That was the message from the line’s managing director Mike Rodwell who said Fred Olsen’s first dedicated fly-cruise brochure would give it “more penetration” with travel consultants.
Fred Olsen unveiled its inaugural fly-cruises programme during a launch event in London last night (March 1) during which the Norwegian-owned line also showcased its Worldwide Cruises 2018-19 brochure.
Rodwell said the line’s Exotic Fly-Cruise range was “really directed at agents”, adding that he hoped travel consultants would “get behind it and support us.”
He explained that the line had “rather neglected” its fly-cruise product in recent times and now “wanted to stress” the breadth and quality of its sailings – particularly with its Indian Ocean and South African itineraries.
“In future years we are likely to do even more [fly-cruise sailings],” he added.
As part of its dedicated fly-cruise range, Fred Olsen guests can also choose sailings in India, Australia and New Zealand, with durations from 14 to 38 nights.
Despite the new programme, Rodwell stressed that Fred Olsen “would not be leaving ex-UK sailings behind in any way”.
On top of its fly-cruise ambitions, Fred Olsen’s 2018-19 season will see its fleet of four vessels - Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – visit 13 new ports of call, including Anavilhanas in Brazil, Khasab in Oman, St Tropez and Sanremo in Italy.
Rodwell explained how the line had experienced a “fabulous start to the year” and were currently “well ahead” on the number of bookings made this time last year.
An important part of its success, he said, had been the trade with sales made through agents “holding up well”.
He added that the line was keen to boost its number of agent bookings and would be "devoting more resources" to help it do so.
“We want to take it a bit further. Over the years some agents might think we have neglected them a little bit but we want to get the message out there that we really value the support of agents and what they can bring to our distribution," explained Rodwell.
“We want to become even more agent-friendly than we already are”.