Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is introducing two new fleetmates as the UK-based company plans to strengthen its brand and evolve to sailing on the other side of the pandemic.
The ships - to be named MS Bolette and MS Borealis, were purchased from HAL-Holland America Line (Carnival Corporation-owned company) and previously sailed under the names ms Amsterdam and ms Rotterdam, each with max passenger capacity, respectively, 1380 and 1404.
The acquisition of both Bolette and Borealis is expected to modernize and increase capacity across Fred Olsen's fleet of smaller ships, a move that will ensure the line returns to the sea in a stronger position.
The two new ships are expected to enter the fleet in September 2020, following time to allow for rebranding to be undertaken.
The Fred Olsen cruise fleet includes the vessels Balmoral (1325-passenger), Braemar (924-passenger), Boudicca (853-passenger) and Black Watch (799-passenger). All vessels are currently in Babcock’s Rosyth facilities in Scotland, where the ex-HAL liners will join them. Fred Olsen announced that two of its current vessels will be retired, but their names were not revealed.