Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Featured in Susan Calman’s ‘Cruise of a Lifetime’

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Featured in Susan Calman’s ‘Cruise of a Lifetime’

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette will be featured in an upcoming episode of Susan Calman’s Cruise of a Lifetime on Channel 5 in the UK later this month.

The episode features Calman as she embarks on an eight-night journey to the Norwegian Fjords, departing from Liverpool. The cruise includes stops in Olden, Ålesund, Åndalsnes and Geiranger, with scenic sailings through Nordfjord, Geirangerfjord, and past the Seven Sisters Waterfall.

During the sailing, Calman participates in various activities, including visiting the Briksdal Glacier and kayaking in the Brosundet Canal. Onboard, she joins guests in a behind-the-scenes tour of the food stores, laundry and galley to meet with the crew and learn more about cruise operation.

Samantha Stimpson, CEO at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are all incredibly excited to see our flagship Bolette make her Channel 5 debut later this month. It was a pleasure to welcome Susan aboard our fleet for the first time, and I’d like to thank her for the time she spent with our guests and our crew.

“As a business, our heritage stems from Norway, and we are well known for our sailings to this beautiful part of the world. Our fleet really comes into its own in the heart of the fjordlands thanks to the smaller size of our ships, which allow us to reach the depths of the fjords that aren’t accessible to larger vessels. To be able to share this experience far beyond those who joined us onboard for this cruise is a truly exceptional opportunity.”

Port of Bilbao Closes Season with 80 Ships and 150K Passengers

Port of Bilbao Closes Season with 80 Ships and 150K Passengers

The Port of Bilbao has concluded the 2023 season with 80 cruise ships and 148,791 passengers, according to a statement.

The last cruise ship of the year was the Bolette, which docked on November 16.

Most of the tourists have been transit passengers coming from the UK (41%), North America (27%), or Germany (13%). Thirteen  cruise ships made their first call at the port in 2023.

“We continue to position the Port of Bilbao and its terminal in Getxo on the route of the major cruise shipping companies, and this is making a significant contribution to the increase in tourism in the Basque Country and, by extension, to boosting our economy,” said Ricardo Barkala, president of the Port Authority of Bilbao. “As a result, we continue to support this activity and to promote the development of the economic fabric of Bizkaia and the Basque Country”.

“In a sector as competitive as the cruise sector, the shipping companies choose Bilbao because of the infrastructure and services it offers, the operability of the terminal, the flexibility and ease with which stopovers can be managed, and the convenience for their passengers,” Barkala added.

In 2019, 50 cruise ships arrived at the Port of Bilbao. In 2020, cruises were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fourteen calls were made in 2021, and 78 cruise ships arrived at the port in 2022.

The Port Authority has announced the BilbOPS project to deploy shore power technology in several of the port’s docks, including the cruise ship docks. The aim of the initiative is to improve service delivery, and, in turn, contribute to environmental sustainability. The facilities will become operational in the beginning of 2026.

 

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Completes Refurbishment

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Completes Refurbishment

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette has recently completed a refurbishment at the A&P Falmouth shipyard in England.

According to the company, the drydock was supported by 500 members of the facility’s workforce, including 32 apprentices.

“We are really pleased to further support the Falmouth economy by working with the team at A&P to maintain and refurbish our ships, and in particular providing their apprentices with new experience and opportunity,” said Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

After entering drydock in late February, the Bolette spent two weeks at the A&P Falmouth shipyard to undergo a program of works that comprised underwater painting, servicing of lifeboats, maintenance of stabilizers and more.

Other technical interventions included the exchange of the ship’s bow thrusters, which were replaced with newly overhauled ones.

The 2000-built ship also underwent a full underwater hull cleaning before receiving fresh antifouling paint.

According to Fred. Olsen, the new coat of paint helps reduce friction in the water while keeping the hull clear of barnacles and other marine life.

The crew cabins onboard were also refurbished, the company added, and all of the vessel’s lifeboats and davits underwent a main overhaul and overload test.

The Bolette’s Azipod propellers were removed for maintenance as well, while a new autopilot system was installed at the ship’s bridge.

On the guests’ side, Bolette also saw improvements to its photo gallery, which received digital screens for selecting and ordering pictures, according to Fred. Olsen, the new format saves time and paper.

