The line will restart cruises on Monday afternoon (5 July) with new ship Borealis departing on its maiden voyage from Liverpool.
The 1,360-guest vessel – acquired by Fred Olsen last summer alongside sister ship Bolette - will initially operate at 50% capacity.
Deer thanked “each and every member of our wonderful crew, our shoreside team and our trade partners” for their “hard work, dedication, passion and commitment” during the line’s suspension of sailing.
He also expressed gratitude to the line’s guests, “both new and returning” for the “support, patience and loyalty” they had shown.
“This voyage setting sail today is the beginning of a bright new future for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines with two remarkable new ships among the fleet. Here’s to many, many years of happy sailing ahead,” Deer added.
Fred Olsen said Borealis brings “a number of new venues and facilities” to its fleet, including a two-tier theatre and main restaurant, an all-weather pool with retractable roof and The Auditorium, offering culinary demonstrations.
Guests will also have the chance to experience new dining concepts with Borealis’ specialty dining restaurants.
Vasco, named after explorer Vasco Da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea, offers “a fresh and modern take” on Indian food, while Colours & Tastes offers modern Asian Fusion dishes.
To mark the launch of its UK “Welcome Back” programme, Fred Olsen is offering savings of up to £300pp on selected ex-UK 2021 sailings and up to £200pp to spend onboard, plus up to a £200pp credit to spend during a selection of 2022 ex-UK cruises.
Ship captain Rommel Pineda added: “Being captain on a new ship is a great honour in its own right, but today represents so much more than that.
“Today we set sail on a new era, with many cruising adventures ahead.”
