13 Nights Canary Islands Christmas With Lisbon In New Year Cruise

Better than exspected

First time with Fred Olson and to be honest after a poor start to our booking for various reasons found the ship and staff very good. This is our 11th cruise in total with other cruise companies and we found this one to be in the top end. We normally don’t use the self-service because on other ships it is normally a bit of a bun fight, getting a seat can normally be a challenge with people on sea days tending to take up residency at their table for half of the day. Fred Olson crew cleared the tables quickly and then re set them with cutlery and napkins and then show you to a table, we prefer sitting alone at breakfast. Staff were very friendly and fun, always some cleaning going on somewhere. Captains’ welcome reception with drinks and canapes was good and informative. unfortunately, we were unable to get off on Gurnsey due to the weather, so the captain headed for Harfleur for an overnight instead and if you wanted to go into town which was a 20 minuet walk or a curtesy bus was available. Check in was quick and easy dis embarkation was also good and smooth, this was only a short trip so we could get to know the company and will book with them again.

An excellent cruise with a well-planned itinerary

Some friends who'd already booked it alerted us to this Baltic 'Maritime Events' cruise and it was a good choice. The itinerary focussed on two major sailing events occurring in the Baltic - the last day of the Kiel Sailing Regatta and the start of the 2024 Tall Ships Race at Helsinki. Having been involved with tall ship sailing in our (distant) past we were excited to connect with the event again. We have often sailed in the Solent so comparing the world famous Kiel Regatta with our memories of Cowes week was another attraction. Sadly only Balmoral in the Fred Olsen fleet can transit the Kiel Canal these days though nearly everyone would have loved to have done that too. Our cruise on Borealis started in Dover. Unfortunately Borealis finished her previous cruise in Southampton so boarding didn't start until 1830. Although we enjoyed the day visiting places in Kent from our youth, this was a cruise holiday and the delay was annoying. Dover is the least attractive port of the four easily accessible to us in the South East as there always seems to be road works and traffic delays associated with the 'new normal' following the UK's decision to leave the EU. In fact our journey home took an hour longer that Google estimated owing to significant delays on both the M26 and M25. But Fred kindly told us that we'd have a £12.50 refund on our drinks package - not much use to us as we hadn't paid for it, but you live in hope! The cruise called at Kiel, Gdansk, Visby, Tallinn, Helsinki, Turku and Warnemunde. All very interesting and diverse ports with lots to do. Unfortunately the cruise started developing a reputation for fine sea days and wet port days but things did improve thankfully. In Kiel we joined the tour using a traditional Dutch sailing schooner which would have been great if it'd have been dry and there had been racing to watch. Sadly there was neither. We did the afternoon trip and met the morning tour returning to the ship. When asked what the highlight was, they replied 'The cake' which was sadly true. The Destinations team recognised our disappointment with a substantial refund later in the cruise. The Tall Ships event in Helsinki brought a real buzz to a beautiful city. Sailing ships old and new, large and small were everywhere. Sadly the highlights of Class A, the Russian sail training ships, were not present for obvious reasons but we again went for a sail on a lovely old trading schooner with a great crew. Lots to see and a very friendly crowd - and pretty good weather too. We dipped out of our Gdansk trip owing to the weather though the shuttle bus journey of 9 km (an hour's round trip) was a good substitute. Visby's steam railway trip unfortunately had its one steam engine under repair but the coach trip round the island and walk through the old city more than made up for it. Tallinn was as beautiful and accessible, but more crowded, than we remembered and although Turku was a quiet city, with almost everything shut, the sail in and out through the archipelago was stunning. Warnemunde is one of our favourite Baltic ports being very accessible from the ship and very pretty despite being a major ferry port with ship repair yards and lots of heavy industry. The railway station is but a 5' walk from the ship with regular trains to Rostock only a few miles away. We didn't see the point of the Berlin tour (nearly 12 hours) as its already a great weekend break destination from the UK but its presumably why cruise ships call there. The entertainment aboard was very good. The Theatre Company were new aboard and performed some great shows that we had never seen before. The only dud was the magician who hadn't been on a ship before and whose act was just too slow. The speakers were an eclectic bunch but interesting and largely relevant and the classical duo were excellent. The Captain and senior management were strangely invisible apart from all but the necessary parties and events which we found odd on an Olsen cruise. Having sailed with Saga recently, we think that they are much more into leading from the front and it showed. However, the crew more than made up for the management as they were as welcoming, helpful and friendly as ever, but its the Captain who always sets the tone and it sadly didn't happen on this trip. But Andy and his entertainments team did an excellent job - the Sunday church services were a tour de force. However, detail apart, it was a thoroughly enjoyable cruise. Borealis is a lovely ship with lots of space and great facilities. She's a near sister to Bolette and travelling on either is a near-identical experience. Well done Fred for buying two great ships and using them as they should be used.

Midnight Sun !

After completing our latest cruise which would be No 18, I personally believe this one to be the Best to date. Second sailing out of Liverpool on Borealis and this itinerary for Norway and the North Cape and the Midnight Sun just shades previous sailing. Boarding at Liverpool very smoothly done, in quick time. Cabin efficiently maintained by Beth, good welcome with a smile. All Inclusive bar package worked very well for us, few more choices would have been ideal. Food is always a highlight for me and presentation and quality superb, again. Buttons on shirt and waistcoat a testament to this in the final days ( Poppin ). We were regally looked by Mai and Mark on table 218. Many Thanks, put half a stone on. Special mention for Nelson, galley chef, egg station n locale tastes. Nathan around the pool was excellent always smiling. Oceans bar very welcoming and excellent service thanks to Kommang, Kik, Stanley, Dewi, Mulliani and Aby. Observatory completed our evening with the late night disco, all staff here Ary, Selven, Ruby, Wisa, Anna, Charles, Mark and Acy were also excellent in service notably Wisa. Entertainment from the show team very good but only 5 shows in 15. String quartet were excellent and Circle of Fifth were good, solo guitarist accomplished but not always listened too playing in the aisle's as guests ambled by, mentioned before but not changed. Designated background music is questionable. Disco was also questionable. 4 separate acts on the cruise ranging from a magician and three singers. Staff throughout the ship's company: Seaman, Security, Cleaners, Plumbers, Electricians, Laundry, do a great job, the Silent Heroes who so often get overlooked. One thing that did impress was the midnight sun incredible and scenery. I thank you for making this Cruise so special until we meet again.