Yard will refurbish guest accommodation and various bars and restaurants on Fred. Olsen ship
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 804-guest Black Watch will undergo an extensive refurbishment at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany this November.
Work on the dry dock is expected to start at Blohm + Voss on 20 November and will primarily focus on various public spaces and refitting the 423 guest staterooms with an interactive in-cabin TV system, updated bathrooms, safes and mini-bars.
During the dry dock, Black Watch’s Garden Café will be converted into Brigadoon, which will seat 54 guests and serve a range of British and international cuisine. Similarly, the Braemar Courtyard will be transformed into The Black Watch Room, a separate speciality dining area offering an à la carte menu and seating for up to 46 guests. The restaurant will have a new dedicated galley.
The existing Grill restaurant will be rebranded and redesigned to offer a new Mediterranean-themed dining experience, while the ship’s main 340-guest restaurant, The Glentanar, will be reconfigured with a more spacious layout and fresh furniture, carpet and curtains.
Several of the bars will also be revitalised with new décor, fittings, furniture, fabrics and carpets, including the Observatory Lounge and the Lido Lounge. Fred. Olsen’s signature Morning Light Pub will be moved to the area currently occupied by the Braemar Lounge on Deck 6 and extended with a new bar. The area vacated by the existing Morning Light Pub will be renamed the Neptune Bar.
To enhance the onboard experience, Fred. Olsen will install the latest 3D technology in the Marina Cinema to enable guests to watch 3D films and other programmes. The Guest Services will also be renewed to make it more user-friendly.
“Black Watch is one of Fred. Olsen’s most popular cruise ships, and it is important that she always looks her best,” said Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred. Oslen. “During her 26-day dry dock in Hamburg, as well as the usual maritime inspections and maintenance work, we will also be undertaking major upgrades to the cabins and public areas throughout the ship, to ensure that we continue to provide the best facilities possible to meet our guests’ expectations. Our significant investment in refurbishing and upgrading Black Watch will ensure that our guests will be able to enjoy her classic looks and unique, intimate ambience for many years to come.”
Similar refurbishments and upgrades are expected to the rest of the Fred. Olsen fleet – Balmoral, Braemar and Boudicca – in the coming years.