Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Getting Upgrades in Drydock

Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Getting Upgrades in Drydock

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral is currently undergoing upgrades at the drydock of the A&P Shipyard in Falmouth, England.

According to an update shared by the company, the 1988-built ship is not only undergoing technical maintenance but also hotel upgrades.

One of the projects being carried out includes the addition of a digital photo gallery, which replaces the vessel’s current photo walls.

The Balmoral is also seeing new central computer systems being set up in the Neptune Lounge. The hardware will be used to control the lounge’s audio and lighting, as well as a new set of LED walls that is also being added.

Wi-Fi coverage and access points are being worked on, Fred. Olsen said, allowing guests to have better access to the internet when on balconies and out on open decks.

On the technical side, the Balmoral is having its lifeboats serviced with general maintenance and upgrades.

Fuel, ballast, potable water and grey water tanks are being emptied, cleaned, inspected and recertified while a new coat of silicon-based antifouling paint is being applied to the ship’s hull.

The 1,340-guest vessel is getting a new propeller that features an optimized design to improve energy efficiency and minimize emissions.

Balmoral’s main engines are also being overhauled to ensure optimal performance, while any steel that is showing signs of corrosion will be replaced.

After completing its drydock, the ship is welcoming guests back for a six-night cruise to Northern Europe on Dec. 16, 2024.

Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, the “European River Cities & Christmas Markets” features visits to destinations in France and Belgium, including Rouen and Antwerp.

Originally built for the Royal Cruise Line at the Meyer Werft shipyard, the Balmoral was acquired by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2007.

Before entering service for the brand, the ship was lengthened at the Blohm + Voss shipyard, receiving a new 30-meter midsection.

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.

January Update: Here Are the Latest Five Cruise Ship Moves

January Update: Here Are the Latest Five Cruise Ship Moves

Among recent cruise ship transactions, Resorts World Cruises is expanding in Asia, an AIDA ship is heading to a new home and there is much more.

Cruise Industry News looks at some of the more relevant ship moves in the last few months.

For a complete market overview of ships moving between owners and leaving the market, see the Secondhand Market Report by Cruise Industry News.

Explorer Dream
Capacity: 1,804 guests
Tonnage: 76,800
Year built: 1999
Former names: SuperStar Virgo
Move: Chartered to Resorts World Cruises; to be renamed Resorts World One
Date: January 2023

After spending several months anchored off Malaysia, the Explorer Dream found a new operator. In January, Resorts World Cruises announced plans to charter the 1999-built vessel, which will be renamed Resorts World One.

Rejoining its former fleet mate Genting Drem, the ex-SuperStar Virgo is set to debut in Singapore in February before kicking off a program of short cruises to nowhere departing from Hong Kong.

AIDAaura
Capacity: 1,270 guests
Tonnage: 42,200
Year built: 2003
Move: To be retired from AIDA Cruises’ fleet
Date: January 2023

Following its sister ship AIDAvita, the AIDAaura is set to be retired from the AIDA Cruises fleet. According to an announcement issued by the German cruise line in January, the 2003-built vessel is set to offer a farewell season before being withdrawn from service next September.

AIDA hasn’t revealed future plans for the ship, which is expected to be sold as part of Carnival Corporation’s fleet optimization initiative.

Pacific Venus
Capacity: 696 guests
Tonnage: 26,518
Year built: 1998
Move: Withdrawn from service as operator shuts down cruise business
Date: January 2023

The Pacific Venus concluded its last cruise for Venus Cruise in early 2023. After announcing plans to shut down its cruise operations, the Japanese cruise line went out of business on Jan. 4.

One of the market’s only three Japanese-flagged cruise ships, the Pacific Venus is now facing an uncertain future. Currently laid up in a shipyard in Japan, the 696-guest vessel was built at the Ishikawajima shipyard in Tokyo.

Costa Venezia
Capacity: 4,232 guests
Tonnage: 135,500
Year built: 2019
Move: Ended last cruise for Costa ahead of being transferred to Carnival
Date: December 2022

Set to be transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, the Costa Venezia concluded its last cruise for Costa Cruises in early December. Currently laid up in Italy, the 2019-built is scheduled for a drydock before launching service for its new operator in May.

Sailing from New York City on a year-round basis, the Venezia will be part of the new Carnival Fun Italian Style concept, which mixes Costa’s Italian heritage with Carnival’s experience and service.

