UK tour operator Fred., has launched a new travel brand specialising in Polar Expedition cruises.  Offering a selection of the best polar expedition cruise holidays from seven specialist expedition operators, Fred. Expeditions will act as a 'one-stop-shop' for intrepid travellers searching for a once-in-a-lifetime cruising holiday.
 
One year on from the launch of Fred. - part of the Fred. Olsen Travel Group - this new brand complements existing Fred. product of European city breaks and Christmas Markets, Hotel Jardin Tecina on La Gomera, River and Ocean Cruises.
 
Steve Williams, managing director of Fred. Expeditions says; “Expedition cruises offer once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences and enable those interested in adventure, wildlife and photography to visit the extremes of the earth in a safe and accessible way.  Our polar expeditions can venture deep into the Arctic Circle, into the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula and even all the way to the North Pole; plus passengers can benefit from the company of expedition experts in the fields of history, marine biology, ornithology, photography and more on every journey.”
 
Expedition cruise lines on offer from Fred. Expeditions include G Adventures, Hurtigruten, Quark Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Silversea Expeditions. In addition to the cruises themselves, passengers can take part in on-shore expedition activities including camping, fishing, helicopter tours, hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, photography workshops, polar diving, ski-trekking and exploring the coastlines via Zodiac.
 
Prices start from around £2349 per person for a seven night 'Realm of the Polar Bear' cruise aboard MS Expedition with G Adventures, departing 12th June 2015. This includes cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. This itinerary visits Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Spitsbergen:  http://www.fredexpeditions.co.uk/g-adventures/ms-expedition/7-night-realm-of-the-polar-bear/12-jun-2015-13724

Other expedition cruises available include:
·      An 11 day 'Antarctic Classic' expedition with G Adventures, priced from £4799 per person. Departing 29 November 2015, this includes ten nights' on board accommodation in a category 3 twin cabin with window on a full board basis aboard MS Expeditions: http://www.fredexpeditions.co.uk/g-adventures/ms-expedition/10-night-antarctica-classic/29-nov-2015-13714
·      A 13 night 'Journey to Antarctica: the White Continent' cruise with Lindblad Expeditions aboard National Geographic Explorer, priced from £7299 per person to include cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. Itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Antarctica.  http://www.fredexpeditions.co.uk/lindblad-expeditions/national-geographic-explorer/13-night-journey-to-antarctica-the-white-continent/17-dec-2015-13297  -

Fred.'s polar expeditions can be booked via the Fred. reservations team on: 0808 159 2354 or via travel agents. Visit www.fredexpeditions.co.uk  for more information.

Notes to Editors:
Fred. is the tour operator brand of Fred. Olsen Travel and is also the General Sales Agent (GSA) for the five star MS Mozart cruise which serves the Danube River and for Spanish cruise operator Pullmantur.  Its brand portfolio currently includes; Fred. Holidays, Fred. River Cruises, Fred. Cruises  and now Fred. Expeditions as well as Hotel Jardin Tecina on La Gomera in the Canary Islands.