Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Profile
Cruise Ship Job News: 1st June 2006
Following is an introduction of a relativelly small cruise line company Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
History
The company originated in Hvitsten, a small town on Oslofjord in Norway, when the three Olsen brothers, Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas, bought their first ships and began an international shipping company in 1848.
Petter Olsen's ship-owning career began in 1852 with the brig Thilda. In his lifetime, he owned a total of 16 sailing ships. Andreas Olsen bought the barque De Tre Venner in 1860 and subsequently owned five other sailing ships.
Petter Olsen's son Fredrik was thus continuing an established tradition when, in 1886, he took over the management of two of his father's ships. By then the Olsens had owned 40 vessels.
Fred. Olsen owned businesses in England and France. From the very beginning he had a definite aim: to create a network of regular lines, firstly on the North Sea and later, further afield.
Four generations later, the family now operates companies skilled in various aspects of the tanker, liner, cruise and passenger trade, as well as aviation, ships' crewing, shipbuilding and offshore industries. Olsen companies also have interests in the luxury hotel sector, estate management, property development and the electronics industry.
Offices for the company are spread throughout the world, although the company headquarters remain firmly in the family's hands in Oslo, Norway.
Ships
Rather than impersonal floating leviathans, Fred. Olsen's cruise liners are smaller ships where the emphasis is on guests.
Boudicca
Recently refurbished, Boudicca has been re-fitted with just 450 cabins and will carry a maximum of around 850 passengers. A generous teak promenade deck will stretch round the ship and considerable deck space all contributing to the feeling of space and freedom.
Black Watch
Black Watch underwent a scheduled re-fit between Monday 18 April 2005 and Monday 20 June 2005. During this period, certain cabins were upgraded: more cabins with balconies were built, including some single cabins.
Black Prince
With just 241 cabins, Black Prince upholds a timeless cruising tradition with an engaging personality and intimate convivial mood all her own. A vital element of Black Prince's unique character is the sense of space, good taste and warmth. There's an impressive indoor health, fitness and beauty centre (complete with its own pool) - as well as the Lido Deck outdoor pool, Jacuzzis, and extensive deck space offering quoits, chess and other shipboard pastimes. But most original of all is the unique Marina Outdoor Leisure Centre, set on a purpose-built pontoon deck at sea level and from where guests can enjoy speedboats, inflatables, waterskiing, windsurfing, and dinghy sailing.
Braemar
With over 400 well-appointed cabins, Braemar continues the Fred. Olsen tradition of small-ship intimacy. "Elegant but not stuffy" best describes the atmosphere you'll discover on board Braemar. The cosy Braemar Lounge and other public rooms and bars retain an atmosphere of refined elegance.
Employment Opportunities
Fred. Olsen House is a large modern office on the outskirts of Ipswich in England. The company has always had strong trading links with East Anglia. Today Fred. Olsen employs more than 300 staff from all over the area.
The basic benefits package enhances a competitive salary - private medical insurance, holiday entitlement that increases with service, contributory pension scheme, life assurance, income protection plan and various travel discounts.
Find out more about current job openings on Fred. Olsen's Work For Us website.
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