Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Fred Olsen and thought it would be
of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
FRED. OLSEN’S BALMORAL CRUISE SHIP UNDERGOES MAJOR REFIT
The ship – formerly Norwegian Crown - docked on 16th November at dry
dock ELBE 17 at Blohm + Voss Repair, Hamburg. She will be extended by
30.20 metres and the extra capacity will allow for an additional 186
passenger 53 new crew cabins. In addition, 60 new balconies will be
added while public areas will be modified and new areas constructed.
The mid-section was built in conjunction with Schichau Seebeck
Shipyard in Bremerhaven and floated into Hamburg at the end of
October. The section is 30.20 metres long, 28.21 metres wide and 15.22
metres high.
Balmoral is scheduled to leave the shipyard on 18th January 2008 for
sea trials and will be handed over to Fred. Olsen in Dover on 22nd
January. She departs on her inaugural cruise to the Canary Islands on
30th January 2008.
Balmoral – named after the Queen’s summer residence in Aberdeenshire –
was delivered to Royal Cruise Lines in 1988 by the shipyard Meyer
Werft in Papenburg under the name Crown Odyssey. After the takeover of
Royal Cruise Lines by Norwegian Cruise Lines 1989, the ship was
renamed Norwegian Crown. In 2006, she was sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise
Lines. Subsequently, the cruise ship was chartered by Star Cruises/
Norwegian Cruise Lines until November 2007. After the reconstruction
at Blohm + Voss Repair, the cruise ship will resume its voyages under
the name Balmoral. |