Boudicca

Fred Olsens Boudicca is a lovely ship, I now understand why people go back time and time again! What I like about Fred Olsen is the fact that it is still family owned since the 19th Century and as a result there is a very friendly, welcoming atmosphere on board. It also caters for single passengers.

Expect a cosy, traditionally British cruising experience on a Fred Olsen ship. The onboard currency is Pounds Sterling; interior decor is comfortable and attractive, and evening entertainment consists of singing, dancing and cabaret.

Drinks on board are very affordable and on formal nights passengers still dress up and there is a pleasant evening five-course meal, which is of a nice quality and is pleasantly served by friendly Filipino staff.

On sea days, passengers lounge around on deck or take part in many activities on board such as the good ArtsClub which offers a wide variety of classes such as painting or if your feeling energentic why not try ballroom dancing.

This cruise line mainly consists of British Passengers with an average age of about 67 although in the summer months that may drop during school holidays.

IF you want traditional cruising with a friendly atmosphere and affordability this is for you.

Wednesday 14 November - Malaga

The instructions said - meet at Gatwick North Terminal at 0430! So, after travelling down the evening before from Cumbria and having a rather short night’s sleep in the Premier Inn, I arrived at the airport. Our flight left at 7.15 and we arrived in Malaga ahead of schedule at 11.00 thanks to a strong tail wind. Clocks and watches were put forward one hour to local Spanish time. The weather was pleasantly warm at 20 degrees without a cloud in the sky for our short transfer to the port where Boudicca was waiting.

Embarkation and check in at the ship’s reception desk was swift and efficient so we soon had our onboard account cards and cabin numbers. My cabin was midships on deck four and was a good size with plenty of storage space. The two large portholes let in plenty of light. After a quick buffet lunch in the Secret Garden Café there was some free time to soak up the sun before meeting the onboard Cruise Director to get a short guided tour of the ship which helped us to understand the layout. The tour was only just completed in time for the ‘sailaway’ party on deck where a complimentary rum punch was being served whilst a jazz band played.

In the evening we had been allocated tables in the Tintagel Restaurant on the late dining at 8.30 so we met for pre-dinner drinks at 7.45 in the Observatory which is a panoramic lounge and bar above the bridge. The atmosphere in the Observatory before dinner is relaxed with soft background live music from the ships resident pianist. Dinner is the main event of the evening and we were all surprised and delighted by the cuisine. We found ourselves spoiled for choice and when dishes arrived everyone agreed that the food was brilliant. The service throughout the ship, particularly in the dining rooms, was excellent and requests for variations to the menu were no problem. After such an early start that morning we were happy to get an early night but not before dropping into the Neptune Lounge to listen to the excellent jazz band. Clocks and watches were put back an hour as Casablanca in Morocco was on the same time as the UK.


Thursday 15 November - Casablanca

Up bright and early for breakfast as we were booked on a half day city tour leaving the ship at 8.30. I had breakfast in the Four Seasons Restaurant which is mainly buffet style except for the waiters serving tea and coffee to tables. The tour was taken with other passengers and was very varied and interesting. We got back on board at 1.00 and headed straight for lunch. I went to the Four Seasons for a fully served meal and found the food and service every bit as good as the previous evening.

The ship remained in port until 10pm so we had a chance to relax in the warm sunshine on deck all afternoon. There is no dedicated cruise ship terminal at Casablanca so we were surrounded by a variety of cargo ships but the noise of vehicles unloading and loading was minimal. The dress code for dinner that evening was casual which meant no ties or jackets were required. At the entrance to the main dining rooms the menu was displayed together with suggested attire to conform to the dress code. The evening show in the Neptune Lounge featured an Irish comedian – we all agreed that he could sing better than he could tell jokes! Later we went upstairs to the Lido lounge, which is ideal for small groups and solo performers, where the resident duo provided relaxed music to accompany a nightcap.


Friday 16 November – At sea

A day at sea heading northwards.

As the weather was still warm and bright I went to the Marquee bar on deck 9 for a lunch on deck. This lunchtime only facility is great for light snacks and drinks as you do not have to conform to any dress code – so flip flops and shorts are just fine. Orders are placed at the bar and the staff ask where you are sitting and the food arrives at your table a few moments later. When a ship is at sea for the day there are always more activities to choose from so some of us went to the afternoon quiz whilst others tried out the beginners dance class. The majority of onboard activities are well supported and competition between passengers can reach fever pitch at times!

The evening dress code that day was Western Theme – so lots of jeans, check shirts and even a few ten gallon hats! The waiters all dressed in a similar manner (but no hats!) and this complemented the menu which featured some traditional American dishes such as steak and apple pie. The evening show was also Western themed – very colourful and lively.

Clocks were altered again that night – forward by an hour as we were due in Spain the next morning.


Saturday 17 November - Vigo

In the morning the weather had changed completely – it was bright and crisp with a cold northerly wind. There was time for a walk ashore to look at the town and do a little shopping. The cruise terminal is only 300 metres from the edge of the shopping area but the main streets are up quite a steep hill. Everyone was back on board for lunch – I tried out the self service buffet in the main restaurant but mixed this with a first course which was waiter served. This mix and match arrangement is really good because it provides great choice and you are not tied to a fixed number of courses.

The sailaway was at 2.00pm in bright sunshine. Most passengers were on deck to watch this very scenic departure past the islands and out to sea.

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The dress code for dinner in the evening was ‘formal’, which is always a bit special. Before dinner the group was photographed and we all then attended the Captain’s ****tail party. The dinner was as good as ever. The after dinner entertainment was the Jazz & Swing band Dominic Halpin & the Honey B’s who have played all over the world and recently were selected by Simon Cowell for a party he hosted. Mr Cowell’s recommendation was spot on – and the Captain seemed to appreciate them as well judging by the way he lead the dancing!


