The line reported that the incident took place on Friday with the blaze damaging the vessel’s engines. There have been no injuries to guests or crew.
The scale of the damage meant that Fred Olsen was forced to cancel the rest of the cruise. The ship had left Dover on June 25 on a 13-night Portuguese Island & Cities cruise.
Three private charter flights back to Stansted and Gatwick have been organised for today with other arrangements made for those who cannot fly.
The company is offering full refunds for the cruise as well as vouchers for money off future cruises.
“The safety of all guests and crew on board Black Watch is Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ utmost priority,” the company said.
