HPB shared Tours

 

 

THE KIRKER CHORAL CRUISE TO THE NORWEgIAN FJORDS, BERGEN & OSLO

 

DOVER  -  STAVANGER  -  FLAM  -  OLDEN  -  BERGEN  -  KRISTIANSAND  -  OSLO

Travelling along Norway’s long and dramatic coastline is universally acknowledged to be one the world’s greatest journeys - it impresses both first time visitors and those who come back time after time to enjoy the glorious scenery. The deep, silent fjords are lined by towering mountains with their glaciers and fast-rushing waterfalls plunging for hundred of feet into the clear waters. The fjords cut so deep into the Norwegian landscape that’s it’s easy to forget that sea has been left behind far, far away.


Our first port of call is Stavanger, a pretty and typically Norwegian small city once the heart of the nation’s fishing industry and now the capital of the country’s oil business.
We then enjoy two full days of cruising some of the country’s most famous and scenic fjords before reaching Bergen with its wonderful seafront and associations with Edvard Grieg. Next comes the small town of Kristiansand before reaching the country’s capital, Oslo where the on board choir will give the performance for which they have been preparing during the cruise.

With Dame Josephine Barstow, soprano and the Chilingirian String Quartet who will celebrate their 40th anniversary year in 2012.

This cruise is a must for everyone who loves to sing at any level.

 

This is the third ship to bear the name Black Watch since she first joined the Fred.Olsen fleet in 1938. This vessel sister ship to Boudicca, underwent a refurbishment of the ship's public areas in late 2009. On the Lounge Deck a new casual dining area, the Braemar Garden, was created to offer seating for more than 120 passengers, with elegant new soft furnishings, a stylish bar and a buffet area.

As on other ships, the Observatory Lounge offers a relaxing place for a pre-dinner drink while enjoying spectacular sea views. The smaller Orchid Room, is off the Glentanar Restaurant and is also used for formal dining. The Neptune Lounge and Piper's Bar are great places to relax with friends, while when the weather is good, the place to be is on the Marquee Deck at the stern of the ship where there is a swimming pool with a poolside bar, and two Jacuzzis . There is also a pool and two jacuzzis on Lounge Deck, along with a poolside cafe and bar.

Sleek and elegant, Black Watch has the intimate and sophisticated ambience for which all cruise ships where once famous - and which is still the hallmark of the Fred.Olsen fleet. At just over 28,000 tonnes and carrying around 750 passengers, it is the perfect size to retain this traditional feeling, something which some other cruise fleets have lost.

Based in Southampton, Black Watch will cruise to a wide range of destinations during 2011 and 2012.  Destinations include the Scandinavian fjords, the Baltic capitals, and the eastern Mediterranean, as well as two magnificent Grand Voyages.

DEPARTURE DATE

COST FROM

10 May 2012 - 9 nights

Single supplement from £660

£1,610 pp

BOOKINGS AND RESERVATIONS

TRAVEL

Prices are based on departing and returning to Dover Port.

PRICE INCLUDES

• Full cruise itinerary.
• All meals on board.
• Full music, concert and lecture programme.

NOT INCLUDED

Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, optional excursions, travel insurance, all personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls and gratuities

Travel Club
For bookings & reservations call 01638 674744 or click here
ABTA    ATOLHPB Travel Club Ltd, HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8EH
Telephone: +44(0)1638 674744 | Email: tours@hpb.co.uk

ITINERARY

 

 

The music programme has been carefully created and arranged by violist and composer Simon Rowland-Jones in close association with the musicians and will be hosted by Barry Cheeseman of Kirker Holidays. After many years of experience we have learnt that on a music cruise our clients wish to discover new works as well as enjoy some familiar favourites. Getting the mix just right is an integral part of Simon Rowland-Jones’ work when planning the programme and we are confident that everyone will find something of interest in each of our concerts.
Although the Black Watch carries just over 800 passengers, the Kirker Music Festival’s private concerts are restricted to Kirker guests (we anticipate approximately 60-90 participants) and will be held in the Marina Theatre, ideal for listening to chamber music. Concerts will take place on most days of the cruise and will be complemented by a number of informative talks and interviews with the musicians. In addition to the Kirker programme, two further concerts will be given in the Neptune Lounge for everyone on board to enjoy.

The aim of this cruise is to provide singers of any level the chance to join our choir on board and to prepare for two performances – one exclusively for the Kirker party to be given in a venue in Oslo and one to be enjoyed by everyone on board in the Neptune Lounge as part of the Black Watch’s entertainment programme. Everyone who books on this cruise will be sent a letter from Christopher asking you if you would like to join the choir – becoming a member of the choir is not compulsory! There will also be a progamme of chamber music concerts to enjoy. Those who are interested will need to respond to us giving us details of voice type and level of experience – this will assist Christopher in his planning for the performance. Details of his proposed programme will also be sent to you and later, as soon as he is able to confirm the programme depending on the response, we will write to you again giving you full details so that you will be able to bring the music with you.


One of the world’s greatest opera singers, Dame Josephine Barstow will attend rehearsals and give her own vocal classes to individual sections from the choir, and if time allows, help and encouragement to individual choir members. Dame Jo’s formidable technique kept her at the top of her professions for 40 years and in 2011 she is still being invited to sing major roles – so you can be sure that any tips or advice she offers during rehearsals will be well worth listening to!

 

Day 1

Depart Dover late evening.

Chilingirian String Quartet

Gary Matthewman  -  Piano

Grieg:  Scherzo from String Quartet No. 2 in F

Dvorak:  Piano Quintet.

Chilingirian String Quartet

Simon Rowland-Jones  -  Viola

Mozart:  String Quartet in C minor K 406

Beethoven:  String Quartet in E flat Op. 127

 

Day 2

Cruising.

 

Day 3

Early morning arrive Stavanger. Late evening depart Stavanger.

Optional Excursion: Stavanger
After a panoramic sightseeing tour of Stavanger which will include a visit to the city’s ancient cathedral we will drive along the fjord to a monastery overlooking the sea. After our tour here we will enjoy a performance by the Chilingirian String Quartet followed by lunch.

Chilingirian String Quartet

Suzie Mezaros  -  Viola

Gary Matthewman  -  Piano

Haydn:  String Quartet in D Op. 76  No. 5

Schumann:  Märchenbilder for viola and piano.

Brahms:  String Quartet A minor

 

Day 4

Early morning arrive Flam, Sognefjord. Late evening depart Flam, Sognefjord.  Cruising Naeroyfjord.

 

Day 5

 

Early morning arrive Olden, Sogn og Fjordane. Late evening depart Olden, Sogn og Fjordane.

Chilingirian String Quartet

Simon Rowland-Jones  -  Viola

Philip de Groote  -  Cello

Gary Matthewman  -  Piano

Grieg:  Intermezzo from String Quartet No. 1 in G minor Op. 27

Beethoven:  String Trio in D  Op. 9 No. 2

Ravel:  String Quartet

 

Day 6

 

Early morning arrive Bergen, Hordaland. Late evening depart Bergen, Hordaland.

Optional Excursion: Bergen
Bergen is one of Europe’s most beautifully located cities. Our excursion begins with a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city before crossing to the beautiful island of Lysoen where the 19th century virtuoso violinist Ole Bull made his home. His house here is as flamboyant as his personality and playing style. We will her all about him during the visit. After an included lunch we will go to Troldhaugen to visit Grieg’s house and enjoy a concert in the stunning hall here overlooking the fjord.

Dame Josephine Barstow  -  Soprano

Simon Rowland-Jones  -  Viola

Gary Matthewman  -  Piano

Rowland-Jones:  River Gods

Brahms:  Viola Sonata in E flat

Poulenc:  L'histoire du Babar

Day 7

 

Mid morning arrive Kristiansand.  Early evening depart Kristiansand.

Chilingirian String Quartet

Gary Matthewman  -  Piano

Mozart:  String Quartet K159 in B flat

Grieg:  Violin and piano  Sonata in C minor

Schumann:  String Quartet in A minor Op. 41 No. 1

 

Day 8

 

Early morning arrive Oslo. Late evening depart Oslo.

Optional Escursion: Oslo
We will attend a performance of our own Kirker Choir at a venue in the city.

Day 9

 

Cruising.

The Kirker on Board choir will perform in the Neptune lounge.

Chilingirian String Quartet

Simon Rowland-Jones  -  Viola

Gary Matthewman  -  Piano

Bartok  -  Duos for two violins

Grieg:  Lyric pieces solo piano

Martinu:  3 Madrigals for violin and viola

Handel-Halvorsen:  Passacaglia for violin and viola

Brahms:  String Quartet in G Op. 111

Day 10

 

Early morning arrive Dover.

PLEASE NOTE:  Rehearsal and Dame Josephine's Class Schedule:  There will be a rehearsal on 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 May  -  times will vary according to the itinerary to allow the maximum time on short at the ports of call.  Dame Josephine will give morning classes on 11, 12, 14, 16 and 18 May.

 

Cabin grades & costs

   

 

Prices include full music concert and lecture programme and all meals on board.

 

GRADE DESCRIPTION HPB PRICE
PS
Premier Suite (Marquee Deck)
£3,810
MS
Marquee Suite (Marquee Deck)
£3,370
SS
Superior Suite (Bridge & Marquee Decks)
£3,065
BS
Balcony Suite (Bridge & Marquee Decks)
£2,825
DS
Deluxe Suite (Lido & Main Decks)
£2,605
JS
Junior Suite (Lido & Main Decks)
£2,420
BC
Balcony Cabin (Bridge Deck)
£2,220
A
Superior Outside Cabin (Lido Deck)
£2,400
B
Superior Outside (Lido & Main Decks)
£2,110
C
Superior Outside (Main Deck)
£2,070
D
Outside (Atlantic Deck)
£1,920
E
Outside (Atlantic & Marina Decks)
£1,790
F
Outside (Marina Deck)
£1,865
H
Inside (Atlantic Deck)
£1,685
I
Inside (Marina Deck)
£1,610
JB
Single Balcony Suite (Marquee & Bridge Deck)
£3,525
J
Superior O/S Single (Bridge Deck)
£3,235
K
Single Outside Cabin (Lido, Main & Atlantic Decks)
£3,115
L
Outside Single (Atlantic & Marina Decks)
£2,795
M
Inside Single (Main Deck)
£2,345
N
Inside Single (Atlantic Deck)
£2,270

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Health

The requirements and recommendations in force at the time of publication are detailed below. If there is any change, you will be informed when you book. However, it is your responsibility to double check relevant requirements and recommendations before departure to ensure that you comply with them and take with you the correct documentation for the country you are visiting.

No compulsory health requirements.

Passports and Visas

This advice is only valid for British passport holders. Please advise us if you hold foreign documents in order that we can check entry requirements. It is your responsibility to double-check relevant requirements before departure to ensure that you comply with them and take the correct documentation for the country you are visiting. It is important that you hold a ten year British passport with at least three months validity from your return date in the UK. Visas are not required.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Your contract is with Kirker Holidays, a member of ABTA.

 

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
LATE BOOKINGS.You may book your holiday at any time – right up to the day of
departure.

CANCELLATION CHARGES. Cancellations made more than 56 days prior to departure: deposits forfeited and insurance premiums held. 56-43 days: 25% of the holiday cost or £100 (whichever is the greater) plus insurance premiums. 42-15 days: 50% of the holiday cost plus insurance. 14-8 days: 75% of the holiday cost plus insurance. Within 7 days of the departure, on the departure date or after the holiday has commenced: all holiday costs forfeited, including insurance premiums. Any client choosing to leave their hotel before the end of their holiday will receive no refund for unused accommodation. In the unlikely event that a hotel, airline, aircraft type or destination airport is altered we shall advise clients immediately. Such an alteration will not be accepted as grounds for canceling a holiday, unless the amendment is of a
material nature.

ALTERATIONS. Rates on request, but a major alteration may be treated as a cancellation.

TRANSFER OF BOOKINGS. If you are unavoidably prevented from proceeding with your holiday you may, after giving at least 21 days’ notice, transfer the booking to another person/s. We shall make a charge for administrative costs and any cancellation charges imposed by our suppliers arising from the transfer.

CONTRACT POINT. A binding contract (subject to the jurisdiction of English courts) will come into force between us at the time we send out our confirmation invoice, and until then we shall be under no liability to you whatsoever. If we are unable to accept your booking we shall return your deposit within 28 days.

PRICE. Whilst we reserve the right to alter prices for new bookings at any time, we do guarantee that there will be no surcharges once a reservation has been confirmed by Kirker Travel Ltd. Only government action (eg an increase in airport taxes) may affect this guarantee. Even in this case, we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday price which excludes insurance premiums and amendment charges. If this
means paying more than 10% of the holiday price, you will be entitled to cancel with a full refund of all money paid except for any insurance premiums, provided you let us know within 14 days of invoice date. Any money paid by you to one of our appointed travel agents for a Kirker holiday which has been confirmed by us (whether in writing or otherwise) at an agreed price will be held by him on our behalf. Prices based on £1 = 1.15 euros, 1.62 US dollars 8.60 Danish krone, 10.69 Swedish krona, 1.55 Swiss
francs, (rates as per 5 November 2010).

HEALTH. No special health restrictions apply to EC passport holders. Citizens from other nationalities should consult their appropriate embassy.

PASSPORTS & VISAS. Passports are required for all passengers. EU Citizens require visas for certain destinations, e.g. Russia, Oman and Turkey. Clients from other countries may require a visa. It is the clients’ responsibility to check passport and visa requirements for all destinations.

HELP US TO HELP YOU. If you have a complaint whilst abroad, you must advise us (via our local agents or else direct to us in London) immediately. We will try to resolve any problems on the spot. If you still remain dissatisfied, please write to us within 28 days of your return to the UK.

LIABILITY. We undertake to provide reasonable standards of product and service. We accept liability for proven negligence, deficiencies or omissions caused by our employees, overseas agents, sub-contractors and suppliers, and will pay reasonable compensation to any affected clients accordingly. Within reason, and at our discretion, initial legal assistance is also offered to clients who, through misadventure, suffer illness, personal injury or death whilst on holiday abroad. Air or sea travel liability is limited to our obligations covered by international conventions. The responsibility of IATA Airlines regarding the tours in this brochure is limited to the carriage of passengers and their baggage, in accordance with the Conditions of Carriage of the participating airlines. If you pay for any excursion while you are on your holiday your contract is with the local company, and we accept no liability whatsoever for any problem that may arise during or after such excursions.

TRAVEL DELAY.We are unable to accept responsibility for expenses incurred due to travel delay (but see our insurance details).

CHILD REDUCTIONS. Children aged up to 12 years sharing parent‘s room qualify for a reduction - further details on request.

TYPES OF AIRCRAFT. Used by scheduled airlines vary and are subject to change without notice.
ABTA. Kirker Travel Ltd is a Member of ABTA with membership number V6595. ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. For further information about the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 68-71 Newman Street, London W1T 3AH; Tel: 020 7637 2444 or www.abta.com.

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH ADVICE. For advice on travel to all the destinations featured in our brochure, refer to www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.

ARBITRATION. Disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this contract which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitration, if the customer so wishes, under a special Scheme arranged by the Association of British Travel Agents, and administered by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The scheme provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the customer in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be obtained from the ABTA website (www.abta.com). The Scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences. The Scheme can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element. The application for arbitration and Statement of Claim must be received by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators within nine months of the date of return from the holiday. Outside this time limit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if the company agrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such agreement.

DATA PROTECTION. Please be assured that we have measures in place to protect personal booking information held by us. This information will be passed on to the principal and to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. Certain information may also be passed on to security or credit checking companies. When travelling outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will only pass your
information on to persons responsible for your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.) Full details of our data protection policy are available upon request.