Sunday 18 November – At sea

A bit of a lie in for most of us this morning – a combination of the clocks changing once again and also a late night! We woke to a force 8 gale – not entirely unexpected as we were in the middle of the Bay of Biscay in November. The access to the outside decks was restricted due to the force of the wind but the ship seemed very stable despite the conditions. Lunch was served only in the main restaurants and was in two sittings. Considering the rough sea it was surprising that so many passengers made it to lunch! The evening dress code for our last night was casual as most passengers were in the middle of packing their cases. Luggage was required to be put outside cabins by 2am at the latest.


Monday 19 November - Southampton

We woke to find we were alongside in Southampton and luggage was being taken ashore. After a final hearty breakfast I disembarked just after 9.30 and used the complimentary coach transfer to the station for the long journey home.

Day 1 - Monday 6th October 2008 – Malaga

I travelled down by train to Manchester from Barrow-in-Furness on the evening of Sunday 5th October. On arrival, I was transferred by bus to the Crown Plaza Hotel, where check-in ran smoothly and I had enough time for a quick bite to eat before heading to my room for a good nights sleep. My alarm was set for 4.30am to give me enough time for a hearty breakfast before getting a transfer to Manchester International Airport. Check-in was quick and easy; the flight left at around 7.30 and at around 11.00 landed into Malaga. On arrival bus transfer was provided to the port where Boudicca was waiting... what an elegant looking ship!

Upon embarking the ship I checked in at reception and also received my On-Board Card, which allowed me to get in and out of the cabin and also allowed me to add drinks & other onboard purchases onto my shipboard account. My cabin was a D Grade Outside Cabin on Atlantic Deck (Deck 4), which was mid-ships and had two port-hole windows, which allowed for a good view of the various ports of call.

I freshened up and headed to the Secret Garden Café, where there was a variety of food available to choose from: I loved the BBQ spare ribs so had to help myself to seconds! After a bite to eat I headed to the poolside bar where I got a nice cold beer and soaked up the sun in the Jacuzzi. After a few more drinks it was time for the ship to set sail; it was the perfect setting for a complimentary rum punch followed by music and dancing on deck!

In the evening I enjoyed the Observatory (A very relaxed bar with music playing in the background) and had pre-dinner drinks before heading to the Tintagel Restaurant for the Second Sitting Dinner at 8.30pm. The food was brilliant, there was a nice range of cuisine to choose from and the waiters serving it were really friendly.

Day 2 - Tuesday 7th October – Casablanca

I headed to the Four Seasons restaurant for a buffet style breakfast, before adjourning the Neptune Lounge as it was time to head ashore for a shore excursion! The guided tour took in the Hassan 11 Mosque (The second largest Mosque in the world) - wow! It was huge and very beautiful.

After a few hours exploring the tour returned to the ship where I headed to the Four Seasons Restaurant for a buffet style Lunch, again there was a lovely array of food on offer. The ship stayed in dock for a few more hours so I decided to spend the whole day in the swimming pool and soaked up the sun once again! That evening it was casual dress so there was no need to wear ties or jackets. After another wonderful meal I headed to the Neptune Lounge where there were dancers and entertainers; what a perfect way to end the night!

Day 3 - Wednesday 8th October – At sea

After a leisurely morning I decided to have lunch at the Marquee Bar where I tried Burger and chips: delicious! It was so tasty that I ordered it again. They were also offering complementary Ice Cream so I managed to sample some. As the ship was at sea there were all sorts of activates to take part in such as learning how to dance or taking a chance at a spot of gambling.

In the evening there was a Western theme where all the staff dressed up as cowboys and girls, even the waiters serving us made an effort to take part. The evening menu was again very good and I decided to try the Baked Alaska - Wow! All the staff came out singing and dancing with sparklers to present the desert to me!

Day 4 - Thursday 9th October – Vigo

Boudicca arrived at Vigo in the morning and I decided to take an early stroll round the shops before they opened at 10am. The shops were not very far from the ship which was handy considering I didn’t have a lot of time to look round. At lunchtime I decided to head back to the ship and decided to have lunch at the Poolside buffet, there was grilled red snapper on the menu so I decided to try some with a nice mixed salad. The ship departed Vigo at 2.00pm and the rest of the day was spent relaxing by the pool and in the Jacuzzi.

It was the Captains ****tail party that evening which was ‘formal’ attire, Its always nice to have a night where you can dress up and make a real effort. Group and individual photos are taken through the evening which could then be purchased outside reception the following morning for under £10 each. The dinner was very good again and the entertainment was as good as every other night. There was a magic show on this particular evening which was very impressive.

Day 5 - Friday 10th October – At Sea

Today was spent looking around the various bars and restaurants and just getting a feel for the ship and how to find my way around it. I also had a look at the shop on-board which had various items including perfumes, jewellery and watches. It was an ideal time to purchase presents for loved ones.

A big highlight of the day was when I was taken to the Bridge to meet the Captain; he demonstrated all the navigation controls and explained a bit about the ship.

I decided to try learning how to dance and went to a lesson in the Neptune Lounge just after lunch. After 5 minutes I decided I wasn’t getting the hang of it and decided to call it a day.

Again it was a relaxed evening in the dining room as again there was no need to dress up and as always the food was fantastic and the staff were as friendly as ever. Luggage needed to be outside the cabins for 2am at the latest so after a few drinks we decided to head back to the cabin to pack.

Day 6 - Saturday 11th October - Southampton

On arrival into Southampton we woke up to find our luggage was being transferred ashore. I disembarked at around 9am and got a taxi from the port to the train station for my journey home.