Indulge in a Festive Cruise Aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch

Ipswich, United Kingdom, November 24, 2012 --(PR.com)-- It is not too late to bag a last-minute getaway this festive season; Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch has some very tempting pre-Christmas cruises still available, offering wonderful value for money. They can be both a well-earned break and the chance for some unusual Christmas shopping opportunities.

For a Christmas markets cruise with a really novel itinerary, join Black Watch’s cruise, W1218, of 12 nights, departing from Southampton on 22nd November 2012. This ‘Baltic Christmas Markets’ cruise is a first for Fred. Olsen, cruising later than usual to some of the finest festive markets in Europe.

Cruise through the Kiel Canal and visit Denmark’s charming capital, Copenhagen, where the Tivoli Gardens are at their most magical at Christmas. Then visit Estonia’s picturesque capital, Tallinn, and – a real highlight of the cruise – St. Petersburg, Russia’s most beautiful city, looking like a fairytale in its Christmas finery. The cruise also visits Helsinki, the cosmopolitan Finnish capital and Warnemünde, Germany, for tours to Berlin. A final call into Kiel heralds the return transit of the Kiel Canal, bringing Black Watch back to Southampton. Prices for this stunning festive cruise start from just £449 per person, with a ‘Latesaver’ deal (based on two adults sharing a twin cabin, grade confirmed on embarkation).

For some warmer weather in the run up to Christmas, or perhaps some inspiration for selecting festive wines, join Black Watch on a cruise to ‘Spain & Portugal’, with a theme of ‘Wine’ through Fred. Olsen’s award-winning onboard enrichment programme, Vistas. This nine-night cruise, W1219, departs from Southampton on 4th December 2012 and visits Lisbon, the attractive and elegant capital of Portugal, then Portimăo, where freshly-caught sardines, cooked on a brazier, are a local specialty. Next port is Gibraltar, the perfect place for Christmas shopping, with its unbeatable tax-free prices. The last call is into the attractive Spanish port of La Coruna; from here, a visit to Santiago de Compostela, one of Europe's major centres of pilgrimage, is a fitting end to a pre-Christmas cruise. A relaxing day at sea brings Black Watch back to Southampton. Prices for this cruise now start from just £399 per person, based on two adults sharing an ‘Inside’, twin cabin, with a ‘Latesaver’ deal.

For a ‘quick fix’ before the festivities begin in earnest, Black Watch has a three-night mini- cruise to France, W1220, departing from Southampton on 13th December 2012. This cruise visits the beautiful city of Rouen, for an overnight stay, so that guests can enjoy the magnificent Christmas markets and visit the fine old buildings at leisure. Prices for this cruise start from only £179 per person, based on two adults sharing a ‘Superior Outside’ twin cabin with a ‘Latesaver’ deal.

All prices are per person, based on two adults sharing twin-bedded accommodation, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

The Fred. Olsen fleet will be decked out in its Christmas splendour at this time of year, with Christmas trees and traditional decorations helping guests get into the festive spirit.

Find out more about the latest offers from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – voted ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ by readers of Cruise International magazine in 2012 – by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com Book online, call Reservations on 01473 742424, or see an ABTA travel agent.