Update: Original Royal Viking Trio Take on New Roles instead To Become Accommodation Ships
“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has sold sister-ships Black Watch and Boudica as a pair. Instead of being scrapped, the two vessels will serve as floating accommodation vessels have been sold to Istanbul-based Miray International, who have adapted cruise ships for use as shipyard accommodation vessels at Cadiz in connection with various cruise ship refits.”
“The Albatros’s buyer is the Egyptian Pick Albatros Group, who will use her as a floating hotel in Hurghada, on the Red Sea.”
(With thanks to Alan Unmellow for corrections to the Oct.27th story)
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has sold sister-ships Black Watch and Boudicca as a pair. Instead of being scrapped, the two vessels will serve as floating accommodation vessels in Turkey.
Boudicca, originally Royal Viking Sky, has now departed from Rosyth this week, with Black Watch, originally Royal Viking Star, following shortly thereafter.
The vessels have been laid up at the Scottish port along with the rest of the Fred. Olsen fleet, including Holland America Line’s former Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which have been renamed Bolette and Borealis, respectively.
Fred. Olsen acquired the two Holland America vessels in July, and confirmed the sale of Black Watch and Boudicca the following month. Earlier this month, the line revealed itineraries for Borealis, which will primarily be based in Liverpool and begin sailings in April 2021.
Meanwhile, the German cruise line Phoenix Reisen has announced the sale of the third of the original Royal Viking trio, the Albatros, ex Royal Viking Sea, due to reduced demand and the coronavirus-inflicted need to make the company more efficient and profitable.
“Despite all the anticipation, we have to keep an eye on the profitability of our company. So it was with a heavy heart that we decided to hand over the Albatros from the Phoenix fleet to new hands,” the company said, in a prepared statement.
(Kevin Griffin – The Cruise People Ltd x Cybercruises.com)
(Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Phoenix Reisen)
