Fred Olsen’s ocean fleet has taken up temporary residence in Scotland’s Firth of Forth, just outside the Port of Rosyth, during the company’s pause in cruise operations which is running until 23 May.
Sadly, it comes as the cruise lines’ ‘Four Fred.s in Funchal’ event, which was due to take place on 4 April on the garden island of Madeira, had to be cancelled due to the current coronavirus pandemic.
Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch are all now based temporarily in the Firth of Forth.
Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Last month, we made the difficult decision to pause our cruise operations voluntarily for a period of time, as many other cruise operators have done.
“In the meantime, we have been working with Forth Ports and have secured safe, temporary anchorages for our ships in the Firth of Forth. Each ship will retain a small team on board to continue essential operations, and locals might see the ships move within the river from time to time to carry out their duties.
“We look forward to brighter times ahead and to welcoming our valued guests back on board when the time is right for us all.”
Robert Mason, Head of Cruise for Capital Cruising, which operates the Port of Rosyth, said: “We are pleased to be able to help our valued cruise line customer Fred. Olsen at this difficult time for the industry. We are providing safe and suitable river anchorages for four Fred. Olsen vessels in the River Forth.
“All four of these ships are regular callers into the Forth and it is good that we can offer this support while the liners are not operational.”
Fred Olsen took the decision to pause all sailings ahead of the UK Government’s enforced period of self-isolation, in what has become an unprecedented time for the global travel industry.
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