Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral sets sail following multi-million-pound dry dock project

The first guests have set sail aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ newly refurbished Balmoral, following a multi-million-pound dry dock programme.

The cruise line’s smallest ship, Balmoral, entered the shipyard at A&P Falmouth on 1st December for a two-week programme of maintenance.

On-board, the work has included a technical refurbishment of The Neptune Lounge theatre, the renovation of a number cabins and bathrooms, plus a complete refurbishment of the ship’s buffet venue, now named Thistle Restaurant - formerly the Palms Café. The new restaurant boasts a new layout, refreshed seating areas and updated buffet and drinks stations, and has been the biggest internal project.

Work has also been completed to enhance the ship’s WiFi capabilities.

Extensive maintenance has also been completed on exterior areas, including an ultra-high pressure water blast of the underwater hull, application of silicone paint to improve fuel efficiency and installation of new propellers and bow thrusters.

It is a requirement for all cruise ships to enter a dry dock at least twice every five years, so that inspections and maintenance can be carried out to parts of the ship that are usually beneath the water.

A workforce of more than 700 people helped to complete the busy programme, including 350 Fred. Olsen crew, and 30 apprentices at A&P Falmouth.

Samantha Stimpson, CEO of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“This has been an incredibly successful dry dock programme, allowing us to not only conduct important maintenance but also make some exciting enhancements for our guests – most notably our beautiful new buffet restaurant.

“The application of antifouling silicone paint to Balmoral’s hull will enable us to use less fuel, and teamed with other improvements we have made, including the upgrading of our propeller and stabilisers, will allow us to sail more efficiently and sustainably, whilst continuing to offer a comfortable and enjoyable experience on-board.

“This is our third schedule of work to be completed by the team at A&P Falmouth, and continues our commitment to using UK shipyards, supporting the local economy and supply chain, and providing valuable experience to the workforce and it’s apprentices.”

David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group, said:

“APCL was delighted to welcome Balmoral back to A&P Falmouth for what is her second refit at the facility.

“APCL is proud of its ongoing relationship with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. This is the fifth dry docking to take place at APCL’s facilities and the knowledge and vital learning from Experience we are developing on each vessel is enabling us to help minimise the downtime of the Fred. Olsen fleet.

“Contracts such as these make a significant economic contribution to the prosperity of the UK and helps to support our workforce and apprenticeship programme. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines over the months and years to come and we send our best wishes to Balmoral, her crew and passengers as they set sail on their next adventure.”

Balmoral’s inaugural sailings following her dry dock programme include:

Balmoral’s 13-night L2501 ‘Discovery Spain and North Africa’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 5^th January 2025. Prices start from £1,199 per person.

• Explore impressive mosques and bustling souks in Tangier
• Sample tapas in Spain and experience the tea culture of Morocco
• Visit iconic Spanish and North African landmarks

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Cádiz, Spain – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruising by Rock of Gibraltar – Cruising by Cartagena Bay, Spain – Cartagena, Spain – Málaga, Spain – Ceuta, Spain – Tangier, Morocco – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit L2501 ‘Discovery Spain and North Africa’

Balmoral’s 15-night L2503A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 18^thJanuary 2025. Prices start from £1,199 per person.

• A chance to go in search of the magical Northern Lights in Norway
• Cross the Arctic Circle on board Balmoral
• Connect with nature and pristine Arctic landscapes

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Narvik, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromso, Norway – Harstad, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Leknes, Norway – Molde, Norway – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit L2503A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’

Balmoral’s 13-night L2503B ‘Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 2^ndFebruary 2025. Prices start from £1,499 per person.

• Explore the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands
• Stroll through Madeira’s luscious flora and fauna
• Sample local delicacies like pasteis de nata in Madeira

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – Las Palmas, Spain – Arrecife, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit L2503B ‘Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands’

Balmoral’s 45-night L2504A ‘Tropical Islands and Verdant Rainforests of the Caribbean and Central America’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 15^th February 2025. Prices start from £3,299 per person.

• Explore tropical islands and lush rainforests
• Immerse yourself in the laidback Caribbean way of life
• Encounter rainforest wildlife and exotic birds

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Cadiz, Spain – Arrecife, Spain – Las Palmas, Spain – Philipsburg, Netherlands Antilles – Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (overnight stay) – Cartagena de Indias, Colombia – Puerto Limon, Costa Rica – Cozumel, Mexico – Belize City, Belize – Roatan Island, Honduras – Port Royal, Jamaica – Hamilton, Bermuda – Ponta Delgada, Portugal – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit L2504A ‘Tropical Islands and Verdant Rainforests of the Caribbean and Central America'

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com
Book online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 215 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm), or contact your