New Fred Olsen cruise ship Bollette to sail via Saudi and South Africa in 2023

Fred Olsen Cruise Line will sail a roundtrip grand voyage from Southampton in the UK to Africa and the Middle East in 2023.

The 93-night cruise aboard Fred Olsen’s new Bollette (the former Amsterdam of Holland America Line) will depart Southampton on November 19, 2023, with the ship becoming the first Fred Olsen vessel ever to call in Saudi Arabia.

Bollette will call in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as several South African ports, along with several Indian Ocean and Atlantic destinations, from Salalah in Oman and Mahe in the Seychelles to São Tomé & Príncipe and Santa Cruz, Tenerife.

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Fred Olsen Cruise Line says passengers on the cruise will have the chance to encounter lemurs in Madagascar, spend time with a Dabbawala in Mumbai or stroll among dunes in the Namib Desert.

The ship will stay overnight in several key ports, such as Victoria, Seychelles and Mombasa, Kenya, as well as a two-night stay in Port Louis, Mauritius, plus a three-night extended stay in Cape Town, South Africa, where historical sites such as Signal Hill and Robben Island await.

“This sailing is a real adventure, and working closely with Mr Olsen Jnr himself, we have curated this itinerary to allow guests to have real, immersive experiences ashore,” said Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

“Whether that’s visiting the spice plantations or helping Dabawallas deliver tiffin boxes to locals in Mumbai, walking the colossal dunes of the world’s oldest desert in Namib, or taking in the cultures and traditions of destinations away from the beaten tourist track, including in Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Senegal,” he added.

According to Lister there will also be opportunities to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat, from seeking out the ‘Big Five’ in Kenya and South Africa or spotting endemic species such as the giant tortoise in Seychelles and lemurs and chameleons in Madagascar.

The Full Itinerary

‘The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean’ voyage sails round-trip from Southampton on November 19, 2023 calling in:

Mediterranean

Tangier, Morocco; Valletta, Malta;

Middle East

Alexandria, Egypt; Port Said, Egypt; Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt; Safaga, Egypt; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia;  Salalah, Oman;

Indian Ocean

Mumbai, India; Mormugao, India; Mangalore, India; Kochi, Kerala, India; Uligamu, Maldives; Hithadhoo, Maldives; Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles (overnight stay); Praslin Island, Seychelles; La Digue, Seychelles; Mombasa, Kenya (overnight stay); Zanzibar, Tanzania; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Mamoudzou, Mayotte; Andoany, Nosy Be, Madagascar; Antsiranana, Madagascar; Port Réunion, Réunion Island; Port Louis, Mauritius (two-night stay); Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar; Port d-Ehoala, Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar; Maputo, Mozambique;

South Africa

Richards Bay, South Africa; Durban, South Africa; East London, South Africa; Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa; Mossel Bay, South Africa; Cape Town, South Africa (three-night stay);

Atlantic Ocean

Walvis Bay, Namibia; São Tomé, São Tomé & Príncipe; Cotonou, Benin; Lomé, Togo; Takoradi, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; Santa Cruz, Tenerife; Funchal, Madeira.

Prices start from £9,999 per person. Passengers will receive up to £500 per person to spend on board Bolette, while those booking before June 30th, 2022 will receive free door-to-door transfers covering up to 200 mainland miles to the port.