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Three Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ships to undergo multi-million-pound refit

Braemar - Kiel Canal.jpg
Braemar is the first of four ships to undergo refurbishment
Three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ocean ships will be undergoing a multi-million-pound refit this winter, as part of an extensive enhancement programme in preparation for the start of the 2020/21 cruise season.

Braemar, Balmoral and Black Watch will be undergoing various engineering works, general maintenance and refurbishment during their dry docks at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, as well as the creation of several new public areas and cabin enhancements.

Long-standing partnership with B+V

Fred. Olsen has a long-established partnership with Blohm+Voss, spanning nearly 50 years and several generations.

Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: ‘We are very proud of our smaller, classic cruise ships and we recognise the importance of investing in ongoing upgrades to ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy them at their very best.

‘Our refreshed and renewed fleet has been very well-received by both new and existing guests following the last round of improvements at Blohm+Voss in 2017 and 2018.’

New bathroom upgrades on Black Watch

As well as extensive refurbishment of the accommodation on board both Braemar and Balmoral, a number of cabins on Black Watch will be receiving new bathroom upgrades.

Main Deck 6 on Balmoral will be seeing a number of enhancements. A brand new Oriental Room will be created in the forward area, where exotic teas and Far Eastern-themed cocktails and drinks will be served. A new Photo Gallery will be added mid-ship portside, and a new Flower Shop will be installed mid-ship starboard side, where guests can choose from a selection of stunning seasonal and year-round flowers to create a personalised bouquet, or select one of the expertly-crafted, ready-made arrangements.

Braemar first up

929-guest Braemar entered Blohm+Voss Thursday, and will be embarking on a nine-night  ‘French, Belgian & Spanish City Overnights’ cruise from Southampton, UK on  November 24, 2019.

1,350-guest Balmoral will be entering the yard on December 10, 2019, and will depart on a two-night mini-break from Southampton to France on December 20, 2019, calling at Honfleur.

804-guest Black Watch will also enter dry dock on December 11, 2019, after which it will host a one-night Christmas Party Night alongside in Southampton, UK on December 21, 2019.

The fourth ship in the Fred. Olsen ocean fleet, 880-guest Boudicca, will receive its own refit in Autumn 2020, having undergone a dramatic transformation at Blohm+Voss in Spring 2018.

227 destination visits

In 2020/21, Fred. Olsen’s fleet of five ocean and river ships – including river cruise vessel, Brabant – will be visiting 277 destinations in 90 countries, across six continents, covering 104 areas of scenic cruising, on 170 different itineraries.

Complementing the UK departure ports of Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Edinburgh (Rosyth), Fred. Olsen will also be offering an expanded programme of fly-cruises in 2020/21.