Tag Archives: England

Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Getting Upgrades in Drydock

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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.

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P&O makes a play for the School half-terms to capture the Family Market.

P&O Britannia sitting pretty in the Caribbean photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr account)

P&O Cruises has bolstered its autumn half-term offering for 2025 in an effort to entice more families onboard its ships. 

The line will operate three seven-night ex-Southampton sailings specifically aimed at families whose children go to schools in different countries within the UK.

The voyages depart on 18 October, 25 October and 1 November 2025. Each sailing covers a different October half-term either in Scotland, Northern Ireland or England. 

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said: “Consequently, there will be a much larger number of holidays departing during this period.”

P&O Cruises sales director Ruth Venn said: “We’ve tried to put three consecutive sailings to cover each of three half terms. It’s great to have broad appeal.” 

P&O Cruises will return to 12 ports, including Los Angeles, Melbourne, Bali, Bodo and Dunedin, for the first time in five or more years during 2025/26. 

The programme also features two new itineraries for Britannia. Prices for the sailings, which include calls to Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and Dominican Republic, start from £1,399pp.

From January 2026, Arcadia will operate a 100-night Eastern Circumnavigation World Cruise for the first time in nine years. 

The ship will call into 28 destinations including Dubai, Singapore, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Dunedin, Auckland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Prices start from £9,599pp. 

The line will visit Tangier, Morocco, for the first time when Azura calls there during its sailing from Valetta, Malta. 

Cruises booked by 4 December will include a 10% saving. Past guests, who have cruised with P&O Cruises for 15 nights or more, can access a further 5% discount on selected sailings. 

Holland America Line to cruise from Dover for the first time in 10 years

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Dover photoed from a leaving cruise line photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Holland America Line will sail a full season of round-trip itineraries from Dover for the first time in more than 10 years.

The line will base Pinnacle-class ship Nieuw Statendam out of the UK port for 10 departures in the summer of 2025.
 
From Dover, the vessel will sail itineraries ranging from 14 to 42 days to the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Iberia and the eastern Mediterranean.
 
In addition to Dover, HAL will depart from nine homeports throughout Europe, with an increase in cruises over 10 days, more sailings to Iceland and a combined 62 overnight calls or late-night departures in leading cities.
 
“We’re really excited about Nieuw Statendam homeporting in Dover for a whole season in 2025 and the additional opportunities this provides to the trade, as well as our guests,” said Karen Farndell, director of UK sales and marketing.
 
“The itineraries look incredible and varied, offering something for everyone – beyond Dover, our 10 homeports span Europe, and in 2025 we’re offering the most diverse range of itineraries that include everything from week-long holidays to the Med to month-long explorations to the Arctic.”
She praised the line’s travel agent partners for their continued support and commitment throughout the company’s milestone 150th year.
 
Other highlights of HAL’s 2025 Europe cruising season include seven-day Norway and Denmark and Norwegian Fjords itineraries onboard Rotterdam, while Oosterdam will sail its entire season in the Mediterranean on cruises from Piraeus, Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Trieste.
 
Nieuw Statendam visits the Canary Islands on a 14-day Canary Island Enchantment with Morocco and Portugal cruise departing on 20 April 2025, and the Voyage of the Vikings itinerary returns in 2025 onboard Zuiderdam.