Fred Olsen Cruise Lines sends Borealis into dry dock for upgraded dining and amenities

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis has entered dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam for a scheduled maintenance and refurbishment period ahead of her winter deployment. 

The 1997-built vessel, which accommodates 1,320 guests, arrived at the Dutch shipyard on October 21st, 2025, where she is undergoing a combination of technical and hospitality upgrades designed to enhance efficiency and the onboard experience.

In a statement on social media, Fred. Olsen said the routine dry dock ensures that the ship continues to operate safely and efficiently while allowing maintenance to areas normally below the waterline. 

“Every few years, ships go into dry dock for maintenance work, ensuring everything is kept running well and allowing us to service parts of our ships that are usually below the waterline,” the company said.

One of the most notable additions during the refit is Fresco, a new open-air dining venue located on Deck 8 aft. The space will offer guests pizza, small plates and informal meals in a relaxed, al fresco setting. 

The existing speciality restaurant Colours & Tastes is also being transformed to feature an expanded menu, introducing Gourmet Grill and Traditional Italian options alongside its signature Asian-fusion dishes. The venue will additionally debut a new Chef’s Table experience, giving diners an opportunity to enjoy curated menus and interactive presentations.

Borealis is also receiving a series of technical upgrades. These include the installation of new laundry equipment, a task requiring a hull opening to remove older machinery. The ship’s port stabiliser has been completely removed for servicing, a process that involves cutting two large openings in the hull. 

Work is also being undertaken on the lifeboat systems, including the replacement of winch parts and lifting mechanisms to ensure continued compliance with maritime safety standards.

Externally, the ship will undergo a moderate repaint to refresh her appearance without the need for full sandblasting. Once the maintenance period is complete, Borealis is scheduled to return to service on November 7th with a five-night sailing from Portsmouth.

Following her return, the ship will operate a series of cruises to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Morocco before rounding off the year with a 13-night voyage to the Canary Islands and Iberia, including a New Year’s Eve call in Lisbon.

Originally built for Holland America Line as Rotterdam, Borealis joined the Fred. Olsen fleet in 2021. The current refit marks her latest maintenance milestone as the cruise line continues to invest in its smaller, destination-focused ships.