Fred. Olsen’s Bolette begins refit and refurbishment at A&P Falmouth

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette has arrived at the A&P Falmouth shipyard in the United Kingdom to begin a scheduled refit and refurbishment programme.

The 2000-built vessel arrived at the Cornish facility earlier this week and is set to remain out of service for 16 days while undergoing a combination of technical maintenance and targeted upgrades to guest-facing areas.

Fred. Olsen said the programme forms part of the ship’s regular lifecycle planning, allowing work to be carried out on areas that are not accessible during normal operations.

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

While the technical element of the project focuses on operational reliability, the refit also includes a number of refurbishments aimed at refreshing public spaces and accommodation.

Among the most significant guest-facing updates is a full refurbishment of Bolette’s Colours & Tastes speciality restaurant. The venue, which offers regionally inspired dining experiences, is being comprehensively updated as part of the programme.

In the Neptune Lounge, a new LED screen wall is being installed, replacing existing visual infrastructure and enhancing the space’s capacity to host lectures, performances, and other onboard events.

Additional refurbishment work includes the replacement of carpeting in the Bloomsbury restaurant, one of the ship’s main dining venues, and the retiling of the floor in the vessel’s Thermal Suite. The latter forms part of the ship’s wellness facilities and is undergoing surface upgrades to improve durability and appearance.

The programme also includes refurbishment work in more than 50 stateroom ensuites, representing a significant portion of the ship’s accommodation inventory.

Elsewhere, the dance floors in both the Observatory and Oceans Bar are being sanded and varnished, restoring their finish following extended service.

Operational areas are also included in the refit scope. Bolette’s main galley is receiving updated equipment, supporting food preparation and service across the ship’s dining venues. Fred. Olsen indicated that these upgrades are intended to improve efficiency and maintain service standards across longer itineraries.

Bolette is scheduled to welcome guests back on February 8th, 2026, when she departs on a 32-night Caribbean cruise from Liverpool. The roundtrip itinerary will visit destinations across the Southern and Eastern Caribbean, including Barbados, the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and Antigua.

The refit of Bolette follows similar work recently completed on her sister ship, Borealis. The 1997-built vessel underwent a comparable refurbishment programme at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam between late October and early November 2025.

Together, the projects form part of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ongoing investment in maintaining and updating its fleet as vessels progress through later stages of their operational life.