Black Watch

The 1972-built (as "Royal Viking Star") cruise ship MS Black Watch was the oldest in the Fred Olsen fleet, alongside fleetmates Boudicca (sistership, 1973-built/2021-scrapped), Balmoral, and Braemar. The ship's construction cost was USD 50 million. She was last refurbished in December 2019 and sold in 2020.

On August 21, 2020, Fred Olsen confirmed the retirement (scrapping?) of its ships Boudicca (1973-built, 47 years old) and Black Watch (1972-built, 48 years old). All bookings on Boudicca and Black Watch were automatically transferred to the newly acquired ships from Holland America Line—MS Bolette (fka Amsterdam) and MS Borealis (fka Rotterdam). After joining the fleet in September 2020, Bolette and Borealis increased the company’s passenger capacity by approximately 30%.

In late September 2020, it was announced that Boudicca and Black Watch were sold to the Turkish company "Miray International Shipping Agency and Trade Co" (based in Istanbul) and would not be scrapped but repurposed as hotel ships under the brand "Miray Cruises". On October 21, 2020, Black Watch departed the UK (Port Rosyth, Edinburgh, Scotland) bound for TRTUZ (Port Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey). She was also listed under the name "Club Harmony" (MMSI 538004519, Marshall Islands-flagged).

Under Fred Olsen, the vessel (IMO number 7108930) was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311166000) and registered in Nassau. On November 13, 2020, AIS data showed her docked in Tuzla, reportedly awaiting scrapping at Aliaga.

On April 17, 2022, the 50-year-old Black Watch (renamed ODIN, reflagged to Palau/MMSI 511100668) departed Turkey (Port Yalova’s anchorage), transited the Suez Canal on April 22, stayed overnight anchored at Port Suez (April 23–24), and on May 20 began drifting off the coast of India’s Gujarat state, near Bhavnagar, home to the world’s largest shipbreaking yard—Alang. On June 5, AIS showed her off Bhavnagar. Black Watch arrived at Alang on June 18 (last AIS signal transmitted at 13:30 UTC).

Royal Viking Star (later Black Watch) had two sisterships—Royal Viking Sea (Albatros) and Royal Viking Sky (Boudicca).

History - Construction and Ownership

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is a Norwegian-owned, UK-based cruise company, part of the Fred Olsen Group (Fred Olsen & Co), headquartered in Oslo, Norway. The cruise line is headquartered in Ipswich (Suffolk, England) and owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. Founded in 1848 (in Hvitsten, Norway) by the three Olsen brothers (Petter, Andras, Fredrik Christian), the company began with the purchase of its first ships, establishing an international shipping business. Today, the Fred Olsen Group is in its fifth family generation and operates subsidiaries specializing in cruise travel, shipbuilding, aviation, offshore services, and more.

The Group fully owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, Fred Olsen Travel Ltd (global tours and vacations), Fred Olsen Marine Services AS (ship management), First Olsen Ltd (tankers), Dolphin Drilling Holdings Ltd (offshore rigs), Fred Olsen Express (Canary Islands-based ferries), Fred Olsen Freight Ltd (cargo and air freight), Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS (offshore wind turbine transport), Fred Olsen Production AS (offshore petroleum), Fred Olsen Renewables AS, SeaRoc Group Ltd (offshore consultancy), ZephIR Lidar UK (wind measurement), and Ganger Rolf ASA. Bonheur ASA (part of the group) manages various companies, including NHST Media Group AS and real estate holdings. Timex Group BV (watchmaking) is also part of Fred Olsen Group.

Black Watch (800-passenger capacity) was acquired by Fred Olsen in 1996. She was renamed "Black Watch" after a Scottish Regiment and became known for her innovative world voyages, excellent service, and affordable pricing. Catering mostly to British guests, UK influence was visible in all onboard aspects—from entertainment and dining to onboard currency (GBP). The ship had a loyal following, with over 50% repeat cruisers on typical voyages.

In 1981, under Royal Viking Line ownership, the ship was stretched by adding a 91 ft / 28 m prefabricated midsection. This refit increased her gross tonnage (from 28,220 to 28,610 GT) and passenger capacity (from 758 to 820). Conducted in Bremerhaven (Seebeckwerft AG), the project added new cabins (including nine of the industry's first balcony suites), two lounges, and doubled the dining room's size.

Other stretched cruise ships include fleetmates Balmoral, Boudicca, and Braemar, as well as MSC Cruises’ Armonia, Lirica, Opera, Phoenix Reisen’s Albatros, and Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas.

During the 2018 drydock at Blohm+Voss (Hamburg, Germany), two fiberglass-bottomed boats were added to the ship, each with a 12-passenger capacity.

Decks and Cabins

MS Black Watch staterooms (423 total in 21 grades) include 79 Suites, 37 Balcony, 225 Oceanview, and 48 Inside cabins. Most are sized 160–200 ft² (15–19 m²). The ship had 4 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest was the Premier Suite (550 ft² / 51 m² including the terrace).

The vessel had 10 decks, of which 8 were accessible to passengers and 6 housed cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Breakfast and lunch were served with open seating in the MDR Glentanar Restaurant and its annex. Dinner was served in two fixed seatings. The Orchid Room offered an Asian-themed, alternative formal dining experience. Braemar Garden was the buffet-style venue for meals and late-night snacks. Poolside snack stations were also available. Room service offered light meals during limited hours at no charge.

Dining venues onboard included:

• Glentanar Restaurant (main dining room, Gala Dinner host; fixed dinner seatings at 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm; buffet breakfast 8:00–10:00 am, lunch 12:00–2:30 pm)
• Orchid Room (annex to the MDR)
• Garden Cafe (buffet-style, open seating; breakfast 7:00–9:30 am, brunch 10:30–11:30 am, lunch 12:30–2:30 pm, afternoon tea 3:30–4:30 pm, dinner 6:30–9:00 pm, supper club 11:30 pm–12:30 am; 24-hour tea-coffee station)
• The Grill (formerly Poolside Cafe, offered alfresco breakfast and lunch)
• Marquee Bar (casual lunch venue with panoramic windows; served poolside drinks)

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

Black Watch was frequently refurbished to stay attractive to older guests seeking a relaxing and traditionally British cruise experience.

Onboard venues and amenities included:

• Marina Theatre (150-seat cinema)
• Port Shop (essentials and souvenirs)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (printing, video services, camera sales)
• Neptune Lounge (main showroom for productions, lectures, and classes)
• Boutique Shops (duty-free luxury goods)
• Explorers' Library; Internet Room; Dalreoch Card Room
• Bookmark Cafe & Cafe Venus (specialty drinks and pastries)
• Braemar Garden, Lounge & Bar (afternoon tea, live music)
• Morning Light Pub (live music, comedy)
• Lido Lounge & Bar (live piano, late-night disco)
• Pool Deck (pool, whirlpools, sunbathing)
• Fitness Centre (saunas, treatment rooms, gym)
• Beauty Salon (hairdresser, spa treatments)
• Observatory Lounge (panoramic views, afternoon tea)
• Golf Nets; Tennis Court; Deck Games; Walking Track

Itineraries

Fred Olsen Black Watch operated roundtrip UK cruises from Bristol, Greenock-Glasgow, Southampton, and Liverpool. Destinations included Transatlantic voyages, the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and British Isles.

She also operated World Cruises to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Asia.