Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have announced a new programme of cruising for the 2024/25 season, including a meteor shower cruise departing from Scotland.
The cruise shipping company unveiled a series of specially-timed sailings to coincide with natural wonders and destination events across the world. These are intended to give passengers chances to encounter native wildlife and uncover rich and vibrant histories.
Among the newly announced sailings is the 15-night 'Portugal's Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower' cruise. This will depart from the town of Rosyth on the Firth of Forth on August 7, 2024.
The cruise is "timed purposefully to give guests the best chance of witnessing the Perseid Meteor Shower in the remote waters of the Azores where there is minimal light pollution". According to NASA, the Perseid Meteor Shower is considered the best meteor shower of the year — known for their fireballs and long streaks of light and colour.
Other highlights of the cruise will include the chance to spot whales and dolphins from the deck with assistance from wildlife charity ORCA as they are known to "populate these waters" at this time of year.
The majority of destinations included on the itinerary are in the Azores archipelago, consisting of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean. Among the highlights of the islands are its stunning sandy beaches and diverse wildlife.
Other sailings included in Fred. Olsen's new programme are a 'Discovering the Arctic’s Wildlife and Remote Landscapes' cruise and a 'Spain, Portugal and the Spectacular Bird Migration' cruise, both of which depart from Liverpool. There is also a 'Maritime Cities & Sailing Events of the Baltic' cruise departing from Dover.
Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Martin Lister said: "This has been a particularly exciting programme to curate, and we have taken inspiration from both natural and organised events in the destinations to create some really imaginative and unusual itineraries.
"Some of the highlights include chances to witness the Perseid Meteor Shower in sailings to the Azores, to seek out the phenomenal Northern Lights in adventures to the Arctic or to visit the beautiful Norwegian Fjords in the spring when the waterfalls are at their strongest.
"In addition, we have continued to curate our on-board programme. From sessions out on deck, whether it’s to join an astronomer for stargazing or spotting marine life with wildlife charity ORCA, to witness incredible scenery best viewed from the water, or to sample authentic flavours from the destinations, our Signature Experiences enable those sailing with us to get even more from their cruise."
More information about the 'Portugal’s Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower' cruise can be found on the Fred. Olsen website. A full itinerary for the cruise can be found below.
Portugal's Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower cruise itinerary
- Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Praia da Vitoria, Azores
- Horta, Azores
- Ponta Delgada, Azores
- Cruising by Vila Franca Islet, Azores
- Cruising by Belém Tower and Discovery Monument, Lisbon
- Cruising by Cristo Rei (Sanctuary of Christ the King) and 25 de Abril Bridge, Lisbon
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Leixões, Portugal
- Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland
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