A small studio where passengers are able to take professional, portrait-style shots was also installed in the photo gallery area.

Following the work, the 62,735-ton vessel resumed service on March 9. Sailing from the port of Newcastle, the Bolette is now offering a series of five- to ten-night itineraries to the UK, Norway, Iceland, the Baltic, Western Europe and more.

Originally built for Holland America Line as the Amsterdam, the Bolette was acquired by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2020.

Fred. Olsen Cancelling Some Winter Cruises Due to Lack of Demand

Fred. Olsen Cancelling Some Winter Cruises Due to Lack of Demand

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line announced it is cancelling four winter cruises on the Bolette due to a lack of bookings.

In addition, the next cruise on the Balmoral is cancelled due to a propeller issue and the company also noted that none of these challenges is due to the resignation of Chairman Fred. Olsen Jnr. decided to step down after spending 35 years in the cruise industry.

The company said it continues to be proud of its family-run business with both Fred. Olsen and Anette Olsen remain on the board.

"We got through the pandemic which was the most difficult time for the travel industry, and cruise lines in particular. During this time, we invested in our business by buying two beautiful new ships. Like every travel company, trying to get back to normal, we are still having to navigate some choppy seas along the way," said Peter Deer, managing director, in a prepared statement. "Our job during this is to look after our guests and crew and ensure we provide a wonderful experience. I sincerely apologise to all guests who are affected on cruises this winter. I hope you will give us the chance to put this right for you."

In regards to Bolette's cancellations, the company said:  "This is always a quieter period for cruising and this small number of sailings did not quite reach the guest numbers we were hoping for, especially in light of the current high fuel prices we are all facing. With most of our crew remaining onboard (and the remainder taking their planned leave), we will use this time to bring forward some routine technical work which we had planned to do in 2023 - it will also leave us with one of our ships in the north of the country and one in the south for most of the winter."

The company said that cancelling these cruises was not an easy decision its team has been speaking with affected guests to help them find an alternative cruise to look forward to.

The Bolette will return on December 21 2022 for her planned Christmas cruise to Norway.

The company also made the decision to move her full winter schedule from Tilbury to Dover and Southampton, and any guests who are affected by this have been contacted over the last couple of days.

Making matters worse, the company also said it had an issue with one of the propellers on the Balmoral this week.

"These things happen of course, but the timing really couldn’t be worse," the statement read. "As a result, she will need to go into a very short drydock in Newcastle which means we have been left with no alternative but to cancel her next cruise which was due to depart from Rosyth on Monday. We have been looking after these guests today, explaining their options. Balmoral will be sailing again from Southampton on 11th September and the rest of her schedule will remain unchanged."

 

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has removed the requirement for guests to wear a face-covering onboard its vessels.

It comes as part of a phased relaxation in the line’s Covid-19 protocols. Pre-embarkation testing, as well as the requirement to be fully vaccinated, remain in place.
 
Guests will still be asked to pack a face mask, as some destinations still require their use and crew members will continue to wear the coverings for the time being.
 
Balmoral is the first of Fred Olsen’s fleet to sail without a face mask requirement, having departed Newcastle under the new measures on Wednesday (18 May). The new guidance will apply to Bolette’s next departure from Southampton on 22 May and Borealis’s departure from Liverpool on 25 May.

Peter Deer, managing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "We have been regularly reviewing our onboard procedures, and know this move will be well received among our guests. Of course, we understand that some guests may prefer to continue wearing a face mask as they move around the ship, and this will be entirely at their discretion.
 
"The health and wellbeing of our guests and crew remain our utmost priority, and as such we will be operating a phased reduction in our onboard protocols. These measures help us to ensure our ships remain a safe and enjoyable way to explore the world."

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ new flagship Bolette departed from Dover.

This milestone sailing follows a refurbishment programme that saw public areas revamped, cabins updated, new bathrooms installed and new carpets laid throughout the vessel

Amenities on board include an all-weather pool, a two-tiered theatre, an auditorium, a gym, a sports centre, eight bars and six restaurants.

The 690-cabin vessel can hold up to 1,338 guests and 615 crew members at standard occupancy.

 

The sailing follows a refurbishment programme which saw public areas revamped, cabins updated, new bathrooms installed and new carpets laid throughout.

