History


1951 & 1953


Blenheim, named in honour of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born at Blenheim Palace, the Churchill family seat, is introduced to the fleet, followed two years later by Braemar, named in tribute to Scotland and the British Royal Family. The new ships are among the most eye-catching liners of the period.


1955


The third Thomas Fredrik – and current Fred. – takes over the running of the companies at the age of 26 after his father, Thomas, falls ill.


1966 A new Black Watch sails to the Canary Islands on her maiden voyage from the Fred. Olsen terminal, Canary Wharf, West Indian Docks, London. Sister ship Black Prince embarks on the same route the following month.


1987 A ‘reborn’ Black Prince begins her career as a ‘sunshine cruiser’, sailing to Cádiz, Casablanca, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Gibraltar from Southampton (all destinations still visited by Fred. Olsen ships). The officers and crew on board are noted for being very friendly and well-liked by their guests – a trait that has continued to this day as one of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ most endearing characteristics.


1996 Beginning of the first brain revolution: marking the end of manufacturing as we have known it, with software replacing machines as the driver for innovation. Black Watch joins the Fred. Olsen fleet after extensive refurbishment.


2001 Braemar is sent to the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg to undergo a major refurbishment, ready for her new role as the second member of the fleet.


2005


Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines purchases a new, elegant ship which, following a complete refurbishment, is renamed Boudicca after the great British warrior queen.


2006 Boudicca visits the Canary Islands on her maiden Fred. Olsen voyage. 2007


A yet-to-be-renamed ship arrives at Hamburg’s Elbe 17 Dry-Dock to undergo an ambitious refit and redesign programme, involving the fitting of a new 30-metre extension to give the ‘stretched’ ship extra rooms and improvements to guest facilities.


2008 The ‘stretched’ ship is renamed Balmoral on entering service. 2015


All four Fred. Olsen ships converge in the same place, on the same day, for the first time ever. The event in Bergen, Norway on 28th birth of Fredrik Christian Olsen.


July celebrates the 200th 2018 The ‘Captains in Cádiz’ celebrations on 10th anniversary of the September will see the four ships meet again


in southern Spain to celebrate 170 years since Fredrik Christian began his shipping operations. See pages 78, 108, 110 & 112 for further details.


Today Fred.’s daughter, Anette, is CEO of A/S Bonheur and partner in Fred. Olsen & Co. Fred. Olsen remains chairman of A/S Bonheur, the central owning company. His son, the fourth Thomas Fredrik (Fredrik Jnr.), is the chairman of the daughter company Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.


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