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Fred Olsen’s Boudicca to sail D-Day remembrance cruise

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Boudicca, cruise, cruising, D-Day, World War 2

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca will set sail on Sunday (2 June) from Dover for a seven-night D-Day 75 Voyage of Remembrance cruise.

Boudicca will operate under charter to Suffolk-based Arena Travel, on behalf of The Royal British Legion, to carry up to 300 D-Day veterans – plus their carers and companions – to the coast of Normandy.

They will attend a series of events in England and France to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, fought on the five beaches of Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah, on 6 June 1944. Boudicca’s exterior has been decorated with The Royal British Legion’s red poppy insignia to mark the occasion. 

The cruise has been offered free of charge to D-Day veterans and their companions.

Fred Olsen’s commercial director Peter Deer said: “It is a tremendous honour for us to be part of The Royal British Legion’s commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy, in what is set to be a very emotional voyage for these veterans and their loved ones.

We are very proud that our cruise ship, Boudicca, will be following the same path as the ships involved on this momentous day, which brought peace and reconciliation, to mark the Second World War.”

The Royal British Legion’s assistant director for Commemorative Events Bob Gamble said: “Seventy five years ago, the largest seaborne invasion force in history set sail for France on a mission to liberate Europe. Alongside their American cousins, nearly 160,000 men from Britain and the Commonwealth landed on the beaches of Normandy.

“Today, we stand in awe of their achievement and salute their bravery and sacrifice, on our journey back to Normandy.”

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