Fred Olsen Bolette

The 2000-built (as "MS Amsterdam") cruise ship MS Bolette is the newest addition to the Fred Olsen Cruise Line fleet, together with MS Borealis (formerly MS Rotterdam). MS Amsterdam was the fourth (and final) R-class ship built for Holland America Line, alongside her sisterships MS Rotterdam (now Borealis), MS Zaandam, and MS Volendam.

The vessel (IMO 9188037) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000986) and registered in Nassau.

In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via Holland America Line) sold four ships. MS Amsterdam (Bolette) and MS Rotterdam (Borealis) were acquired by Fred Olsen, while MS Maasdam (now CFC Renaissance) and MS Veendam (now Aegean Majesty) were sold to Seajets Ferries (Greece). All scheduled cruises for the four ships were either canceled or reassigned to other HAL vessels.

• A total of 24 Holland America cruises on MS Amsterdam were canceled (December 21, 2020, through October 9, 2021), including the 14-day "Southern Caribbean Holiday" (Dec 21, 2020–Jan 4, 2021), the 129-day "Grand World Voyage 2021" (Jan 4–May 13, 2021), a 9-day repositioning (Fort Lauderdale to Montreal, May 13–22, 2021), 7-day Canada and New England itineraries (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 to 2022 and transferred to MS Zaandam.
• On July 26, following her Suez Canal transit, Rotterdam and Amsterdam anchored off Port Limassol (Cyprus).

Holland America’s MS Amsterdam (IMO 9188037) was originally Netherlands-flagged (MMSI 244370000) and registered in Rotterdam</a). After joining Fred Olsen, she was reflagged to the Bahamas (MMSI 311000986) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is a UK-based, Norwegian-owned cruise company, part of the Fred Olsen Group (headquartered in Oslo, Norway). The company, headquartered in Ipswich (Suffolk, England), is owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. Founded in 1848 in Hvitsten, Norway, by brothers Petter, Andras, and Fredrik Christian Olsen, the company started with the purchase of its first ships and grew into an international shipping enterprise. Today, the Fred Olsen Group is managed by the fifth generation of the family and operates subsidiaries in cruise shipping, trade, shipbuilding, aviation, and offshore industries.

The Fred Olsen Group wholly owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, Fred Olsen Travel Ltd (global tours and vacations via independent operators), Fred Olsen Marine Services AS (ship management), First Olsen Ltd (tankers), Dolphin Drilling Holdings Ltd (offshore rigs), Fred Olsen Express (Canary Islands fast ferries/catamarans), Fred Olsen Freight Ltd (cargo and air freight), Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS (offshore wind turbine installation), Fred Olsen Production AS (offshore petroleum production), Fred Olsen Renewables AS, SeaRoc Group Ltd (offshore consultancy), ZephIR Lidar UK (wind measurement), and Ganger Rolf ASA (energy and shipping). Through Bonheur ASA, the group also manages NHST Media Group AS (newspapers and digital media), real estate firms (Stavenes Byggeselskap, Koksa Eiendom, Fred Olsens gate 2), and Timex Group BV (parent of global watchmaking subsidiaries in the USA, India, and the Philippines).

The 1,400-passenger MS Bolette/Amsterdam combines classic elegance with modern comforts. Holland America traditions, such as set-seating dining alongside open-seating options, remain available. A hallmark experience is the serving of steaming Dutch pea soup on deck during cold-weather cruising. Many public spaces feature bold, ornate décor, highlighted by the grand clock in the three-level atrium—a striking art piece that doubles as a world time display and a reminder of Holland America’s heritage. Size-wise, Amsterdam sits midrange in the HAL fleet, smaller than the Vista and Signature classes and carrying 700 fewer guests than the line’s largest ship, Eurodam. Even at capacity, the ship rarely feels crowded, except during peak lunchtime in the Lido Restaurant on sea days or brief waits in the La Fontaine dining room. The Sea View Pool, located aft on Lido Deck, offers a peaceful retreat resembling a private oasis.

Decks and Cabins

Fred Olsen Bolette staterooms (691 total) include 173 Balcony Suites (no standard balconies), 385 Oceanview, and 133 Inside cabins across 26 categories. Most cabins are 140–320 ft² oceanviews, with about 25% of accommodations featuring private step-out balconies. The ship has 20 wheelchair-accessible cabins, 104 connecting cabins, and 52 dedicated single cabins (offered without a supplement, ranging from Inside to Suite). The largest are the Pinnacle/Owner’s Suites (940 ft² / 87 m² plus a 190 ft² / 18 m² terrace).

The ship has 10 passenger decks, five of which contain cabins.

Complimentary suite amenities include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus signature dishes)
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (à la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet items such as smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine on embarkation day, Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (for in-cabin use, available for purchase and monogramming)
• Club Orange Restaurant, part of the Main Dining Room, designed as an exclusive VIP dining section

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

La Fontaine is the ship's two-level main dining room, serving open-seating breakfast and lunch, along with both fixed and flexible dinner seating. Breakfast hours vary, starting as early as 7 a.m. on port days and 8 a.m. on sea days, ending by 9:30 a.m. The menu includes breads, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes, and yogurt parfaits. Portions are modest, so a second pastry is often welcome. Lunch in the MDR is usually limited to one hour (noon–1 p.m.) on sea days and closed when the ship is docked all day. Although queues may form, they move quickly and seating is plentiful. Lunch options range from soups, sandwiches, and salads to fish and heartier entrées.

