Imagine a cruise created around mystery, murder, poison, secrecy and suspense. A cruise that lets you, if you wish, become directly involved in a mystery extravaganza as it evolves.
For cruise enthusiasts and murder mystery fans, ‘Poison, Murder and Mystery’, on sale now from Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au), is not to be missed.
‘Poison, Murder and Mystery’ consists of a flight from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth to Edinburgh to board this remarkable cruise, and a flight back to Australia from London.
The cruise itself is a 16-night Poison, Murder and Mystery-themed sailing to the Canaries and Portugal, round-trip from the Scottish port of Rosyth aboard Fred Olsen’s ship Boudicca. Other elements in this holiday include train trips, a two-night stay in Edinburgh and another two nights in London.
The whole holiday lasts 24 days and costs from A$8485 twin share per person, valid for sale until 30 December or until sold out, whichever comes first.
‘Poison, Murder and Mystery’ departs Australia on 7 July 2015 with a flight to Edinburgh. You’ve two nights to explore Scotland’s capital and its surrounds (days are wonderfully long in Scottish summertime!) before boarding Boudicca.
This is where the fun begins. Watch from the deck as the Travelling Players embark Boudicca with all their baggage. Why are they here? What dark secrets do they hold? Will they still be friends at the end? Do they know that renowned theatre critic Victor Timm is also aboard?
This cruise is a journey of the mind as well as the body – an adventure you will remember and cherish forever. It’s the result of a creative collaboration between Fredrik Olsen, head of the cruise company, and Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland. The Duchess will be joining the cruise for part of the itinerary. Mr Olsen himself may be aboard too. (Due to the length and nature of this sailing, only those over 18 are able to join.)
Boudicca is the perfect backdrop to the action. Some of the very best murder mysteries, from Agatha Christie to Cluedo, are English. And so is Fred Olsen. When it comes to traditional English atmosphere, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines may be the most British cruise company in existence. It’s also the second-longest-established cruise line in the world.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines was founded in 1848 by three brothers (all ship’s captains). It is today chaired by their descendent, Fredrik Olsen. The company operates out of the charming old Suffolk county town of Ipswich.
Boudicca has a British feel when you step aboard, a friendly and welcoming country house atmosphere that suits many Australian guests. Forget the giant ‘floating hotel’ vessels of the Caribbean – the atmosphere aboard Boudicca is quiet. There are never more than two public announcements a day, always in English. The ship carries 880 passengers.
All shipboard main meals (excluding specialty restaurants) are included on the cruise.
Aboard Boudicca, quite apart from the murder mystery action, you can dine in the Tintagel and Four Seasons restaurants, lounge around on the Lounge Deck, enjoy one of two Jacuzzis or splash in one of the ship’s three pools.
Before boarding, you’ll head to the ship from Edinburgh’s Waverly station, with a train to Inverkeithing station before embarking at Rosyth port.
First port of call on the cruise is Leixões in Portugal, then Funchal, the centuries-old capital of Madeira, and on to the Canary Islands, which were named after dogs, not birds. The Canary name comes from Canis, Latin for dog, and the islands belong to Spain. You’ll visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife and laid-back Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), before sailing for Lisbon, capital of Portugal.
You’ll also visit the northern English city of Newcastle, founded by Vikings and home to the Geordies, before returning to Rosyth in Scotland.
Here’s a brief insight into the cruise itself.
Day 2: At Sea
Theme of the day: That most infamous of poisons – arsenic. A selection of trivia relating to our poisonous theme of the day.
Film of the Day: Arsenic & Old Lace. 1944 Cary Grant classic. A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.
Evening. In tonight’s performance, our travelling players help you learn more about the infamous Medicis of Renaissance Italy. A family who became synonymous with assassination plots by means of poisoned food or drink throughout the 1500s.
First Formal Night: 1920s Theme. The first opportunity to dress as your character in a Gatsby-style extravaganza.
Day 3: At Sea
Theme of the day: Ricin & Cyanide.
The afternoon performance by the Travelling Players will be dark comedy, as they prepare the poisoned meal that was at the centre of the intrigue around Rasputin`s death.
Day 9: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Party night: The Captain invites you to a 1920s themed party. Tonight sees major plot developments in our Murder Mystery. Come dressed as your character and quiz your fellow passengers some more. Maybe somebody is not who they say they are?
And so on!
After all that, disembark and head from Scotland by train to London. You’ve two nights in London’s fashionable Kensington area, with daily breakfast. Explore London, have a pint in a Hampstead pub, stroll across the Thames on the Millennium Bridge and see the Tate before jetting back to Australia.
To find your local Worldwide Cruise Centres agent go to:
www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
SOURCE: Worldwide Cruse Centres