Fred. Olsen Bolette | Join us on embarkation day

21st October 2022. Embarking Fred. Olsen Bolette for a cruise to Amsterdam and Antwerp.

[@amesavis]

I went on this ship in 2003 when it was Holland America line's flagship. I have to say the decor was better then, but I'm so glad this gem of a ship is still sailing. I recall a grand clock in the atrium but think it was slightly darker and had more metal.

[@TasteTrekkerTales]

Great vlog series. We are on her in two weeks. I'm going to vlog my trip too!

[@Woolfy1]

Great to see you guys cruising again. Look forward to seeing what Fred Olsen has to offer.

[@Schenkerflyingv]

Another great video as usual. The inside cabin reminds me of P&O’s Oceana, which was my first ever P&O cruise. Looking forward to the next episode 👍🏼

[@janemayhew1442]

Hi Kirstie & Andy, Great to see you are back cruising! Looks a lovely ship, inside cabin fine for a short cruise, looking forward to your next video.

[@glynnhopkins3824]

Thank you both for your help and recommendations on cruises …. We have started trying the different cruise lines & places … your reporting has been spot on 😊😊

[@wendyroberts1967]

Great yo see you two on the seas again 😁😁very informative vlog and looking forward to the next one bon voyage 🚢

[@geoffpickles1538]

Great vlog as usual can't wait for the next ones.

[@alisonburrow7404]

Glad your back Andy and Kirstie x

[@thomasmurdoch20]

Great vlog glad our back doing these. Great highlights of our first day 👌👌

[@rayandjotravels]

So cool to see you both back. We look forward to your videos!

[@andyandkirstie]

It's good to be back!

[@jamesleech4024]

Great video. Look forward to your next instalment. The staff are amazing on Fred Olsen and the drinks measures are the biggest I have come across on any line. But I guess you know that now ! The ships are tired and need some updating but the general feel is warm.

[@graemeedmonstone6616]

Great vlog and very professional nixie to see you both back

[@EmmaCruises]

'Just our cup of tea', I love that that could be the summary. Also, love early dining and tables for 2!!

[@andyandkirstie]

Yeah, maybe 'just our cup of tea' should have been in the thumbnail! Yes, early dining every time for us too 👍

[@leeirvine1784]

Always delighted when a new Vlog drops! Fantastic as always, look forward to seeing more of Fred Olsen. Ps - please keep up with the purely for the video food reviews!

[@andyandkirstie]

😆 Thanks!

[@fredflintstone12]

Thank you for another great video guys. Having watched a lot of cruise vlogs I've got to say yours are right up there with the best, the content and production are fantastic. That Negroni looked like a decent measure 😀 Looking forward to the rest of the series keep up the good work 👍

[@andyandkirstie]

Thanks, glad you enjoy watching! Yes, definitely getting into the Negroni!

[@nigelgreer9954]

Two enjoyable vlogs watched this evening. Great to see you two back. It’s been too long.

[@andyandkirstie]

😊👍

[@andrewtaylor8625]

Another interesting and informative video. We also prefer an older small traditional ship to the new mega resort ships. But we have never considered a Fred Olsen cruise because we thought they had an older clientele and were expensive for what you get. Maybe we were wrong, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[@andyandkirstie]

We found it pretty reasonable cost wise. Drinks and specialty dining were both cheaper than other lines.

[@MegaDeano72]

excellent footage as usual guys, the food looked epic!

[@amywatt2373]

Super video, I really enjoyed seeing the ship . We are headed for Bolette in April for a Norway break and we’re really excited about it now that we’ve watched this! 3rd time we’ve been on cruise with Fred Olsen and each holiday so far has been amazing. 😊

[@andyandkirstie]

That sounds great! Bolette will be great in the Fjords!

[@juliepickles3394]

Another very interesting vlog looks lovely take care you 2 👍👍👍

[@jlizardi5013]

Great investment they did adding the HAL ship to their fleet. Hardly any changes were noticed. Love it.

[@roberthayden3741]

Your videos always show wonderful production value. Each shot is nicely staged and recorded but the editing is simply magnificent. We always look forward to the videos from your cruises because they are informative and very well done so please keep cruising and making more videos. Thanks.

[@andyandkirstie]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesduffy5019]

Curried egg roll before bedtime!! Bet Kirsty’s glad of the single beds now!!phew wee! And you can’t open the balcony door either! Old ships have a definite charm🚢

[@brodieellis2545]

Just love your vlogs!

[@andyandkirstie]

Thank you 😊

[@angelahorton5745]

Just back from our Bolette cruise to Shetland, Orkney and Faroe Islands and I loved our first experience of Fred Olsen. I'd definitely cruise with them again.

[@andyandkirstie]

That sounds like it was a fantastic trip! We'd definitely sail Bolette again, or maybe try Borealis. Such great little ships.

