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Music has a unique ability to transport us – back to a place, a moment, a feeling. This spring, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is harnessing that power in an industry-first appointment, welcoming acclaimed British composer Benjamin Squires as its inaugural Composer-in-Residence. The collaboration will see Benjamin Squires create the world’s first original soundtrack inspired entirely by the experience of cruising, transforming life at sea into a cinematic musical journey.
Capturing the Rhythm of Life at Sea
In March, Benjamin Squires will join a Northern Lights voyage aboard Bolette, immersing himself fully in life on board. With access to every corner of the ship – from crew spaces to passenger decks – he will observe, listen and experience the nuances of daily life at sea, using them as the foundation for the soundtrack.
From the anticipation of departure to moments of awe beneath the Northern Lights, the new score will reflect the emotional arc of a Fred. Olsen cruise. Rather than a single theme, the composition will unfold like a journey, drawing inspiration from discovery, tranquillity, excitement and joy.
“This is a totally unique challenge,” says Squires. “I’ve composed hundreds of pieces, but creating a musical narrative of an entire journey is something completely new. There are so many sights, sounds and feelings that I can’t wait to start translating into music.”
From the Ocean to Abbey Road
Once composed, the soundtrack will be recorded by a 60-piece orchestra at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios, bringing a full cinematic scale to the project. The final recording will be released on Spotify, allowing listeners to relive their own cruise memories – or imagine setting sail for the first time.
The project represents a notable departure from Benjamin Squires’ recent work in film, and television. His credits include trailers for major Hollywood releases such as Avatar: Fire and Ash and Wicked: For Good, as well as documentaries including Netflix’s Tiny Creatures.
Why Music and Travel Are So Closely Linked
The appointment follows new research highlighting the powerful connection between music, memory and travel. Nearly eight in ten Britons associate specific songs with past holidays, while 63 per cent regularly listen to music discovered while travelling to relive those experiences. More than four in five say music plays an important role in their holiday experience, with many agreeing it heightens the emotions attached to those memories.
Further findings revealed that artists such as ABBA, Queen, The Beatles and Rihanna are most likely to evoke holiday memories – highlighting just how deeply music becomes intertwined into our travel stories.
A New Way to Experience Cruising
By creating an original musical score, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aims to deepen guests’ emotional connection to both life on board and the destinations they visit – while offering those yet to cruise a new way to experience the feeling of being at sea.
“For so many guests, travelling the high seas compares with nothing else. With our first ever Composer-in-Residence, we want to help them reconnect with their holidays long after they return home, and give new guests a taste of what makes cruising so special.”
Doug Glenwright, Guest Experience Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
As the project unfolds, audiences can follow the journey via @benjaminsquires and @fred.olsencruiselines.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 2026 and 2027 sailings are available to book now.
Sometimes, the most lasting souvenir from a journey is not something you pack – but something you hear. Music has a unique ability to transport us – back to a place, a moment, a feeling.
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