Winners in the Cruise Trade News and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines advent calendar have spoken of their excitement as they look forward to a 2022 cruise.

From the 1-24 December 2021, CTN joined forces with the cruise line to offer a host of goodies to travel agents in a unique and innovative calendar format.

Prizes included cuddly elephant toys, Fred Olsen branded holdalls, eco refillable coffee cups, branded water bottles, Amazon vouchers, and Fred Olsen backpacks.

The big prizes, however, were three opportunities to win a five or seven-night 2022 cruise on one of the line’s new ships, Bolette or Borealis.

GoCruise & Travel specialist Ian Warren said: “It is always a great feeling to win any prize, but winning a cruise is really special, and even better that it is with Fred Olsen.

“Over the years I have cruised on more than 50 ocean and river ships, and visited around 60 more.

“Cruise lines vary greatly in what they offer, when it comes to size of ship, on-board activities, quality of food and service and so on, and there aren’t many I don’t like.

“However, if I could only ever cruise again with one line, it would have to be Fred Olsen.”

When asked what he was most excited about when cruising with the line, Warren added: “The amazingly friendly crew, for whom nothing is too much trouble, the size of the ships, great entertainment, and the well thought-out itineraries.”

Senior Cruise Plus consultant Lorna Thomson – another winner of the top prize – said she was “absolutely buzzing” when she heard news of her victory, adding: “I was shocked at first when I saw it. I never believed anyone won a cruise, so I had to screenshot and get my friends to check I was seeing it right.

“I have never sailed with or visited a Fred Olsen ship and I am excited to see the itinerary. With all of the testing and vaccination requirements, there’s no place I would rather be than on a ship.”