We arrived at the Ocean Cruise Terminal on a wintery sunny Tuesday morning to be greeted by a luxury looking ship berthed alongside the terminal building.
After clearing security we boarded the Borealis and saw that it has been refurbished and redecorated before it joined the fleet at Fred. Olsen in 2020. We were led towards the Observatory located on Deck 9, to be served tea coffee and freshly baked pastries all set up for an afternoon tea, with breath taking views of the Solent below us, passing by the Fred. Olsen Art Studio as we went on our ship tour.
We then started our ship tour guided by Fred Olsen Trade Support representatives and were shown the luxury pool deck with the largest pool I've yet seen on any cruise ship, it even has a solarium feel during the day and allows them to open the glazed roof when out as sea, the whole area was flooded with natural light, even had a huge smoking deck as well complete with blankets and popcorn for stargazing at night.
We also viewed the enormous Atlantis Spa complete with saunas and steam rooms which could be privately booked and treatment rooms which catered for every type of treatment and massage.
We stepped through the Lido on Deck 8 into the poolside bar and restaurant which serves late breakfast and lunch al fresco style, then we went on to one of the a la carte restaurants called Vasco serving Indian cuisine inspired by Goan staff who work on board the ship, where you can dine for an extra £10pp.
We were then shown the View Buffet restaurant offering breakfast, lunch or dinner which served everything from salads to stir fries. Afternoon tea is served daily which had free tea, coffee and water stations to refill your drinks bottle for the whole day.
We toured through all of Borealis’ different suites. Starting on Bridge Deck 7, we viewed cabin 7061: an adapted balcony junior suite with the largest wet room bathroom I've ever seen. We moved to cabin 7040, an adapted premier suite that has the largest balcony. It can fit two sun loungers and a table for four guests on the balcony!
When I thought I’d seen every surprise cabin wise, we were then treated to a walk round cabin 7002: “Olsen Owners Suite Cabin” consisting of a dining room, lounge, separate bedroom, bathroom with bath and shower and dressing room - just like a presidential suite in a hotel!
We then went down to Highland Deck 6 and viewed both cabin 6108, a single balcony suite, and cabin 6104 which is an adapted superior oceanview.
We walked down to the Lounge Deck 5 and were shown the top part of the Neptune show lounge where the theatre is, which hosts music, shows and dancing. We also passed through the morning light pub and piano bar and stopping in the Oriental Tea Room for refreshment where they serve a wide selection of teas from the orient and it’s decorated with the most beautiful Chinese wallpaper and the most ornate flooring I've ever seen.
We then passed through the Earth room library and onto the bookmark cafe and lounge complete with its own chocolate shop and florists, we were also able to quickly visit “Colours & Tastes” a la carte restaurant which serves Asian, Japan, Chinese and Philippines cuisine.
We went into the “Borealis & Aurora” Restaurant for a delicious three course lunch. Afterwards we were taken into the Auditorium on Deck 4 for a live cooking demonstration in their kitchen, which is built into the Auditorium, along with a screen which can be set up to make it a cinema for film screenings and lectures. There is also a showstopper clock and statue holing up a starglobe which spans four decks with clock faces all-round the bottom of the statue.
From my experience on this Fred. Olsen ship, I can see why guests love it so much and why they have a 90% re-book rate. The Borealis can host about 1300 guests, with 642 crew members all there to make it a trip of a lifetime.
I would encourage to choose to cruise with Fred. Olsen’s ships for their hand crafted itineraries, ship fleet filled with breath taking art and sculptures. It’s a company founded back in 1838 by three Fred Olsen Brothers, and in present day is now being looked after by the 5th generation of the same family!
The cruise line has recently made an announcement that from the 1st January 2026, not only will tips be included but the Borealis and Balmoral ships will be completely ADULT ONLY, while the Bolette remains to take on families with young children.
I was only onboard for a day but I didn't want to leave, we were looked after so well and the range of services and activities available to guests was mind blowing, a really boutique, upmarket luxury cruise line with exquisite dining, large luxury cabins and exemplary first class service from everyone from Captain to officers and crew all there to personally welcome you on board.
