Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, working with the Haven Gateway Partnership, welcomed a delegation of local VIPs on a visit to Black Watch, when she called at Harwich International Port on her maiden call on 24^th August 2010, as part of an ‘Around UK’ cruise.

The local dignitaries visiting Black Watch included the Mayor of Harwich and local authority representatives.

Matt Grimes, Operations Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ([pictured with George Kieffer), said:  “We are delighted to welcome such prestigious visitors on board Black Watch, one of the most traditional and well-loved ships in our fleet.”

One of the key features of a Fred. Olsen cruise is that we are able to offer departures from various regional ports around the UK, and we are especially proud of our connection with Harwich, being an international cruise line with our headquarters just over the water, in nearby Ipswich.”

George Kieffer, Chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership, said:

“We are extremely grateful to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for giving us the opportunity to visit Black Watch when she calls in Harwich.

The Haven Gateway Partnership is dedicated to raising the awareness of the importance of cruise to the sub-region, and this port-of-call visit of Black Watch to Harwich helps us to showcase Fred. Olsen’s close links to the area, as a locally-based organisation.”

Fred. Olsen has been working with Harwich International Port for a number of years, with Black Watch’s sister ship, Black Prince, calling at the Essex port in August 2008. The 1,350-passenger Balmoral – the newest vessel in the Fred. Olsen fleet – is set to call at Harwich in August 2011.