Tag: Fred Olsen Cruises

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis completes multimillion-pound refurbishment

November 20, 2022 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis completes multimillion-pound refurbishment

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis has completed a multimillion-pound refurbishment programme at Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead, becoming the first cruise liner to undergo work at the site for over 25 years.

Image credit: Fred Olsen's Borealis in dry dock

Borealis arrived on 28th October, for a 14-day refurbishment, including steel repairs, an overhaul of the shafts and propellers as well a new application of underwater paint, supported by more than 150 members of Cammell Laird’s workforce.

The ship sailed out of Cammell Laird’s Birkenhead site at lunchtime on Saturday, ready to welcome guests back on board for a cruise in search of the Northern Lights, which left the city on Sunday.

Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said: “As a family-run cruise line, we know how important it is to support local communities and we hope to continue to build these relationships in and around Liverpool for many years to come.”

Borealis joined the Fred. Olsen fleet in 2020, and has called Liverpool its homeport since sailing resumed in 2021, offering more than 50 sailings from the city. A report to the local authority’s culture and visitor economy committee earlier this year found Borealis had contributed more than £2.25m to the local economy by using Liverpool as her homeport.

Her upcoming sailings from the city include the chance to visit both Northern and Western Europe, including a special two-week Christmas sailing to the Canary Islands – before setting sail on an exciting ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ cruise in February – the first time Fred. Olsen has offered the chance to join a World Cruise from Liverpool.

David McGinley, Chief Executive of Cammell Laird, said: “Cammell Laird was delighted to welcome Borealis and her crew to our facility, and be given the opportunity to showcase Cammell Laird’s ship repair capabilities.

“It took over 150 members of the Cammell Laird workforce, including apprentices, to complete the programme of works – which injected well in excess of a million pounds into the local economy.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette, makes inaugural sailing from Southampton

November 4, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette, makes inaugural sailing from Southampton

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new flagship Bolette makes inaugural sailing from Southampton ahead of winter season of cruising

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new flagship Bolette is setting sail on her first venture from Southampton, marking the start of its inaugural season of sailing from the city.

Between now and August 2022, Bolette will offer 26 hand-crafted sailings from Southampton, including opportunities to witness the Northern Lights in Norway and the Geminid Meteor Shower in the Canary Islands.

The ship will set sail to Antwerp and Amsterdam on Bolette’s five-night ‘Netherlands & Belgium City Break’ this evening, with future destinations including the Amalfi Coast, Norwegian fjords, European cities and Iceland. Durations range from four to 19-nights.

Highlights of Bolette’s inaugural programme from Southampton include:

  • Bolette’s 14-night T2129 ‘Landscapes of the Canaries’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 6th December 2021. 
    • Guests aboard will have the chance to witness the Geminid Meteor Shower during this cruise.
    • Itinerary: Southampton, England – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Santa Cruz, La Palma – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – San Sebastian, La Gomera – Funchal, Madeira – Lisbon, Portugal – Southampton, England
  • Bolette’s seven-night T2210 ‘Norwegian Fjords & Mighty Waterfalls’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 15th May 2022. 
    • Sail size-restricted Lysefjord on this sailing, only accessible to smaller ships, steeped by mountainous cliffs including the famous Pulpit Rock.
    • Itinerary: Southampton, England – cruising Lysefjord, Norway – cruising Jøsenfjord, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – cruise Hardangerfjord, Norway – cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergfossen (to see Fureberg Waterfall), Norway – Olden, Norway – cruising Nordfjord, Norway – cruising by Hornelen, Norway – Haugesund, Norway – Southampton, England
  • Bolette’s 18-night T2213 ‘Discovering the Balkans’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 14th June 2022. 
    • Visit cities of deep historical importance in shaping the Balkan’s fascinating history, as well as lesser-known destinations off the beaten tourist trail.
    • Itinerary: Southampton, England – Cartagena, Spain – cruising Strait of Messina, Italy – cruising Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – Kotor, Montenegro – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Split, Croatia – Durres, Albania – cruise Strait of Messina – Cagliari, Sardinia – Tangier, Morocco – Southampton, England

New flagship Bolette set sail with Fred. Olsen for the first time in August 2021, following an extensive refurbishment project. Named after the great-great-Grandmother of company Chairman Fred. Olsen Junior, Bolette carries 1,338-guests at full capacity, and continues to offer the small ship experience, attention to detail and personal service for which Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is renowned