New flagship Bolette has set sail for the first time in her Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines livery, and will soon make her way to Dover ahead of her Maiden Voyage next month.
The 1,338-guest ship, which was purchased by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines last summer, has been in lay-up in Scotland for 10 months while the team carried out a refurbishment to Bolette’s internal and external areas.
Bolette, named after the great-great-grandmother of company Chairman Fred. Olsen Junior, left Rosyth at noon today, and is due to sail beneath the iconic Forth bridges between 8pm and 9pm this evening.
The ship will sail to Dover where, following some sea trials, she will take on her first Fred. Olsen guests for her Maiden Voyage on 16th August.
Peter Deer, Managing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“Today is a very big milestone for our company, as our new flagship sets sail under the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines name for the very first time.
“Our crew in Rosyth have been working incredibly hard to refurbish the ship, to bring it in line with our brand and add those Fred. Olsen touches that we are so well known for.
“Between now and 16th August we will complete some sea trials with our new ship and make some final preparations on board, ready to welcome our first guests, and we can’t wait!”
Bolette is the second of two new ships to sail with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines this summer, following on from Borealis’ Maiden Voyage on 5th July.
Both ships joined the fleet in 2020, during Fred. Olsen’s pause in operations, as the line looked to strengthen and evolve for its return to cruising.