Holland America sells four ships as Fred Olsen bolsters fleet
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has acquired two ships from Holland America with the company insisting the deal "demonstrates confidence in the future".
The cruise line has purchased the Amsterdam and Rotterdam and is expected to take delivery of the ships in September.
They will be renamed the Bolette and Borealis.
In a separate deal, Holland America has also sold the Maasdam and Veendam to an undisclosed buyer.
The exit of four vessels will see the cruise line’s capacity fall by 20%.
"It’s always difficult to see any ship leave the fleet, especially those that have a long and storied history with our company," said Stein Kruse, Chief Executive of Holland America Group and Carnival UK.
"However, Holland America Line has a bright future ahead that includes recent Pinnacle-Class additions, with a third sister ship next year that will continue to maintain our overall capacity in the marketplace."
The sale of the four ships comes after Carnival announced last month that it was in the process of selling six vessels.
Fred. Olsen said the acquisition will modernise and increase capacity and "will ensure the cruise line returns to the water in a stronger position" after Covid-19.
The Amsterdam has a capacity of 1,380 with Rotterdam able to cater for 1,404 guests.
Fred. Olsen Junior, Chairman of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "We have chosen these vessels as they will fit seamlessly into our existing fleet of small ships, each carrying under 1,500 guests, bringing with them new and larger public areas whilst not compromising on our small ship experience.
"The naming of the vessels is important to us. Bolette and Borealis are both names of ships we have had in years gone by.
"This increase in our capacity demonstrates our confidence in the future. With over 170 years of seafaring history, we have sailed through many difficult periods. With these new additions to the fleet, we will come out of this current situation stronger than ever."
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ current ocean ships – the 1,325-guest Balmoral, 924-guest Braemar, 853-guest Boudicca and 799-guest Black Watch – are currently in Babcock’s Rosyth Facilities in Scotland.
By Steve Jones, Contributing Editor
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