Fred.Olsen Spices Up their Baltic Ports

One of the tricky aspects of planning any cruise itinerary is that delicate balance between big-name, well-known ports and those smaller, off-the-beaten-path ports of call that can often outshine their more famous counterparts. This past Friday, UK-based Fred.Olsen Cruises made its own exciting foray into a brand-new port for the line when it called on Halmstad, Sweden, adding some spice to Boudicca’s 12-night Baltic cruise itinerary that departed roundtrip from Newcastle on October 4^th.

Fred. Olsen's popular Boudicca is as stylish as she is comfortable. Photo courtesy of Fred. Olsen Cruises

Combined with port calls to the more well-known ports of Oslo, Helsinki, Copenhagen and St. Petersburg, a day in the beautiful port of Halmstad is exactly what many cruisers look for, particularly if they’ve already sailed to the beautiful Baltic region before.

Halmstad’s rich history dates back to the 13^th Century. It was almost completely destroyed by a devastating fire in 1619 that left a single castle and church standing, but the town was quickly rebuilt and has become popular with tourists for its well-preserved streets, buildings and town squares.  Today, open-air restaurants and cozy cafes litter the streets of Halmstad, and its sandy beaches beckon sun-worshippers.

In short, a stop in Halmstad just might be one of the best ways to spend a relaxing day in Sweden.

The historic port of Halmstad, Sweden offers plenty of diversions for arriving cruise passengers. Photo courtesy of Destination Halmstad

For Fred.Olsen Cruises, it’s just another example of the line’s dedication to providing their passengers with a wealth of itineraries that explore some of the richest and most culturally-diverse ports of call in the world.

Matt Grimes, Fred. Olsen’s Director of Planning, Ports and Logistics, said, “We are keen to promote a diverse range of exciting destinations, and we are delighted that Boudicca is making her inaugural call at the historic port of Halmstad, which is a slight deviation from the traditional Baltic itinerary. With so many interesting cultural attractions and a rich heritage, we are sure that this smaller, more intimate port will offer our guests a fascinating new experience.”

Here at From the Deck Chair, it’s just the kind of itinerary we like best!

More information on Fred.Olsen Cruises and their fascinating itineraries can be found in the detailed line and fleet overviews on our sister-site, The Avid Cruiser, or on Fred.Olsen’s very own website.