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, as the Crown Dynasty. However she entered service as the Cunard Crown Dynasty, because the Cunard Line signed an agreement to manage marketing, sales and reservations for Crown Cruise Line. The vessel sailed under this name until 1997, when she was transferred to Majesty Cruise Line, which renamed her Crown Majesty. This only lasted until the end of 1997, when the vessel was transferred again; this time to Norwegian Cruise Line, which renamed her 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, originally named the Crown Jewel and now known as Celestyal Nefeli, currently sails for Celestyal Cruises and operates cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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 eight public decks (numbered 2 to 9). 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. Deck 9 is located in the forward section of the ship and is an area for sunbathing.

Lounge deck 5 contains, from the front: 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 corridor, 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 Fitness Centre, 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 Atlantis Spa is on deck 3.