Fred Olsen Announce Refits for three of the four ships in the Fleet.

There is always lots going on in the world of cruising but at the moment everyone seems to be announcing ship refits, what with P&O Arcadia and Oceana in November and December. Fred Olsen have now jumped on the bandwagon and announced that in the next five months three of the four ships in the fleet will undergo major refits.

Braemar will go first followed by the Balmoral and then the Boudicca, all three ships will go in to dry dock in Hamburg. Black Watch is missing from the list but underwent a major refit at the end of 2016 where they updated the cabins with a new television system, a new restaurant and buffet and general tidy up, not to mention the addition of the latest craze to hit Fred Olsen – a 3D movie screen although not show if this might be a bit too much for the market that Fred Olsen attract.

Braemar, will get a few upgrades but the main thing will be a new buffet area, Balmoral is down to get a spruced-up restaurant and also a new Gelato Bar. Boudicca will under dry dock in March and will have a new dining room fitted however as well as other areas getting an upgrade.

Braemar will be done for the 16-night cruise on the 5^th December from Southampton to the Caribbean and Balmoral will be ready for her Christmas Cruise on the 21^st December. Boudicca will be ready for the 29^th March when she will take guests on a five-night mystery cruise! Would this be something you would do? Book a cruise without knowing where you are going?

Fred Olsen are very proud of the smaller, classic design of there ships, and to be honest I have always found Fred’s to be much more traditional and what cruising used to be rather than what its become, I find with some ships, you have lost that connection with the sea! I like open decks and lots of places to look and see the Sea – although I know we all cruise for different reasons.

Are you a fan of Fred Olsen? Have you or would you cruise with Fred Olsen?