So now they can pocket $201 Mil, which no doubt will help their balance sheet during these Covid times and divest themselves of the problem of an older 3 ship R class fleet trying to make $$ in an awkward corner of the market.

For small ship cruisers its good news as it should mean some new itineraries. The new owners have already bought the Pacific Princess – a sister R Class ship to their existing fleet, with plans to enlarge the fleet to 5 or maybe 6. I would imagine this would depend a bit on whether Oceana are prepared to sell off any of their R Class ships…? I rather doubt that the new owners have deep enough pockets to invest in a new-build at this stage.

So what does this mean for Fred Olsen? With an increased sized fleet the all new Azamara may start to encroach into some of Fred’s world cruise & fly-cruise itineraries – especially away from the Northern Atlantic and Baltic region which is already a bit crowded.

Azamara has recently gained a reputation for “cutting corners” on all manner of things so it will be interesting to see if the new owners are prepared to offer back a bit more quality and repair the line’s reputation?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-54950038

Not surprising in the current times, but would mean they will still be using the more convenient situation as at present for anther couple of years.  That is right at the pier head with a short hop into the city centre and the waterside tourist attractions of the Albert Dock with the Maritime Museum, the Liverpool Ferry and the Museum of Liverpool.  Also more convenient for public transport.  The same landing stage is to be used from what I understand but if, as I suspect, passengers will need to go through the new terminal, then there would be a fair bit of extra walking needed as is shown in the link above.

There has been various plans talked about for some years, so I was never expecting to see anything materialise for some time to come.  Must admit we do like the current terminal for embarkations as once our cases have been deposited and if it looks like we need to wait to embark, we just wander off along the waterfront or to a local hostelry, .  We hate having to sit in a waiting room at embarkation terminals as they are usually miles from anywhere.

Fred. Olsen cancels cruises until end of June (travelmole.com)

I only booked this cruise to see puffins.  Has anyone been on a Fred tour that saw puffins?

Also, I get travel sick on coaches before about 11am (strange, but true) so if there are no ship's tours starting later than usual, I'll be stuck on board for 10 days.

Anyone remember if there were later-starting tours, or did anyone keep their excursions brochure?

Would be very grateful for any help with this.

"Over the last few months, we have been working with the Government, other UK cruise lines and our industry body to plan our back in service dates. With the good news about vaccines, advanced testing and the detailed planning that we have been doing, we are now able to start looking forward with more confidence. Of course, there are still some unknowns, however our plans are to resume service on the following dates:
 

• Borealis: Friday 23 April 2021
• Bolette: Saturday 29 May 2021
• Balmoral: Wednesday 9 June 2021
• Braemar: Spring 2022

You will of course notice from these dates that your cruise with us will not be sailing. We are all truly sorry to disappoint you, especially over the festive period, however we felt it was right to let you know as soon as these decisions had been made.

You will also notice that we have made the very difficult decision to cancel Braemar’s 2021 season with a revised back in service date of Spring 2022. Braemar typically sails our extensive Mediterranean and Caribbean fly-cruise programme and we believe this may be more complex for us to operate during 2021. Our journey planners are now working very hard to develop new itineraries for Braemar from Spring 2022 which we will share with you in March next year".

My post from a previous topic. 
 

The problems will lie in how many passengers get seriously ill.  With limited medical facilities and probably no ventilators.  Given there has been no isolation of the majority of guests we can only assume that many would already test positive.  Those numbers increasing daily.  Figures at present suggest 15% of people who contract the virus become critical and mostly elderly.  Think the ship is carrying around 600 passengers so assuming 70% get infected that could be a considerable number critical.  
The ship could arrive back at Southampton with many needing hospitalisation.  Hospitals would struggle to cope with a sudden surge of cases.  The best outcome has to be a quick repatriation and hopefully the UK gov is in discussion now.  
Passengers onboard being given no information with regard to new cases.  Just the buffet now not serving food but that just means everybody has to eat in the dining rooms.  Open sitting which probably is intended to make sure passengers sit at different tables each meal time and get different wait staff.  This is a nightmare situation.  A lot of very worried passengers, family and friends hoping to hear some good news very soon. 

It would be helpful if Fred could temporarily increase the maximum period  between cruises from 5 years to 6, so that we could retain our Oceans privileges.  Is anyone else in the same situation?

