Press Release

Date: 27 June 2018

British funk-pop band Level 42 and 80’s electronic pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are to headline the fourth instalment of DFDS’ popular annual music mini cruises between Newcastle and Amsterdam this November.

The North Sea Sounds mini cruise offers a night of live music and DJs that have passengers dancing the night away as they sail to the European mainland. Past performers have included Craig Charles, Martha and the Vandellas and Joy Division’s Peter Hook.

The 2018 sailings will depart Newcastle for Amsterdam on consecutive weekends, 9 November and 16 November, with early bird prices starting from just £84pp return based on four sharing, or £108pp return based on two persons sharing. This includes 2 nights on board in an en-suite cabin, breakfast & dinner on both crossings, and return coach transfers to Amsterdam. Passengers will also have up to 5 hours exploring the vibrant Dutch capital.

This year’s line-up of musical talent features:

Level 42 and Smoove and Turrell – departs 9 November​​ Level 42 are one of Britain’s most enduring 80s bands, best known for hits such as Lessons in Love, Something About You and Leaving Me Now. Following a sell-out, 37-date tour in the UK and Europe, as well as Japan last year, the band are on the road again in to 2018 with their Eternity Tour, covering the UK and Holland. Performing on the return leg of the mini cruise, the band’s upbeat set from their discography of 14 studio albums is sure to be a memorable one.​​

Making their return to the seas, also performing this year are Geordie soul powerhouses Smoove and Turrell and special guest DJ’s who will perform well into the early hours.

​​Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – departs 16 November ​​OMD, the pioneering synth-pop group founded almost 40 years ago, will be headlining North Sea Sounds on the UK outbound leg of the journey. The band are known for their smash hits such as Enola Gay, Electricity, Souvenir and Joan Of Arc.

Alongside the band, there will be DJ sets performed late into the night, and a fantastic support act on the returning leg of the journey who is yet to be announced! ​​

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For further press information, please contact: Elsa Findlay / Charlotte Wright / Rachel Sewell / Katie Raby Rooster PR T : +44 (0)20 3440 8930 E : DFDS@rooster.co.uk www.rooster.co.uk

About DFDS:

DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.

DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.

In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for eight years running (2012-2019), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last seven years (2011-18).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, click here.