This Easter my husband and I set sail from Liverpool on a seven night “Islands & Coastlines of Scotland” cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, travelling on board Bolette. It was a wonderful chance to experience the beauty of our own shores, with dramatic scenery, charming ports and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that Fred. Olsen is known for.

I wanted to share a little of my experience with you, as this is exactly the type of holiday I can arrange and personalise if you are considering a no-fly cruise from the UK.

Life on board Bolette

Bolette is a smaller ship by modern standards, which for me is one of her greatest strengths. She carries a maximum of 1,338 guests, with 642 crew looking after 690 cabins. There is a good choice of accommodation: inside cabins, ocean view cabins, balcony cabins and suites, so there is something for a range of budgets and preferences. We had an Ocean View double cabin with shower on this sailing which was a good size, had lots of storage and very comfortable. Our lovely cabin steward looked after us very well. Especially love the evening turn down with a chocolate left on my pillow and  copy of the Daily Times to read so that you know what is happening the following day on and off the ship.

Because she is a smaller ship, Bolette feels friendly and easy to get around, and she can sail closer to the coastlines and into smaller ports. This really added to the experience, especially in Scotland where the scenery is such a key part of the journey.

Food & drink

You are genuinely never far from something to eat on board. Throughout the day there are multiple options:

• Buffet restaurant: Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, plus a late evening supper club. Ideal if you like flexibility and a more casual style.
• Main dining room: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with full waiter service and a more traditional cruise dining feel.
• Poolside Café : A lovely area on the Lido Deck which is open 10-5 for a smaller menu and lighter options.

There is also complimentary room service, which is a great touch if you fancy a quiet breakfast, a snack or late night pizza  in your cabin, and a selection of speciality experiences that are optional and chargeable, such as:

• Martini tasting
• Wine tasting
• Speciality afternoon tea
• A speciality restaurant, Colours & Tastes, which alternates menus between The Grill and Italian themes

We chose to dine at Colours & Tastes on the Italian night and the food was excellent, with beautifully presented dishes and attentive service. It felt like a real “date night” experience on board.

Drinks packages

On this cruise we opted for the Premium Drinks Package, which represented very good value for us. It included quality wines, a range of spirits, cocktails, soft drinks & water  - a good choice of drinks throughout the day, so we did not have to worry about a bill building up. I can recommend the French Rose and the Amaretto Sour!

On Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fares, gratuities and drinks with meals are now included as standard, with house beers, house wines and draught soft drinks provided with your lunch and dinner. It makes budgeting much simpler and means fewer surprises at the end of the cruise.

Scenic sailing: why a smaller ship really shines

One of the highlights of this itinerary was just how much we could enjoy from the ship itself as we sailed. I was really surprised at how much we saw from onboard. Because Bolette is a smaller vessel, she is able to navigate closer to shore and into narrower channels, so the scenic cruising days were particularly good.

During our voyage we sailed:

• Past Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa
• By Dutchman’s Cap Island ‘Bac Mor’
• Along the Small Isles
• Past the coastline of Mull, including views of Duart Castle
• Past Ailsa Craig and its rugged shores

Standing on deck, wrapped up in a cosy coat with a hot drink in hand, watching cliffs, castles and islands glide by was a real “pinch me” experience. The landscapes of Scotland are stunning in any weather, and seeing them from the water gives a completely different perspective.

Ports of call: Belfast, Stornoway & Kirkwall

As well as scenic sailing, we enjoyed some fascinating ports of call and made use of the free shuttles in port.

Belfast

Belfast is a vibrant city with a rich and sometimes complex history. From here you might choose to:

• Visit the Titanic Belfast experience
• Take a guided city tour to learn more about Belfast’s past and present
• Explore the City Hall, shops, cafes and bars around the city centre

It makes a great introduction to the cruise and sets the tone for a holiday that mixes culture, history and coastline.

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis feels wonderfully remote and atmospheric. Typical options here include:

• Visiting Lews Castle
• Exploring the wild, windswept beaches
• Taking excursions to see ancient sites such as standing stones and traditional crofting landscapes

The scenery feels very “edge of the world”, and arriving by sea really underlines how special these islands are.

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands was another favourite stop. The town itself is charming, with:

• The impressive St Magnus Cathedral
• Narrow streets with independent shops and local crafts
• Easy access to some of Orkney’s famous archaeological sites on organised excursions

If you are interested in history, archaeology or simply beautiful coastal views, Orkney is a wonderful place to explore.

Service & atmosphere

One thing that really stands out with Fred. Olsen is the service. The crew were consistently friendly, attentive and genuinely seemed to care that guests were enjoying themselves. There is a relaxed, traditional atmosphere on board, without feeling stuffy.

Because of the ship’s size, it is easy to get to know fellow guests and see familiar faces around the lounges and bars. It feels sociable rather than overwhelming, and there is a nice balance between daytime activities, scenic viewing, talks, and evening entertainment.

Future sailings & destinations with Fred. Olsen

At the moment, Bolette is sailing from Liverpool, which is ideal if you are based in the North West  but also very easy to reach by road or train. We drove to Liverpool and parked our car for the duration, which was very easy and straight forward. Looking ahead, she will be based in Newcastle between February and September 2027, offering a variety of itineraries and durations from the North East as well.

Fred. Olsen has three ships in the fleet:

• Bolette
• Balmoral
• Borealis

I have been fortunate enough to sail on all three, and each offers a slightly different feel but with the same friendly service and classic style.

They offer a wide range of itineraries, including:

• British Isles and Scottish islands
• Norwegian fjords and Northern Lights voyages
• European cities and coastal cruises
• Mediterranean and Greek Islands
• Caribbean and transatlantic sailings
• Iceland, Greenland and other adventurous northern routes
• Grand Voyages and World Cruises for those looking for something really special

There is a strong sense of “a lot included” on board, with good food, attentive crew and a comfortable, traditional style of cruising.

Is a Fred. Olsen cruise right for you?

From my experience, a Fred. Olsen cruise is ideal if you:

• Prefer smaller, friendlier ships rather than very large resort-style vessels
• Like the idea of sailing from the UK? There are options from Newcastle, Liverpool, Southampton and Rosyth. There are also fly cruise options available.
• Enjoy scenic cruising and destination-focused itineraries, especially around the British Isles, Norway and Northern Europe
• Appreciate good quality food and service, with options to upgrade to speciality dining and drinks packages if you wish
• Want a more relaxed, traditional cruise atmosphere, with a strong sense of personal service
• Looking for a something special ! A Grand Voyage – ‘Exploration of the Mediterranean onboard Balmoral, from Southampton Sept 2026 for 71 nights’ or a World Journey  ‘World Cruise with Japan & Hawaii onboard Borealis, from Southampton Jan 2027 for 98 nights’.

If you are curious about exploring the Scottish islands, the Norwegian fjords or even something more adventurous like Iceland or Greenland, a Fred. Olsen cruise can be a very comfortable and enjoyable way to do it.

Ready to plan your own cruise?

If this has inspired you to consider a cruise, I would be delighted to help you find the right itinerary, ship and cabin to suit you. Whether you are thinking about a short break around the British Isles, a Northern Lights adventure or a longer voyage further afield, I can talk you through the options and tailor everything around your needs.

Contact me to start planning your next cruise holiday and let’s create a voyage you will love from the moment you step on board.