Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines turn to Blohm+Voss to refit three ships

Three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' ships will undergo extensive refurbishments before the start of the 2018-19 cruise season.

Managing Director Mike Rodwell said two ships, Braemar and Balmoral, would be refurbished at the Hamburg shipyard of Blohm+Voss before Christmas with the third, Boudicca, to be upgraded in March.

The schedule includes upgrading existing public areas, creating new facilities – such as restaurants and a gelato bar on Balmoral, a dining room on Boudicca and a buffet restaurant on Braemar – and cabin enhancements across the fleet.

The 929-guest ship Braemar will set sail from Southampton on November 23 for a nine-day dry dock at the German shipyard.

Fred. Olsen's 1,350-guest flagship Balmoral will arrive in Hamburg on December 10 for a nine-day dry dock, and the 880-guest ship Boudicca will undergo a 13-day refurbishment from March 16.