exciting hold-on-tight experience. Our tour took us along bumpy roads through rural Antiguan villages, the island’s rainforest and on to English Harbour. This is where the British navy was stationed in the 1700s and where Nelson’s Dockyard remains a big attraction. Elsewhere, our guide, Trevor, pointed out two sights associated with a local legend: the Sir Viv Richards Cricket Stadium, and the street in capital St John’s where


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“With smaller ships, Fred Olsen sailings get you right into the destination. Some of the excursions are quite active – the line has some work to do to change perceptions that it is only geared towards older passengers.” Debi Phillips, formerly Newell’s Travel


exper expert ASK THE


carol hay business development director, CTO UK & Europe


“Cruising is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to sample the Caribbean and decide which destination they would like to return to for a longer stay by having experiences that allow them to distinguish one port from another, which is why we were pleased to work with Fred Olsen on its Caribbean mega-fam. “There have been many changes across the Caribbean over the past


12 months and destinations are readying themselves to receive visitors. Emphasis will be placed on testing prior to and on arrival, completion of health records and having adequate travel insurance in place. “That said, we eagerly await the return of tourism. We know there will be


stricter travel guidelines, but the benefits will include more outdoor experiences, beautiful beaches for social distancing and an abundance of wellness activities.”


the West Indies batting superstar grew up. This was followed by a swim at the beautiful and deserted Turners Beach.


TRACK STAR In St Kitts, the mainstay of Fred Olsen’s day-trip options – and that of most cruise lines – is the stunning St Kitts Scenic Railway. This is a more traditional tour experience and one eagerly lapped up by my fellow Braemar passengers. The narrow-gauge track was built in 1912 to transport sugar cane, but when that industry folded, the railway was transformed into a tourist attraction.


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