Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today confirmed it will retire two classic vessels, the Boudicca (pictured above) and Black Watch, as the company prepares to welcome two new ships, Bolette and Borealis, into the fleet, which were recently acquired from Holland America Line.
The two new ships will take over existing itineraries for Boudicca and Black Watch, when cruising begins again next year, the company said. The ships most recently operated for Holland America as the Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
When Bolette and Borealis join the fleet it will increase Fred. Olsen’s overall capacity by roughly 30 percent.
Both vessels carry under 1,400 guests and have new and larger public areas, whilst remaining true to Fred. Olsen’s small ship experience.
Those guests who had cruises booked on the two classic vessels will be among the first to sail on the new ships, with their bookings being automatically transferred onto either Bolette or Borealis. Additional cabins will go on sale in early September.
Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“I am pleased to say we are now at the stage of finalising our back in the water plans and we are very excited to be doing this with two new vessels within our fleet.
“While we are still looking at a number of options for Boudicca and Black Watch, what we do know is that they won’t resume sailing with us when we do start to cruise again.
“We know that these ships are much loved among our guests, as indeed they are by us, but it is time to evolve and look ahead to a long and bright future for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
“We will soon be revealing more details on our plans to resume sailing again, but in the meantime we hope many of you will join us on our virtual farewell cruises to see our two ships off in style.”
As part of Fred. Olsen’s virtual cruise program, the company will be holding virtual farewell sailings for both Boudicca and Black Watch on Facebook, with guests and crew invited to share their favourite photographs and memories of the two ships. The virtual cruises will be held for two weeks starting from Monday, 24th August.
