Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral delights VIPs

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral berthed at Harwich International Port

Today, Wednesday 17th August 2011, Dream Designs Colchester were lucky enough to join a delegation of VIPs aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' flagship, Balmoral, during her inaugural visit to Harwich International Port.

Local dignitaries on board Balmoral included the Mayor & Mayoress of Harwich and representatives from Tendering District and Suffolk County Council, as well as regional tourism bodies, such as the Haven Gateway Partnership and Visit Essex.

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The visit aboard Balmoral gave VIPs a feel for the relaxed 'home-for-home' atmosphere that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' fleet of four small, more intimate ships, and to help promote cruise opportunities within the Haven Gateway and surrounding areas.

Nigel Lingard, Sales & Marketing Director, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

" We are delighted to welcome such prestigious visitors aboard Balmoral, the nest and largest ship in our fleet. Fred. Olsen is a keen supporter of regional ports around the UK, and has been working with Harwich International Port for a number of years. Black Watch, the smallest and most traditional ship in our fleet, enjoyed a very successful call at the Port in August last year, and we know that this is a popular desition for our guests on coastal UK cruises."

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral berthed alongside Harwich International Port

Upon embarking Balmoral, dignitaries were welcomed aboard by a Champagne reception and 'brunch' in the exclusive Avon Restaurant on Deck 10, where they were given the opportunity to sample the fine cuisine which Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' has to offer. 

Whilst enjoying 'brunch' and champagne on board the official plaque presentation ceremony took place in the Avon Restaurant, where Captain Atle Knutsen presented Steve Hume, Commercial Manager, Harwich International Port with the plaque. In exchange a photograph of Balmoral berthing alongside Harwich International Port earlier that morning was presented to Captain Atle Knutsen.

Local dignitaries enjoy champage and 'brunch' in the exclusive Avon Restaurant aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' flagship, Balmoral

A guided tour of Balmoral then followed, showcasing the ship's many various spacious public areas and elegant decor, such the dramatic atrium, along with a visit to the traditionally styled 'Morning Light Pub', which is named after an early Fred. Olsen family owned vessel.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral berthed behind at Harwich International Port on Wednesday 17th August 2011

Once completing the tour of Balmoral, Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, and his father Brian Cotterill, where especially invited to the bridge of the vessel where the official presentation ceremony of our drawing took place.

A profile view of our cruise ship drawing of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' flagship, Balmoral

Captain Atle Knutsen and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines were very impressed with our drawing of Balmoral and have so kindly agreed to frame and permanently display our drawing aboard the vessel.

Currently we are unable to share with you any photographs from the official drawing presentation ceremony, as all photographs of the presentations held aboard were photographed by professionals on board photographers during the visit. We will however be issuing an official ' Balmoral visit & official drawing presentation ' blog post upon reciving the photographs from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" We were delighted to be able to join such prestigious visitors aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral at Harwich International Port earlier today, during the vessel's inaugural visit. It was an honour to given the opportunity to officially present our drawing of Balmoral to Captain Atle Knutsen on the bridge of the vessel. We certainly feel very proud and special to know that our drawing of Balmoral shall be displayed aboard the vessel permanently."

He added:

" Balmoral proved to be a truly lovely vessel, much like Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Black Watch which we visited in August 2010, during her inaugural visit to Harwich International Port. I personally would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. We do hope to continue our connection with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in the future and look forward to visiting another of their wonderful ships in the not too distant future. "

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk