Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has announced a revised restart date for sailings, in light of recent lockdown restrictions.

The line’s new ship Borealis will be the first of the fleet to set sail, with her maiden voyage the seven-night Sailing Around Iconic Ireland cruise, departing from Liverpool on 22 May 2021. The ship was initially due to set sail on 23 April.

Bolette will be the second of the fleet to set sail and is scheduled to depart from Dover on 29 May, followed by Balmoral from Edinburgh (Rosyth) on 9 June.

Braemar will remain in lay-up until 2022 due to its extensive fly-cruise programme.

All guests who are booked onto a cancelled sailing will be notified of the changes and will be provided with a number of options, including a refund as part of Fred Olsen’s plain sailing guarantee.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines managing director Peter Deer said: “When we announced our new back in service plans in December, we had every confidence in these new dates based on the information available to us at the time.

“Since then, we have seen a third national lockdown imposed and this must be taken into consideration for our plans in returning to service.

“Deferring Borealis’ return allows us a little more time to consider and understand the developments around Covid-19, including the roll-out of the vaccine, and how this will reflect how we operate.

“We were also conscious that guests on sailings in April and early May would be due to pay their final balances soon, which is why we have taken this decision now.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming our guests back on board with us in 2021, and I would like to stress that we will not do so until we are confident that the time is right.”