MS Braemar

Braemar in Oslo
Career
Name:	1993 - 1997: Crown Dynasty 1997 - 1997: Crown Majesty 1997 - 1999: Norwegian Dynasty 1999 - 2001: Crown Dynasty 2001 onwards: Braemar
Operator:	1993 - 1993: Crown Cruise Line 1993 - 1997: Cunard 1997 - 1997: Majesty Cruise Line 1997 - 1999: NCL 1999 - 2001: Commodore Cruise Line 2001 onwards: Fred Olsen Cruises
Builder:	Union Navale de Levante, Valencia
Yard number:	198
Completed:	1993
Identification:	IMO number: 9000699
Status:	in service
General characteristics [1]
Type:	Motor Ship
Tonnage:	24,344 GT (gross tonnage)
Length:	195.92 m (642 ft 9 in)
Beam:	22.5 m (73 ft 10 in)
Draught:	5.45 m (17 ft 11 in)
Installed power:	4 x Wärtsilä 8R32 Diesels
Propulsion:	2 x Controllable pitch propellers 2 x bow thrusters
Speed:	17 Knots
Capacity:	929 passengers[2]
Crew:	371

MS Braemar (formerly Crown Dynasty, Cunard Crown Dynasty, Crown Majesty and Norwegian Dynasty) is a cruise ship, currently operating with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

History

The vessel was constructed in 1993 for Crown Cruise Line, operating under the name Crown Dynasty. Between 1993 and 1997, the vessel was also charted by Cunard Line, who would name the ship Cunard Crown Dynasty while under their flag.^{[citation needed]}

In 1997, the vessel was transferred to Majesty Cruise Line, who renamed her Crown Majesty. This only lasted until the end of 1997, when the vessel was transferred again; this time to Norwegian Cruise Line, who renamed the vessel Norwegian Dynasty.

The vessel returned to her original fleet and name in 1999, but was sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2001, where the vessel currently operates under the name Braemar. Her sister ship, the former Crown Jewel operated until 2008^{[citation needed]} as the SuperStar Gemini for Star Cruises.^[3]

When built, the ship had a gross tonnage of 19,089 but it was stretched to its present size by Fred Olsen Lines in 2009, the new middle section containing extra cabins, lounge space and swimming pools.

Public spaces

Braemar has 7 public decks (numbereed 2 to 8). There are cabins on all decks except 5, with suites on decks 6 to 8.

The ship's original, and still the main, restaurant is the Thistle Restaurant on Deck 4, Main Deck. Access to it is from the atrium, which runs from deck 4 up to Deck 7. A second restaurant, the Grampian Restaurant, was added on Deck 8 when the ship was stretched.

Lounge Deck 5 contains, starting for'ard, the main show lounge, the Neptune Lounge, with stage and dance floor. It is used for lectures etc during the day. Behind that is the Morning Light Pub, then a general lounge (the Braemar Room) to port with the library, a small card room and internet room to starboard. Behind the Braemar Lounge, and either side of a diagonal coridor, lie the Boutique on one side and Shore Tours and Future Cruises offices on the other. Continuing aft, and now on the starboard side, you pass through the Photo Gallery before reaching Reception and then the Atrium, mentioned earlier. Finally you reach the Coral Club, a lounge with a dance floor and space for cabaret-style entertainment.

Aft on Lido Deck 6 is open space and the Lido Bar, just for'ard of which is the Palms Cafe, an informal restaurant where free tea and coffee are available most of the day. The exit from the Palms Cafe into the interior of the ship is to the Atrium.

Aft on Bridge Deck 7 is the Skylark Club, another lounge fitted for use by entertainers, access again being from the Atrium. The Grampian Restaurant is above that on Marquee Deck 8, with the Observatory with excellent views for'ard. Between the two are some suites for'ard and open deck space with swimming pools. Finally, the Fitness Centre and Health and Beauty Salon are on Deck 3.

References

1. ^ Faktaomfartyg. "M/S Crown Dynasty (1993)". http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/crown_dynasty_1993.htm. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
2. ^ Fred Olsen Cruises. "Our Ships - Braemar". http://www.fredolsencruises.co.uk/Our-Ships/Braemar. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
3. ^ "Our fleet - SuperStar Gemini". Star Cruises. http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/our_fleets/superstar_gemini.aspx. Retrieved 29 December 2008. 

External links

• Fred Olsen Homepage
• Additional pictures of the Braemar including its May 2010 visit to Dartmouth, Devon