Regular players of the Lifeboat Lottery will know Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as a kind sponsor, frequently donating cruises as prizes. But there is a lot more to the RNLI’s partnership with Fred. Olsen than holiday giveaways.

The company started fundraising for the RNLI onboard its cruise ships in the 1960s. Last year alone it raised almost £60,000 for the charity through raffles, quizzes, auctions and foreign coin collections as its four-strong fleet showed thousands of passengers around the world’s oceans.

In 2008, the launch of the company’s new ship Balmoral (pictured) gives more fundraising opportunities, as well as more choice and up-to-the-minute facilities for Fred. Olsen’s loyal and generous customers. She will ply Mediterranean, Caribbean and northern European cruise routes, berthing at ports from St John’s in Antigua to the ancient cities of Rhodes and Piraeus.

The very tangible benefits to the RNLI of Fred. Olsen’s donations over recent years include:

• the Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat Braemar, which joined the RNLI’s relief fleet in 2001
• four mobile training units, used to help volunteer lifeboat crews throughout the service perfect the skills they need to save lives at sea (picture right)
• the fitting out of three meeting rooms in The Lifeboat College, used for land-based training for staff and volunteers
• the design and development of a new style of launch carriage for the latest generation of Atlantic lifeboats
• the provision of such a carriage to each of: Cullercoats lifeboat station, Mudeford lifeboat station and the RNLI’s relief fleet.

Now, Fred. Olsen has turned its fundraising energies to providing a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat for a Scottish station, due in 2011. Publicity Manager Wendy Hooper-Greenhill says: ‘Fundraising for the RNLI has become an institution on all our ships, and it is very rewarding to know that the generosity of our passengers and crew has achieved so much this year.’

Second prize in the Summer 2008 Lifeboat Lottery is a Canary Islands cruise onboard the newest addition to the Fred. Olsen fleet, Balmoral. The cruise visits Lisbon, Arrecife, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz, San Sebastian, and Funchal.

With 744 cabins, Balmoral is the largest of Fred. Olsen’s fleet, but all efforts have been made to create a homely and intimate environment. There is a choice of bars, restaurants and lounges. Other amenities include pools, jacuzzis, internet access, a beauty salon, a medical centre, shops, a casino and a library.

Fred. Olsen has four other ships: Boudicca, Black Prince, Black Watch and Braemar. Find out more on fredolsencruises.co.uk. There is even a ship locator feature on the site, which lets you see where each of the ships is in real time and imagine yourself onboard! The RNLI is very grateful to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for 4 decades of support. 

Following the unfortunate collapse of former RNLI partner Travelscope at the end of 2007, Fred. Olsen stepped in with an alternative cruise for the Autumn 2007 Lifeboat Lottery’s second prize winner. Mr C Edwards has now been offered a 12-day Baltic cruise onboard Balmoral. The RNLI would like to thank Van Gogh Cruises Ltd, who have agreed to pay all commissions on outstanding Travelscope ocean cruise holidays booked by RNLI supporters through the Lifeboat magazine and RNLI website. If you have any concerns about a holiday booked with Travelscope through the RNLI, contact RNLI Corporate Fundraising Officer Rhys Parker on 01202 663285 or email [email protected].