Fred Olsen’s Braemar, Balmoral and Black Watch ships to undergo multi-million-pound refit

Three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ocean ships will be undergoing a multi-million-Pound refit this Winter in preparation for the start of the 2020/21 cruise season.

Fred Olsen refit

Braemar, Balmoral and Black Watch will be undergoing various engineering works, general maintenance and refurbishment during their dry docks at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, as well as the creation of several new public areas and cabin enhancements.

• Fred Olsen Cruises entered Blohm+Voss today on 14 November 2019 and will be embarking on a nine-night M1928 ‘French, Belgian & Spanish City Overnights’ cruise from Southampton, UK on 24th November 2019.
• Balmoral will be entering the yard on 10 December 2019 and will depart on a two-night ‘French Escape’ mini-break from Southampton, UK on 20th December 2019, calling at picturesque Honfleur.
• Black Watch will also enter dry dock on 11th December 2019, after which it will host a one-night W1928 ‘Christmas Party Night’ alongside in Southampton, UK on 21st December 2019.

As well as an extensive refurbishment of the accommodation on all three ships, a number of cabins on Black Watch will be receiving new bathroom upgrades.

The fourth ship in the Fred. Olsen ocean fleet, 880-guest Boudicca, will receive its own refit in Autumn 2020, having undergone a dramatic transformation at Blohm+Voss in Spring 2018.

Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

We are very proud of our smaller, classic cruise ships and we recognise the importance of investing in ongoing upgrades to ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy them at their very best. Our refreshed and renewed fleet has been very well-received by both new and existing guests following the last round of improvements at Blohm+Voss in 2017 and 2018, and we are keen to showcase the latest enhancements to our guests before Christmas…the ideal surroundings in which to enjoy the festive season!

View Fred Olsen’s 2021/22 cruises