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 Aegean Myth) and MS Veendam (now Aegean Majesty) were sold to Seajets Ferries Greece. All scheduled for the 4 ships cruises 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 annexe 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 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) 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) and Channel Islands (coastal navigation).

cancelled MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021 (7 days "Scenic Scotland") from USD 905 pp

cancelled MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021 (5-days "Waterways of Belgium and France) from GBP 750 pp

Passengers 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 Amsterdam (named after Amsterdam Holland) was Holland America's last R-class liner, 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's fuel consumption is 140 tons (39,500 US gallons) per day at 24 mph / 39 kph cruising speed.

The cruise 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), to be named "MS BOLETTE" and Norway-flagged (registered in Oslo). For Holland America, MS Amsterdam was Holland-flagged (MMSI number 244370000) and registered in Rotterdam.

By Holland America, MS Amsterdam was last drydock refurbished in 2018. The drydock (vessel inspections) in 2020 was at Damen Shiprepair's yard in Rotterdam Holland.

On August 16, 2021, the ship started passenger shipping operations for Fred Olsen with the Maiden Voyage from Dover England.

(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.

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).

Unfortunately, this voyage was affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and eventually (in mid-March) cancelled.

Next table shows Holland America Line's (MS Amsterdam's) 129-day "Grand World Voyage 2021" itinerary. Prices started from USD 22700 pp (double-occupancy Interior Cabin rates).