Complete list of MS Amsterdam dining venues and food bars:

• Pinnacle Grill (86-seat reservations-only seafood/steakhouse with fine wine selection; free for children under 12). Once per cruise, it hosts "An Evening at Le Cirque" through a partnership with New York’s Le Cirque restaurant.
• La Fontaine Restaurant (835-seat aft dining room; open-seating breakfast and lunch, dinner with two fixed seatings or "Anytime" dining between 5:15–9 p.m.)
• King's Room / Queen's Room (La Fontaine annex; reservations-only for private dining)
• Terrace Grill (poolside fast-food bar; complimentary)
• Lido Restaurant (386-seat buffet venue; self-service breakfast 6–11 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., afternoon tea, dinner 5:30–8 p.m.)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido annex; Italian specialty restaurant, dinner only, reservations required)
• Vasco Restaurant (Indian cuisine)
• Colours & Tastes Restaurant (Asian-fusion)
• Oriental Tea Room
• Morning Light Pub
• The Bookmark Café (with dance floor and live entertainment stage)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Onboard activities begin after breakfast and continue into the late evening. Queen’s Lounge hosts two nightly shows, ranging from Vegas-style revues to comedy and magic. This two-level theater is lavish, with Bob Mackie gowns and a stage framed by large statues. Bars feature live music at various times, from classical performances in Explorer’s Lounge to piano and vocals in Rembrandt Lounge. Ocean Bar and Explorer’s are popular for pre- and post-dinner cocktails. A small wine-tasting bar opposite the Culinary Arts Center opens briefly—usually one hour on port days and three hours on sea days. The Sports Bar, next to the Casino, sees light traffic. Other amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, supervised youth programs ("Club HAL"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi, and self-service laundromats.

Complete list of MS Amsterdam lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Atrium (three-deck midship open space with live performances)
• Promenade Deck with walking track (jogging not permitted)
• Queen’s Lounge (568-seat theater and main show lounge; also hosts Holland America enrichment programs in partnership with BBC Earth)
• Queen’s Room (La Fontaine annex; used for digital workshops, computer classes, and social networking)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Wine Tasting Bar and Gourmet Shops (sampling and sales)
• Wajang Theatre & Culinary Arts Center (124-seat cinema, with cooking shows and culinary demonstrations)
• Atrium Terrace and Shops (duty-free goods, perfumes, watches, clothing, souvenirs, HAL merchandise, luxury boutique)
• Ocean Bar (115-seat atrium lounge with dance floor and live music)
• Monte Carlo Casino (with Casino Bar and adjacent Sports Bar)
• Amstel Café (dance floor and live entertainment)
• Rembrandt Lounge (75-seat piano bar)
• Hudson Room (50-seat meeting and card room)
• Explorations Café (65-seat coffee and pastry bar, also library and Internet center)
• Explorer’s Lounge & Bar (89-seat classical music venue)
• Neptune Lounge (exclusive 17-seat lounge for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests)
• Fitness Center with aerobics room; two Jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido Pool with Lido Bar and Terrace Grill; Sea View Pool with Sea View Bar
• Crow’s Nest (218-seat observation lounge with bar and dance floor; nightclub at night)
• Tennis court, basketball court, shuffleboard
• Club HAL (youth lounge with complimentary programs)
• The Loft (teen lounge with arcade, computers, PlayStations, and disco)
• The Oasis (teen-only 40-seat outdoor sundeck)

Itineraries

Holland America’s MS Amsterdam itinerary program focused on Alaska cruises during summer, operating one-way voyages from Vancouver BC and Anchorage/Seward, Alaska. She also sailed World Cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MS Bolette’s inaugural program included voyages originally planned for Boudicca plus new itineraries. Homeported mainly in Dover, England, her maiden voyage was initially scheduled as a 7-night "Scotland and Northern Ireland Cruise" from Southampton on March 5, 2021, followed by two more UK departures and Easter sailings to Madeira and the Azores. Program highlights included:

• Maiden Voyage (cancelled): 7-night "Scenic Scotland with Belfast" roundtrip from Southampton (March 5, 2021), visiting Belfast, scenic cruising by Fingal’s Cave and Dutchman’s Cap, Lerwick, and Kirkwall. Prices from GBP 700 pp.
• Cancelled: 5-night "Waterways of Belgium and France" roundtrip from Dover (May 29–June 3, 2021), calling at Antwerp, Honfleur, and Saint-Malo. Prices from GBP 750 pp.
• Inaugural Cruise for Fred Olsen (Aug 16, 2021): 3-night "Bolette’s Maiden Voyage" from Dover (code T215), a cruise to nowhere featuring scenic coastal cruising (Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands). Prices from GBP 485 pp.

Maiden Voyage 2021: 5-day "Netherlands and Belgium City Break," from GBP 605 pp

Guests booking by September 30, 2020, received free gratuities and up to GBP 100 per person onboard credit for 2021–2022 Bolette cruises.

Bolette’s 2022–2023 schedule included UK homeports (Southampton, Dover, Tilbury, Newcastle) and roundtrips to Iceland, Norway (5–7-night fjords), the British Isles, the Mediterranean, Madeira, Azores, Canaries, and short city-break cruises (5–8 nights).

In November 2023, MS Bolette embarked on a 93-night World Voyage, "The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean," roundtrip from Southampton, calling in Morocco, Malta, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Madagascar, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, and more.