Peter McGregor Eadie returns to travel on Fred Olsen'd Black Watch - a ship he first travelled on way back in 1985…

I HAVE travelled on Fred Olsen cruise ships since I was invited in 1985 as Chairman of the British Guild of Travel Writers to join a Christmas and New Year cruise on the original Black Watch. I have now just returned from a similar cruise on the present Black Watch and on both occasions my wife and I had a wonderful time.

The food is so good and plentiful that one cannot resist becoming gourmand as well as gourmet. Every night there is a floor show and dancing. And I noticed that 'Strictly come Dancing' programme has raised the standard with many couple enjoying afternoon lessons in the ship's Neptune Lounge in the quickstep, waltz, tango and CHA,CHA,CHA!

Internationally famous concert pianist Nina Miletic gave us four splendid recitals. Included among the leading composers were works from less well known composers from her native Serbia. She set the various works in context, historical and artistic so that she made the music easily accessible to the audience.

On this latest voyage every day was sunny after we left Southampton. In Lisbon, our first port of call, we took an excursion which combined a coach tour round the city and a tour by glass covered boat, the Vista de Tejo, along the Tagus which gave us a fascinating view of the city port from the sea.

Moored up by the shore I saw several vessels with lateen sails. The seashore along the Tagus reads like a log of Henry the Navigator's legacy. During the 15^th and 16^th centuries he set the pattern for many of the great voyages of discovery. Much of his success in discovering the coast of West Africa was due to vessels with lateeen sails which enabled the vessel to turn obliquely into the wind as opposed to the great square rigged ships which were of little use in these conditions. Also the shallow draft of the caravel suited investigating the uncharted coastline. The final achievement of these sea adventures was the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope in 1497 by Vasco de Gama and the reaching of India. To-day the 'Monument to the Discoverers' on the shores of the Tagus reminds the visitor of this great period in Portuguese exploration and history.

Immediately we sailed into Madeira and the Canary Islands all the passengers perked up. As we looked upon sparkling seas and felt the heat of sun in our bones. Many of us took to the ship's open air swimming pool.

Madeira, famous for its flowers, had its city squares in Funchal a riot of colour with abundant poinsettias, lady slipper orchids and dark red 'Etoiles de Noel'. One excursion tour took keen gardeners to visit the Botanical Gardens with its stunning variety of flowers from around the world. It was easy to see why Madeira was a popular painting destination for Winston Churchill.

In the Canaries, which included docking at La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Tenerife, we participated in a large selection of land excursions. Among the highlights were a visit to the Fire Mountain in Lanzarote where steaks are grilled from the heat which rises from the lava layer below the ground. Also on this tour is an optional 30 minute camel ride along the coloured hill of the volcanic mountains.

In Gran Canaria we took the coach to Maspalomas lighthouse at the edge of the sea, which marks the start of the three mile Faro promenade where people sit out by seaside cafes and enjoy exotic drinks under colourful umbrellas. I couldn't help noticing during my visit last year how much the pound had dropped in value against the Euro. Meals are no longer cheap when compared to Great Britain. The ship's currency is pounds, which makes shopping on board a good buy.

We continued along a splendid mountain road that can be compared to the Upper Corniche on the French Riviera. Here we visited the seaside resorts Puerto Rico and Puerto de Moran. This gave passengers a good insight into places to stay for a land based holiday as well as a chance to swim in the sea.

Tenerife is arguably the best known venue in the Canaries and there are a half dozen ship organised tours available. Wine lovers choose to visit the vineyards, ornithologists to visit Loro Parque which is said to have the world's largest collection of parrots. I found when we got there also an amazing selection of other shows including sea-lion and dolphin, an aquarium, a gorilla jungle and a bat cave. Lora Parque is a unique kind of safari zoo. For spectacular views nothing beats the National Park of Las Canadas with its crater which covers 13,571 hectares from which emerges the majestic core of Mount Teide. We docked for 2 days in Tenerife which gave good time for sightseeing.

I have been travelling on Fred Olsen's cruise ship as a passenger and lecturer for 25 years and there is a plethora of destinations to choose in all five ships. For more information go on line to www.fredolsencruises.co.uk

Now that spring and summer will soon be upon us there is a good selection of cruises available in the cooler northern climate that are best seen at this time of year. Cruising around Norway is a particularly good cruise, travelling all the way up to Henningsvag in the North Cape and experiencing the land of the midnight sun. The scenery is breathtaking and seeing how the Laplanders live is a journey back in time.

Cruising round Iceland is to visit another world. At one time I rode on horseback across much of it and was fascinated by the mountains, geysers and thermally heated waters. Quite a spectacular adventure.

I have had the privilege of lecturing on the Maya culture and civilisation aboard many cruise ships, including the Black Watch. Recently Fred Olsen has produced a booklet on cruise lectures given by experts to enhance particular destinations that their ships visit. These include among many others Celtic History, the Baltic Monarchies, Ancient Polynesian Culture, Ancient Mythology and so on. Combining historical and cultural knowledge with places passengers visit give an added dimension to cruising. For those who are interested send for Fred Olsen's booklet on 'Civilisations' or go on line to www.fredolsencruise.co.uk/civilisations for more information.