Our expert shipbuilders in Papenburg only needed around 18 months to build Crown Odyssey, which was delivered to Royal Cruise Line in June 1988. It was the first ever cruise ship constructed at MEYER WERFT’s new covered docks (with yard number S. 616). Construction work could be carried out in all weathers for the first time.
Crown Odyssey initially cruised around the Caribbean before being sold just a few years later – first to Kloster Cruises and then to Norwegian Cruise Line. The shipping company rechristened its new vessel “Norwegian Crown”. In November 2007, almost 20 years after its completion, the cruise ship was extended by Blohm + Voss through the addition of a 30-metre midsection. The vessel formerly known as “Crown Odyssey” now travels the seas as “Balmoral” for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. It spends most of the summer months in Scandinavia before setting sail for the Mediterranean and African coast in winter.
Balmoral is an elegant and comfortable ship featuring an indoor and outdoor pool, four whirlpools, a library, and various bars and restaurants.