Fred Olsen Bolette
Former name: MS Amsterdam V (Holland America)
Cruise line
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred Olsen Bolette current position
Fred Olsen Bolette current location is at Adriatic Sea (coordinates 45.42281 N / 12.25746 E) cruising en route to Venice. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.
All Itineraries Current PositionCurrent itinerary of Fred Olsen Bolette
Fred Olsen Bolette current cruise is 22 days, one-way from Southampton to Gibraltar. The itinerary starts on 18 Sep, 2023 and ends on 10 Oct, 2023.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
18 Sep | Departing from Southampton, England hotels |
22 Sep | Malaga, Spain Granada |
25 Sep | Catania, Sicily Italy |
27 Sep | Dubrovnik, Croatia, Port Gruz |
28 Sep | Split, Croatia |
29 Sep | Zadar, Croatia |
30 Sep | Rijeka, Croatia |
01 Oct | Venice, Marghera, Italy |
03 Oct | Koper, Slovenia |
04 Oct | Neum, Bosnia-Herzegovina |
05 Oct | Kotor, Montenegro |
06 Oct | Sarande, Albania |
10 Oct | Arriving in Gibraltar, UK hotels |
Specifications of Fred Olsen Bolette
Year of build | 2000 / Age: 23 |
Flag state | Bahamas |
Builder | Fincantieri (Marghera, Italy) |
Class | Rotterdam |
Building cost | USD 400 million |
Engines (power) | Wartsila-Sulzer (57.7 MW / 77377 hp) |
Speed | 25 kn / 46 km/h / 29 mph |
Length (LOA) | 238 m / 781 ft |
Beam (width) | 32 m / 105 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 62735 gt |
Passengers | 1338 - 1656 |
Crew | 615 |
Passengers-to-space ratio | 38 |
Decks | 10 |
Cabins | 690 |
Decks with cabins | 5 |
Last Refurbishment | 2023 |
Sister-ships | MS Rotterdam (identical), MS Zaandam, MS Volendam |
Former names | MS Amsterdam V (Holland America) |
Christened by | Janet Olczak-Lanterman |
Owner | Bolette Cruise Ltd |
Operator | Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd |
Fred Olsen Bolette Itineraries
Date | Itinerary | Departure Port | Price from |
---|---|---|---|
2023 Sep 18 | 22 days, one-way from Southampton to Gibraltar | Southampton | |
2023 Sep 18 | 26 days, round-trip SCENIC EXPLORATION OF THE ADRIATIC DALMATIAN COAST | Southampton | $4725 |
2023 Sep 27 | 17 days, one-way from Dubrovnik to Southampton | Dubrovnik | |
2023 Oct 14 | 15 days, round-trip Volcanic Islands of the Canaries, Azores Madeira | Southampton | $1864 |
2023 Oct 29 | 15 days, round-trip Spain Portugal with the Fleet in Funchal | Southampton | $1615 |
2023 Nov 13 | 6 days, round-trip Discover Northern Spain | Southampton | $1180 |
2023 Nov 19 | 33 days, one-way from Southampton to Mahe Island Seychelles | Southampton | $4477 |
2023 Nov 19 | 69 days, one-way from Southampton to Cape Town | Southampton | $9950 |
2023 Nov 19 | 93 days, round-trip The Intrepid Beauty of Africa the Indian Ocean | Southampton | $11816 |
2023 Dec 21 | 61 days, one-way from Mahe Island Seychelles to Southampton | Mahe Island Seychelles | $9701 |
2023 Dec 22 | 36 days, one-way from Mahe Island Seychelles to Cape Town | Mahe Island Seychelles | $7213 |
2024 Jan 27 | 24 days, one-way from Cape Town to Southampton | Cape Town | $4228 |
2024 Feb 20 | 5 days, round-trip Dutch Waterways in Five | Southampton | $745 |
2024 Feb 25 | 32 days, round-trip Discovering the Ancient Empires of the Eastern Mediterranean | Southampton | $5347 |
2024 Mar 28 | 7 days, round-trip Easter Escape to Germany the Lowlands | Southampton | $1056 |
2024 Apr 04 | 13 days, round-trip Islands of the Azores, Crossing the Path of the Solar Eclipse | Southampton | $2486 |
2024 Apr 17 | 2 days, one-way from Southampton to Liverpool | Southampton | $434 |
2024 Apr 19 | 14 days, round-trip Natural Wonders Wildlife of the Azores Madeira | Liverpool | $2362 |
2024 May 03 | 5 days, round-trip Scenic Isles of Scotland in Five | Liverpool | $931 |
2024 May 08 | 17 days, round-trip Colourful Cosmopolitan Mediterranean with the Amalfi Coast | Liverpool | $3357 |
2024 May 25 | 5 days, round-trip Scenic Scottish Isles in Five | Liverpool | $931 |
2024 May 30 | 9 days, round-trip Springtime Norwegian Fjords | Liverpool | $1491 |
2024 Jun 08 | 7 days, round-trip Discovering Northern Spain | Liverpool | $1242 |
2024 Jun 15 | 12 days, round-trip Whales Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland | Liverpool | $2362 |
2024 Jun 27 | 9 days, round-trip Norwegian Fjords Falls | Liverpool | $1615 |
2024 Jul 06 | 13 days, round-trip Volcanic Islands Hidden Gems of Portugal | Liverpool | $2362 |
