Fred Olsen Borealis Embarkation Day Experience

I am kicking off my brand new Fred Olsen vlog series with this taster - it's embarkation day on Borealis as we explore Horizon cruise terminal in Southampton where I share with you the embarkation process, the documentation you'll need, the muster process, first impressions on the ship and my cabin, embarkation day lunch, booking some great experiences for the cruise ahead, and of course, the famous sail away! It's all here and the next time I'll be showing you the whole cruise experience as well as touring and reviewing 3 types of cabins on board; my balcony suite, a premier suite and the Owner's Suite!
In this vlog I also feature luggage and an organiser set gifted by level8cases which is a luxury luggage brand. I only ever showcase a product if I’ve trialled it and this one is excellent. If you want to purchase any products from level8cases.com you can get a 10% discount using my code ‘Jamie10’. Here’s a link to those products! bit.ly/43FAuFd Enjoy!
Please do like, subscribe and turn on notifications for my bi-weekly travel and cruise vlogs. You can also follow me over on Instagram / Twitter @travelblogjamie and Facebook "jamiewrobins".
#fredolsen #borealis #cruise #cruiseship #cruising #embarkation

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Here we go! My brand new cruise vlog series starts now with my cruise onboard Fred Olsen Borealis! I am in ❤ with this traditional ship!

[@jodaniel2361]

Hi Jamie, love your videos! Have you been on Borealis in the UK winter months? I'd love to know what sort of temperature it's kept at in the public areas - my first ever cruise & no idea what to pack to wear on board! Thank you, Jo.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@jodaniel2361 no not Fred Olsen over winter - I’ve always found cruise ship interior temperatures comfortable on other cruise lines though

[@jodaniel2361]

@@TravelBlogJamie thank you! It was your Borealis vlog that made us fall for the ship. Hubby's been trying to get me on a cruise since we met 10 years ago - so it's Borealis for my big birthday pressie - can't wait!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@jodaniel2361 wow what an amazing pressie!!!

[@POSTIEPLAYS]

Nice stuff, roof open, gorgeous day! Looks like it will be an awesome cruise!!!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You are 💯 correct!

[@Minitrippers1]

Great video Jamie - you’ve captured what a breeze embarkation was and the classic and classy look and feel of the ship. We booked it after watching your video and it truly did not disappoint. In fact - we loved it ❤

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏 I’m so pleased and relieved you enjoyed your experience!

[@stephanie-jaynegrindley692]

I found your channel back end of last year whilst searching for FO content. We booked onto Borealis Norwegian Fjords cruise which got back into Southampton the day you embarked. I loved watching your videos last year (and have since watched every single one of your videos and thoroughly enjoy your content - thank you) but seemed to enjoy this video all the more now we’ve been on the ship and recognised places, faces and fave spots like the Poolside Cafe. We absolutely fell in love with Borealis and FO as a whole and already looking to book our second cruise. So a BIG thank you Jamie for your insightful videos that helped so much with our research last year. Just sorry that our paths didn’t cross onboard. Maybe next time.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏 very kind of you! Yes, Borealis is just a Beautiful Ship with so much charm and character

[@charlottegrant4367]

Wow. What a touch with the upgrade!! I really fancy trying a smaller ship now. Another great vlog Jamie!!! 😘

[@TravelBlogJamie]

A fab ship!

[@BarryFinch-nx7ku]

Really enjoyed the Vlog Jamie , so nice to see inside a classic cruise ship. Amazing to see how quiet it was on board and especially at check in. Looking forward to the rest of your on-board vlogs.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thanks Barry - love this ship and hope that comes across

[@Alanw80]

Looks an absolutely beautiful ship, love the statue of the sea lions and the room looks fab

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Love Fred Olsen ❤️

[@ceciliatoole6202]

19:48 I enjoyed watching your Vlog presentation, honest and clear. My husband, we tried Fred Olsen last year for the first time .We are looking forward to going on Borealis again in August. It’s a wonderful ship, the staff and crew were all the credit to themselves and their company😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh I adore Borealis too! Have a great cruise. Thank you for your lovely feedback and I hope you get a chance to watch the other Fred Olsen vlogs I made at some point 😂

[@garethforster5430]

Loved this Jamie!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏

[@shelcheese8344]

Boreal is looks gorgeous! Our first cruise was on this ship when it was Rotterdam in the western Caribbean. Loved the traditional promenade.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

She’s a wonderful ship ❤️

[@jackieaudus9829]

Hot on your Aft lol 😂 this looks AMAZING Jamie !!! Borealis looks stunning and glad you had the Sun Bum (?) screen !!! Glad you had a Great time !!!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏

[@JustTravelwithKaz]

Hi Jamie, I love watching your vlogs, I find them very informative. My husband and I are going on the Virtuosa in September to the Canaries and can’t wait, thank you Jesus! 🙏🏻 🛳️⚓️

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I’m Virtuosa in September too!

[@JustTravelwithKaz]

@@TravelBlogJamie Hopefully we’ll bump into you and we’ll say hello if we have the courage 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@JustTravelwithKaz hope it’s the same cruise

[@Meldevon2012]

I'm definitely going to try Fred Olsen now, looked lovely. Did they have quizzes and day time activities? You are costing me money, this is the 3rd cruise you've got us on as well as giving me airline advice previously, Thank you Jamie.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes they have the usual day time entertainment / classes! Loooove Fred Olsen

[@jacquitiffany7933]

Really enjoyed this, must catch up with all of your vlogs now....Gary's dinner will have to wait! 😂❤

[@TravelBlogJamie]

😂😂😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Be careful, some are 1h20 😂

[@lucysmum1895]

Jamie, I’ll try the embarkation lunch and brunch on day 2 at the Poolside on Borealis. June

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Brunch is great at poolside!