[@SabrinaatSea]

Great vlog both! I’ve only sailed on one Fred Olsen ship (Balmoral) which I loved and it’s really interesting to see what the Bolette is like! As a side note, you’re drinking all of my favourite cocktails in this vlog. Absolutely love a Margarita and that one looks great. Gotta have a salty rim! 😅🍸

[@andyandkirstie]

Thanks Sabrina! Yes, we'd definitely sail Fred again. I love a decent Margarita and got well into the Negroni. Any other suggestions for me to try?

[@norfolkboy6935]

FO would be a left field choice for us but we’re always keen to try new lines and so will be following with interest!Good to see you back. 🙏👍

[@andyandkirstie]

We enjoyed it, but like smaller ships. Never felt second rate compared to some other ships.

[@somegirl2392]

Thank you for bringing this cruise line to my attention... Really had no idea it even existed! 5:15 portion size looked underwhelming though, I guess it was quality over quantity. 10:30 loved that you mentioned string trio! I definitely have to try European-style cruising, it seems to have an ambiance that could be right up my alley. I've never been on a cruise ship before, I do love watching cruise vlogs to know which cruise line could offer something for me considering that I am not a "party person" :)

[@andyandkirstie]

Glad you found the video helpful and that the cruise line might be for you. It's certainly a nice little ship and line worth considering.

[@MaDaboutcruisin]

Hi guys, we always enjoy your videos, this one is no exception. Will be watching carefully at this series to see if Fred O has something to tempt us to try one. Thank you guys. Dave and Mandy [ MaDaboutcruisin ]

[@andyandkirstie]

We were pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyed the ship as you'll see in this series.

[@jackietanner2121]

Excellent video. Really informative as usual. I've missed the both of you, it seems a long time since your previous video.

[@andyandkirstie]

Yes, good to be back!

[@MrBinabanana]

Just booked an Olsen cruise to Norway next year (our first ever cruise) and found this video whilst looking for information on the Bolette - what good timing! Looking forward to your next upload!

[@andyandkirstie]

We're sure you'll enjoy it, she's a lovely little ship and Norway is a great itinerary!

[@ronrichardson3103]

Make sure you use lots of sanitiser immediately you get on board there may be lots of sickness and diarrhea apparent

[@marilou862]

Love cruising, and seeing your travels, the sights you see and the ship's facilities is great fun. Your cabin with the single beds made me laugh though as my OH and I hate sleeping in single beds even though we’re in our 70s as I just need to be able to feel him beside me. Anyway we paid a lot of money for a lovely balcony cabin on the FO Balmoral several years ago only to find it had single beds - and not very nice ones either, as they were a bit small. They were fixed to the floor and couldn’t be moved! Still had a nice time though. We’re on the Explorer week and looking forward to it!

[@andyandkirstie]

Have a great time on Explorer!

[@lorenzomag100]

Enjoyed this first vlog of your cruise on the Bolette...and am looking forward to your next vlogs in this series. I will say Andy when I first noticed your beard in your last series, I wasn't keen, but now I think its looks good and it suites you.

[@andyandkirstie]

Thanks!

[@angelahorton5745]

Great video, very informative! I'm so glad you did a cabin tour as that's the grade we've booked for August. It looks as we'd expected for an old ship, fairly basic but perfectly adequate for 6 nights. Princess is hard to beat for cocktails especially margaritas. We've got the drinks package, do you know what's included? I liked the look of the theatre and loved the string group. Thanks!

[@andyandkirstie]

I'm afraid we know nothing about the drinks package. You'll have a great time, it's a lovely little ship.

[@EmmaCruises]

That inside cabin is huge!!! I love Kirstie trying to describe a salad, that's an impossible task. 😂 Food looks great.

[@andyandkirstie]

Yes, it was a decent cabin. Decided that although we'd normally have a double, the twin set-up actually worked better, with the space down the middle being more convenient. No complaints about the food.

[@anng8468]

Lovely video, great to see you both again! Andy that finger looked painful!

[@andyandkirstie]

It's fine now. It was painful when I shut it in the garage door!

[@andreatuckman1084]

So nice to see you two again. I’ve noticed that European ships always provide a tea kettle no matter the cabin type. Not usual for American ships until you book jr suite or higher. Just an observation.

[@andyandkirstie]

Yes, it's standard in hotels in the UK too.

[@harlanabraham7772]

Like to see these ships get more use as I like the older ships. Most cruise lines don't have coffee makers in staterooms as they are considered a fire hazard.

[@andyandkirstie]

We really like the older, smaller ships, too. Unfortunately, all the fancy new ships seem to be gigantic.

[@23oakhill]

Never even looked at Fred Olsen, I thought it was out of my price range, but the inside cabin looked fine to me.

[@steelcrow8759]

Great video. Who makes your black shirt please? It looks smart and ideal for cruising.

[@andyandkirstie]

Thanks! Pretty sure that shirt came from Zara, but quite a few years ago.

[@eclipseflooringdaz1656]

Been put off this cruise line and most said it’s for older people. Looks good so far. 👍🏽

[@andyandkirstie]

It probably still has an older demographic, as they don't have all the bells and whistles of a big, new ship and are more traditional. Saying that though, we sailed during a school holiday and there were plenty of kids having a great time!

