Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is aiming to attract more US passengers to its fleet of small ships.
The line has named a new company to represent it in North America in an effort to heighten the profile of the brand.
New York City-based Pisa Brothers Travel is to act as sales representative for Fred Olsen.
The agency, established in 1924 and a member of the Virtuoso luxury network, claims a reputation for tailor-making travel itineraries and is part of the Worldview Travel organisation with offices in California, Florida, New York, Oregon, Toronto and Bermuda.
Pisa Brothers general manager, Mary Kleen, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity and privilege to serve as the North American sales representative for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
“We pride ourselves on being able to provide the very best destination and product knowledge to our customers, creating unrivalled, immersive cultural experiences all over the world.
“Our clients value the personal service that we can give them, as a close-knit and very knowledgeable team of experts, and we know that there is considerable scope to be able to showcase the quintessentially British Fred Olsen brand to a whole new American market.”
The line’s manager for UK tour operations and international sales, Kate Wooldridge, added: “Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is excited to partner with Pisa Brothers Travel, as this exceptional travel agent has a great understanding of our brand, and offers the potential for us to introduce the US market to a more niche, British cruise experience – whether they are seasoned cruisers, ‘new to Fred’ or total cruise newcomers.”
The company’s fleet of four ships will sail from 10 UK departure ports in 2016/17 – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Falmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth for Edinburgh, Greenock for Glasgow and Belfast.