Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas has arrived back into Southampton following an extensive refurbishment at the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport Bahama.
 
The 2008 built cruise ship spent around a month in dry-dock whilst the refreshment work was carried out. During this time many changes took place on board, including the addition of new staterooms and suites as well as exciting new passenger venues. Some existing passenger venues will also be relocated or removed to make way for new features.

Royal Caribbean International’s 3,634-passenger cruise ship, Independence of the Seas arrived at the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport, Bahama on 04 April 2018 to being its refurbishment.
 
The ship will spend around a month in dry-dock whilst the refurbishment work is carried out. During this time many changes will take place on board, including the addition of new staterooms and suites as well as exciting new passenger venues. Some existing passenger venues will also be relocated or removed to make way for new features.

Azamara Pursuit arrived at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 04 April 2018, where the ship will undergo an extensive interior refurbishment.
 
Outfitting specialist MJM Group will manage the four-month refurbishment of the cruise ship. It is the first time that a luxury cruise ship has been refurbished at Harland & Wolff. The shipyard is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic.

The 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess is on her way to Southampton to begin its summer season, following an extensive two-week refurbishment in Singapore.
 
Sapphire Princess is expected to arrive in Southampton on 01 May 2018. Before arriving into Southampton the ship will spend 38 days cruising from Singapore, via the Indian Ocean and Europe visiting 17 ports of call.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 880-passenger Boudicca is due to undergo an extensive refit from 17 March 2018, at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. The ship will then return to the UK for a five-night Mystery Cruise departing Dover on 29 March 2018.
 
The Blohm+Voss schedule for Boudicca comprises of engineering works, general refurbishments and painting of the interiors and exterior of the ship.

​In addition, one of the main focusses will be the stripping out and rejuvenation of the 462 cabins and suites across the ship. All passenger accommodation will have new carpets installed, along with new soft furnishings and lamps. As with the rest of the fleet, brand new balcony furniture will be installed, and all rooms will be equipped with mini-fridges, safes and interactive smart TVs.
 
There will be extensive upgrading and remodelling of Boudicca’s public rooms and dining facilities. The Morning Light Pub will be moved from to the portside of the Secret Garden Café. The Heligan Room will be converted into the Indian Ocean Restaurant, with an Indian Ocean theme.
 
The space vacated by the Morning Light Pub on Lounge Deck 6 will be converted into the Oriental Tea Room, serving exotic teas and other Oriental specialities, with a Far Eastern influence and exotic décor.
 
The Guest Services area, the focal point and hub of the ship – on Main Deck 5 – will also be renewed, making it more inviting and user-friendly for guests.
 
Mike Rodwell, Managing Director, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are very proud of our smaller, classic cruise ships, and we recognise the importance of investment in upgrades and improvements to ensure that guest are always able to enjoy their holidays to the full. The upgrades and improvements to Black Watch, Braemar and Balmoral have all been very well-received by both new and existing guests, and we continue to focus on developing and enhancing the onboard experience. The significant investment that we are making to guest rooms and public areas throughout our fleet will ensure that we continue to provide facilities that meet – and exceed – guest expectations.”
 
Oliver Grün, Media Relations Manager, Blohm+Voss, said: "We are delighted to welcome Boudicca to our Blohm+Voss shipyard in the coming days, already the third cruise vessel from the Norwegian shipping company, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, to visit us in recent months. Our work on the more than 200-metre-long passenger ship is expected to be completed before Easter."
 
From Spring 2018, Fred. Olsen guests will be able to sail aboard a fully-renewed ocean fleet. Black Watch benefitted from extensive improvement work at the end 2016 and has been achieving record revenues since. Braemar and Balmoral were refurbished before Christmas 2017.

Azamara Club Cruises has officially taken ownership of its third ship, the former P&O Cruises’ ship Adonia, soon to be known as Azamara Pursuit.

Adonia arrived at the dry-dock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahama on 14 March 2018, where Carnival Corporation, the owners and partner company of P&O Cruises, finalised paperwork and officially transferred the vessel to Azamara Club Cruises.

Royal Caribbean International has announced further details about some of the new features that will be added to Independence of the Seas during the ship’s upcoming refurbishment.

Independence of the Seas will return to Southampton in May 2018 following her refurbishment. The ship will be the first in the fleet to feature virtual reality trampolines.

Azamara Club Cruises has announced that is new ship, Azamara Pursuit is to be refurbished at the iconic Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
 
The cruise line has also announced a new maiden voyage, which is now on sale, departing Southampton on 01 August 2018. The new 12-night cruise will visit Norway.

Royal Caribbean International has announced some of the new features that will be installed on the Independence of the Seas during its refurbishment in April 2018.
 
The 3,634-passenger cruise ship is popular amongst cruisers in the United Kingdom and will cruises from Southampton throughout summer 2018.

The Majestic Line’s two oldest small boutique cruise ships, Glen Massan and Glen Tarsan were originally converted from wooden fishing vessels. The first vessel, Glen Massan is now 13 years old and our second vessel Glen Tarsan is now 11 years old.
​
During the winter months, The Majestic Line gave both of the two mini cruise vessels, a complete overhaul.  Many of the improvements are unseen, such as maintaining the wooden superstructure, replacing major mechanical parts, putting in new equipment and a new galley for the Glen Massan.