Peter Deer, managing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, described the milestone as a "very important" day for the line.

"The team on board has worked incredibly hard to add our own Fred Olsen touches to the ship, with every element designed with the elegance and attention to detail that we are so well known for," he added.

 

"After many weeks of successful cruising, I am so proud to enhance our offering with a second new ship in the fleet today. I know that guests will love her just as much as we do, and our wonderful crew can’t wait to welcome guests, both new and returning, onboard."

Fred. Olsen New Ship Bolette Arrives In Rosyth

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has completed its fleet by welcoming Bolette to Rosyth, Scotland, just two weeks after taking delivery of another new ship, the Borealis.

The ships are the former Amsterdam and Rotterdam from Holland America Line.

The Bolette arrived at Babcock’s Rosyth Facilities on Thursday sailing under the Forth and Queensferry bridges.

Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said:

“It is wonderful to have sister ships Bolette and Borealis together in the same place, joining the rest of our fleet.

“They have already had such a warm welcome from our guests who have been following our Virtual Cruising programme on Facebook and on our website. Now, we can get to work getting both ships ready, in true Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines style, for when our guests step aboard for the first time.

“This is a hugely exciting time for us, and taking ownership of these ships is a clear indication of our plans to bounce back stronger than ever, once the time is right to start sailing again.”

Fred Olsen to retire Boudicca and Black Watch

Fred Olsen to retire Boudicca and Black Watch

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has confirmed it is to retire Boudicca and Black Watch, with two new ships, Bolette and Borealis, taking over planned itineraries when they join the fleet and the line resumes sailing.

The introduction of former Holland America Line vessels Bolette and Borealis will increase Fred Olsen’s capacity by around 30%, although both vessels carry under 1,400 guests.

Guests who were booked to sail on Boudicca and Black Watch will automatically have their booking transferred to the same itineraries on Bolette or Borealis and will be contacted in the coming weeks.

Peter Deer, managing director, said: “I am pleased to say we are now at the stage of finalising our back in the water plans and we are very excited to be doing this with two new vessels within our fleet.

“While we are still looking at a number of options for Boudicca and Black Watch, what we do know is that they won’t resume sailing with us when we do start to cruise again.”

He added: “We know that these ships are much loved among our guests, as indeed they are by us, but it is time to evolve and look ahead to a long and bright future for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

“We will soon be revealing more details on our plans to resume sailing again, but in the meantime, we hope many of you will join us on our virtual farewell cruises to see our two ships off in style.”

Celestyal, Fred. Olsen pick up Carnival Corp. ships

Europe-based lines Celestyal Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines both said they had purchased ships from Carnival Corp., which has said will shed 13 ships from its nine brands this year.

Greece-based Celestyal said it had acquired the 1993-built, 1,800-passenger Costa NeoRomantica from Costa Cruises, while Fred. Olsen said it had purchased the youngest pair of the four ships leaving Holland America Line's fleet.

The U.K.-based Fred. Olsen said it had acquired the Amsterdam, built-in 2000, and the Rotterdam, built-in 1997 and would rename them the Bolette and Borealis, respectively, both names of former Fred. Olsen ships.

"We have chosen these vessels as they will fit seamlessly into our existing fleet of small ships, each carrying under 1,500 guests, bringing with them new and larger public areas whilst not compromising on our small-ship experience," said Fred. Olsen Jr., chairman of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, in a statement. "This increase in our capacity demonstrates our confidence in the future. With over 170 years of seafaring history, we have sailed through many difficult periods. With these new additions to the fleet, we will come out of this current situation stronger than ever, ready to deliver the award-winning itineraries that we are famous for."

Celestyal's CEO, Chris Theophilides said that the NeoRomantica purchase is part of the line's strategic growth plan, despite being on pause until 2021.

"I'm delighted with the addition of this midsize cruise vessel to our fleet," Theophilides said in a statement. "She is ideally suited to our business model and is very well appointed following her significant transformation in 2012."

Details of the ship's delivery and deployment will be announced at a later date, Celestyal said. It is the second Costa ship to exit its fleet since Carnival Corp.'s announcement about shedding ships. The 23-year-old Costa Victoria was sold for scrap.