Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines receives the Best Cruise Line Operator for Groups trophy at the 2012 Group Travel Awards. From left, Abbe Bates, editor of Group Travel Organiser magazine,; Lucy Seaman, group sales executive for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Steve Plummer, managing director at travel agency Cruise for Groups, Ellie Fulcher, group sales executive for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and travel expert Simon Calder

IPSWICH-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been crowned as Best Cruise Line Operator for Groups at the Group Travel Awards for the second year running.

Fred. Olsen beat off competition from other cruise operators including Saga, P&O, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cunard, MSC and NCL to claim the prize, which was based on votes by readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine.

Ellie Fulcher, group sales executive at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We have been working hard to develop our groups business in recent years and we can offer a friendly and knowledgeable groups team, which works closely with group travel organisers to put together a cruise holiday that suits the needs of each individual group perfectly.”

The awards ceremony was held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London and was hosted by travel writer and broadcaster Simon Calder.