Fred Olsen Cruise Lines unveiled its plans to have 3 ships ‘back in the water’ in March-April 2021, with Balmoral due to sail even sooner.
The two new ships of the company, Bolette and Borealis, are scheduled to take on the existing Boudicca and Black Watch itineraries, as well as offer some new sailings. Alongside Braemar, they are expected to take to the waters again in March-April 2021.
Passengers looking to book onto the new liners can do so from early September. Bolette goes on sale on Monday, September 7, and Borealis on Tuesday, September 15.
A return to the water date for Fred Olsen’s Balmoral will be confirmed over the next weeks with plans underway to have the ship sailing first.
Voyages for Boudicca and Black Watch remain on sale on Fred Olsen’s website until the two new vessels are launched, with Bolette taking on the itineraries for Boudicca, and Borealis - Black Watch itineraries. All passengers who have a booking on either Boudicca or Black Watch have their trip automatically transferred onto the new liners.
The pair of new ships are expected to join the rest of the cruise fleet in Babcock’s Rosyth Facilities (Scotland) in early September.
On August 21, 2020, Fred Olsen confirmed the retirement (scrapping?) of its cruise ships Boudicca (1973-built, 47-years-old) and Black Watch (1972-built, 48-years-old).