Emma Explores Fred. Olsen’s Borealis
Lovely shot of Borealis. Thanks for the use of his photo to Ken Goes Cruising
Come on everyone! No time for a little nap!!
Emma visits Borealis Cruise Addicted Ship Visit
AD//INVITE
Earlier this month I joined a CLIA Choose Cruise ship visit aboard Fred. Olsen’s Borealis with other group members, eager to discover more about this classic cruise line. Having never been onboard before, I was excited to see what makes this ship so well loved.
On arrival at the terminal, we were greeted by Aaron from the Future Cruises Team, who guided us onto the ship and up to The Observatory, a light-filled lounge at the bow, for a warm welcome and refreshments. I could instantly imagine spending plenty of time here during a voyage.
Because the disembarking passengers had already left, we were treated to a whistle-stop tour of a virtually empty ship—a rare privilege. We explored the spa, thermal suite and fitness centre. I loved the sea-view hotbeds in the tiled thermal suite and was pleased to find that while some fitness classes carry a charge, several are complimentary.
Built in 1997 for Holland America by Fincantieri, Borealis carries her age with grace. She’s elegant, well-kept and filled with character
Cabins & Suites
We visited a range of staterooms and suites, filming for our YouTube channel as I went. The cabins were impressively spacious, with generous bathrooms—a real advantage of older ships.
The Olsen Suite stood out, with a comfortable seating area, large balcony, a stunning mirrored dressing table, jacuzzi bath, and even a butler’s pantry complete with Smeg fridge - maybe a little dated but super comfortable!
Spaces to Relax & Explore
All around Borealis are cosy nooks to read, relax, and watch the world go by, alongside sociable areas for quizzes and gatherings. The Oriental Tea Room was a highlight for me, where I sampled a Fruit Matcha Punch, while the presence of a florist’s shop onboard felt like a nostalgic nod to classic cruising.
Out on deck, I was delighted to find a wrap-around promenade—a true favourite of mine. I was impressed with the sports area up on Deck 9 and the pool with a retractable roof, perfect for all-weather cruising. I could definitely see myself eating at the Pool Grill or sipping a cocktail in a jacuzzi
Dining & Lunch
We toured took a whistle stop look at the specialty restaurants and a tour of The View, the ship’s buffet venue. Unusually, the tables are laid and service is at your table, with food cooked fresh to order—no juggling trays or losing your seat while fetching cutlery!
Our lunch was served in the two tier main dining room, where the Borealis section welcomed us with an elegant three-course meal. As we finished, we had just enough time to capture a little more footage before new passengers embarked for their sailing to the Azores—I must admit, I was a little envious!
Final Thoughts
Ship visits like this are always a whirlwind but incredibly valuable. My heartfelt thanks go to Fred. Olsen Cruises for hosting us, to David CLIA Choose Cruise for arranging it, and above all, to the crew of Borealis for their warmth and hospitality.
A special mention must go to Aaron, our guide for the day. From welcome coffee to final farewell, he was charming, knowledgeable and a true credit to the company.
Borealis left a lasting impression on me: an elegant, welcoming ship with plenty of character, perfect for travellers who enjoy a more traditional and relaxed style of cruising.
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