Explorer Sue Stockdale joins a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’

One of the most exciting and adventurous itineraries on a Fred. Olsen cruise must be the snowy Arctic, with its amazing landscape and fascinating wildlife. Balmoral has a 16-night cruise departing from Southampton on 26^th July 2013 – ‘Arctic Mountains, Fjords & Polar Bears’ - and the experience will be enhanced by guest lecturer, Sue Stockdale, the first British woman to ski to the North Pole, who will be aboard as part of the Vistas enrichment programme.

After leaving Southampton, the cruise calls first at Ǻlesund in Norway. This pretty town was destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in Art Nouveau style, and is one of the most picturesque places in the country. After this call, Balmoral heads far north into the Arctic Circle. She calls at Tromsø, surrounded by snow-capped peaks even in summer, then on up to Honningsvǻg for the North Cape – the very ‘top of Europe’. The next two ports are even further north. Longyearbyen, Svalbard, enjoys daylight around the clock in the summer months. The town has 1,600 inhabitants and reindeer can be seen roaming the streets. Originally a mining town, it has a museum dedicated to its mining and whaling history. Next port, Ny Alesund, is the most northerly permanent settlement in the world and is home to a scientific research centre.

Balmoral then begins her journey south, visiting Kristiansund, famous for its Klippfish (dried cod) Museum, and, finally, the pretty fjord land village of Olden, before returning to Southampton.

Prices for this unforgettable northern voyage start from £1,879 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes. There is no extra charge for taking part in Vistas activity.

Sue Stockdale uniquely combines business expertise with her experiences as an adventurer and explorer. Unlike any other explorer, Sue was a business consultant before she realised her dream of becoming an explorer. She holds the title of First British Woman to walk to the Magnetic North Pole. In 1996, she survived temperatures of -40C and pulled 60lbs of equipment for twelve hours a day to reach the North Pole.

Sue is a successful, international business consultant, with a Masters Degree in Quality Management. In her richly inspirational presentations, she combines all her personal expertise and wide experiences as a polar explorer with her profound business knowledge, and will be the perfect companion for this Arctic cruise.

Find out more about all Fred. Olsen cruises and Vistas speakers, by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com Book online, call Reservations on 01473 742424, or see your local ABTA travel agent.