A CRUISE company has announced its 'back in service' date for 2021. 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today announced revised dates for its four-strong ocean fleet, as the company prepares for cruising in the new year.  

It comes after the company was forced to cancel a number of cruises due to the coronavirus pandemic back in early April. 

The 2021 timetable has revealed that new ship Borealis will now be the first of the fleet to sail, and will embark on her maiden cruise with Fred. Olsen on April 23, 2021. 

The new ship will embark on her cruise as part of a six-night ‘Scottish Lochs and Isles’ cruise.

Bolette will follow on May 29 and Balmoral on June 9.

However, due to having an extensive fly-cruise programme Braemar will remain in lay-up until 2022.  

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 "no-quibble" refund.

Peter Deer, managing director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:  “While it is regrettable that our pause in operations is longer than we originally anticipated, we have said right from the start that we will not resume sailing until we are confident that it is safe for us to do so, and we stand by that.  

“The safety of our guests and crew remains our utmost priority, and it is important that we fully understand the advances in the roll-out of the vaccine, testing capabilities and other scientific developments and what they mean for how we can operate.  

“This is not a process to be rushed, and we are confident that by deferring our return to sailing just a while longer, with our two new ships among the fleet, we can come back better and stronger than ever without compromising on guest experience. "