Fred. Olsen’s Braemar largest ship to transit Corinth Canal

On Wednesday 9th October 2019, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines made history by journeying through the 6.4-kilometre-long Corinth Canal in Greece. Braemar, Fred. Olsen’s shortest ship, broke the existing record to become the largest ship ever to traverse this famous feat of engineering.

The Corinth Canal is a waterway that separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, turning it into an island. It is an important navigational route, which once allowed ships to enter the Aegean Sea. Whilst the canal is steeped in over two millennia of history, the structure we know today was originally completed and used for the very first time in October 1983.

At its most narrow point, the canal is only 24 metres – certainly a tight squeeze for Braemar at 22.52 metres wide who was assisted by a tugboat to avoid bumps! Passengers on board were able to touch the sides of the canal at certain points with many gushing at the “exhilarating and wonderful views.”

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said: “This is such an exciting sailing and tremendous milestone in Fred. Olsen’s 171-year history and we are thrilled to have been able to share it with our guests. At Fred. Olsen, we strive to create memories that last a lifetime, and with guests on board Braemar able to get so close to the edges of the Corinth Canal that they could almost touch the sides, we know that this will be a holiday that they will never forget. We have already had exceptionally high interest in our second Corinth Canal cruise, in Spring 2021, and we can’t wait to do it all over again!”

Huge congratulations to Captain Jozo Glavic and his fantastic crew.

Braemar is currently sailing on a sold out 25 night ‘Corinth Canal & Greek Islands’ itinerary, which set sail from Southampton, UK on 27th September 2019. Due to high demand, there will be a second sailing in April 2020. Here are her statistics:

Length: 195.92 metres

Width: 22.52 metres

Tonnage: 24,344

Passengers: 924

Crew: 371

Rooms: 485