On Tuesday of this week I enjoyed a lovely morning on board the Fred Olsen ship, Boudicca. Being someone who loves a bit of history, I did enjoy the presentation on Fred Olsen. They started trading 200 years ago and are still run by the same family, that is good going! Did you know for example that they were the first people to use a “wharf” in London to sale to the Canary Islands from? Hence the name Canary Wharf! (remember that for the next pub quiz!) Or, they bought Harland & Wolf in Belfast? Fred are very committed to sailing from regional ports across the UK, which is great. They sail from 10 ports and for 2016 they will be using Falmouth for the first time.
So, what did I think of the Boudicca. Well, I did like her, so that is a good start! She is not for everyone though, as she does not have all of the “gizmos” that the bigger ships have. She is a smaller ship, only carrying 880 passengers, straight away you do get that feel of a more intimate cruise. She has some lovely sun deck areas and a really nice pool area with jacuzzis. A spa and salon, which I did think was a little small and a wee bit dated. Saying that it does do everything from your hair and nails down to massage, facials and body wraps. There are some shops on board which includes your every day essentials and clothes, perfume etc. I like the fact they have a laundry room too, great if your on a long cruise!
The public areas are very nice. I really did like the Secret Garden cafe – it had a nice feel about it. This is where you would get your buffet style food and also tea and coffee throughout the day. The Neptune lounge is your show lounge, quite small but again very nice. There is also a english style pub, a internet room, a nice lido lounge to sit and have a relaxing drink and a card room.
Was there anything I did not like? Well, I do think the decor could be updated, some of the cabin furnishings could do with a overhaul. I also think that some of the cabin layouts are a bit strange. Some of these cabins also do have “fixed” twin beds which can be in front of each other, not just side by side which is a funny concept!
All in all she is a lovely ship, more suited to people who do not want huge ships, are not bothered about having loads of entertainment and things to do on board. Someone perhaps who wants to meet like minded people, on a smaller boat. The smaller boat has to come into the equation too as they do tend to get to other destinations that the bigger ships cant get to. For example the Kiel Canal or sailing down the French waterways.
Fred will suit some of you out there, great personal service, intimate ship and sailing hopefully, from a port near you. Let me know what you think of them.