Travel agents preparing to join the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Iceland 2022 fam trip have spoken of their excitement at experiencing what the line has to offer.

The VIP educational trip will see eight agents join the cruise line for a special cruise to Iceland, with a strong focus on learning about the product and the Olsen Way.

Cruise Trade News will be on board to report exclusively on the event.

Newmarket Holidays’ Stephanie Blackmun said: “I have never cruised [on an ocean ship], so I am very excited to experience my first one with Fred Olsen.

“We at Newmarket Holidays started selling Fred Olsen cruises to our customers during the pandemic, and it was great to hear so many customers looking forward to the opportunity to sail the Olsen Way.

“I am looking forward to seeing all that the ship has to offer our customers. I’ve have heard so many great things about the staff on board, the restaurants and the entertainment.

“In terms of what I am hoping to take away with me, that would be being able to bring sailing with Fred Olsen to life by talking about my own personal experience on board to our customers and also to my team.”

Fred Olsen Travel assistant manager Tom Holland added he was “curious to know what the entertainment is like” on board, and is hoping “to spot whales and puffins” during the cruise.

“It will be good to get the small-ship experience,” he said. “The best thing is I will get to share this with my current and new customers.

“The itinerary is amazing and I have always wanted to go to Iceland.”

Cruise 118 sales concierge Kevin Reeves said his initial reaction upon hearing the news that he had won a place on the trip was: “Wow, look at that itinerary… this is going to be amazing.”

“I want to experience the Olsen Way,” he explained. “Customers who sail with Fred Olsen, stay with Fred Olsen – there must be a reason for such loyalty.”

Alan Witt, from Not Just Travel, said: “I am lucky to have cruised on Balmoral about 15 years ago, and really enjoyed the fact that the ship’s size means you bump into the same people from time to time and have a chat.

“That’s a real selling point for me, as I know a lot of my customers like that intimacy as well.

“In the past I have maybe pigeon-holed customers into either being a big ship or small ship customer. However, I try not to do that now, and instead focus on the itineraries and the ports of call, as that can be the key to getting the sale.

“I think Fred Olsen has made some real changes in the past few years –  I can see a real identity in the ships now.”

Witt added: “I am also looking forward to the business session, as I like to share ideas and thoughts. Social media is my achilles heel so hopefully I will get some tips from others in the group.”

For Alice Hook, from Appleby Travel, a key highlight will be dining on Borealis, particularly the new speciality restaurants. She is also excited about sharing her shore excursion experiences with clients.

Fred Holidays marketing and creative design executive Brogan Doyle said that the Iceland fam trip will be her first ocean cruise experience.

“I am intrigued to see how amazing the dining and food is as I have heard it is really lovely and to see all of the sights Iceland has to offer,” she said.

“I hope that from this cruise educational, I am able to learn all of the key selling points to market the brand.”