Fred Olsen Fleet in Rosyth

[alasdairmac]

This shot shows all six of Olsen's ships in the basin at Rosyth, together for what will almost certainly be the very last time. Left to Right are MS Borealis, MS Bolette, a glimpse of MS Balmoral, MS Braemar, MS Black Watch & MS Boudicca. Borealis and Bolette are the newly arrived former Holland America Line's Rotterdam and Amsterdam while Black Watch and Boudicca are being disposed of, probably to the breaker's yard. (Sorry that the image quality is not as good as it should be; it is a tight crop and was taken using a fairly short lens from Blackness)

[Henk]

What a terrible sight Alan, but unfortunately it is what is is. How the world can change in only eight month!

[clydesider]

When things eventually get back to some normality - and they will - the two former HAL ships should fit very well into the Fred Olsen Cruise Line's offering.

[alasdairmac]

A big jump in capacity which in the present circumstances I suspect Olsen wish they hadn't committed to. The two ex-HAL ships are more than twice the size of Boudicca and Black Watch and Olsen will need to be careful that they don't lose the personal service touch which they were able to give in the smaller vessels.

[alasdairmac]

Sadly, Boudicca is now anchored off Tuzla in Turkey waiting her turn in the breakers yard. Had a couple of great cruises on her. She was just the right size of ship for me, and above all a proper ship, not a hotel block built on top of a barge like most of the newer monstrosities.

[Henk]

Fully agree with you Alasdair! All good passenger ships are gone or will go shortly to a beach somewhere. What rest is those sort of a shopping village where it only is important to show yourself.
What rest for us is my beloved Hurtigruten. If they ever will sail again?

[alasdairmac]

Hi Henk. I’ve sailed on the Norwegian coast several times but never on Hurtigruten - It is on my bucket list of things I must do

[Henk]

A marvelous trip Alasdair. Unfortunitly I couldn't sail not one this year, but still hoping I can start again next year in April with the group from this year and some others included in the meantime!
Welcome to enjoy!

[alasdairmac]

Black Watch is now rounding the corner from the English Channel into the Atlantic on her final voyage to join her sister Boudicca at Tuzla. Let’s hope that Borealis and Bolette can fulfil their 2021 itineraries