FRED OLSEN LINES
Presented by Karl Zimmermann
March 22, 2019 @ 7:30 pm
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, today among the premier operators of heritage passenger ships, has deep roots that stretch all the way back to 1848, when the company was founded by Fredrik Christian Olsen—the first “Fred.”—and his two brothers. Over the decades the company grew and diversified widely, while always operating passenger vessels. The current fleet of the UK-based, Norwegian-owned cruise line numbers four: the BRAEMAR (built in 1993 as the CROWN DYNASTY), the BALMORAL (built in 1988 as the CROWN ODYSSEY), the BOUDICCA (built in 1973 as the ROYAL VIKING SKY), and the BLACK WATCH (built in 1972 as the ROYAL VIKING STAR). All four have been stretched. Of the Royal Viking sisters, the BLACK WATCH has been the less altered overall.
In July 2018, PONY members Karl and Laurel Zimmermann sailed on the BLACK WATCH from Liverpool on a five-night “Scottish Lochs, Highlands and Islands” cruise, which was highlighted in Karl’s presentation, after some Fred. Olsen history. Karl is a travel writer who for a half-century has focused on trains and ships; his stories and pictures have appeared in numerous magazines and in the travel sections of newspapers across the country— including the Los Angeles Times, where he currently is often featured.
(Photo: Karl Zimmermann)