Historic fleet gathering in Bergen
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrated
an historic coming together of its
fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar,
Boudicca and Black Watch – in
Bergen, Norway on 28 July 2015. This
‘4 Bs in Bergen’ event – named after
the initial letter of each of the four
Fred. Olsen ships – was the first time
ever that the fleet has converged in
one place, anywhere in the world. The
four ships sailed into Bergen harbour
just before 8am in brilliant sunshine,
and 4,000 lucky guests were treated
to spectacular views of the entire fleet
as they entered in formation and took
up their positions in the Port. Flagship
Balmoral was berthed at Bontelabo
Pier, sister ships Boudicca and Black
Watch at Skolten Pier and Braemar
at Festningskaien Pier, nearest to the
city centre. Fred. Olsen’s four ships
departed from Bergen in convoy at
6pm, and made a majestic exit from
the harbour in a ‘diamond’ formation,
led by a fire tug boat ceremoniously
spraying its water cannons.
In 2015, Fred. Olsen will celebrate
a total number of 17 cruise calls to
Bergen.
Historic Week
In a historic week in New Build history
for Norwegian Cruise Line, the first
piece of steel was cut at MEYER WERFT
in Papenburg, Germany on Tuesday,
15 September to mark the construction
of the second ship in the line’s
Breakaway Plus class, set for delivery in
2017.
Andy Stuart, President of Norwegian
Cruise Line, pushed the button to start
the plasma torch during the steel
cutting ceremony in the laser centre.
Having a tonnage of 165,600 gross tons
and reaching more than 1,000 feet in
length, the ship will carry 4,200 guests,
reaching speeds of up to 23 knots.
(Left to right) Bernard Meyer, Managing
Director of Meyer Werft, Andy Stuart,
President of Norwegian Cruise Line;
and Christer Karlsson, Senior Vice
President of New Build for Norwegian
Cruise Line;
New Azamara Oasis Awaits
Azamara Club Cruises has unveiled
new design plans for its suites and
staterooms as part of the line’s
program to Reimagine Azamara
while in dry dock early next year.
The boutique cruise line will debut
in Australia for the first time this year,
when Azamara Quest arrives in late
December. Sister ship Azamara
Journey will then sail local waters for
the 2016/17 season, fresh from her
refurbishment next year.
Azamara has contracted several
of the world’s leading design
consultants for the hospitality, leisure
and entertainment industries, to help
transform the suites and staterooms
into modern oases at sea. Additionally,
the bathrooms will get an overhaul
making them a much more efficient
use of space.
The Club Continent Suites will have a
top to bottom refresh that includes
new drapes, fabrics and furnishings.
In all other staterooms, guests will see
new blackout curtains, bed linens,
furniture, carpeting, lighting, and a
complete bathroom modernization.
Azamara Journey will enter dry dock in
January 2016 in the Bahamas, so she
will be completely refreshed before her
maiden Australian season in February
2017. Azamara Quest will enter dry
dock in April 2016 in Singapore.
www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
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