FRED OLSEN TO LAY-UP BRAEMAR UNTIL 2022

Fred Olsen will lay-up Braemar until 2022 owing to the likely complexity of operating a fly-cruise programme in the early stages of any permitted resumption of cruising.

The line’s focus will instead be on its ex-UK programme, with new ship Borealis likely to be the first of its four-ship fleet to return to service next year.

Borealis will embark on its maiden cruise with Fred Olsen on 23 April 2021 as originally planned – a six-night Scottish Lochs and Isles cruise.

The ship joined the line’s fleet in September, one of two former Holland America Line ships acquired by Fred Olsen to replace Boudicca and Black Watch, which have been retired.

Bolette, the second of these two new ships, will enter service on 29 May 2021 according to the line’s "back in service" timetable, followed by Balmoral on 9 June.

"Due to having an extensive fly-cruise programme, Braemar will remain in lay-up until 2022," said Fred Olsen.

 

"All guests booked onto a cancelled sailing will be notified of the changes, and will be provided with a number of options including a no-quibble refund."

Peter Deer, Fred Olsen managing director, said: "While it is regrettable that our pause in operations is longer than we originally anticipated, we have said right from the start that we will not resume sailing until we are confident that it is safe for us to do so, and we stand by that.

"The safety of our guests and crew remains our utmost priority, and it is important that we fully understand the advances in the roll-out of the vaccine, testing capabilities and other scientific developments and what they mean for how we can operate.

"This is not a process to be rushed, and we are confident that by deferring our return to sailing just a while longer, with our two new ships among the fleet, we can come back better and stronger than ever without compromising on the guest experience."

On Braemer, which Deer said typically operated Fred Olsen’s winter the Mediterranean and Caribbean fly-cruise programme, he added: "Initially, we believe it may be more complex for us to operate the planned fly-cruise programme and we will therefore instead focus on our extensive ex-UK itineraries during 2021.

"The team here are already busy working on a host of exciting and immersive cruises for her return in spring 2022, which make the most of her smaller size.

 

"These will be announced as part of our 2022/23 itinerary launch in March 2021."

NCL INTRODUCES NEW FLY-CRUISE BOOKING TOOL

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new booking platform for fly-cruise itineraries.

The line claims NCL Air will transform the way agents make bookings of this type.

 

NCL Air offers real-time access and current pricing to flights from the UK and Ireland to departure ports around the world.

 

Agents earn “a minimum 10% commission on the entire flight package”.

The line said: “With NCL Air, agents can offer flight options from a wide variety of regional gateways and can opt for exclusive NCL-contracted fares, which give guests greater flexibility, or restricted fares at more attractive pricing that are subject to payment and cancellation restrictions. It also allows for easy upgrades to premium economy, business and first-class flights.”

Fares include checked baggage and airport and port round-trip transfers as well as a pre-cruise hotel night, can be added.

 

All cabin classes and airlines bookable through Amadeus, including British Airways, Jet2.com, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet and KLM are available.

 

To mark NCL Air’s introduction, NCL is giving agents the opportunity to win a fly-cruise for two onboard Norwegian Epic or Norwegian Dawn. Agents will be entered into a prize draw for every fly-cruise booking they make using NCL Air before 31 December 2020.

 

As an alternative prize, NCL is offering tickets to hit musical Six, which will tour the UK in 2021.

“This new air tool is precisely what we’ve been looking for as a great addition to the tech made available to us by NCL”, said Dave Mills, vice president global supply director of Iglu.

 

“These days, more than ever, being able to offer customers both choice and reassurance that the holiday they’ve been looking forward to for so long can be tailored exactly to their requirements is a huge benefit. Agents are going to love it."