FRED. OLSEN CANCELS BALMORAL INAUGURAL CRUISE

[Mike]

PRESS RELEASE ....

 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has just announced the cancellation of the inaugural cruise of its latest ship, Balmoral, due to depart for the Canary Islands on 30th January.

 

The ship has just undergone a very extensive refit, including a substantial lengthening process, which is an extremely complex task.  A number of technical issues have now arisen and, consequently, further essential work must be undertaken before the ship can commence her cruise programme.

 

Fred. Olsen

[Jens Boldt]

Hi saxonia,

do you happen to know where these "technical issues" will be fixed? Is Balmoral returning to Hamburg?

Regards,
Jens

[Mike]

Im not sure Jens .. I know nothing more than the press release I had ? Not even sure where the vessel is at the moment , do you know ??

[Jens Boldt]

Not exactly, really...
The last photos of her posted here were taken on the 25th at Dover.
Maybe they'll fix it there.

[Mike]

Just looked on my AIS and shes still berthed in Dover tonight ... will keep an eye on her !

[Jens Boldt]

Thanks!

Would be nice to see her here again even if the cause is not that enjoyable it seems.

[Ferry-Man]

From what I have heard, they are still laying carpets on board! :-o

Ferry-Man

[Jens Boldt]

Hi Ferry-Man,

I don't know if laying carpets was part of the contract to lengthen her, but until February, 13, that can be fixed I think! :-D
Would be interesting to know what these "technical issues" are and if B&V is to blame for it. :-o (with regard to Braemar's upcoming stretching!)

Regards
Jens

Does anyone know where the Balmoral is please?  I see that on the Fred Olsen website, their own ship locator shows her somewhere off Clacton heading south west averaging 9 knots. This was time at 13:30 today.

Regards

David

[Ferry-Man]

The Balmoral, I believe, is outside Dover Harbour as protection from the strong winds - I should say she is just going up and down the shipping lanes until the winds calm down - them she will head back for Dover, I think.

Ferry-Man

Edit: she is showing on AIS Liverpool as outside the harbour now. Several of the Dover-Calais Ferries are also moored of Deal as well.

Thanks

[Edward Nightingale]

Presently 1530 GMT
51 36N  2 01E  Course 054  13.00 knots
ETA Dover  0800 1/2/08