Press release - 5 February 2014 09:35

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Balmoral becomes an internet sensation, after dramatic time-lapse footage of the ship being extended goes viral

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' 1,350-guest flagship, Balmoral, has become an internet sensation, after video footage of her dramatic 'stretch' by 30 metres at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in 2008 was posted on popular websites for the BBC and 'Daily Mail', amongst others. The clip has now been seen and enjoyed by over 350,000 viewers online.

The incredible video footage was captured by production company MK Timelapse, and shows the long process of inserting the 3,500 tonnes, 30-metre mid-section - which took 70 days to complete - condensed into just minutes.

Balmoral was built in 1988 for Royal Cruise Line, and was originally named 'Crown Odyssey'. The vessel, which now weighs 43,537 GRT and is 218.18m in length, was purchased by Fred. Olsen in 2008, and was given a makeover shortly thereafter, to provide 186 guest cabins, 53 crew cabins and 60 balcony cabins and to create the new smaller, more intimate restaurants of the Spey and Avon, on Deck 10.

In a feat of engineering that defies belief, the ship is cut in half and extended by inserting the new mid-section, which had to match the existing fabric of the ship to absolute precision.

To see the incredible footage of Balmoral being stretched, watch the video below.

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

Topics

Regions

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

Cruise the Panama Canal 100 years on with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

The Panama Canal celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014, and what better way to witness one of the world’s most spectacular engineering feats than from the deck of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ flagship, Balmoral? Fred. Olsen is offering guests the chance to commemorate the Canal’s centenary year in style with its 31-night L140141 ‘The Americas & Caribbean’ fly-cruise ex London Gatwick on 19th March

22 January 2014 15:36

Escape on a mini-cruise in 2014 with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

In response to guest feedback for shorter cruise itineraries, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has created seven ‘mini-cruises’ – including a new product of 2-night ‘Introductory’ cruises – for the 2014/15 cruise season. Fred. Olsen’s mini-cruises of two and three nights include city breaks to Paris and Dublin, and are the perfect opportunity for guests to have a weekend escape or for first-time cruisers.

20 December 2013 09:20

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines releases new Balmoral itineraries for 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled a selection of its new 2015 itineraries on board Balmoral, which are on sale now. The new 2015 cruises include top-rated ports, exciting new destinations and an even greater number of fascinating shore excursions than ever before.