Fantastic time yet again with Fred.You can tell this line is a family business independent of the umbrella Carnival business.Attention to detail and customer service seems to take priority over profits.
The staff and especially the crew were brilliant, nothing too much trouble.
Of course the food is always top class and on the two new ships there is dining available almost all the time.Being lazy we enjoyed late breakfast served 10 til 12 at the side of the Lido pool.
‘Can’t wait to return
The Bollette is a lovely ship with plenty of space. We were sailing at about 50% capacity and as the Captain pointed out the crew ratio was almost 1 to 1!!
Everything was great, staff couldn't do enough for you.
Only small niggle was the bed, it was uncomfortable and I spent seven of my 8 day cruise with a sore back.
I would cruise with Fred Olsen again but I would probably ask if they could replace the mattress with a firmer one.
Unfortunately my wife and I tested positive for Covid and had to spend seven days in an isolation cabin. Guest services and room services worked very hard to make our isolation as comfortable as possible. The rest of the cruise, before and after the isolation was up to Fred Olsen's usual exceptional standards.
NORWEGIAN FJORDS AND WATERFALLS
15/5/22 SOUTHAMPTON
16/5/22 AT SEA
17/5/22 Fjords
18/5/22 EIDFJORD
19/5/22 OLDEN
20/5/22 HAUGESUND
21/5/22 AT SEA
22/5/22 SOUTHAMPTON
First time on Bolette, first cruise out of the UK for Bolette, wonderful ship, superb facilities, my 13th cruise with FOCL, all brilliant. Excellent food and brilliant staff.
Our third Cruise with Fred Olsen. We have also cruises with CMV in the past. Departure well organised and safe within Covid restrictions, the same safety throughout the cruise.
Food was good and in some cases very good. Nice roomy cabin and public rooms where you could get a seat, this may be more challenging with a full complement of passengers.
We enjoyed some of the entertainment with the singers and dancers being of exceptionally high quality. We never go to the comedians or magic shows etc not our thing. Excursions were well organised but as always in most cases left something to be desired for some of the participants as you cannot please all. Disembark was well organised.
Excellent ship, very efficient but friendly crew. Two ports missed (Sorrento & Amalfi) as landing by tender not possible due to weather, but substituted by an extra day in Salerno & extra port of Cagliari. Facilities onboard ship very good.
Embarkation very smooth, disembarkation a bit of a nightmare but more due to poor organization by Port of Southampton than Fred Olsen.
We specifically booked the Amalfi Coast, not having visited before, but we were unable to get off in Sorrento and Amalfi, due to the seas being too rough for the tenders. Whilst I understand that the safety of all passengers s of paramount importance to the Captain and his crew, it was very disappointing nonetheless.
There was also some building work gong on at the back of the ship, where we used to relax and have a drink and on some days it was like being in the middle of a building site.
Despite this, our suite was awesome, the staff were professional, friendly and helpful and would go out of heir way to help. the food was delicious and the ship was plush and very well re-furbished.
Great cruise for whale watching. Only real downside excursions very expensive.
visit to again gardens in holland 2nd time on ship all inc good value will be going
Very poor cruise Bad choice of destination ports and not enough time in major cities Stops sem to be organised with sole purpose of selling overpriced tours Three destinations had nothing to see.Ship comfortable and clean, good service. F.ood not up to usual Olsen standard. First four meals taken in dining room, three were unacceptable. Complained, executive chef agreed with me, gave poor excuse for lack of taste. After ate in self service restaurants, better food, better selection, but partof cruise experience is too be served in comfort. Further complaint exorbitant Wi Fi charge £10 per day, outrageous and money grubbing Would not recommend this cruise
We have taken cruise holidays for a number of years, with Olsen and other companies but keep coming back to Fred. The ships are comfortable and not vast, the crew is amazing and the experience from start to finish is exceptional. The ship was new to us but is a beautiful vessel, still friendly and small but the public spaces are delightful and the addition of themed restaurants was greatly appreciated - excellent food and service. The theatre was also noteworthy and the standard of entertainment was superb - we often miss shows but not on this cruise!
I am always aware that Fred Olsen is still family owned and it shows - the artworks on board were apparently choses and even placed by Fred himself and we are not tempted to look elsewhere. The new brochure has some fabulous itineraries too and needless to say, we have booked agaib!
Ship half full (maybe due to covid restrictions). Service in restaurant very slow. No effort made for dress up night. Nothing to do in Rotterdam. Keukenhof excellent. Weather good. Cabin good.
As always,weather dependant.
Adverse conditions on west coast of Italy prevented many shore excursions.
The cruise was wonderful in many respects helped by good weather.
The service could have been a bit slicker in the dining room and public rooms at times but not a problem.
The only disappointment was the visit to Floriade which was only partly open.