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Bolette at sea

Fred. Olsen · Fred. Olsen · In service since 2000

Bolette

Bolette is a Fred. Olsen cruise ship operated by Fred. Olsen, in service since 2000. At about 62,735 gross tons, it carries roughly 1,380 guests and ranks #1 by size in the 2-ship Fred. Olsen fleet we cover.

  • 62,735 gross tons
  • 1,380 guests
  • 780 ft long

Photo: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ship facts

Ship class
Fred. Olsen
Entered service
2000 (26 years ago)
Gross tonnage
62,735
Guests
1,380
Length
780 ft (237.8 m)
Speed
23 knots
Builder
Fincantieri
Flag
The Bahamas
IMO number
9188037

About Bolette

Bolette joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2021, having spent two decades as Holland America’s Amsterdam, for many years that line’s world-cruise ship. She is now designed for British travelers, most of them mature, who want a smaller-ship feel, traditional service and itineraries that go beyond the obvious. Her heritage shows in a classic, well-built layout, elegant public rooms and a pool under a retractable roof that earns its keep on cool northern days. Fred. Olsen sails from a range of UK ports, so many guests can start close to home. She heads to Norway, Iceland, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and on longer voyages.

Best for: Mature British travelers who want a traditional, mid-sized ship with departures close to home.

Bolette highlights

  • Departures from a range of UK ports
  • Pool under a retractable roof
  • Classic layout from her years as a world-cruise ship
  • Size suited to fjords and smaller ports
  • Traditional service with a British flavor

How Bolette compares in size

  1. Bolette62,735
  2. Borealis61,849

Gross tonnage measures a ship's enclosed volume, not its weight. Source: Wikidata.

Fred. Olsen sister ships

Sailing with Fred. Olsen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a family-owned British line sailing three smaller ships, designed for mature UK travelers who like traditional cruising, no-fly departures from regional British ports and destinations big ships can’t reach, such as narrow Norwegian fjords. Fares include gratuities, guided walks ashore and selected drinks with meals. North Americans can sail, but onboard style, pricing and itineraries are tailored to British guests.

Read our full Fred. Olsen guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →

Bolette FAQs

How big is Bolette?

Bolette measures about 62,735 gross tons and is about 780 feet (238 m) long. That makes it #1 of 2 Fred. Olsen ships we cover by tonnage, and #197 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.

How many passengers does Bolette carry?

About 1,380 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.

When was Bolette built?

Bolette entered service in 2000 and was built by Fincantieri. Older ships are often refurbished, so ask about recent upgrades when you compare sailings.

What class of ship is Bolette?

Bolette belongs to Fred. Olsen's Fred. Olsen, alongside Borealis. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.

Is Bolette good for families?

Children are allowed, but there are few dedicated facilities and most sailings carry very few families. Some school-holiday cruises offer limited children’s activities. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Bolette offers for your kids' ages.

Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.

Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, Fred. Olsen official site.