Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' ship MS Balmoral welcomed passengers following an extensive multi-million-pound, 2-week drydock refurbishment at A&P Falmouth.
The drydocking project, completed with the assistance of 700+ personnel, included a series of technical, aesthetic, and sustainability-focused upgrades.
Onboard, the refurbishment saw the transformation of the Palms Cafe into the Thistle Restaurant, featuring a redesigned layout, updated seating, and improved buffet and drinks stations. The Neptune Lounge theatre underwent technical enhancements, while selected cabins and bathrooms were renovated. Upgrades also included improvements to the ship’s WiFi capabilities, further enhancing the guest experience.
Exterior work focused on maintenance and efficiency, with tasks such as high-pressure water blasting of the underwater hull, the application of silicone paint to reduce fuel consumption, and the installation of new propellers and bow thrusters. These upgrades aim to improve the vessel’s operational sustainability and efficiency while ensuring compliance with regulations requiring ships to enter dry dock twice every five years for inspections and maintenance.
Fred Olsen’s CEO, Samantha Stimpson, highlighted the program's success, emphasizing the dual focus on maintenance and guest enhancements. She noted the environmental benefits of applying antifouling silicone paint to the hull, which, combined with the propeller and stabilizer upgrades, will allow the ship to operate more efficiently. Stimpson also reiterated Fred. Olsen’s commitment to supporting the UK economy by utilizing local shipyards and fostering workforce development through apprenticeship opportunities.
David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group, praised the ongoing partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. He highlighted the operational efficiencies gained through repeated collaboration and emphasized the economic and workforce benefits of the project.
Following her dry dock, Balmoral is set to embark on several sailings, starting with the 13-night ‘Discovery Spain and North Africa’ cruise on January 5th, 2025, priced from GBP 1,199 per person. This will be followed by the 15-night ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise on January 18th, 2025, also priced from GBP 1,199, and the 13-night ‘Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands’ cruise on February 2nd, 2025, starting at GBP 1,499. The season concludes with a 45-night ‘Tropical Islands and Verdant Rainforests of the Caribbean and Central America’ voyage departing February 15th, 2025, with prices beginning at GBP 3,299 per person.