2024 Jul 19 | 27 days, round-trip Discovering the Arctics Wildlife Remote Landscapes | Liverpool | $4725 |
2024 Aug 15 | 9 days, round-trip Summertime Norwegian Fjords | Liverpool | $1678 |
2024 Aug 24 | 8 days, round-trip Exploring Irelands Coastal Scenery | Liverpool | $1615 |
2024 Sep 01 | 11 days, round-trip Spain, Portugal the Spectacular Bird Migration | Liverpool | $1989 |
2024 Sep 12 | 9 days, round-trip Whales, Waterfalls Geysers of Iceland | Liverpool | $1740 |
2024 Sep 21 | 9 days, round-trip Scenic Autumnal Norwegian Fjords | Liverpool | $1615 |
2024 Sep 30 | 20 days, round-trip Exploring the Colourful Adriatic | Liverpool | $3730 |
2024 Oct 20 | 7 days, round-trip Discovering Northern Spain | Liverpool | $1242 |
2024 Oct 27 | 14 days, round-trip Natural Wonders Wildlife of the Azores Madeira | Liverpool | $2362 |
2024 Nov 10 | 14 days, round-trip Winter Warmth in the Canaries | Liverpool | $2237 |
2024 Nov 24 | 18 days, round-trip Winter Warmth in the Canaries Cape Verde | Liverpool | $2859 |
2024 Dec 12 | 9 days, round-trip Festive Spanish Break | Liverpool | $1491 |
2024 Dec 21 | 14 days, round-trip Canary Islands Christmas Lisbon New Year | Liverpool | $3233 |
2025 Jan 04 | 1 day, one-way from Liverpool to Southampton | Liverpool | $434 |
2025 Jan 04 | 110 days, round-trip A Voyage of Exploration Around the World - Liverpool | Liverpool | $18533 |
2025 Jan 06 | 106 days, round-trip A Voyage of Exploration Around the World | Southampton | $14304 |
2025 Apr 22 | 2 days, one-way from Southampton to Liverpool | Southampton | $434 |
2025 Apr 24 | 8 days, round-trip Springtime Norwegian Fjords the Faroes | Liverpool | $1491 |
2025 May 02 | 5 days, round-trip Scenic Scottish Isles in Five | Liverpool | $993 |
2025 May 07 | 17 days, round-trip Colourful Cosmopolitan Mediterranean with the Amalfi Coast | Liverpool | $3481 |
2025 May 24 | 5 days, round-trip Scenic Scottish Isles in Five | Liverpool | $993 |
Fred Olsen Bolette Review
Review of Fred Olsen Bolette
The 2000-built (as "MS Amsterdam") cruise ship MS Bolette is the latest addition to the Fred Olsen Cruise Line's fleet - together with MS Borealis (fka MS Rotterdam). MS Amsterdam was the 4th (and last) R-class ship of Holland America Line, with sisterships ms Rotterdam (Borealis), and also ms Zaandam and ms Volendam.
The vessel (IMO number 9188037) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000986) and registered in Nassau.
In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via HAL-Holland America Line) sold 4 liners. MS Amsterdam (Bolette) and MS Rotterdam (Borealis) were sold to Fred Olsen. MS Maasdam (now CFC Renaissance) and MS Veendam (now Aegean Majesty) were sold to Seajets Ferries Greece. All scheduled for the 4 ships voyages were canceled or assumed by other HAL ships.
- A total of 24x Holland America Amsterdam ship cruises were canceled (December 21, 2020, through October 9, 2021), including 14-day "Southern Caribbean Holiday " (Dec 21, 2020 - Jan 4, 2021), 129-day "Grand World Voyage 2021" (Jan 4 - May 13, 2021), 9-day repositioning (Fort Lauderdale to Montreal, May 13-22, 2021), 7-day Canada and New England cruises (between Montreal and Boston) and a 13-day repositioning (Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Oct 9-22, 2021).
- MS Amsterdam's "Grand World Voyage 2021" was rescheduled for 2022 and assumed by MS Zaandam.
- On July 26, following the Suez Canal transition, Rotterdam and Amsterdam anchored off Port Limassol (Cyprus).
Holland America Amsterdam ship (IMO number 9188037) was Holland-flagged (MMSI number 244370000) and registered in Rotterdam Netherlands. For Fred Olsen, Bolette was reflagged to The Bahamas (MMSI 311000986) and registered in Nassau.
History - construction and ownership
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is a Norwegian-owned and UK-based cruise shipping company, part of the Fred Olsen Group (Fred Olsen & Co / shipowner, headquartered in Oslo, Norway). The company is headquartered in Ipswich (Suffolk England) and is owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. The company was founded in 1848 (in Hvitsten, Norway) by the three Olsen brothers (Petter, Andras, Fredrik Christian) who bought their first ships and established an international shipping company. Today Fred Olsen Group is into its 5th family generation and operates subsidiary companies specializing in cruise passenger shipping, trade, shipbuilding, aviation, offshore industries.
