Balmoral L1003 Canary Islands from Dover 3rd May 2010
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has teamed up with the English Bridge Union to offer an EBU -sanctioned bridge tournament on board Balmoral, hosted by well-known player and DailyExpress bridge correspondent, Paul Hackett.

There will be opportunities for both experienced and novice players to join in the tournaments, taking place on the 12-night cruise Canary Islands cruise, and Paul Hackett will be giving talks and commenting on each day’s play. Marketing manager for Fred. Olsen, Mike Bird, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us, as we have always had many guests on board who are keen bridge players. This new partnership with the English Bridge Union takes bridge on board to a new level and offers really keen players a way to enjoy a great holiday, while playing some top class, competitive bridge at the same time.”

Paul Hackett is a member of the World Senior Championship team which won Gold in Sao Paulo in September – the first time in 50 years that English players have won a Gold medal. Paul will be an exceptional and knowledgeable host for this first ever tournament collaboration between Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the EBU.

In addition to the bridge element, the cruise has a very attractive itinerary. Sailing from Dover on May 3, 2010 aboard the elegant ship Balmoral, the cruise visits Madeira, La Palma. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Portuguese capital Lisbon, before returning to Dover.