Pictured left to right outside the new store are: Paul Hardwick, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Director of Retail; Emma Bailey, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Tutti Taylor, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Councillor Candy Vaughan, Mayor of Eastbourne; Trevor Ridler, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Business Development Manager; and Shirley Waters, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents..
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have a long history with the port of Dover, starting nearly 30 years ago with the arrival of the Black Prince. Since then, six members of the Fred. Olsen fleet have docked at Dover, with Borealis becoming the seventh, when she sailed in for the first time in July this year. Borealis was greeted by a water cannon fanfare as she sailed past the stunning White Cliffs on her first visit, and although Louise, Assistant Manager from our Ipswich Branch did not get quite this level of fanfare on her arrival, she did feel the genuine warmth of a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcome when she stepped on board Borealis for the day earlier this month.
“After a very efficient check in process, my first impressions were that Borealis is very comfortable and relaxing. I loved the different artwork as you walk through the ship,” says Louise. “There are so many lovely areas to sit and relax, including lots of sunbeds by the pools.” Borealis was redecorated and refurbished when she joined the Fred. Olsen fleet in 2020, and features a wonderful series of lounges, bars, elegant restaurants and deck spaces, “I really loved the botanical room, where you can sit a read a book in peace,” says Louise “or the Observatory and Oriental Tea Room for a spot of downtime.”
Louise had the opportunity to view the cabins so that she can make the best recommendations for her customers’ preferences, “I saw all cabin grades. I was impressed with the big picture window in the ocean view cabins, but my favourite was the Balcony Junior Suite, which had a nice sitting area as well as a good-sized balcony.” With 702 beautiful cabins and suites, Borealis has a maximum capacity of around 1300 passengers, delivering a more intimate cruising experience. Louise elaborates, “What makes this ship different is its size. Being smaller than most cruise lines they can visit different, less busy ports of call.”
Louise was impressed with the onboard Spa facilities, “There is a wonderful Thermal Suite that you can private hire for an hour.” The Thermal Suite is a relaxation centre with the ambience of a Turkish bath, with heated ceramic beds to melt away tension and a mineral bath to relieve tired muscles. Her tour of the ship’s facilities also included the elegant, two-tiered Neptune Lounge where guests enjoy their evening entertainment, guest speakers and a programme of Signature Experiences. Here she particularly enjoyed the “lovely comfortable spacious seats!”
Lunch was served in Aurora & Borealis restaurant, the main dining room onboard. Here the menu always includes Treats of the Region dishes, designed in line with the destinations on each cruise. In addition to this, guests can visit The View buffet restaurant for more casual dining, or pre-book the two speciality restaurants Colours & Tastes and Vasco for a small additional cost. Colours and Tastes offers modern Asian Fusion cuisine, featuring dishes from Japan, Thailand, China and the Phillipines, whilst Vasco serves a fresh take on Indian food, based on the unique culinary traditions of Goa where the flavours of Europe first met the spices of western India.
“The staff were very friendly, always willing to help with a smile on their face,” says Louise, “There is a really relaxed, comfortable, friendly feel on the ship. I would highly recommend a stay on Borealis. Being a smaller cruise ship, she can visit unique ports and has some really lovely itineraries. The relaxed, comfortable feel gets you in the chilled holiday mood as soon as you board the ship.”
Borealis will be back to Dover in summer 2025, as Samantha Stimpson, CEO of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, confirms “We look forward to many more years of delivering exceptional cruise experiences for guests embarking in Dover. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ cruising programme from Dover has been carefully curated to ensure guests are visiting destinations at the very best time of year with opportunities to explore the volcanic Azores, see puffins before they migrate from Iceland and enjoy the Norwegian Fjords in summertime”
To find out more about Borealis’ 2025 Dover departures or Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines’ full schedule of sailings, please get in touch with your local branch
You can find Louise at our Ipswich Branch
