Press release - 13 January 2021 12:38

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines announces revised ‘back in service’ date for new ship Borealis

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today announced a revised ‘back in service’ date for new ship Borealis, in light of the latest Government lockdown.

Borealis will still be the first of the fleet to set sail, with her maiden voyage with Fred. Olsen now the seven-night ‘Sailing Around Iconic Ireland’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 22^nd May 2021. Borealis was initially due to set sail on 23^rd April 2021.

Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“When we announced our new ‘back in service’ plans in December, we had every confidence in these new dates based on the information available to us at the time.

“Since then, we have seen a third national lockdown imposed, and this must be taken into consideration for our plans in returning to service.

“Deferring Borealis’ return allows us a little more time to consider and understand the developments around Covid-19, including the roll-out of the vaccine, and how this will reflect how we operate.

“We were also conscious that guests on sailings in April and early May would be due to pay their final balances soon, which is why we have taken this decision now.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming our guests back on board with us in 2021, and I would like to stress that we will not do so until we are confident that the time is right.”

Bolette will be the second of the Fred. Olsen fleet to set sail, and will depart from Dover on 29^th May 2021, followed by Balmoral from Edinburgh (Rosyth) on 9^th June 2021. Due to having an extensive fly-cruise programme, Braemar will remain in lay-up until 2022.

All guests who are booked onto a cancelled sailing will be notified of the changes, and will be provided with a number of options including a no-quibble refund as part of Fred. Olsen’s Plain Sailing Guarantee.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

Topics

Regions

England

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line operates in the UK with four intimately sized ships for a more personal cruising experience.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Contacts

Ellis Orchard

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations ellis.orchard@fredolsen.co.uk 07557672265

Georgina May

Press contact Public Relations Executive Public Relations georgina.may@fredolsen.co.uk

Lauren Gardner

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations lauren.gardner@fredolsen.co.uk 07546807099

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines we are very proud of our smaller ships – Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral - and the imaginative and unusual itineraries they allow us to offer. Every cruise is hand-crafted from scratch by our team of in-house Journey Planners to make sure you are not only visiting the best destinations, but at the best time to experience them.

For us, it’s not just about where we go but how we take you there. We put as much time into planning scenic cruising as we do in choosing the destinations themselves. On board, our Signature Experiences showcase the history, culture, nature and flavours of the destinations you’ll visit – from Treats of the Region, where you can enjoy local delicacies, to our Sky at Sea star-gazing sessions where you can relax with a hot toddy out on deck while our astronomer talks you through the night sky.

Plus, with each ship carrying 1,300 guests or less, our ships are small enough for us to offer a warm, friendly and personal service where nothing is ever too much trouble, as we visit a host of exciting ports in every corner of the globe.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines