In last month’s issue of The Bridge, we introduced an exciting competition to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the recent enhancements to our Renewal of Vows package. Entrants shared their most romantic Fred. Olsen cruise moments via our Facebook page for a chance to win. What better time to share these heartwarming memories than during the month of love?
We were touched by the many beautiful stories we received, each celebrating love at sea. While every story was special, there could only be one winner. Mr and Mrs Alderson’s touching love story won them a cruise and the chance to renew their vows. Read on to discover their beautiful story, along with three others that truly captured our hearts.
“In January 2017, as a chronically shy bachelor, I nervously went to dinner on the first night of the World Cruise on Black Watch. While I had done many cruises before, mostly with family and friends, at 107 nights it was by far the longest cruise I had attempted solo. I was on a table for six, and one of the ladies - who I thought was rather attractive but very outgoing – takes delight in recalling how my only contribution that night was to briefly lift up my head to say "I'm Graham".
In our first port, Funchal, I offered to take my table companions to see the painted doors, but fate intervened and this same lady, Carol, was the only one who was fit and able to go. I soon found that perhaps she was not quite so scary after all, and our time together flew by all too quickly.
In Ecuador I left the ship for a six-night overland tour, and our enforced separation showed us just how much we meant to each other. One night, up on deck and under the stars in the South Pacific I proposed – and to my astonishment and delight she said yes!
Carol and I were married just a few short months after returning to the UK. I told her that I thought that as we had met and fallen in love on a Fred. Olsen World Cruise, there was only one possible honeymoon for us – another World Cruise! I think it only took her around half a second to agree, and so we sailed all around the world again in 2018, this time as man and wife.
Since then we have shared eight wonderful years together exploring the world, thanks to a further World Cruise, two Grand Voyages and numerous shorter cruises (all with Fred. Olsen of course), and we are eagerly awaiting our next Grand Voyage later this year.
It was a combination of fate and Fred. Olsen that brought Carol and I together, and I can think of nothing better or more appropriate than to have the chance to renew our vows on a Fred. Olsen cruise, and to have the chance to show her just how much she, and the wonderful way she has transformed my life means to me.”
Mr and Mrs Alderson Mr and Mrs Alderson
"After 40 years of being best friends growing up together, we decided that it was the year to get married. A short period of absence made us realise how much we loved each other. But where to go for the honeymoon? A visit to the travel agent and our first ever cruise was booked. 14 nights in a Premier Suite on board the beautiful Black Watch to the Norwegian Fjords.
We were instantly hooked; the friendliness of the staff, the attention to detail, the food, the relaxed atmosphere, the new view every morning, the invitation to the Captain's table, the fact that with smaller numbers on board we made friends who we kept meeting around the ship and who are still friends now – the fact that we have shared amazing experiences with some wonderful people - the fact that felt we were coming home after every port visit.
Needless to say, we booked our second cruise whilst on board for the following year, swiftly followed by our next... then the next... then the next... August 2025 sees cruise number 10 – all with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. This next cruise also sparks the first of the next chapter in our lives as we both approach taking early retirement – greater cruising flexibility looms!"
Mr and Mrs Edwards
Mr and Mrs Edwards
"After 40 years of being best friends growing up together, we decided that it was the year to get married. A short period of absence made us realise how much we loved each other. But where to go for the honeymoon? A visit to the travel agent and our first ever cruise was booked. 14 nights in a Premier Suite on board the beautiful Black Watch to the Norwegian Fjords.
We were instantly hooked; the friendliness of the staff, the attention to detail, the food, the relaxed atmosphere, the new view every morning, the invitation to the Captain's table, the fact that with smaller numbers on board we made friends who we kept meeting around the ship and who are still friends now – the fact that we have shared amazing experiences with some wonderful people - the fact that felt we were coming home after every port visit.
Needless to say, we booked our second cruise whilst on board for the following year, swiftly followed by our next... then the next... then the next... August 2025 sees cruise number 10 – all with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. This next cruise also sparks the first of the next chapter in our lives as we both approach taking early retirement – greater cruising flexibility looms!"
“We had our commitment ceremony on Balmoral last August after being together for 40 years. It was magical and I can’t praise all involved too highly. Every little detail was managed to make it a very special occasion. And our first ever cruise! As my partner was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year we were determined to make special memories. And we did!”
Leona Thomas
Mr and Mrs Connor
“My wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary onboard Balmoral in August. As newlyweds back in 1995 our first sea voyage was overnight from Felixstowe to Rotterdam and I hadn’t even booked a cabin. We scrounged a blanket and slept on the floor. I have been reminded ever since when booking any journey to ensure we have adequate accommodation as my wife will never have to sleep on the floor again. However being young at the time it was all part of the adventure of starting out on our married life together.”
“My wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary onboard Balmoral in August. As newlyweds back in 1995 our first sea voyage was overnight from Felixstowe to Rotterdam and I hadn’t even booked a cabin. We scrounged a blanket and slept on the floor. I have been reminded ever since when booking any journey to ensure we have adequate accommodation as my wife will never have to sleep on the floor again. However being young at the time it was all part of the adventure of starting out on our married life together.”
Mr and Mrs Connor
“On our first cruise in 2008 Peter Block surprised me by proposing one evening outside on the sun deck on Boudicca. At the moment I said yes, a pod of dolphins leapt from the sea! It really was the perfect moment.
We celebrated our honeymoon onboard Black Watch in 2012. We were onboard Bolette for our 12th anniversary (we mentioned it in passing to Chandra the then Maitre’d and were surprised by a cake at dinner time).
Later this year we will be having a 15th anniversary celebration onboard Borealis.
Hoping for many more celebrations with Fred. Olsen in the future too, and it would be wonderful to renew our vows onboard.”
Mr and Mrs Block
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