[@wellardsmith3629]

Luv it! ..... "purely for the video"...

[@andyandkirstie]

😁

[@PS-sd8yc]

Good to see you are back. We are thinking of cruising F Olsen next year. Did you get any impressions of the Terrace cabins that open directly onto the prom deck. I wouldbe grateful for any feedback. Looking forward to following you on this cruise. Thanks

[@andyandkirstie]

Funnily enough I mention those briefly in our next video. We don't know much about them, other than each cabin has their own 'reserved' marked sunbeds outside the door onto the promenade. We both agreed we quite like the idea.

[@PS-sd8yc]

Really looking forward to this series of vids, although I have watched all your travels. Thankyou

[@breadyegg]

We went on the Borealis recently. P&O was our usual line but their standards, cost cutting and nickel&dining were eventually too much to tolerate even at the value price. Freddy.O was costlier but the standards were a different league. In particular the food quality was a joy. P&O meals had become a mere exercise in countering hunger. FreddyO on the other hand... Every meal had at least one item that made me say "Wow. That was good!" We got a free drinks package. While the range of beer didn't interest me, as a real ale guy, the wines in the free selection were all excellent and _properly chilled_ On P&O my white and rosé wine inevitably came to the table at room temperature. I gave up telling them after a while.

[@andyandkirstie]

Have to say, from what we've heard and seen on others videos, we are in no rush to go back to P&O. Definitely better options out there.

[@arnietwo11]

Im starting to research cruises for later this summer but see the Bolette sails out of Newcastle and does the Norwegian fiords. So fancy that !! Can you advise re drinks ? See inclusive is £25, but can you tell me how much a bottle of wine is or a hin and tonic uf u didnt go with the all inc ??

[@andyandkirstie]

I think we paid about £23 for our bottle of wine. Cocktails were around £6, I'm guessing a g & t would be about the same.

[@arnietwo11]

@@andyandkirstie thank, so i will b taking the all inc drinks !!

[@ronrichardson3103]

We did our Fred Olson first cruise on Borealias I just before christmas I couldn't fault it. Apart from the gastrointestinal problems I had. 4 days out of 8 it hit me soon as I got on board .I think I spent more time in the toilet than the restaraunt . It was fast and deadly I've never experienced anything like that before .it was a case of planning where the nearest ships toilet was

[@andyandkirstie]

Yeah, it's horrible when you get a ill on holiday. Good to hear you liked the ship.

[@tarniaadams8428]

The bathroom in your cabin was virtually identical to the Fred.Olsen express Marie Curie which does the ferry route between Huelva in Spain and the Canary Islands - we arrived in Tenerife on it on Sunday ☺️

[@andyandkirstie]

Interesting!

[@tarniaadams8428]

@@andyandkirstie only the bathroom ☺️ your cabin way better that the ferry version

[@andyandkirstie]

😁

[@markrobinson9801]

Great video , have you tried an Old Fashioned ( made with Woodford Reserve) absolutely my favourite cocktail.

[@andyandkirstie]

I think I may have done. Might give that another go 👍

[@dennisdalessio8238]

Andy and Kirstie, is Fred Olsen a UK based Cruise line as I have not heard of it before. Also do you know what Holland ship this was? Thanks

[@andyandkirstie]

They're a Norwegian family-owned line that operates from the UK. It was formerly the Amsterdam.

[@SteamboatWilley]

Fred Olsen is a Norwegian company, but they mainly cater to the UK market. Bolette was the Amsterdam when she was with HAL. I did a trip on her back in 2008/9.

[@breadyegg]

We had a string trio as well. The violinist played flat every single note. It drove me insane. We eventually checked the guides to avoid going where they were playing. I cannot believe none of the other musicians on the ship - including her other two colleagues! - said nothing to her! Musically, she was fine, but how can every now be flat?? I still have PTSD from it😂

[@andyandkirstie]

😂

[@firstfreonwarrior]

We tried Braemar some years a go, not for us I am afraid.

[@chalkywhite11]

I do love a salty rim!

[@andyandkirstie]

Who doesn't? 😆

[@susanburston587]

The ship looks quite empty, you seem to be on your own all the time! EnjoyAmsterdam

[@andyandkirstie]

It wasn't busy, but also if there are a lot of people in a venue I won't film it.

[@markrobinson9801]

If you like black pudding you should try my chippy that I run , we do it in batter 😉

[@andyandkirstie]

YUM!

[@markrobinson9801]

Or just to get your taste buds going , get two pieces of streaky bacon 🥓 make a cross , put a slice of black pudding in the centre and wrap the bacon over it , grill both sides until the bacon is crispy put in a buttered crusty roll with sauce of your choice, delicious 🤤

[@andyandkirstie]

Sounds perfect!

[@surfleetsurfer6370]

I did a cruise on Braemar some years ago. Olsen feed their clients well, but as for the rest I was not impressed.

[@andyandkirstie]

Their two newest ships are decent.

[@MrPants1970]

Rule number 1, you must always have a salty rim when on a cruise.

[@AndrewPoulsom]

Purely for the video ... lol