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Fred. Olsen cancels all 2021 Braemar cruises
Fred. Olsen has cancelled all cruises on one of its four ships next year, during which it will focus on ex-UK cruises.
It has confirmed that Braemar, above, which was due to operate an extensive fly-cruise programme in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean in 2021, will remain laid up until 2022.
Borealis, which is one of two ships to have joined Fred. Olsen’s fleet from Holland America Line, will be the first to resume sailing, on 23 April as originally planned with a six-night Scottish Lochs and Isles’ cruise.
Bolette, which has also joined the fleet from HAL, will follow on 29 May and Balmoral on 9 June.
MD Peter Deer said: "While it is regrettable that our pause in operations is longer than we originally anticipated, we have said right from the start that we will not resume sailing until we are confident that it is safe for us to do so, and we stand by that.
"The safety of our guests and crew remains our utmost priority, and it is important that we fully understand the advances in the roll-out of the vaccine, testing capabilities and other scientific developments and what they mean for how we can operate.
"This is not a process to be rushed, and we are confident that by deferring our return to sailing just a while longer, with our two new ships among the fleet, we can come back better and stronger than ever without compromising on guest experience.
"Braemar, which typically operates our Mediterranean and Caribbean fly-cruise programme in the winter, will remain in lay-up for next year. Initially, we believe it may be more complex for us to operate the planned fly cruise programme and we will therefore instead focus on our extensive ex-UK itineraries during 2021."
He said new cruises on Braemar for 2022/23 will be announced in March 2021.
By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)
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Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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