Fred. Olsen goes mysterious with new cruise

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record with a murder mystery cruise next year.

The cruise line is hoping to achieve the most participative murder mystery event on the ‘Poison, Murder and Mystery’ cruise, which will visit Portugal, Madeira,  Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Newcastle across 16 nights.

The itinerary incorporates the Poison Garden at the Duchess of Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle as well as Fred. Olsen Senior’s own garden in Tenerife.

Both will be onboard the itinerary departing from Rosyth (Edinburgh) on 10 July 2015, which also includes a visit to the Pyramids of Guimar and a performance of a Midsummer Nights Dream.

Prior to boarding guests on the cruise will be able to create their own persona and will be encouraged to dress in 1920s style.

Demonstrations, activities, talks and entertainment will all take place, and the person who solves the mystery at the grand finale at Alnwick Castle will win a World Cruise.

“We know that many of our customers have an interest in gardens and they really got behind the theme of our Titanic memorial cruise, so we are looking forward to seeing them participate in this murder mystery itinerary,” Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director at Fred. Olsen said. “We are creating 12 characters that our customers can customise and take on that persona when they come onboard.”

Fred. Olsen Senior was in attendance at the cruise’s launch in London this afternoon. He highlighted how its smaller ships enabled the line to create something different for guests.

“The large ships offer one form of cruising but can often create long queues to get on excursions. The destination is so important and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is able to offer a different type of experience and something to remember.”

Bookings for the ‘Poison, Murder and Mystery’ cruise open tomorrow (25 July).