Fred. Olsen's Brabant in 2020

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ river cruise vessel – the 156-guest Brabant – is offering exciting new itineraries in 2020. These are designed to take guests to places rarely visited by river ships, such as the scenic riverside towns of Luxembourg; along the Moselle; as well as voyages of discovery to the Black Sea along the wildlife-rich Danube Delta.

Brabant’s classic design is smaller than many river ships, so guests enjoy all the hallmarks of Fred. Olsen’s style of cruising. In keeping with the company’s ocean-going fleet, this smaller-scale vessel has the style, atmosphere and elegance of a country house hotel. With just four decks and fewer than 80 rooms and suites, staffed by 40 crew members, Brabant has the intimate and friendly feel that Fred. Olsen’s guests expect. The Amadeus Club is a great spot for peaceful relaxation, while you can socialise at the Lido Bar. Juliette balconies with panoramic windows are a feature of many of the rooms, so that you can enjoy expansive views of Europe’s most exciting waterways.

Jackie Martin, sales and marketing director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said, "We look forward to welcoming even more guests to experience our friendlier, tailored style of European river cruising in 2020, when we will be offering 26 itineraries, covering 43 ports of call, as well as introducing 10 maiden calls, across six different countries.”

There are maiden sailings to Luxembourg, taking in stunning Grevenmacher and Remich – where few other river ships venture – as well as scenic cruises of the Danube Delta, with other inaugural calls to: Trier and Nierstein, in Germany; Cetate, Galați and Dobreta-Turnu Severin, in Romania; Donji Milanovac, in Serbia; Enkhuizen, in the Netherlands; and Vukovar, in Croatia.

Among the highlights of Brabant’s 2020 cruise programme is a 14-night ‘Eastern Europe Discovery to the Danube Delta’ fly-cruise from Budapest on 31 May 2020. You can follow the mighty Danube all the way down to the Danube Delta, rarely visited by river ships, to witness the birds and other wildlife that inhabit the area, accompanied by renowned naturalist Chris Bielby. Experience time-honoured traditions and treasures, such as Serbian music and dancing, plus taste authentic Hungarian Paprika.

There’s also a seven-night ‘Sailing the scenic Moselle to Luxembourg’ fly-cruise from Cologne on 30 August 2020. This route, sailing all the way down to Luxembourg, is one rarely taken by river ships. Spend time in Remich – the ‘Pearl of the Moselle’ – and marvel at the towering Gothic cathedral and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Cologne, accompanied by Professor Andrew Hopkins, internationally recognised for his architectural knowledge.