Fred. Olsen Adds Fly-Cruise Module to Agent Academy Ahead of 2027 Program

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a fly-cruise training module on its online Academy, its dedicated training platform for trade partners, aimed squarely at equipping agents to sell the operator's 2027 Mediterranean fly-cruise program.

The move is a distribution play. Fred. Olsen sells heavily through the UK trade, and the new course is designed to convert agent familiarity into confident recommendation of a product category — fly-cruising — that carries distinct selling points around flights, transfers and inclusions compared with standard ocean cruise bookings.

What does the new module cover?

The course, delivered in what the company calls bite-sized modules, walks agents through four core areas:

• The benefits of fly-cruising with Fred. Olsen
• What is included in the cruise line's holiday packages
• The destinations and experiences in the 2027 program
• Practical guidance on guest flight options

That last section matters commercially. Agents must be able to explain two distinct products. The first is Fred. Olsen's exclusive charter flights, which bundle transfers, luggage allowances and what the company describes as support throughout the journey. The second is cruise-only, which gives guests flexibility to arrange independent travel. Sellers who can articulate the difference, and the price-and-service trade-offs between the two, are better positioned to close higher-value package sales.

What is the 2027 program?

The 2027 fly-cruise program places the Balmoral across the Mediterranean, with itineraries covering the Greek Islands, Italy, Croatia, and the French and Turkish Rivieras. The training module is built specifically around this deployment, so agents completing the course are being prepped for a sales cycle that begins well before the sailing dates.

Geoff Ridgeon, head of sales at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "We're excited to introduce our new fly-cruise module to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Academy."

Ridgeon framed the product's appeal in seasonal and tonnage terms. "Our fly-cruise holidays offer a rewarding way to explore the Mediterranean, combining the convenience of flying directly into the heart of the destination with more time to enjoy the region's rich culture, scenic coastlines and lingering warmth at a quieter time of year, alongside the more personal experience and access to lesser-visited, characterful ports that smaller-ship cruising offers," he said.

He added: "This new module brings all of this together in an engaging and accessible way, helping agents understand the unique appeal of our fly-cruise holidays, communicate these benefits to customers and sell the program with confidence."

Why does this matter for agents?

For trade sellers, the calculus is straightforward. Fred. Olsen is investing in agent education to drive conversion on a specific, dated product — the 2027 Mediterranean season — rather than generic brand awareness. Agents who complete the module gain structured knowledge of inclusions, flight mechanics and destinations, which typically shortens the sales conversation and reduces post-booking servicing queries on charter flight logistics.

The company has not disclosed completion targets, incentive structures or how the module ties into any rewards scheme within the Academy. The launch is announced via press release, and the claims about agent benefit are the operator's own rather than measured trade feedback.

The training is available now through the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Academy, giving agents a runway of well over a year to build fly-cruise sales competence before the 2027 Mediterranean program departs.