[@beltingtokra]

New subscriber here! Booked my first cruise later this year, It's another 2 nighter on FO in the UK. I got a reduced single supplement so not expecting an upgrade like yours, so quiet on a repos cruise! I asked the staff on the phone and my expired passport should be OK, but it's quite unnerving. Super excited though!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hope you have a great cruise! Love Fred ❤️

[@herenow6953]

i've never been on a cruise and wish I could have been on this taster one - looks fab!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You should try one!

[@herenow6953]

@@TravelBlogJamie I'm single and don't like sharing rooms, so I'd have to pay double bubble. I'd absolutely want a balcony cabin and the price then becomes unreasonable compared to a beach / hotel holiday. I believe Norwegian have studio cabins for singletons but they are all inside cabins. being single doesn't mean I don't want a balcony! I would only go on a cruise with a balcony cabin - the appeal to me is the sea and I'd want to be able to sit in my own space by it. I know you are on your own but were upgraded to a balcony cabin due to who you are - that wouldn't happen for me - so atm cruising doesn't seem to offer what I want a reasonable price

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@herenow6953 who I am? No. I’ve had multiple upgrades over the years on different cruise lines - they sometimes do this when under occupancy. I had Upgrades Long before i started blogging

[@herenow6953]

@@TravelBlogJamie understood - but still have to pay twice for a single occupancy if you want a proper room and balcony. I find better deals by travelling independently to hotels etc. Maybe one day but that doesn't feel soon. In the meantime, I'll love cruising vicariously through you :)

[@jackchapman743]

Good afternoon Jamie I hope you are well and having a good week so far.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hey Jack - I’m well thanks! How are you?

[@jackchapman743]

@@TravelBlogJamie not to bad are you going on a cruise in half team and if you are what ship.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@jackchapman743 yes, Iona to Norwegian fjords

[@jackchapman743]

@@TravelBlogJamie how long you going for are you going with friends or with Matthew.

[@henrywhitehead4566]

We enjoyed it and are booking a longer trip for later in the year !

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hoorah! Me too 😂 I’m still upset I haven’t got you in the vlog

[@henrywhitehead4566]

@@TravelBlogJamie hopefully I will see you again ! I’ll make it one day

[@14lebonrupt]

At embarkation security, do airline style restrictions on liquid volumes apply to toiletries ? Great video

[@TravelBlogJamie]

No, they don’t at all!

[@mindyruizgallagher1593]

😍😍😍😍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

✨✨✨

[@sh8k3y]

Wow what an upgrade, you done well there. Have you noted where your luggage was from? 😊😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes, there’s a description under the video with like / discount code

[@lorrainebutler6201]

are boarding Iona tomorrow, I'm working at ocean terminal, so hope to say hello 😊.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Ah hope to see you! We are checking in about 2.30

[@marecianoble5826]

The staff on Fred Olson are so friendly. It looks a lovely ship.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

They really are!

[@jeanmiller199]

Great video Jamie my husband and I are booked on the Borealis world cruise January 2024 and already excited! I have cruised with Fred Olsen before a world cruise on the Black Watch love the smaller ship. When are you doing a world cruise? Keep up the good work with your excellent informative videos!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh my goodness I’ll do a world cruise when I’m retired I hope 🤞🏼

[@robwales2282]

I would love to do a taster cruise like this. I didnt realise they do a repositioning cruise to Liverpool. How much do these cost? I will look into them

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Price will vary - it was £89 pp when I looked but j know a couple who had booked a while in advance who paid £149 each (still v good value)

[@willsgrandad]

We were on the Ventura, sailed same day, as per this video. You missed the tune on the ships “hooters”, as we passed the other P&O ship! Watched your vlog on the Ventura before sailing. Thanks. Enjoyed the cruise, but we think a smaller ship, like this one, would be better for us. For instance we we speaking to a couple as we passed your ship, leaving Southampton, never to see them again during the rest of the trip.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I must say I was happy to be on the smaller of the 2 that day 😂

[@Bessie66]

Daft question - why is a passport needed between Southampton and Liverpool and also what is a repositioning cruise? Thankyou

[@TravelBlogJamie]

The port authorities run checks I believe. A repositioning cruise essentially is where embarkation and disembarkation ports are different

[@Bessie66]

@@TravelBlogJamie Thankyou so much for your quick reply x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@Bessie66 🙏🙏🙏

[@akajasonbourne]

And a shout out for the isle of wight We don't mind all these cruise ships sailing by its all free, and you don't need a passport for a holiday.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It would be a very short cruise though 😂

[@akajasonbourne]

@@TravelBlogJamie car ferry usually 50 minutes😁

[@iangill8984]

Jamie, a tricky question. Did your upgrade happen because you are a blogger? I know it is difficult to answer because you may not know or suspect the answer. We were booked in an obstructed balcony with Sky Princess a week or so ago and were upgraded without asking to a standard balcony but no fizzy or goodies. :(

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I have no idea. Upgrades are common especially when ships are under occupancy. I’ve had many over the years and long before I started blogging. These cabins have perks as I show you in the next vlog and these include sparkling wine, canapés etc The social media team gave me champagne instead of sparkling wine as per their card to me so that was gifted.

[@iangill8984]

@@TravelBlogJamie Thanks for your reply. Our upgrade was on a full Sky Princess so most unexpected and most welcome.

[@BruhImNotDeadYet]

HL2 Beta map

[@TravelBlogJamie]

🤔

[@barnum4244]

How can you say you have a bad memory if you can remember the words and grammar of multiple languages?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Ok then, I have a great memory