Town have announced that local cruise and travel businesses Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Fred Olsen Travel have become their official cruise and travel partner.
The two-year agreement will see Fred. Olsen Business Travel take care of the club’s travel arrangements, including hotels, flights and players’ medical trips.
The deal will also see Town supporters receiving significant discounts on holidays and cruises, while every booking by Blues fans will see Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Fred. Olsen Travel invest funds back into the club.
These will appear on the official club website on a regular basis and will also be available in the Fred. Olsen branches in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Bury St. Edmunds, Felixstowe and Colchester.
Fred. Olsen is also continuing its sponsorship of the academy U10s team until the end of 2014/15.
Town partnerships manager Shelly Burt said: "Fred. Olsen has been involved with the club on a smaller scale for some time, but we are delighted to have agreed a long-term partnership with such an established, and more importantly, local company.
"As well as the support they will provide the club in terms of their expertise and cost and time-saving, our supporters too will reap the benefits of offers on their own leisure travel, not to mention the vast array of cruises available.”
Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, added: "We may offer cruises to all four corners of the globe from 10 ports around the UK — including Harwich — but we are an Ipswich-based company and have been supporting Town for many years.
"We’re delighted to be re-investing our earnings on every cruise booking made by Town fans back into the club so hopefully supporters can go on their cruise holiday knowing they helped to develop the next young player or Mick’s next star signing.”
Steve Williams, managing director of Fred. Olsen Travel, continued: "We are delighted to be involved in the partnership. As a local independent travel company celebrating over 25 years on our high street it is important to us that we work as closely as possible within our community.
"As the club’s official travel partner, we will be able to showcase our exceptional knowledge, experience and customer service with all of the club’s players, staff and supporters.
"Local businesses will also be able to benefit from our corporate travel department which deliver myriad services, cost savings and time efficiency.”