Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ new flagship Bolette departed from Dover.

This milestone sailing follows a refurbishment programme that saw public areas revamped, cabins updated, new bathrooms installed and new carpets laid throughout the vessel

Amenities on board include an all-weather pool, a two-tiered theatre, an auditorium, a gym, a sports centre, eight bars and six restaurants.

The 690-cabin vessel can hold up to 1,338 guests and 615 crew members at standard occupancy.

The sailing follows a refurbishment programme which saw public areas revamped, cabins updated, new bathrooms installed and new carpets laid throughout.

Peter Deer, managing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, described the milestone as a “very important” day for the line.


“The team on board has worked incredibly hard to add our own Fred Olsen touches to the ship, with every element designed with the elegance and attention to detail that we are so well known for,” he added.

“After many weeks of successful cruising, I am so proud to enhance our offering with a second new ship in the fleet today. I know that guests will love her just as much as we do, and our wonderful crew can’t wait to welcome guests, both new and returning, onboard.”

Rumoured sale of Cunard and Seabourn denied by Carnival Corporation

Cunard - Ships and Itineraries 2020, 2021, 2022 | CruiseMapper

Carnival Corporation has scotched speculation that luxury brands Cunard and Seabourn could be sold as the cruise giant seeks to navigate recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company was responding to a specialist media report.

Global shipping news service TradeWinds claimed a sale could be prompted by ageing passenger demographics and a need to generate higher returns.

But a Carnival Corporation spokesman said: “There is no truth to this rumour.

“Cunard and Seabourn are iconic brands for our company, and both lines have a strong track record of success over the years.”

The company announced that it is to dispose of a further two ships, in addition to the disposal of 13 ships across its brands and the delayed delivery of new vessels announced earlier this month.

Four older Holland America Line ships have been sold, including two to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, while P&O Cruises’ Oceana has left the fleet and Greek line Celestyal Cruises acquired Costa Cruises’ Costa NewRomantica.

In June, Carnival Corporation said it was speeding up the disposal of ships after a registered $2.4 billion adjusted net loss in the three months to May 31.

It has raised at least $10 billion through a series of financial transactions since March, and had “taken significant actions to preserve cash and secure additional financing to maximise its liquidity”.

It also confirmed $8.8 billion of credit facilities to fund ship deliveries originally planned through to 2023.

Cunard sailings by Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria are suspended until November 1 and Queen Elizabeth until November 23.

Seabourn’s five-ship fleet is on an extended pause in operations into October and November.

The brand had previously announced a suspension of its global ship operations from March 14 until June 30.

Next Four Freds Event to Take Place in Lisbon in Oct. 2021

Four Freds

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has confirmed that it’s the third fleet get together will be Four Fred.s in Lisbon in October 2021.

It comes after the Four Fred.s in Funchal event, which was due to take place on April 4was cancelled due to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Three of Fred. Olsen’s four ocean ships – Boudicca, Black Watch and Braemar – were already scheduled to call into Lisbon, Portugal, on Oct. 22, and the fourth itinerary aboard Balmoral has been specially created to complete the line-up.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said: “Of course, it is disappointing that our ‘Four Fred.s in Funchal’ event was unable to go ahead. But these fleet-wide get-togethers are years in the making, and none of us could have predicted the challenging situation we have all found ourselves in today.

Four Fred.s in Lisbon

“The safety of our guests and crew is always our number one priority, and last month we took the decision to take our ships out of action until the end of May – which included our scheduled ‘Four Fred.s in Funchal’ festivities.

“It is hugely exciting to be able to confirm new date and destination for our fleet reunion so quickly, as I know so many of our guests were looking forward to being reunited with friends and crew members that they have met on their travels with us.

“All of us here at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines can’t wait to welcome back our many loyal guests when we come together again in Lisbon next October and are looking forward to seeing some new faces, too.”