Fred. Olsen Prepping Its Ships for Winter Cruises

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ three ships Black Watch, Braemar and Balmoral are all due to enter dry dock at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in November and December 2014.

The drydocking will prepare the vessels for the forthcoming 2015/16 cruise season.

According to the Norwegian-owned cruise shipping company, this is the first time that so many Fred. Olsen ships have undergone refurbishment within such a short succession.

Work has started with 804-guest Black Watch, which arrived at Blohm+Voss on 4^th November 2014. Once completed, the ship will continue on Fred. Olsen’s first-ever sellout ‘Mystery Cruise’ of 14 nights, W1417, which sails from Tilbury on 15^th November 2014.

Braemar will then arrive in Hamburg on 12^th November 2014, after which the 929-guest ship will depart on a three-night M1430 ‘France Mini-Cruise’ from Southampton on 20^th November 2014.

Balmoral, which carries 1,350 guests, rounds off the planned dry dock works. The ship will arrive on 9^th December 2014, and will leave the shipyard to start a two-night pre-Christmas L1418 ‘France Mini-Cruise’ from Southampton on 19^th December 2014.

The Blohm+Voss schedule for the three Fred. Olsen cruise ships comprises various  engineering works, general refurbishment and interior and exterior painting.

During the dry dock, Black Watch will also see 27 cabins on Lido Deck 7 fitted with balcony terraces. These new Balcony Terrace cabins will extend out 1.2 metres from the ship’s bulkhead.

During their dry docks, Balmoral and Braemar will follow on from Boudicca and Black Watch by having Fred. Olsen’ ‘Café Venus’ installed on board.

Press Release