Fred Olsen Group wholly owns the companies Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, Fred Olsen Travel Ltd (worldwide tours and vacations via independent operators), Fred Olsen Marine Services AS (shipowner and vessel management), First Olsen Ltd (tanker ships), Dolphin Drilling Holdings Ltd (offshore drilling rigs), Fred Olsen Express (Canary Islands-based fast ferries / catamarans), Fred Olsen Freight Ltd (cargo shipping and air freight), Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS (transport and installation of offshore wind turbines), Fred Olsen Production AS (offshore petroleum production), Fred Olsen Renewables AS, SeaRoc Group Ltd (offshore and marine consultancy and contracting services), ZephIR Lidar UK (wind measurement devices), Ganger Rolf ASA (energy and shipping). Also part of Fred Olsen Group, the company Bonheur ASA manages several fully-owned companies, among which are NHST Media Group AS (newspapers and online media) and the real estate companies Stavenes Byggeselskap, Koksa Eiendom, Fred Olsens gate 2. Part of Fred Olsen Group is also Timex Group BV - parent of several watchmaking companies, including the subsidiaries in the USA, India and Philippines).
The 1400-passenger ship MS Bolette/Amsterdam has a certain regal note, together with newer conveniences. Holland America travellers still have the opportunity for set-seating dining, though open-seating is also accessible. The cruise liner supports the tradition to serve mugs of warm Dutch pea soup on deck to bundled-up, glacier-gazing cruisers. And the decor in lots of the public areas is anything but understated. An ornate clock in the 3-level atrium is as really a towering piece of art as it is a way to get the running time all over the world - one of the first amenities cruisers see on the vessel and a reminder that Holland America has not forgotten its roots. Size-wise, Amsterdam is solidly in the middle of the Holland America fleet, smaller than the line's Vista and Signature classes and carrying 700 passengers fewer than Eurodam, which is the largest in the lineup. Even on a full voyage, the cruise liner rarely feels crowded, except for the lunch rush at the casual Lido Restaurant on sea days and the irregular, fast-moving line in the La Fontaine basic dining room. The Sea View swimming pool, aft of the Lido Deck, is a quiet retreat that feels like a private oasis.
Decks and Cabins
Fred Olsen Bolette staterooms (a total of 691) include 173 Balcony Suites (no Standard Balcony cabins), 385 Oceanviews and 133 Inside cabins in all 26 grades. Most staterooms are 140-320-ft2 oceanviews. Around 25% of the passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies. The liner has 20x wheelchair-accessible cabins, 104x connecting cabins and 52x single cabins (for solo travellers / staterooms at no single supplement ranging from Inside to Suite). The largest are the Pinnacle Suites/Owners Suites (940 ft2 / 87 m2 plus 190 ft2 / 18 m2 terrace).
The boat has 10 passenger-accessible decks, of which 5 are with cabins.
Exclusive amenities provided complimentary to all Suite passengers include:
- priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
- 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
- exclusive dining venue (serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes)
- dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
- room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
- sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing).
- Club Orange Restaurant is part of the Main Dining Room (designed as separate VIP dining section).
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
La Fontaine is the ship's 2-level main restaurant venue, which serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, as well as a blend of flexible and set-seating restaurant-style meals at dinner. Breakfast hours in the MDR vary but start as early as 7 AM (on port days) and 8 AM (on sea days), wrapping up by 9:30 AM. Breakfast fare includes bread, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes and yogurt parfaits. Portions are on the smaller side, so better opt for a second pastry. Lunch in the MDR is typically limited to an hour per day (from noon to 1:00 p.m. on sea days; closed when the ship is in port for an entire day). If you see a line of guests waiting to be seated, do not be deterred as the line moves fast and the tables are plenty. Lunch fare includes sandwiches, soups, light salads, fish and heartier entrees.
Follows the complete list of ms Amsterdam restaurants and food bars.
- Pinnacle Grill (86-seat reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into "An Evening at le Cirque" once per cruise via a partnership with "NYC Le Cirque" French restaurant.
- La Fontaine Restaurant (835-seat, aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options - 2 fixed seatings or "Any Time" dining between 5:15-9 pm.
- King's Room / Queen's Room (La Fontaine restaurant annex, reservations-only; for private dining)
- Terrace Grill (fast food pool bar; complimentary)
- Lido Restaurant (386-seat complimentary buffet restaurant; offers self-service Breakfast 6 am -11 am, Lunch 11:30 am - 2 pm, Afternoon Tea, Dinner 5:30-8 pm)
- Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annex; operates as an Italian restaurant for Dinner, reservations required).
- Vasco Restaurant (Indian food)
- Colours & Tastes Restaurant (Asian-Fusion cuisine)
- Oriental Tea Room
- Morning Light Pub
- The Bookmark Cafe (with dance floor and stage for live entertainment)
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
Activities on ms Amsterdam kick off right after breakfast and go on through the evening hours. There are shows in Queen's Lounge twice per night, ranging from Vegas-style reviews to sets by magicians and comedians. The 2-level Queen's Lounge is quite opulent with its Bob Mackie gowns and a stage framed by a duo of large female statues. The bars onboard feature entertainment at different hours and guests might catch classical music in Explorer's Lounge and singing in Rembrandt's. Both the Ocean Bar and Explorer's are great for pre- or post-dinner cocktails. There is also a wine-tasting bar situated across from Culinary Arts Center (with very limited hours, usually open just an hour during port days and three hours while at sea). The Sports Bar is adjacent to the Casino and is lightly visited. Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry/Self-Serve Laundromats.
