Balmoral’s first cruise cancelled
28/1/2008
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has cancelled the inaugural cruise of its latest ship, Balmoral, due to depart for the Canary Islands on Wednesday.
The ship arrived in Dover last Friday, four days later than originally scheduled, having undergone an extensive refit at Blohm+Voss, including a substantial lengthening process. ‘A number of technical issues have now arisen and, consequently, further essential work must be undertaken before the ship can commence her cruise programme,’ reports the cruise line.

Fred. Olsen’s managing director, Mike Rodwell said: ‘Naturally, we are extremely disappointed that we had to take this difficult decision and have apologised to the customers affected by it. The complex lengthening and refurbishment work onboard has been ongoing since we took delivery of the ship in November 2007 and we were confident that the vessel would be ready for service in good time. However, a number of unforeseen technical issues have emerged in the past week and these have led to this unfortunate decision being taken.’

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Technical bug cancels Balmoral inaugural cruise

By Sandra Speares - Monday 28 January 2008

FRED. Olsen Cruise Lines was forced to cancel the inaugural cruise of its new ship Balmoral citing technical difficulties.

The ship, which had been due to depart on Wednesday, has now arrived in Dover but the company said that further essential work needs to be done before the ship can start its cruise programme.

The ship has been undergoing stretching and refurbishment work at the Blohm + Voss yard in Hamburg where a 30 m mid section was inserted to increase the capacity of the ship.

According to Fred.Olsen’s managing director Mike Rodwell: “Naturally we are extremely disappointed that we had to take this difficult decision and have apologised to the customers affected by it. The complex lengthening and refurbishment work onboard has been ongoing since we took delivery of the ship on November 2007 and we were confident that the vessel would be ready for service in good time. However, a number of unforeseen technical issues have emerged in the past week and these have led to this unfortunate decision being taken.”

The cruise line says all those booked on the inaugural cruise to the Canary Islands will be compensated. It expects the second cruise to the Caribbean, which is due to leave Dover on February 13 to depart as planned.

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i try again, i posted this question last week:

I wonder don't these converted ships
have to make seatrials?? anyone knows?

now with technical problems arising
i would like to know...

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Originally posted by buddhaJoe:

I wonder don't these converted ships
have to make seatrials?? anyone knows?

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I´m afraid bad planning from Fred Olsen is the reason, since BVR is very experienced when it comes to stretching (which sometimes is much more complicated than newbuilding).

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I known Lloyd Werft, Bremehaven, have had considerable experience in lengthenings etc, but have Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, done many such jobs?

in answer to my question ...

Off course she will have to take sea trial tests again. She was cut in half and had a piece put in so you have to see how she will sail with the new tonnage, length and water flow and so on. All ships I believe undergo some sort of after testing when and addition has been made.
cruiseshipluver

well as i 've been monitoring her progress during
this conversion, her voyage from Hamburg to Dover last week was her first since this conversion, so if problems would arise she would NOT be at the yard to make repairs or adjustments

Has anyone any news on where the new Fred Olsen cruise ship ' Balmoral ' is at present.

She was showing on the AIS system for Dover but has vanished and does not appear to show today on an aerial view of the port.

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Originally posted by Neil Whitmore ( Bob ):
Hi

Has anyone any news on where the new Fred Olsen cruise ship ' Balmoral ' is at present.

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According the the ship locator on Fred Olsen's website, she's out in the North Sea, somewhat to the east of the Thames estuary.

Perhaps she's taking a trip to FOCL HQ in Ipswich, to explain what caused the delays.

Kent news reported the problems were "with the water-tight doors and fire systems". Different to the rumours circulating, but then as JMG says "ships attract rumours like barnacles".

Balmoral is out at sea again today.

She is shown as being in the North Sea off the south Dutch coast and moving at about 7 knots.

Anybody have any info?

The now first cruise is not due until 13th Feb, another 10 days, so enough time to go back to Dover, I am not sure they would change the embarkation point?

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Originally posted by PamM:
.. she is certainly getting about during her 'time off'.

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What a beautiful day for the arrival of a gorgeous looking vessel. Wish I could be there, but the grabs are not too bad.

This is an excellent picture.

It is interesting though that Fred Olsen Cruises have taken the Balmoral into Southampton.

I wonder if, with her extra length, there is berthing problems for her at Dover besides the watertight door and fire door problems which had already been disclosed !

One thing which would not have happened, with her being late leaving the shipyard, was the training of the staff and in particular the catering staff as this ship will carry nearly double the number of passengers that are on most of Fred Olsens other ships.

According to the Fred Olsen website it is interesting to note that she carries 1,340 passengers but only has a crew of 471 !

P&O's ex ss Oriana carried 1,500 passengers, when on Australian cruising, but had a crew of 820 !

With two weeks floating about in the English Channel and North Sea lets hope everything will be ready for her first passenger cruise.

Neil ( Bob )

[ 02-04-2008: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ) ]

The Southampton port information and AIS website is now listing the Balmoral as sailing on the 12th February at 3.00 pm.

This is is a day before her cruise is due to start from Dover.

Fred Olsen Cruises have now decided, after the weekend gales, Southampton is a more sheltered port at present.

Neil ( Bob )

[ 02-04-2008: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ) ]