Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fan marks 30 years of cruising, 2,500 nights, 100 bookings and 15 trips round the world

A former fish and chip shop owner who was “bitten by the travel bug” 30 years ago has marked a total of 2,500 nights with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Kevin Harrison, who is set to turn 75 on his current adventure to the Caribbean, took his first cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 1993 and has stuck with the company ever since – completing more than 100 cruises, including 15 around the world.

To mark his 2,500th night on board, while he was enjoying a trip to Madeira on Borealisas part of the Fleet in Funchal, Kevin was treated to a surprise party attended by dozens of Fred. Olsen team members who he describes as “my very good friends”.

He also enjoyed dinner with Captain Rommel Pineda, who started his career as a deck boy on board Black Prince in 1996, during Kevin’s seventh cruise.

Kevin, who lives in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where he ran four fish and chip shops before retiring, said:

“I have grown very fond of Captain Rommel, having watched him every step of his journey through the Fred. Olsen ranks. To get to spend my 2,500th day with him and with the many crew I know so well was so special – it brought a tear to my eye.

“I was bitten by the travel bug 30 years ago after booking a Fred. Olsen cruise for my 45thbirthday on its ship Black Prince and I have never looked back and never even considered booking a holiday with anyone else.

“For me it has become a home from home, and I like to book the same cabin and to see the same familiar faces with whom I now have great friendships with.”

Kevin, a father of three and grandfather of four who lost his wife 12 years ago, has sailed on all the Fred. Olsen ships during the last three decades including Black Prince, Black Watch, Braemar,Boudicca, Balmoraland Borealis and has booked a world cruise in January 2025 on board Bolette.

Among his trips he has visited Canada, America, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, India, Egypt, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand and Australia and as well as most of Europe.

He always opts for the owner’s suite and regularly books back-to-back cruises, recently joining the 29-night Classic Caribbean Islands cruise, straight after completing the 14-night Fleet in Funchal cruise. He is set to have a six-day break before joining the fortnight-long Christmas Celebrations in the Canaries cruise for Christmas and New Year.

Kevin added:“I recognise I am very lucky to have been able to explore the world this way. I’ve ticked off all the countries I can think of that have access via water and seen some incredible things.

“One of my most memorable cruises was taking the first world cruise that Black Watchever took in 2004. After that I was hooked and went on every single world cruise that ship sailed on.

“Other incredible cruises have included one in 2009 to Alaska where we were breaking ice going in. I do enjoy going on excursions and exploring new territories, but I also equally enjoy days at sea with the on board shows, fantastic food and formal nights where we get to dress up.

“I aim to have seven or eight cruises booked at any one time and I try to plan so I have plenty to look forward to. I’d say I am sailing at least six months of the year.”

Captain Rommel Pineda said he was thrilled to be able to share Kevin’s milestone day with the on board party. He said:

“Kevin is an absolute advocate for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and a loyal returning guest. He truly embraces all we stand for and is one of our most vocal champions.

“We are extremely privileged to be the cruise line with the most returning guests and this is testament to the 175 years of experience we put into every single day.

“For the last 30 of those years, Kevin has experienced firsthand the pride and passion we put into delivering exceptional service and memorable adventures for all our guests. We hope to continue to have him sailing with us for more decades to come.”

As well as dining at the Captain’s table, a special cake was baked and an ice carving was created for Kevin marking 2,500 days at sea and were proudly displayed on board. All Fred. Olsen team members who know Kevin but were on board other ships, prepared a video message for him and the crew on Borealis presented him with gifts and cards.

Bolette’s 106-night T2502 ‘A Voyage of Exploration Around the World’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 6thJanuary 2025. Prices start from £11,999 per person.

• Explore the untouched landscapes of Robinson Crusoe Island

• See the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

• Go in search of the Big Five in Africa

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Lisbon, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – Praia, Cape Verde – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Ilhabela, Brazil – Montevideo, Uruguay – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Cruise Magellan Strait, Chile – Punte Arenas, Chile – Cruise by Cape Deseado, Chile – Cruising Chilean Fjords, Chile (overnight port) – Valparaiso, Chile – Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile – Cruise by Alejandro Selkirk Island, Chile – Hanga Roa, Chile – Cruising by Pitcairn Island, French Polynesia – Papeete, French Polynesia – Bora-Bora, French Polynesia – Rarotonga, Cook Islands – Crossing International Date Line – Nuku’ Alofa, Tonga – Sydney, Australia (overnight port) – Melbourne, Australia – Hobart, Australia – Albany, Australia – Fremantle, Australia – Port Louis, Mauritius – Reunion, Reunion – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa – Cape Town, South Africa (overnight port)- Lüderitz, Namibia – Walvis Bay, Namibia – Jamestown, St Helena – Dakar, Senegal – Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain – Funchal, Portugal – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit T2502 ‘A Voyage of Exploration Around the World’

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com. Book online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242(Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.