Follows the complete list of MS Amsterdam lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.
- Atrium (3-deck high midship open-floor area with live performances)
- Promenade Deck, Walking Track (jogging is not permitted)
- Queen's Lounge (568-seat theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America Line's enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
- Queen's Room (La Fontaine annex used as a meeting room; hosts digital workshops via Microsoft partnership, computer classes, social networks, blogging, photo editing)
- Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
- Wine Tasting Bar, Gourmet Shops (bottles available for purchasing, wine sampling)
- Wajang Theatre & Culinary Arts Centre (124-seat cinema, offers culinary classes and cooking shows presented in demonstration kitchens)
- Atrium Terrace with boutiques; Atrium Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop
- Ocean Bar (115-seat Atrium bar and lounge, with dance floor and stage for live performances)
- Monte Carlo Casino (served by Casino Bar and Sports Bar)
- Amstel Cafe (with dance floor and stage for live entertainment)
- Rembrandt Lounge (75-seat piano bar)
- Hudson Room (50-seat meeting room; used as Cards Room)
- Explorations Cafe (65-seat specialty coffee bar and patisserie; also serves as the ship's Library and Online Centre/Internet computers room)
- Explorer's Lounge & Bar (89-seat lounge with bar; classical concert performances)
- Neptune Lounge (17-seat club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
- Fitness Center (gym with separate Aerobics Room); 2 jacuzzis
- Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido Pool area, served by Lido Bar and Terrace Grill; Sea View Pool area served by Sea View Bar
- Crow's Nest (218-seat observation lounge; bar and dance floor; becomes disco at night)
- Tennis Court; Basketball Court; Shuffleboard
- Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
- The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco)
- The Oasis (40-seat teen-only sundeck/outdoor area).
Itineraries
Holland America MS Amsterdam itinerary program was based on Alaskan cruises leaving one-way from homeports Vancouver BC Canada and Anchorage AK/Seward AK USA during the summer months. The ship also operated World Voyages out of Fort Lauderdale Florida USA.
Fred Olsen Bolette ship's inaugural cruise program consisted mainly of voyages previously scheduled for Boudicca, plus new itineraries. The UK-based vessel is predominantly homeported in Dover England. MS Bolette"s Maiden Voyage was originally planned as a 7-night "Scotland and Northern Ireland Cruise" (roundtrip from Southampton England) leaving on March 5, 2021. It was to be followed by two ex-UK voyages before visiting Portugal's Azores and Madeira islands over Easter break. Program's highlights included:
- (maiden voyage/CANCELLED) 7-night "Scenic Scotland with Belfast" was planned as a roundtrip from Southampton (March 5, 2021) with prices from GBP 700 pp (with double occupancy) and call ports Belfast, scenic cruising by Fingals Cave and Dutchman"s Cap, Lerwick, Kirkwall.
- (maiden voyage/CANCELLED) 5-night "Waterways of Belgium and France" roundtrip from Dover (May 29 - June 3, 2021) with call ports Antwerp Belgium, Honfleur France, Saint-Malo France. Prices started from GBP 750 pp.
- August 16, 2021 (inaugural/first cruise for Fred Olsen) 3-night "Bolette's Maiden Voyage" (cruise to nowhere from Dover/booking code T215), with prices from GBP 485 pp. The itinerary (without stopping at any ports) featured scenic coastal cruising, including passing through Isles of Scilly (Cornwall England), Channel Islands (coastal navigation).
MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021 (5-days "Netherlands and Belgium City Break") from GBP 605 pp
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
02 Nov | Departing from Southampton |
04 Nov | Amsterdam, Holland |
05 Nov | Antwerp, Belgium |
07 Nov | Arriving in Southampton |
Customers who booked by September 30 (2020) any Fred Olsen Bolette cruises 2021-2022 received free onboard gratuities and up to GBP 100 per person in OBC (onboard credit).
MS Bolette's 2022-2023 schedule included homeporting in the UK (Southampton, Dover, London-Tilbury, Newcastle) and roundtrips visiting port cities in Iceland, Norway (5-6-7-night Norwegian Fjords), British Isles, Mediterranean, Madeira-Azores-Canaries, city breaks (5-6-8-days long mini-cruises).
Departing in November 2023, MS Bolette's 93-night "World Voyage" (titled "The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and Indian Ocean") is roundtrip from Southampton and visits Morocco, Malta, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Madagascar, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and other countries.
Fred Olsen Bolette - user reviews and comments
Fred Olsen Bolette ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
Fred Olsen partners with Go Stargazing UK for 26 cruises in 2024
The UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has collaborated with Go Stargazing (UK-based astronomy organization) to introduce a series of voyages scheduled...
September 3, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Fred Olsen's ship Borealis celebrates 2 years of cruising
In summer 2020, the UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines acquired Borealis, along with the sistership Bolette, in order to strengthen and evolve in...
July 8, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Fred Olsen makes inaugural shore power connections in Bergen and San Francisco
The UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and its two ships - Bolette and Borealis, recently made their inaugural shore power connections during port...
May 7, 2023 - Cruise Industry
International cruise ship season kicks off at Ports of Stockholm (Sweden)
The international cruise season at Ports of Stockholm (Sweden) kicks off this weekend with the arrival of Fred Olsen's ship Bolette at Port Nynashamn...
