Fred Olsen believes there is life in the old girl yet as the 45-year-old Boudicca undergoes an extensive 12-day refit and facelift at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany.
And the army of veteran cruisers who sail on her year after year are proof that there is still room in the market for ships that hark back to the days that remind us of the way life at sea used to be.
Boudicca has been part of the Fred Olsen fleet since 2005
Boudicca has been part of the Olsen fleet since 2005, and will resume her duties when she emerges from her makeover to set sail on a five-night ‘Mystery Cruise’ departing Dover on 29 March.
While in Germany, Boudicca will be undergoing engineering works, general refurbishments and painting of the interiors and exterior, but guests will benefit most from the stripping out and rejuvenation of the 462 rooms across the ship.
All rooms will get new carpets, along with new soft furnishings and lamps. As with the rest of the fleet, brand new balcony furniture will be installed, and all rooms will be equipped with mini-fridges, safes and interactive smart TVs.
There will be extensive upgrading and remodelling of Boudicca’s public rooms and dining facilities as well.
The ship’s Morning Light Pub – a feature across the whole of the Fred. Olsen fleet – will be moved from to the portside of the Secret Garden Café. The Heligan Room will be converted into the Indian Ocean Restaurant, with an Indian Ocean theme, offering the same style of imitate dining space as sister ship Black Watch’s Orchid Room.
The space vacated by the Morning Light Pub on Lounge Deck 6 will be converted into the Oriental Tea Room, serving exotic teas and other Oriental specialities, with a Far Eastern influence and exotic décor.
The Guest Services area, the focal point and hub of the ship on Main Deck 5, is also being renewed, making it more inviting and user-friendly for guests.
Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are very proud of our smaller, classic cruise ships, and we recognise the importance of investment in upgrades and improvements to ensure that guest are always able to enjoy their holidays to the full.
“The upgrades and improvements to Black Watch, Braemar and Balmoral have all been very well-received by both new and existing guests, and we continue to focus on developing and enhancing the onboard experience.
“The significant investment that we are making to guest rooms and public areas throughout our fleet will ensure that we continue to provide facilities that meet – and exceed – guest expectations.”
As with the recent Braemar and Balmoral refits, Fred. Olsen will be working with Blohm + Voss and Hamburg charity, DER HAFEN HILFT! (‘The Port Helps!’), to pass on the used furniture and effects from Boudicca to support local good causes and help those most in need in the Greater Hamburg area.
From Spring 2018, Fred Olsen guests will be able to sail aboard a fully-renewed ocean fleet. Black Watch benefited from extensive improvement work at the end 2016 and has been achieving record revenues since. Braemar and Balmoral were refurbished before Christmas 2017
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