#OLYMPIC CRUISESHIP – A cruiseship which is to be used as accommodation ship for key workers during the London Olympic Games is currently on a UK mini-cruise including today's overnight call to Dublin Port, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The cruiseship Braemar (1993/24,344grt) has been chartered by the organisers of the global sporting event for over a month. Around 900 personnel are to use the 195 metre-long vessel as their 'floating' accommodation during the games which is run by the London Olympics and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). Most of the workers will be involved in transportation duties for competitors and officials from 12 July – 15 August.

The vessel is to berth in East London Dock (Albert Dock or King George V) which is close to the ExCel Centre, the exhibition venue which has hosted London Boat Show's over the years, will be used for a number of Olympic events. In addition the location is close to the main transport hub for the Olympic workers and is also nearby to London City Airport.

As a consequence of the cruiseship's 34-day long charter, three cruises have been cancelled by the vessels owner Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

Guests who were originally booked on the affected cruises on board the Braemar have been offered alternative itineraries. In addition the company provided a goodwill gesture to acknowledge the inconvenience while those passengers who choose not to take up this offer have been given a full refund.

Last month the same owners organised a special Titanic Memorial Cruise which called to Cobh, having completed a mini-cruise to Belfast to mark the historical centenary of the liner's construction at Harland & Wolff Shipyard.