April 15, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Fred Olsen announces themed cruises for 2024-2025
The UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines opened for booking schedule 2024-2025, featuring specially-timed voyages to coincide with natural wonders...
March 16, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Fred Olsen Cruise Line returns to Port Tyne/Newcastle (England) with flagship Bolette
The UK-based company and travel brand Fred Olsen Cruise Lines returned to Newcastle upon Tyne (England) for a spring and summer season offering...
March 11, 2023 - Cruise Industry
A&P Group completes extensive drydock refurbishment of Fred Olsen's flagship Bolette
A&P Group completed a multi-million drydocking project at Falmouth's ship-repair yard on MV Bolette - the shipyard's largest passenger ship...
March 10, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Fred Olsen unveils new 106-night Wolrd Voyage on MS Bolette ship
Departing from Southampton (England UK) on January 6th, 2025, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' flagship Bolette is due to follow a similar route to the first...
March 3, 2023 - Cruise Industry
MS Balmoral cruise ship marks the start of Fred Olsen’s 2023 grand voyages
Fred. Olsen's ship ms Balmoral is the first of the fleet’s 3 ships to set sail on a 2023 grand voyage. The vessel recently arrived in Bermuda...
January 19, 2023 - Accidents
Four Fred Olsen Bolette ship cruises cancelled due to "lack of guests"
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines announced it had canceled 4 sailings aboard Bolette because of a lack of demand for the ship’s winter voyages. The UK...
August 27, 2022 - show more news
Other Fred Olsen Cruise Lines cruise ships
Fred Olsen Bolette Wiki
MS Amsterdam (named after Amsterdam City, Holland) was Holland America Line's last R-class boat, with sisterships Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam. The Maiden Voyage was on October 30, 2000. The ship's Godmother was Janet Olczak-Lanterman - Founder of "Cruise Specialists" (brand owned by the US company Travel Leaders Group LLC).
The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6052) is powered by 5x Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 16ZAV40S/12ZAV40) with total power output 57,7 MW.
The vessel's fuel consumption is 140 tons (39,500 US gallons) per day at 24 mph / 39 kph cruising speed. The ship has a fully operational Astrolabe (inclinometer used in the past eras by astronomers and navigators) installed in the Atrium area. This elaborate device is 3-story tall - and working!
In July 2020, the vessel was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (shipowner is Fred Olsen & Co / based in Oslo, Norway), renamed "MS BOLETTE" and reflagged to Bahamas (Nassau registry). For Holland America, MS Amsterdam was Holland-flagged (MMSI number 244370000) and registered in Rotterdam.
By Holland America, the boat was last drydock refurbished in 2018. The drydock (for vessel inspections) in 2020 was at Damen Shiprepair's yard in Rotterdam (Holland).
For Fred Olsen, MS Bolette entered drydock for the first time in 2020, following the acquisition. Drydock 2023 (February 23 - March 9) was conducted by A&P Falmouth Shipyard in Falmouth England. A&P Falmouth is part of A&P Group Ltd (1954-founded, the UK's largest ship repair and conversion company). The drydocking in 2023 was for routine maintenance and included regularly scheduled classification works, as well as hotel and technical overhauls (Azipods, bow thrusters), and hull cleaning/painting.
On August 16, 2021, the ship started passenger shipping operations for Fred Olsen with the Maiden Voyage from Dover England.
A Voyage of Exploration Around the World (2025)
On March 3, 2025, Fred Olsen opened for general public booking MS Bolette's World Voyage 2025. The roundtrip from Southampton departs on January 6th (2025).
The itinerary (themed "A Voyage of Exploration Around the World") is similar to the one of the Magellan–Elcano expedition (1519-1522) which is recognized as the first world circumnavigation in written history. Fred Olsen Bolette's voyage visits destinations in South America (Argentina, Brazil), pacific Ocean (French Polynesia), Indian Ocean (Mauritius, South Africa), Australia's south coast following the route of Captain Matthew Flinders' 1801 expedition with HMS Investigator sailship), as well as routes navigated by the Scottish privateer Alexander Selkirk (1676-1721) and the British explorer James Cook (1728-79).
The voyage was offered as a 110-night roundtrip from Liverpool and a 106-night roundtrip from Southampton.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
04 Jan | Departing from Liverpool, England |
06 Jan | Southampton, England |
09 Jan | Lisbon, Portugal |
11 Jan | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands Spain |
14 Jan | Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde |
21 Jan | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
22 Jan | Ilhabela, Brazil |
25 Jan | Montevideo, Uruguay |
26 Jan | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
31 Jan | Punta Arenas, Chile Antarctica |
05 Feb | Valparaiso-Santiago, Chile |
07 Feb | Robinson Crusoe Island Chile |
12 Feb | Hanga Roa, Easter Island Chile |
19 Feb | Papeete, Tahiti Island, French Polynesia |
20 Feb | Bora Bora Island, Society Islands, French Polynesia |
22 Feb | Rarotonga Island, Avarua, Cook Islands NZ |
26 Feb | Nukualofa, Tongatapu, Tonga |
03 Mar | Sydney, NSW Australia |
06 Mar | Melbourne, Victoria Australia |
08 Mar | Hobart, Tasmania Australia |
12 Mar | Albany, Western Australia |
14 Mar | Fremantle-Perth, Western Australia |
23 Mar | Port Louis, Mauritius Island |
24 Mar | Saint-Denis, Reunion Island |
29 Mar | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
31 Mar - 02 Apr (overnight) | Cape Town, South Africa |
04 Apr | Luderitz, Namibia |
05 Apr | Walvis Bay, Namibia |
09 Apr | Jamestown, Saint Helena Island, UK |
14 Apr | Dakar, Senegal |
17 Apr | Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands Spain |
18 Apr | Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal |
21 Apr | Southampton |
24 Apr | Arriving in Liverpool |
Prices for the Southampton roundtrip (106 nights) started from GBP 11500 per person with double occupancy, inclusive of door-to-door land transfers (max 250 mi / 400 km UK Mainland distance) and up to GBP 600 pp in OBC/onboard credit.