Many will have already seen this, but I find it interesting in two respects.  One they are still looking at doing smaller ports and more unusual destinations, but secondly it is on Braemar sailing from the north.  Braemar is the only really small ship left in the fleet, so hopefully we will see more cruises sailing form the north, rather than have her just based in the south.  Rosyth would mean about the same journey from home for us as it is to Southampton, but would be a much more pleasant journey and would cut travelling times on the ship to many good cruise destinations going north by at least a day each way. Fred has always been known for his good cruises when going north as the itineraries have always been excellent, so looking hopeful IMO.

I messaged Fred on FB if the new (ex HAL) ships could still go up the inside passage of Norway, like his previous cruises have done, and it seems that has yet to be determined.  If they cannot, it would be a major difference with those ships going out to sea rather than having 'sea days' that are in fact scenic cruising up the inside passage.  I can see the advantage in the new ships for some itineraries, but could end up very limited compared to what we have been used to in the past on other itineraries.

We will not be booking any new holidays at present, but we will be keeping our eye out for this sort of itinerary when we are ready to do so.

Both of the cruises I'm considering have more than a few sea days. Can anyone enlighten me regarding what a typical day at sea is like on this line?  What activities are on offer?  Are their lecturers (a favorite for me)?  Good libraries and spaces to read?  Trivia?  Passenger talent or choir?  I would be traveling solo, so having some idea of how much programming is available would be helpful.

If it helps one of the cruises is on the ex-HAL ship Borealis, and the other (with more sea days) is on Balmoral.

Fred have bought the 2 flagships of the Holland America line, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

We’ll be booking as soon as we can.

https://www.bonheur.no/latest-news1?SelectedRelease=http://publish.ne.cision.com/Release/GetDetail/7CDB812CA7F9D5C5

Albatros was one of three sisters: Star (1971), Sky (1973) and Sea (1973). As for her two sisters: Star is best know today as Fred. 

Now that all has changed & I was wondering what everyone thought of sailing the Fjords on the 2 EX HAL ships.  I wasn't a fan of the old Rotterdam & Amsterdam and the inability to get into the smaller ports are major minuses.

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts about this.

Also what is the optimal months to sail the fjords..Autumn, Winter? Spring ,Summer? 

Thank you & wishing everyone good health.🚢😊

I had a sneak peek over at HAL, and the sister ship to Borealis, MS Zaandam, has prices beginning at £19,400 for the 2022 World Cruise, and it’s more or less the same intenary...on the same class, layout and style of ship (except Borealis is slightly bigger and a bit faster too).

It’s seriously tempting me to book now, as I’m fearful places will go fast. HAL seasoned world cruisers know this ship well, and might just be tempted to “cross over” to Fred to cruise on their favourite ship at half the price for the World Cruise.

My issue is this: The OH. He hasn’t taken a cruise yet. He’s desperate to travel, and I planned to book 2 or 3 cruises in 2021, starting with a short one to see how he liked it? I’m sure he’d love it, and I know (having done a world cruise before I met him) that he’d love the destinations. I’m just not sure how he’d handle the sea days? I’m 43, and he’s 58, so we’re still relatively young. We took a Warner’s break recently, which he really enjoyed, and when I told him this is what a cruise feels like (entertainment included every night, food on tap, activities, spa etc., no need to pack and unpack throughout the break) he said he’d finally be up for trying one! He loved the Warner’s break!

Should I wait and see how he is after his first cruise (or 2), and take the chance there’ll be some good cabins left, or should I book now and risk losing a deposit for the worldie if he hates the shorter ones?

So anxious! 🥴

Now I'm thinking I should dip my toe. Fred Olsen is on my shortlist because they have regular sailings from the UK and because they don't use floating theme parks. However I can't seem to find anywhere that properly details the benefits of choosing them over other lines.

Also, the 'Fred' community on here appear to be a bit more lively than what I'm seeing on the Fred Olsen website. Is their website a good representation of what to expect?

I'm 55 year old, keen on photography and love exploring new places for the sights, tastes and people.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

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Boudicca had been re-fitted and looked more contemporary. Black Watch was looking a little old fashioned in terms of decor.

Is there much difference between the two now, in terms of decor?

If you have a few bob spare, Boudicca and Black Watch is there, sad, but, it may mean a future life.

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Has anyone done a cruise without a daytime stop in these 2 places - how does that work to be able to 'discover life' there?

https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/383946/fred-olsen-to-take-baby-steps-on-resumption