Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' vessel Borealis has made its inaugural call at the Port of Tyne, marking the beginning of a series of spring and summer departures from Newcastle. The 1,390-passenger ship arrived ahead of a scheduled program that includes voyages to destinations such as Norway, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, France, and the Mediterranean.
The ship’s first visit to Newcastle coincided with preparations for a 10-night Northern Lights itinerary, which includes an overnight stay in Tromso. Newcastle remains one of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' key UK departure ports, alongside Liverpool, Portsmouth, Southampton, Dover, and Rosyth.
Doug Glenwright, Director of Guest Experience at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, emphasized the company’s enthusiasm for returning to the Port of Tyne and commencing its 2025 cruise season from Newcastle. He noted that the upcoming sailings would offer guests opportunities to engage with the culture of each destination and experience natural phenomena such as whale and dolphin sightings, as well as the Northern Lights. The company expressed its eagerness to welcome passengers aboard Borealis for what is expected to be a season of remarkable voyages.
Jak Johnson, International Passenger Terminal Manager at the Port of Tyne, welcomed Borealis on its first visit, highlighting the port’s commitment to delivering seamless turnarounds for cruise operations. He reaffirmed the port’s dedication to ensuring smooth embarkation and disembarkation processes for passengers and noted that 42 cruise calls from various operators are scheduled at the port throughout the year. Johnson also emphasized the strong partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the port’s focus on providing an exceptional experience for guests throughout the season.