World Cruise 2023
The scheduled for 2023 MS Bolette's 93-night "World Voyage" (titled "The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and Indian Ocean", roundtrip from Southampton) visits Morocco, Malta, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Madagascar, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and other countries.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
19 Nov | Departing from Southampton, England |
23 Nov | Tanger-Ville, Morocco |
26 Nov | Valletta, Malta |
29 Nov | Alexandria, Egypt |
30 Nov | Port Said-Cairo, Egypt |
30 Nov | Suez Canal |
02 Dec | Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt |
03 Dec | Safaga-Luxor, Egypt |
05 Dec | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
09 Dec | Salalah, Oman |
12 Dec | Mumbai, India |
13 Dec | Mormugao-Goa, India |
14 Dec | Mangalore, India |
15 Dec | Cochin, India |
16 Dec | Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives |
18 Dec | Addu Atoll, Gan Island, Maldives |
21 Dec | Mahe Island, Seychelles |
23 Dec | Praslin Island, Seychelles |
24 Dec | La Digue Island, Seychelles |
28-29 Dec (overnight) | Mombasa, Kenya |
30 Dec | Zanzibar, Tanzania |
31 Dec | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
02 Jan | Mamoudzou, Grande-Terre Island, Mayotte |
03 Jan | Nosy Be Island, Madagascar |
04 Jan | Antsiranana/Diego Suarez, Madagascar |
07 Jan | Saint-Denis, Reunion Island |
8-10 Jan (overnight) | Port Louis, Mauritius Island |
12 Jan | Toamasina/Tamatave, Madagascar |
14 Jan | Tolagnaro/Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar |
17 Jan | Maputo, Mozambique |
19 Jan | Richards Bay, South Africa |
20 Jan | Durban, South Africa |
22 Jan | East London, South Africa |
23 Jan | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
24 Jan | Mossel Bay, South Africa |
26 Jan | Cape Town, South Africa |
31 Jan | Walvis Bay, Namibia |
04 Feb | Santo Antonio, Principe Island |
06 Feb | Cotonou, Benin |
07 Feb | Lome, Togo |
08 Feb | Takoradi, Ghana |
12 Feb | Dakar, Senegal |
15 Feb | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands |
16 Feb | Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal |
20 Feb | Arriving in Southampton |
Prices started from GBP 10595 (EUR 12680 / USD 13800) per person with double occupancy.
(Holland America) MS Amsterdam refurbishment 2018 review
During drydock 2018 (April 29 - May 9, done at Freeport Bahamas) the boat received the following Suite cabin upgrades:
- furnishings (sofas, chairs, headboards), carpeting, wall coverings, privacy curtains, draperies, bed runners, bed skirts, (vanity), new make-up vanities (quartz stone tops, modern lighting), dressers, dressing tables, nightstands, LED reading lights, wardrobes (with lighted closet rod)
- cabin decors and amenities (espresso coffee machine, binoculars, free mimosas with in-cabin breakfasts)
- USB outlet (on the bed's headboard), power outlets, LED ceiling lights
- BOSE SoundDock (iPod stations) were added only in PS-Pinnacle Suites.
- interactive HDTV system (Internet capabilities, free movies on demand)
- All Suite bathrooms were also renovated.
- Standard cabin upgrades included new (wall-mounted) smart TVs in all staterooms.
- The old Crow's Nest (panoramic bar lounge located forward on Deck 9) was replaced by EXC (Explorations Central).
Amsterdam ship's 2016 refurbishment was part of Holland America Line's USD 300 million fleet renovation program (scheduled for 2016-2018) that also included updating onboard entertainment, dining and suites fleetwide.
In 2016, Holland America updated MS Amsterdam's shipboard programming (enrichment, entertainment and children) replacing the old "Dancing With the Stars" with "BBC Earth" content.
The theatre lounge started hosting daily expert lectures, presentations, a nature-themed game show with BBC Earth screenings and introductions by the crews that filmed these series. A signature concert in the evenings was based on the "Frozen Planet" program (polar regions-themed) - a spectacular multimedia show with live musicians.
The children (Club HAL) facilities featured an explorer trail, workshops (including on journalism and filming), fact shows (animals, dinosaurs).
MS Amsterdam "World Cruises" 2019-2020
In 2015, MS Amsterdam sailed on a "World Cruise" roundtrip from Florida. The Around The World Voyage visited Europe (Mediterranean) on a westbound route with Suez Canal transition.
