Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship Braemar will be carrying a special group of guests on her nine-night ’Around the UK and Ireland’ cruise, M1212, departing from Dover on 22nd May 2012; they will be keen indoor bowls enthusiasts, the company said in a statement.

They will be going ashore to indulge their passion during the cruise, and also enjoying the company of bowls supremo and guest speaker, Greg Harlow. Greg – who is ranked No. 1 in the world – has seven World Bowls Tour Titles to his name, and is the only player ever to win the International Open three times in a row. This cruise is part of a very successful partnership between Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and No Fly Cruising, and is the first a number of dedicated ‘Cruises with Bowls' in 2012. No Fly Cruising’s sister company, Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk, plays host to the annual World Indoor Bowls Championships, and Fred. Olsen became sponsors of this prestigious tournament in 2012 for the first time.

 Simon Chambers, Sales Executive for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are delighted that we will be welcoming this very special bowls group on board for Braemar’s beautiful cruise around the UK and Ireland; it is typical of the wide variety of interests and activities that can be enjoyed on a Fred. Olsen cruise, along with all the onboard entertainment and daily activities that our ships have to offer, and, of course, a wonderful choice of varied and stimulating ports of call.”

 John Potter, Owner of Potters Leisure Limited and Chairman of Potters No Fly Cruising, said: “This is the perfect combination of a great cruise holiday with optional games of bowls arranged for our guests at local clubs along the way. This friendly bowls cruise will be the first of many, allowing our guests to cruise with like-minded people, with lots to look forward to for bowlers and non-bowlers alike. We are delighted to be partnering with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for our inaugural bowls cruise and look forward to developing and expanding the concept in the years to come.”