Fred Olsen’s Boudicca will be going into dry-dock in January for a refit which will leave the 37-year-old ship a little more like her twin sister, Black Watch.
Both ships were built in Finland in the 1970s, as Royal Viking Sky and Royal Viking Star, and both have long since been stretched – by the addition of a new mid-section.
But whereas Black Watch’s fitness centre is high up on top of the ship on the Sun Deck, where passengers can work out gently while enjoying a calming ocean view, Boudicca’s has been a gloomy and uninviting space in the bowels of the ship on Deck Four.
The work, to be carried out at the Blohm + Voss yard in Hamburg, will create 17 new inside cabins in the fitness centre space, and construct a new gym on the Sun Deck. New lifeboats will be fitted, and the ship will be equipped with wi-fi internet access.
Boudicca already has 16 more cabins than her sister, because Black Watch still has a cinema on Deck Three.
Managing Director Mike Rodwell said: “This refurbishment of Boudicca will provide enhanced facilities for guests, with a new Fitness Centre which will be light and airy, and offer panoramic sea views.
“In addition to the new Fitness Centre and extra cabins, we will also be making a significant investment in four new, enclosed Fassmer lifeboats and two rescue boats from Davit International, which will represent an important upgrade in this area.”
Boudicca will be back in service on January 16, with a 14-night cruise to the Canaries from Southampton.
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
I’m surprised they still have open lifeboats in the 21st century. I know it’s unlikely they would ever be used, but imagine sitting in them either in blazing sun or in the middle of a storm. from what I have read about Allure of the Seas, two of the lifeboats from that ship would be big enough to accomodate all the passengers and crew from Boudicca. Is that right?