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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Patrick Edrich

Fred Olsen Borealis docked in Liverpool following covid outbreak on board

A luxury Fred Olsen cruise liner returned to Liverpool instead of sailing to the Caribbean because of a covid outbreak on board.

The luxury ship MS Borealis will remain docked at Liverpool Cruise Terminal for several weeks after Fred Olsen made a change to their schedule.

Earlier this week Fred Olsen told the ECHO the ship would be remaining in the terminal until February 11 because of the schedule change.

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But when pressed further, Fred Olsen confirmed the ship returned to Liverpool instead of sailing to the Caribbean because of a covid outbreak.

The Borealis has been docked at the cruise terminal for over week - and its continued presence has raised questions.

The luxury cruise company previously told the ECHO they had made changes to its cruise schedule without elaborating why.

Following information provided by someone who was on board the ship during the voyage, the ECHO put new claims to Fred Olsen who confirmed there had been positive covid cases on the ship.

The cruise company said the cases were predominantly among the crew and all those had mild or no symptoms.

But the decision was made to revise the ship's schedule and return to Liverpool.

Fred Olsen added full refunds would be provided to guests.

Now the ship will remain in the terminal for over two weeks while it prepares for its next scheduled cruise.

The ship is set to leave Liverpool on February 11 on a 16 night tour around Norway in search of the Northern Lights.

Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Earlier in the month, we took the decision to return Borealis to Liverpool rather than sailing to the Caribbean as planned. This was due to some positive test results, predominantly among our crew.

“Despite those involved having mild or no symptoms, we took the decision to revise our schedule and return to the UK.

"Of course, all guests have been given a full refund.

“Borealis will now spend a short time in port in Liverpool, before setting sail on her next scheduled cruise, ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’, on February 11.”

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