Bolette
Sails from Liverpool, England · Fly into MAN
Page updated
Bolette underway in Tallinn Bay, May 2023 · Photo: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Bolette
Bolette is a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines cruise ship of the Rotterdam class, in service since 2000. She measures 62,735 gross tons and carries 1,273 guests with a crew of 650. She sails Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords itineraries. We rate her 3.2 out of 5.
Bolette is the flagship of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, built by Fincantieri in Italy and launched in 2000 as Holland America Line's Amsterdam, the last of the Rotterdam class. Fred. Olsen bought her in July 2020 along with her sister Rotterdam, now Borealis, and she made her first cruises for the line in 2021. At 62,735 gross tons she carries 1,273 guests at standard occupancy in 690 cabins with a crew of about 650, with a two-tier main restaurant, the Colours & Tastes specialty restaurant, ten bars and lounges, the Observatory lounge and a pool with a retractable roof.
She is Fred. Olsen's Liverpool ship. Her 2026 program sails almost entirely from there: winter sun to Spain, Portugal and Morocco and a Caribbean round trip early in the year, Scottish islands and Norwegian fjords in spring, river cities of France, Spain and Portugal and an Iceland solar-eclipse cruise in summer, and a 16-night Spain and Morocco voyage in November that joins the three-ship Fleet Fiesta in Las Palmas on December 1, 2026. Like her fleetmates she sails under Fred. Olsen's inclusive Freedom Fare, with drinks at lunch and dinner, gratuities and port fees in the price.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 1,273
- Crew 650 · 1:2.0
- Entered service
- 2000
- Joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines January 2021
- Length
- 238 m
- Longer than 62% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 14
Bolette is bigger than 50% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 66%. At 49.3 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 79% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 2/5−0.3, fleet average 2.3
- Dining
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Entertainment
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Service
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Pools & decks
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Value
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet average across 3 rated ships in service.
Sister ships: Rotterdam class
Bolette is one of 2 Rotterdam class ships. Borealis (1997) is in service.
| Ship | Year | Gross tons | Guests | Space | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolette this ship | 2021 | 3.2/5 | |||
| Borealis | 2021 | 3.2/5 |
Official deck plans
Photos
Bolette underway in Tallinn Bay, May 2023Photo: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- Canary Islandswinter sun off North Africa, often with Madeira and Morocco
- MediterraneanWestern Med, Greek Isles and Adriatic, mostly April to November
- CaribbeanEastern, Western and Southern Caribbean islands, sailing year-round from Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico
- Northern Europethe Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, May to September
- Norwegian Fjordsfjords and the North Cape, with midnight sun in summer
Home port: Liverpool, England.
Flying in for your cruise?
Bolette sails from Liverpool, England. The airport is Manchester Airport (MAN), with 7 lounges to wait in before you board.
- The Executive by Escape LoungesMAN Terminal 24.5 ★
- Aspire Lounge (D Gates)MAN Terminal 24.1 ★
- Emirates LoungeMAN Terminal 24.1 ★
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Bolette?
Bolette is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and belongs to its Rotterdam class.
What are Bolette's sister ships?
Bolette is one of 2 Rotterdam class ships. Borealis (1997) is in service.
How big is Bolette?
Bolette measures 62,735 gross tons and 238 metres in length, with 14 decks.
How does Bolette compare in size with other cruise ships?
Bolette is bigger than 50% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruise Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 66%. At 49.3 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 79% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Bolette feel?
Bolette has a passenger space ratio of 49.3: 62,735 gross tons for 1,273 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Bolette feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Bolette carry?
Bolette carries 1,273 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 650 (about 2.0 guests per crew member).
When did Bolette enter service?
Bolette entered service in 2000.
Where does Bolette sail?
Bolette sails Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe and Norwegian Fjords itineraries. Her home port is Liverpool, England.
Which airport should I fly into for Bolette?
Bolette sails from Liverpool, England. Fly into Manchester Airport (MAN), which has 7 airport lounges listed on Lounge Frog.
Where can I find the deck plans for Bolette?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines publishes the deck plans for Bolette; this page links to Deck plans.
How is Bolette rated?
Cruise Frog rates Bolette 3.2 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (4/5) and lowest on cabins (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Bolette
- Solo cruising with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: single cabins, hosted meetups and small ships
Fred. Olsen has single cabins on every ship, hosted solo meetups and dinners, and a reputation for the friendliest fleet afloat. Here is the solo picture.
Cruise lines
- Three Ships, One Harbor: Fred. Olsen's Fleet Fiesta Returns to the Canaries This December
Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral meet in Las Palmas on December 1, 2026, for a day of celebrations and a fireworks sailaway. Three cruises are built around it.
Itineraries
- Fred. Olsen Listened to Its Guests, Bundled the Extras, and Posted Its Best Satisfaction Scores Ever
Drinks with meals, tips and port fees went into the fare in January 2026. By August all three ships had record guest scores and 2027 bookings were up 40%.
Cruise lines
- Jungle to Ice: Fred. Olsen's 87-Night Amazon and Antarctica Voyage Broke the Company's Sales Record in a Day
Borealis sails from Southampton on January 5, 2028, up the Amazon to Manaus and on to Antarctic waters, with no flights. Bookings set a company record on day one.
Itineraries