Press release - 16 December 2020 10:37

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines announces revised ‘back in service’ dates as company prepares for cruising in 2021

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today announced revised ‘back in service’ dates for its four-strong ocean fleet, as the company prepares for cruising in 2021.

The new timetable shows that new ship Borealis will now be the first of the fleet to sail, and will embark on her maiden cruise with Fred. Olsen – the six-night ‘Scottish Lochs and Isles’ cruise - on 23^rd April 2021 as originally planned.

Bolette will follow on 29^th May and Balmoral on 9^th June. 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.

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

“While it is regrettable that our pause in operations is longer than we originally anticipated, we have said right from the start that we will not resume sailing until we are confident that it is safe for us to do so, and we stand by that.

“The safety of our guests and crew remains our utmost priority, and it is important that we fully understand the advances in the roll-out of the vaccine, testing capabilities and other scientific developments and what they mean for how we can operate.

“This is not a process to be rushed, and we are confident that by deferring our return to sailing just a while longer, with our two new ships among the fleet, we can come back better and stronger than ever without compromising on guest experience.

“Braemar, which typically operates our Mediterranean and Caribbean fly-cruise programme in the winter, will remain in lay-up for next year. Initially, we believe it may be more complex for us to operate the planned fly cruise programme and we will therefore instead focus on our extensive ex-UK itineraries during 2021. The team here are already busy working on a host of exciting and immersive cruises for her return in Spring 2022 which make the most of her smaller size. These will be announced as part of our 2022/23 itinerary launch in March 2021.

“In the meantime, we can’t wait to welcome our guests and crew back on board from April next year.”

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