As Fred Olsen Cruise Lines gears up for a new range of fly-cruises in 2025, Jeannine Williamson gets a taste of what’s to come
“It’s a magic carpet,” smiles the vendor as he rolls out another jewel-bright rug, adding to the growing pile already on the floor. I’ve just watched a woman sitting at a loom weaving an intricate pattern into a floor covering that will take many months to complete, and now I’m sipping sweet mint tea as more and more carpets are laid out in front of us.
Tunisia has a rich history of carpet-making, using wool from flocks tended by nomadic Berber shepherds, and a visit to the shop tucked away in a labyrinth of narrow streets in the Tunis souk – or market – is a fun highlight during our call at nearby port La Goulette. The salesman’s banter is light-hearted and although a few buy carpets to be shipped back home, there’s no pressure selling.
Our guide leads us through the souk, past glittering jewellery and fragrant spices, until we pause in another tucked-away building to watch women belly dancing to a hypnotic backdrop of live music.
Fortified by more mint tea and a succulent date-filled treat, some braver members of the party feel sufficiently emboldened to follow the dancers’ invitation to get up and shake their stuff.
Fly-cruise
It might feel a world away from home, but it took me only a couple of hours to arrive on these Mediterranean shores – without the help of a flying carpet.
I’m getting a preview of the experience Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ passengers can expect when a new fly-cruise programme, in partnership with airline Jet2.com, 2025.
In October and November, the smallest ship in the fleet, Balmoral, will host seven to 12-night Mediterranean sailings, offering a shorter, yet immersive, cruise experience to make the most of the time away.
I boarded the taster cruise in Dubrovnik – also one of next year’s featured ports of call – and was immediately thrown into the swing of things with a wide range of optional shore tours to choose from. A journey to a village to meet a family that produces wine and fiery grape brandy, a drive along the scenic coast road or a wander through Dubrovnik’s atmospheric Old Town – encircled by intact 13th-century walls – are just a few of the options.
Food experiences in Montenegro
Early next morning, our ship slips into Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor under cover of darkness, and it is only out on deck for the evening sailaway that we fully appreciate the breathtaking beauty of this Unesco-listed region, where the bay is surrounded by towering peaks and dotted with tiny green islands.
Balmoral, along with Fred’s two other vessels, Bolette and Borealis, is small enough to reach this scenic gem, which is inaccessible to larger cruise ships.
During the day I join a tour to an olive farm, 30 minutes outside Kotor, run by the Moric family. The only certified manufacturer of organic olive oil in Montenegro, it’s fascinating to listen to Ilija Moric, one of three brothers who run the farm, as he shows how it is made and invites us to sniff, swirl and sample – just like wine – some olive oil.
We sit down in the rustic farmhouse to tuck into local bread, cheese, ham and apple cake, encouraged by Ilija to drizzle the fruity oil on all of it, including the cake. It’s surprisingly good.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ new fly-cruises
As part of the new fly-cruise programme, guests can look forward to a host of specially curated activities like this, where they will sample authentic flavours from the destinations visited along the way, including Turkish tea, Jerez sherry in Spain and limoncello on the stunning Amalfi coastline.
Back on board, there’s also no shortage of things to do. Fred excels in offering a packed daily programme, which includes a great opportunity for passengers to try their hand at all manner of new things, such as art, bridge, singing in a choir and playing the ukulele, or brushing up on existing skills in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Aside from the art classes, where there’s a nominal charge for materials, they’re all free.
Indeed, many energetic passengers start their day with a 7am class in the gym and end it late at night in the silent disco, before getting up the next morning to start all over again – while still finding time to make the most of all the ports of call that they can reach much more quickly on a fly-cruise.
Book it: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ 10-night Bays, Mountains and Islands of the Dalmatian Coast sailing from Civitavecchia, Italy, to Dubrovnik, Croatia, is priced from £1,799, departing on October 7, 2025, on Balmoral. The fly-cruise calls at Kotor, Koper, Sibenik and Split, and includes flights and transfers.
fredolsencruises.com
Ask the expert
Geoff Ridgeon, head of sales, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
“Our return to fly-cruise for the 2025 season marks an exciting chance for our guests to explore a range of Mediterranean sailings, with flights direct from Stansted and Manchester.
A fly-cruise is perfect for those who want to make the most of their time ashore, by reducing the time in sailing from the UK. Plus, sailings can be tailored into longer journeys by adding consecutive cruises for a longer autumn break in the sunshine.
Agents can offer cruises with opportunities to take in the charming clifftop towns of Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coast, the beautiful Bay of Kotor and the enchanting Greek islands. Ashore, discover the origins of flamenco dancing, sip Jerez sherry, wander the Dalmatian markets and see the Krka waterfalls.”
Selling tips
Small-ship cruising: Balmoral carries a maximum of 1,325 passengers, so it’s easy for guests to find their way around the vessel and is not overwhelming for first-timers.
Solos welcome: These hassle-free fly-cruises are ideal for single travellers, including those taking their first holiday alone, because there’s a busy daily programme of onboard activities for solo travellers.
Value for money: Drinks and spa treatments are priced in sterling and are incredibly reasonable, with no tips on top. Suggest the drinks package to add even more value.
PICTURES: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines; Shutterstock/Rolf E Staerk, Blan-k; Shutterstock/BTWImages