Next table shows the ports sequence and times (arrival/departure) of MS Amsterdam's "World Cruise 2019" - 114-day itinerary "Grand World Voyage" roundtrip from Port Everglades.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
22 Jan 21:00 | Departing from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida |
25 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Santa Marta, Colombia |
26 Jan 12:00 - 18:00 | San Blas Islands, Panama |
27 Jan 05:00 | Panama Canal |
27 Jan 20:00 | Panama City |
31 Jan 03:30 - 17:00 | Salaverry-Trujillo, Peru |
01 Feb 10:00 | Callao-Lima, Peru |
04 Feb 08:00 - 18:00 | Arica, Chile |
10 Feb 08:00 - 18:00 | Easter Island, Chile |
13 Feb 08:00 - 12:00 | Pitcairn Island, UK |
16 Feb 08:00 | Papeete, Tahiti-French Polynesia |
17 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Moorea Island, French Polynesia |
18 Feb 08:00 - 23:00 | Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia |
23 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Nukualofa, Tonga |
26 Feb 07:00 - 18:00 | Auckland, New Zealand |
27 Feb 07:00 - 19:00 | Tauranga, New Zealand |
01 Mar 08:00 - 23:00 | Wellington, New Zealand |
02 Mar 07:00 - 14:00 | Picton, New Zealand |
05 Mar 07:00 | Sydney, NSW Australia |
09 Mar 08:00 - 17:00 | Townsville, Queensland Australia |
10 Mar 09:00 - 19:00 | Cairns, Queensland Australia |
14 Mar 08:00 - 18:00 | Darwin, NT Australia |
17 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Komodo Island, Indonesia |
18 Mar 08:00 - 23:00 | Benoa, Bali Indonesia |
20 Mar 07:00 - 18:00 | Semarang, Java Indonesia |
22 Mar 10:00 | Singapore |
27 Mar 06:00 - 18:00 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
29 Mar 08:00 - 18:00 | Cochin, India |
31 Mar 07:00 | Mumbai, India |
04 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Muscat, Oman |
10 Apr 08:00 | Aqaba-Petra, Jordan |
13 Apr 06:00 - 06:00 | Suez Canal |
16 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Naples, Italy |
18 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Barcelona, Spain |
20 Apr 07:00 - 17:00 | Cadiz, Spain |
21 Apr 09:00 - 18:00 | Lisbon, Portugal |
22 Apr 08:00 - 16:00 | Leixoes-Oporto, Portugal |
24 Apr 07:00 - 17:00 | Cherbourg, France |
25 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Zeebrugge-Bruges, Belgium |
26 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Amsterdam, Holland |
28 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Copenhagen, Denmark |
29 Apr 10:00 - 18:00 | Oslo, Norway |
01 May 08:00 - 18:00 | Flam, Norway |
03 May 08:00 - 18:00 | Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland |
04 May 10:00 - 23:00 | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
05 May 10:30 - 22:00 | Dublin, Ireland |
06 May 10:00 - 23:00 | Cobh-Cork, Ireland |
07 May 08:00 - 17:00 | Glengarriff, Ireland |
16 May 07:00 | Arriving in Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale |
Next table shows Holland America's ever-longest world cruise (MS Amsterdam's 129-day "Grand World Voyage 2020" itinerary) as call ports and port stay times (arrival/departure).
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
04 Jan 17:00 | Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
08 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Roseau, Dominica |
09 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Castries, St Lucia Island |
11 Jan 12:00 - 18:00 | Iles du Salut, French Guiana |
13 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Belem, Brazil |
16 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Recife, Brazil |
19 Jan 08:00 - 20 Jan 17:00 (overnight) | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
23 Jan 08:00 - 16:00 | Punta del Este, Uruguay |
24 Jan 08:00 - 18:00 | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
25 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Montevideo, Uruguay |
28 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Port Stanley, East Falkland Island |
05 Feb 07:00 - 14:00 | Ushuaia, Argentina |
06 Feb 08:00 - 20:00 | Punta Arenas, Chile Antarctica |
09 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Puerto Montt, Chile |
11 Feb 07:00 - 17:00 | San Antonio, Chile |
16 Feb 08:00 - 18:00 | Easter Island, Hanga Roa, Chile |
19 Feb 08:00 - 12:00 | Pitcairn Island, Adamstown, UK |
22 Feb 08:00 - 18:00 | Papeete, Tahiti Island, French Polynesia |
24 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Rarotonga Island, Cook Islands NZ |
28 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Nukualofa, Tongatapu, Tonga |
02 Mar 07:00 - 03 Mar 18:00 (overnight) | Auckland, New Zealand |
04 Mar 08:00 - 16:00 | Bay of Islands, Russell, New Zealand |
07 Mar 08:00 - 08 Mar 19:00 (overnight) | Sydney, NSW Australia |
11 Mar 08:00 - 17:00 | Townsville QLD, Queensland Australia |
12 Mar 08:00 - 18:00 | Cairns, Queensland Australia |
16 Mar 08:00 - 17:00 | Darwin, NT Australia |
19 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Pulau Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia |
20 Mar 08:00 - 18:00 | Benoa, Bali Indonesia |
22 Mar 07:00 - 16:00 | Surabaya, Java Indonesia |
23 Mar 07:00 - 18:00 | Semarang, Java Indonesia |
25 Mar 09:00 - 26 Mar 17:00 (overnight) | Singapore |
30 Mar 08:00 - 23:00 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
01 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Male, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives |
04 Apr 12:00 - 05 Apr 17:00 (overnight) | Mahe Island, Victoria, Seychelles |
08 Apr 08:00 - 09 Apr 17:00 (overnight) | Mombasa, Kenya |
10 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Zanzibar, Tanzania |
12 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Mamoudzou, Grande-Terre, Mayotte |
13 Apr 08:00 - 16:00 | Nosy Be Island, Madagascar |
16 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Maputo, Mozambique |
17 Apr 08:00 - 23:00 | Richards Bay, South Africa |
18 Apr 08:00 - 23:00 | Durban, South Africa |
21 Apr 08:00 - 22 Apr 23:00 (overnight) | Cape Town, South Africa |
24 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Luderitz, Namibia |
25 Apr 08:00 - 16:00 | Walvis Bay, Namibia |
28 Apr 10:00 - 18:00 | Saint Helena Island, Jamestown, St Helena UK |
30 Apr 10:00 - 18:00 | Ascension Island, Georgetown, St Helena UK |
07 May 08:00 - 18:00 | Bridgetown, Barbados |
08 May 08:00 - 15:00 | Pointe-a-Pitre, Grande-Terre Island, Guadeloupe |
09 May 10:00 - 23:00 | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
12 May 07:00 | Arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
Unfortunately, this voyage was affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and eventually (in mid-March) canceled.
