fram press release

							          Ice-breaker enters Portsmouth as heat-wave hits city

It’s not every day that an ice-breaker calls at Portsmouth International
Port – there’s little need for such polar capabilities on a trip to France or
Spain.

But the arrival of the cruise liner MS Fram on 30th September shows how
the Port’s horizons are expanding as it develops its cruise business.

This impressive ship will call at Portsmouth on Friday with 230 passengers
on-board. They will be able to disembark and enjoy time taking in the
sights of Portsmouth before a late afternoon departure.

The visit to Portsmouth is the final call for passengers on this stunning
nine-day tour around the coast of the British Isles. MS Fram will be
sailing from the Isles of Scilly before returning to its home port of
Hamburg.

Fram is famed for its striking polar décor. The explorer ship’s beautiful
interiors were inspired by Greenland, the Arctic and the Antarctic, with
expedition photographs and pictures of snow-capped peaks and
penguins.

Yet although she was named after a wooden sailing vessel built for
Norwegian explorer Fridjof Nansen for a North Pole adventure in 1892,
she offers superb modern facilities including two heated outdoor
Jacuzzis and a glazed observation salon.

Portsmouth International Port already has more than 30 cruise ships
booked for 2012, offering a wide variety of destinations. This year’s trips
included Icelandic volcanoes, the Baltic, St Petersburg, amazing
Alexandria, French castles and busy Barcelona.

Cruising has never been as popular, with latest figures from the
Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) showing that one in every nine
package holidays is now a cruise. No longer the exclusive preserve of
the wealthy and elderly, cruises can suit everyone.

Portsmouth International Port’s Port Manager, Martin Putman said:
‘More people than ever are choosing a cruise holiday because it offers
such great value with meals, accommodation, entertainment and of
course fantastic destinations all included within the price. We are
delighted to welcome Fram’s passengers to Portsmouth and hope they
enjoy the facilities of our stunning new terminal building.’
The Port’s excellent transport links, naval heritage and shipping
expertise are major factors in attracting prestigious cruise operators
such as Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and Fred. Olsen Cruises.

For further information on the Portsmouth International Port please see
www.portsmouth-port.co.uk

For further information and photography please contact Emma
Gaisford/Julie Blackwell on 01730 235 669

For further information about Portsmouth as a destination please
contact Drusilla Moody on 023 9283 4109
 www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Portsmouth operates both as a turnaround Port and as a Port of call, see
cruise schedule
http://www.portsmouthport.co.uk/cruise/passengers_cruise/operators_3

2. Leading cruise companies using the Port are:
Swan Hellenic
Voyages of Discovery Cruises
Hebridean Island Cruises
Fred Olsen Cruises Lines
Sea Cloud Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Classic International Cruises
Transocean Tours
Hapag Lloyd
Plantours
Linblad Expeditions
Quark Expeditions
Hurtigruten Cruises

3. No-fly cruise destinations from Portsmouth International Port include
Casablanca and Madeira, Hamlet’s Elsinore and St Petersburg, French
vineyards and Spanish cathedrals, Norwegian fjords and Icelandic volcanoes,
and the Irish coast and Scottish islands.

4. The new terminal is part of a £16.5 million investment to upgrade passenger
facilities. It offers a full-height concourse, mezzanine bar/café and
observation balcony overlooking the Port. Cruise operations have been
catered for with plenty of space for baggage facilities. The 2,700 square
metre terminal incorporates groundbreaking eco-friendly technology.

5. Portsmouth has many famous attractions including the Historic Dockyard,
Spinnaker Tower, Royal Marines Museum and Gunwharf Quays.

6. Fram is operated by Hurtigruten Cruises. www.Hurtigruten.co.uk