Fred Olsen and Celestyal revealed as buyers of Carnival cruise ships

Hell-Ville, Madagascar - December 19, 2015: Costa Neoromantica Cruise ship anchored at Hell-Ville, Nosy Be Island, Madagascar.
By Travel Weekly


With Carnival Corporation recently announcing it would look to offload 13 ships, the curtain has been pulled back to reveal where some of those vessels are headed.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has revealed that it has purchased Holland America Line’s Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and will rename them Bolette and Borealis.

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam (image source: iStock/Rainer Puster)

Fred Olsen Jnr, chairman of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said the acquisition of both vessels will modernise and increase capacity across the line’s fleet of small ships, ensuring it returns to the water in a stronger position post-coronavirus.

“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,” he said.

“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, ready to deliver the award-winning itineraries that we are famous for.”

The other buyer for Holland America Line’s Maasdam and Veendam is yet to be disclosed.

Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises has revealed itself has the buyer of mid-size ship Costa NeoRomantica (pictured above) from one of Carnival’s other brands, Costa Cruises.

Built in 1993 and extensively refurbished in 2012, Celestyal said on social media that the 1,800-guest ship will enhance its on board experience “for years to come”.

Featured image source: iStock/vale_t

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