Having never been on a ship before I was very excited when I had the opportunity to visit Fred Olsen cruises ship the Borealis and it was every bit the cruising experience I hoped for, with a few delightful surprises along the way. First Impressions, this ship isn’t too big, and it looks very classic, whilst boarding I was greeted by a very warm and welcoming staff who made me feel at ease very quickly. Once I stepped aboard the decor inside was beautiful, with artwork on every wall and statues dotted around, it was a real feast for the eyes!
We were guided when we arrived at the Observatory Lounge for morning coffee and pastries, with panoramic views and a resident pianist playing softly in the background. Such a beautiful way to have breakfast. Service from staff was exemplary and any request they were happy to help with.
After breakfast we were whisked away to tour this magnificent ship, The Neptune lounge impressed me with its comfortable seating, wide variety of entertainment put on for the guests, from Broadway shows, magicians, comedy, quizzes, guest lectures as well as talks on areas they will be visiting, there is something for everyone. They also have an audible assistance system for those who have hearing problems, meaning no one misses out!
If shows aren’t your thing there is an actual library on board! Next to the library is a counter you can buy cakes and chocolates, so an absolute match made in heaven! They also have a room dedicated to playing cards and in the bar, they also have TVs, so those sports fans don’t miss out! For those who like classic cruising activities, they also have shuffleboard tables on board too. One of the areas I loved was the Lido, the roof is retractable so on days that aren’t so sunny you can still enjoy lazing about on a sun lounger around the heated pool and Jacuzzi. There is plenty of space and a good amount of sun loungers. Near the Lido there is the Lido bar and the pool side cafe, which is table service, so you can enjoy a glass of wine by the pool no matter the weather. The Borealis also features the Atlantis where you can get your nails and hair done for those formal nights as well as facials and massages to help you relax! The Borealis also has a Thermal suite which can only be booked on board for relaxation days but be quick as it sells out incredibly quickly! Though I didn’t stay overnight, I was able to tour several stateroom categories. The suites were incredibly impressive and came with lovely little extras such as a bottle of prosecco and fruit basket on arrival, as well as canapes delivered every night to your room and binoculars to use throughout (perfect for those wildlife spotters) All the rooms were impeccably clean, and every room felt fairly spacious, even single occupancy cabins are the same size as cabins for two people which was lovely, and there is no single supplement on the single cabins which is great for customers who are travelling alone.
One of the biggest draws to a Fred Olsen Cruise is the food, and the Borealis does not disappoint, the food was superb and elegantly served. We had the pleasure of trying their new menu which is not only delicious but was also a feast for the eyes. The staff served using silver service during lunch and made the whole experience feel very special. I was also able to explore the Colours and Tastes restaurant as well which is next year will be changing, they will be rotating their menu throughout the week, the menus will be the indulgent Gourmet Grill, the timeless Traditional Italian, and the bold Asian Fusion. So, you can do multiple visits and try different cuisines. At Colours and Tastes they also offer an opportunity to take part in a Chefs table, accompanied by a Fred Olsen representative you try an exclusive multicourse menu crafted by the expert chefs on board, paired with premium wines. A true unique experience for any culinary enthusiasts!
As well as being a small intimate ship there are other little areas onboard that set Fred Olsen aside from other cruise lines, they have an onboard florist, Martini and Whisky tasting experiences as well as their own whisky that has travelled the whole world on board the Borealis! The Whisky called Amplitude can only be brought onboard and seems like a lovely memento to celebrate time aboard the Borealis.
My time onboard the Borealis has shown me how intimate and classical the Fred Olsen cruises are and that they offer a unique experience to our customers that differs from other cruise lines. The Borealis is a ship that combines traditional British cruising values with thoughtful touches and immersive itineraries. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, exploring the British Isles, or simply enjoying life at sea, there's so much to enjoy aboard the Borealis.
