Tag Archives: Falmouth

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.

Royal Caribbean International Cancels More Calls at Labadee

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Independence of the Seas in Labadee photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr

Royal Caribbean International is canceling additional visits to Labadee, its private destination in Haiti.

In different statements, the company has confirmed that its ships will no longer be visiting the port of call over the next few weeks.

After suspending visits to Labadee earlier this month, the company has decided to evaluate the situation in Haiti on a continuous basis, said Royal Caribbean International’s President and CEO Michael Bayley.

“We’ll continue to suspension on a rolling basis with three days advance notification for our guests sailing on itineraries impact and changed as we monitor and evaluate the situation in Haiti,” he explained in a social media post.

Newly affected sailings include Independence of the Seas’ March 21 departure. Instead of going to Labadee, the four-night cruise will now visit Grand Turk on March 23.

The April 6 sailing of the Symphony of the Seas has also been impacted and will now include a visit to Falmouth, Jamaica on April 12.

For its April 7 departure, the Oasis of the Seas will now be visiting St. Maarten instead of Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti.

Other vessels affected by the cancellations include the Adventure of the Seas, the Mariner of the Seas, the Explorer of the Seas, the Grandeur of the Seas and the Odyssey of the Seas.

Serving as a private destination for Royal Caribbean International ships since the 1980s, Labadee is located in Haiti’s Cap-Haïtien region.

After receiving significant upgrades in 2009, the fenced-off resort offers various features, including a flea market, a roller coaster, and a zip-line.

In addition to several beaches, Labadee also has a two-berth pier capable of receiving some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

In addition to Royal Caribbean, the destination is also scheduled to host ships from Celebrity Cruises during the 2024-25 winter season.

Norovirus outbreak on Oasis of the Seas

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Image result for Oasis of the Seas

More than 270 passengers have reportedly fallen ill with Norovirus on Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas.

Passengers were kept on board for hours after it docked at Falmouth port in Jamaica on Wednesday (January 9).

The ship was on a seven-night cruise through the Caribbean, but passengers have been told they will have their cruise fares refunded in full following the outbreak.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Travel Weekly: “Oasis of the Seas will return to Port Canaveral [in Florida] a day early after an episode of gastrointestinal illness.

“A total of 277 guests and crew members have been affected since the ship departed on January 6 — about 3.3 per cent of the people aboard the ship.

“All of the ship’s guests will receive full refunds of their cruise fare paid.

“We think the right thing to do is to get everyone home early rather than have guests worry about their health. Returning on Saturday also gives us more time to completely clean and sanitize the ship before her next sailing.

“Our guests sail with us to have great holidays, and we are sorry this cruise fell short.”

Passenger Alan Thomas tweeted: “Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean. We’re docked at Falmouth Jamaica. Level 3 Norovirus outbreak. 100+ passengers and a crew member sick. Cancelled shore excursion. Waiting to see if Jamaican authorities let us off the ship.#refund #lostvacation #disappointed #royalcarribean.”

Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean. We’re docked at Falmouth Jamaica. Level 3 Norovirus outbreak. 100+ passengers and a crew member sick. Cancelled shore excursion. Waiting to see if Jamaican authorities let us off the ship. #refund #lostvacation #disappointed #royalcarribean

— Alan Thomas (@alan_thomas13)