The UK-based company Fred Olsen Cruise Lines resumed passenger shipping on Monday, July 5, with its newest ship Borealis which departed on her Maiden Voyage from Liverpool England.
It is the first time that the 1360-passenger boat set sail with Fred Olsen, and marks the launch of the company’s ‘Welcome Back’ program of UK summer sailings.
MS Borealis brings new facilities and venues to the fleet, such as a grand, 2-tier theatre and main restaurant, a large spa and thermal suite, an all-weather pool with retractable roof, and a new venue The Auditorium featuring culinary demonstrations.
Passengers will also have the opportunity to savour new flavours in the ship's new specialty restaurants, including Vasco (named after Vasco Da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea) which offers a modern take on Indian food; and Colours & Tastes which offers modern Asian Fusion dishes.
While the ship initially sails at 50% capacity, Borealis is always expected to carry less than 1,400 passengers, allowing her and her crew members to offer the same small ship experience and attention to every detail for which Fred. Olsen is popular.
To mark the launch, the line is offering savings of up to GBP 300 on selected ex-UK 2021 sailings as well as up to GBP 200 per person in OBC (onboard credit), plus up to GBP 200 per person in OBC on a selection of 2022 ex-UK cruises.
Borealis will sail exclusively out of Liverpool for 2021. The vessel will debut with scenic-only cruises around the UK prior to introducing ports of call later into July & August as part of the ‘Welcome Back’ program of cruises.
In 2020, Fred Olsen purchased from Holland America two sisterships - Borealis (fka MS Rotterdam) and Bolette (fka MS Amsterdam), as the company looked to strengthen and evolve for the return to cruising.