Boudicca

Originally constructed in 1973 for the Royal Viking Cruise Line, the MV Boudicca was acquired by Fred. Olsen Cruises in 2005.

Throughout its nearly 40 years of serve, the Boudicca has been operated by a wide range of other lines and has been known by a number of aliases, including the Royal Viking Sky, Birka Queen, Golden Princess and SuperStar Capricorn.

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In 1982, the ship was lengthened by about 27 metres. The work was carried out at the A.G. Weser shipyard in what was then West Germany.

In early 2011, the Boudicca underwent a substantial refurbishment project, with an aim to make the vessel a world-class cruise ship. This included an upgraded gym, some new restaurants and additional staterooms. Much of the interior was also redecorated, but the ship still maintains its cosy British charm that passengers have come to know and love.

Today, the Boudicca serves as a sister ship to the Black Watch and is generally based in UK ports like Edinburgh, Newcastle, Portsmouth or Southampton.

Cruise destinations are normally places around the Baltic and Northern Europe, although the vessel also embarks on regular voyages to locations like Iceland, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 900
Year entered service: 1973
Beam (ship width): 82.6 feet
Draught (ship depth): 24.7 feet
Length: 674.1 feet
Tonnage: 23,372
Crew: 320
Maximum speed: 21.5 knots
Number of passenger decks: 8
Number of lifts: 5
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 437

Food, cuisine and dining

There are three main restaurants on the Boudicca. All are decorated with a simple, yet quintessentially British theme and offer breathtaking ocean views.

The Four Seasons is the largest of the dining rooms, while the Heligan and Tintagel are smaller. Breakfast is offered on an open-seating basis, while lunch and dinner both have two set services.

The three restaurants all feature the same gourmet-quality menu, with options available for vegetarians, diabetics and other special requirements. In addition, the friendly and highly trained wait staff will help to ensure that your meal is served with precision and style.

A favourite alternative is the Secret Garden Cafe. This is a less formal, self-service restaurant with an oriental decor. It's sectioned off with Japanese-style screens, giving diners a sense of intimacy, while beautiful exotic plants add to the motif. Three meals a day are served in this location, all generally with open seating, while it's also open throughout the day for a causal cuppa.

If you're looking for a formal afternoon tea, the Observatory Lounge plays host to a high tea on certain days, while tea dances are held in the Neptune Lounge.

For a snack, you can also head to the Marquee Bar. In Meanwhile, on good-weather days, breakfast and lunch buffets are served at the Poolside Cafe.

On-board entertainment and activities

With 400 seats and two performances a night, the Neptune Lounge is the main theatre on the Boudicca. Shows are generally put on by a small cabaret troupe and feature musical acts, comedy routines and magicians. You'll also be able to find live music elsewhere on the ship.

If you're feeling lucky, the casino offers a few games tables. During the day, lessons are also provided to help you learn the art of playing blackjack.

The Vistas enrichment programme offers lectures and classes about a range of topics, while on themed cruises, these are based on a specialist subject. Options can include everything from watercolour painting to gardening, as well as historic and cultural information about the different ports of call the ship will be visiting.

It's important to note that cruises on the Boudicca are mainly intended for the older market. The ship does not have facilities for children and the company generally recommends some of its other vessels for family holidays.

Spas and fitness facilities

Exercise facilities on the Boudicca include a large modern gym with cardio and resistance machines and a space for fitness classes. Alternatively, there are two swimming pools, a tennis court, golf practice nets and shuffleboard located elsewhere on the ship.

The sauna, steam room and whirlpools are a great way to reduce stress, while spa and beauty therapies can also be provided - such as massages, facials, body wraps and reflexology treatments.

Cabins

There are nearly 500 cabins on the Boudicca and with 20 different price categories, accommodation options range from enormous suites with plenty of luxurious amenities, to more basic rooms. This means that whether you want to splash some cash or find a great cruise deal, you're sure to find something that suits your budget and other requirements.

Around 85 per cent of the cabins offer ocean views, while 65 rooms also include a private balcony. Most are designed to sleep two passengers, while some can accommodate up to five guests. There are also around 40 staterooms for solo travellers and four wheelchair accessible options.

Suites can measure up to 550 square feet, while the interior cabins - without views - are fairly small at around 140 square feet. But no matter which stateroom you select, you'll enjoy a comfortable bed, an en suite bathroom, a television and a toiletry kit including soaps and shampoos.

Guests who opt for suite accommodation will also benefit from special extras like priority seating at dinner, nightly canapes and a cosy bathrobe.