Braemar
Capacity: 977 guests
Tonnage: 24,344
Year built: 1993
Former names: Crown Majesty, Crown Dynasty and Norwegian Dynasty
Move: To be sold by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Date: November 2022

In late November, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines announced plans to rationalize its fleet and concentrate on modern tonnage. As a result, the British brand decided to retire Braemar from service.

Currently the smallest vessel of the fleet, the 1993-built cruise ship has been laid up in Scotland since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the announcement, Fred. Olsen is also said to be looking for a buyer for the vessel, which has a capacity for 977 guests in double occupancy.

Borealis Docks at Port of Cork to Wrap Up the Cruise Season

Borealis Docks at Port of Cork to Wrap Up the Cruise Season

The Borealis from Fred. Olsen was the last cruise ship to call at Port of Cork for the 2022 cruise season last week, capping off a successful restart for the port that saw over 115,000 passengers and 90 vessels visit, according to a press release.

The cruise industry is estimated to contribute €70 million to the national economy and €14 million to local economies such as Cork annually. This year, 90 cruise ships docked in the Port of Cork and Bantry Bay Port, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the port.

“We made many strides in rebuilding the sector to pre-pandemic levels and the outlook for 2023 is even more positive - with in excess of 100 vessels scheduled to call to the Port of Cork so far,” said Conor Mowlds, chief commercial officer, Port of Cork Company.

Some COVID precautions and practices were still in place this season, with many ships operating at 75 per cent capacity. Prior to the pandemic, the Port of Cork had planned for 100 cruise ships per year, while in 2022 it received 12 first-time calls, bringing the total number of calls to 81.

“The atmosphere in the town when a ship is in is just electric - not only from the influx of passengers on board visiting Cobh but from the many people who visit from all over the country to see these ships up close. It has been especially beneficial for Cobh tourism and trade,” added Johanna Murphy, president of, the Cobh and Harbour Chamber.

The docking of the MSC Virtuosa, which made its maiden call on September 29, was one of the season's highlights, as it became the largest vessel to dock in Cork this year.

War Veteran Weston Joins the Balmoral for Falklands Itinerary

War Veteran Weston Joins the Balmoral for Falklands Itinerary

War Veteran Simon Weston CBE will provide his insight as a guest aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral when the ship visits the Falkland Islands as part of its 78-night voyage to South America and the Antarctic in 2023, according to a press release.

Weston, a Patron of the Falkland Veterans Foundation, will make a guest appearance on board for 14 nights, boarding during the Balmoral's call on Port Stanley and will share his perspective from his time in the Falkland Islands, according to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Weston was severely burned on more than 46 per cent of his body during the Falkland Islands war in 1982. Following the war, he devoted himself to charity work as well as motivational speeches and broadcasts. He is also an ambassador for Changing Faces, as well as a patron of The Enham Trust and Allied Service Trust.

“His experience can add real insight to our guests as Balmoral sails to the Falkland Isles. His story is one of achievement and triumph in the face of adversity, and we know our guests will value learning more about his journey and about the Falklands War,” said Helen Bennett, entertainments and enrichment manager, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

“Simon absolutely loves cruising, seeing new places and meeting new and interesting people onboard. He is passionate about sharing his experiences during the Falklands campaign and life afterwards,” added Weston’s representative at Champions UK plc, Alan Warner.

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 Unveils 11 British Isles Sailings from July 2021

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled a new program of cruises around the British Isles for summer 2021. This was announced in a press release.

The 11-cruise program includes departures from Dover and Liverpool, with “scenic sailings taking in the best of the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney Islands and the Isles of Scilly,” the cruise line said.

“We are so excited to be unveiling these new summer cruises today. So often overlooked, our British Isles are home to some of the most wonderful wildlife, and so much spectacular scenery that is best enjoyed from the water … With this selection of shorter sailings, guests can dip their toes back into cruising and enjoy all that they love about being on board with us before we all begin to venture further afield again,” said Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Peter Deer.

“This is an incredibly important milestone for our business, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests onboard our new-look fleet this summer,” he added.

According to the press release, the Borealis will be the first of the fleet to set sail, with a three-night ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Liverpool on July 5, with the Bolette to depart on a three-night ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Dover on August 16.

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."