Life on Board Borealis

Dining: Far Better Than “Just Cruise Food”

The food on board was consistently excellent. Each meal felt considered and freshly prepared, with quality ingredients and plenty of variety.

• Main dining: We enjoyed beautifully presented dishes in the main restaurant, from perfectly cooked fish and tender meats to indulgent desserts. Portions were well balanced and there were always lighter options available too.
• Buffet & casual venues: Ideal for relaxed breakfasts and lunches, with plenty of choice and staff constantly refreshing and tidying, which kept everything looking appealing.
• Special touches: The service at dinner felt almost old-school in the best possible way: plates were served with a flourish, wine glasses quietly topped up, and nothing was ever too much trouble.

If you like good food without the fuss of overly formal dining, Borealis is a very pleasant surprise.

Service: Attentive Without Being Overbearing

The crew were a real highlight. Around the ship, staff quickly recognised us, remembered our drinks, and always had a smile and a few friendly words. In the restaurants and bars, service was prompt and professional, yet still warm and relaxed.

Cabin stewards kept our stateroom spotless, somehow managing to do their work almost invisibly. Returning to a freshly made bed, fluffed pillows and tidied bathroom each day felt like a small but very welcome luxury.

Entertainment: Varied and Good Fun

Evenings on Borealis offered plenty of choice:

• Lively production shows in the theatre.
• Live music in the bars and lounges, perfect for a pre- or post-dinner drink.
• Quizzes and more low-key activities for those who prefer a gentler night.

There was a good balance between upbeat entertainment and quieter spaces, so you could always find somewhere that suited your mood.

Cabins: Comfortable and Relaxing

Our cabin was comfortable, well laid out and a lovely place to unwind after exploring ashore. There was ample storage, a decent-sized bathroom by cruise standards, and a very comfortable bed. Thoughtful touches like good reading lights and a cosy seating area made it feel more like a small hotel room than a typical cruise cabin.

Who Is Borealis For? A Pleasant Surprise on Ages On Board

Before sailing, I had expected the overall age on board to be on the older side, given Fred. Olsen’s traditional reputation. While there were certainly plenty of mature travellers enjoying the slower pace and classic style, the guest mix was more varied and generally younger than I had anticipated.

There was a nice blend of:

• Couples of different ages
• Groups of friends
• Solo travellers

The atmosphere was relaxed and sociable rather than “stuffy”, and it never felt like we were the youngest people on the ship by decades. If you are considering Fred. Olsen but are a little unsure about the age profile, Borealis may surprise you in a positive way.

Rotterdam: Modern Waterfront, Easy Wandering

Our first call was Rotterdam, a city that feels strikingly modern, with bold architecture and wide open waterfront spaces. It is easy to explore from the port:

• We enjoyed strolling along the riverfront, admiring the unusual cube houses and contemporary skyline.
• Cafés and terraces gave us plenty of opportunity to sit with a coffee and watch everyday Dutch life go by.
• The city feels clean, friendly and very accessible, ideal for a relaxed day ashore without needing a packed schedule.

Rotterdam was a lovely contrast to the more historic feel of Amsterdam later in the cruise.

Amsterdam: Canals, Character and Anne Frank’s House

Amsterdam is always special, but arriving by ship adds an extra sense of occasion. With its picture-perfect canals, narrow houses and buzzing streets, it is a city that rewards both wandering and planning.

A real highlight of our day was visiting the Anne Frank House. Stepping inside the building where Anne and her family hid during the Second World War is a deeply moving and sobering experience. Walking through the rooms, seeing the preserved details and reading her words brings history into sharp, personal focus. It is not an easy visit emotionally, but it is an incredibly important and powerful one.

The rest of our time in Amsterdam was spent:

• Ambling along the canals and crossing the iconic bridges.
• Browsing independent shops and pausing at street-side cafés.
• Simply soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant, historic city.

If you are planning to follow a similar itinerary, I would strongly recommend pre-booking the Anne Frank House, as availability is limited and demand is high.

Final Thoughts

Our short sailing on Borealis was a wonderfully relaxed escape, combining the ease of sailing from Southampton with the charm of two very different Dutch cities.

What stood out most was:

• The quality of the food on board.
• The attentive, genuinely caring service from the crew.
• Comfortable cabins that made sea days and post-port evenings a pleasure.
• A guest mix that felt more varied and youthful than we had expected, making for a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

If you are looking for a no-fly European cruise with character, good food and a welcoming feel, this style of Fred. Olsen sailing is well worth considering.