Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – Pause of cruise operations for a period of time
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines (“FOCL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bonheur ASA, has taken the difficult decision to pause its cruise operations for a period of time, as many other cruise operators have already done. This is in light of the recent announcement from the UK Government which advises those aged over 70, or with underlying health issues, not to take cruise holidays.
Along with many other cruise and travel companies, FOCL are facing challenging and unprecedented times in its industry as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
As more ports across the world close to cruise ships, it is becoming more challenging for FOCL to offer its guests the holiday experience that has been promised them.
The current outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus is also making it increasingly difficult to be able to guarantee the safety of FOCL’s guests and crew, which is always at the forefront of everything they do.
FOCL’s priority now is to get all existing guests and crew home as safely and comfortably as possible. Any subsequent itineraries will not go ahead once the current cruises have come to an end.
It is FOCL’s intention to resume its cruises on the 23rd May.
For the time being FOCL’s river ship Brabant is not affected by the pause in operations and its season will commence as planned on 6th April.
The economic impact of these effects will be communicated as appropriate in Bonheur ASA’s future financial reporting.