Next table shows HAL Amsterdam's 129-day "Grand World Voyage 2021" itinerary. Prices started from USD 22700 pp (double-occupancy Interior Cabin rates).
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
04 Jan 17:00 | Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida |
08 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Scarborough, Tobago |
10 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Iles du Salut, French Guiana |
12 Jan 06:00 - 10:00 | Macapa, Brazil |
13 Jan 11:00 - 18:00 | Santarem, Brazil Amazon |
14 Jan 07:00 - 14:00 | Boca da Valeria, Brazil Amazon |
15 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Manaus, Brazil Amazon |
16 Jan 10:00 - 18:00 | Parintins, Brazil Amazon |
17 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Santarem, Brazil Amazon |
21 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | St Georges, Grenada |
23 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Oranjestad, Aruba Island, Dutch Antilles |
25 Jan 05:00 - 05:00 | Panama Canal |
27 Jan 08:00 - 18:00 | Quepos, Costa Rica |
31 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
07 Feb 07:00 - 22:30 | Hilo, Hawaii Island |
08 Feb 08:00 - 20:00 | Lahaina, Maui Island, Hawaii |
09 Feb 07:00 - 17:00 | Honolulu, Oahu Island, Hawaii |
15 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Marshall Islands |
18 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Chuuk Lagoon Islands, Micronesia |
20 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Guam Island, USA |
21 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Saipan Island, Marianas |
25 Feb 08:00 - 17:00 | Sakishima, Ishigaki Island, Japan |
26 Feb 08:00 - 23:00 | Naha, Japan |
01 Mar 08:00 - 02 Mar 18:00 (overnight) | Tokyo, Japan |
03 Mar 07:00 - 14:00 | Shimizu, Japan |
04 Mar 08:00 - 05 Mar 17:00 (overnight) | Kobe, Japan |
07 Mar 08:00 - 17:00 | Hakata-Fukuoka City, Japan |
09 Mar 08:00 - 17:00 | Dalian, China |
10 Mar 08:00 - 11 Mar 18:00 (overnight) | Tianjin, China |
14 Mar 09:00 - 15 Mar 18:00 (overnight) | Shanghai, China |
18 Mar 08:00 - 19 Mar 15:30 (overnight) | Hong Kong, China |
21 Mar 08:00 - 23:00 | Da Nang, Vietnam |
23 Mar 06:00 - 18:00 | Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
25 Mar 08:00 - 26 Mar 17:00 (overnight) | Singapore |
30 Mar 08:00 - 23:00 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
02 Apr 06:00 - 03 Apr 17:00 (overnight) | Mumbai, India |
06 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Fujairah, UAE |
07 Apr 07:00 - 23:00 | Dubai, UAE |
08 Apr 08:00 - 23:00 | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
10 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Muscat, Oman |
12 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 | Salalah, Oman |
17 Apr 07:00 - 18 Apr 23:00 (overnight) | Aqaba-Petra, Jordan |
20 Apr 06:00 - 06:00 | Suez Canal |
21 Apr 08:00 - 23:00 | Ashdod, Israel |
22 Apr 08:00 - 22:30 | Haifa, Israel |
24 Apr 08:00 - 18:00 | Kusadasi-Ephesus, Turkey |
25 Apr 16:00 - 26 Apr 16:00 (overnight) | Istanbul, Turkey |
27 Apr 11:00 - 23:00 | Mykonos Island, Greece |
28 Apr 07:00 - 17:00 | Piraeus-Athens, Greece |
30 Apr 08:00 - 19:00 | Naples, Italy |
03 May 07:00 - 17:00 | Malaga, Spain |
06 May 08:00 - 17:00 | Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores |
13 May 07:00 | Arriving in Fort Lauderdale |