Tag Archives: Borealis

FRED OLSEN TO LAY-UP BRAEMAR UNTIL 2022

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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.”

Fred. Olsen New Ship Bolette Arrives In Rosyth

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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

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Borealis | Fred. Olsen Cruises

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.”