Fred Olsen sails from Dover with new cruise ship Bolette

The British cruise line Fred Olsen has put its new flagship Bolette into service, sailing a maiden voyage from Dover, UK.

Bolette, which formerly sailed as Amsterdam for Holland America Line, entered service with Fred Olsen following an extensive refurbishment programme.

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The refit and refurbishment saw all public areas revamped, cabins updated, new bathrooms installed and new carpets laid throughout the ship.

Bolette now features popular Fred Olsen venues such as the Morning Light Pub, The Bookmark Café, and The Oriental Tea Room, alongside many new additions for the cruise line thanks to the ship’s previous life with Holland America Line.

She’s the first ship in the Fred Olsen fleet to boast an all-weather pool, two-tiered theatre and an Auditorium.

Fred Olsen has also used her expansive public areas to introduce new specialty dining venues.

There is Vasco, named after the famous explorer Vasco Da Gama, who was the first European to reach India by sea. Meanwhile, Colours & Tastes offers modern Asian Fusion dishes.

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Bolette’s maiden voyage is a 3-night itinerary offering scenic sailing of the Isles of Scilly’s 140 islets, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty famed for its rock formations and long, sandy beaches, and the dramatic coastlines of the Channel Islands.

“Today is a very important day for us, as we introduce our new flagship, Bolette, to the world,” said Peter Deer, Managing Director, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

“The team on board has worked incredibly hard to add our own Fred. Olsen touches to the ship, with every element designed with the elegance and attention to detail that we are so well known for,” he added.

Bolette, named after the great-great-grandmother of company Chairman, Fred. Olsen Jnr, is the second in the fleet to set sail, following on from sister ship Borealis in early July.

Both ships were purchased by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in the summer of 2020 from Holland America Line. Borealis formerly sailed as Rotterdam for HAL.

Borealis is sailing exclusively from Liverpool for 2021, with scenic-only sailings around the UK. Like Bolette, she also features a grand, two-tier theatre and main restaurant, an all-weather pool with retractable roof, a large spa and thermal suite and new venue The Auditorium offering culinary demonstrations and more.

The ship also offers the new Vasco and Colours & Tastes specialty dining venues.