2010 Visit Reports

Aurora

Black Watch

Boudicca

Braemar

Crystal Symphony

Discovery

Empress

Eurodam

Funchal

Marco Polo

MSC Opera

MSC Poesia

Ocean Countess

Prinsendam


Previous Visit Reports

Arcadia

Arion

Black Watch

Hebridean Princess

Ocean Majesty

Van Gogh

We were fortunate to have a beautiful sunny day when we arrived at the North Shields International Passenger Terminal at 10.00am for our visit to Boudicca. Check in was smoothly efficient and we then had to sit in the terminal waiting for our embarkation time. The OLS party numbered eleven, all of whom arrived very promptly, and seemed very excited to be there. We were all allocated to the same tour group, by Fred Olsen Cruise Line, which was ideal for me, as organiser.

Wartsila built Boudicca at the Helsinki yard in 1973, as Royal Viking Sun, the first of many names during her life. Royal Viking Sun, became, Sunward, Birka Queen, Golden Princess, Superstar Capricorn, Hyundai Kumgang, Superstar Capricorn (again), Grand Latino, and in 2005 she was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines as Boadicea, but altered to the alternate spelling that she now carries. She is now 28,372grt, length 205.5m, beam 25.2m, draft 7.6m, and carries 755 passengers (900 all berths) and 350 crew.

At the allotted time we were permitted to embark and were directed to the main show lounge, Neptune Lounge, on Lounge Deck 6, welcome drink in hand, where we were given a brief presentation about Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, past and present. We were then asked to follow our tour guide to commence the visit proper.

We were led through a small lounge into The Secret Garden Café, a rather elegant central eatery enclosed by panelling that was not opaque, yet gave the feel of a “secret” place. From here we moved through to the Four Seasons Restaurant, the largest of the three main restaurants. Next to this is Tintagel Restaurant, both of which offer buffet and waiter service for breakfast and lunch, with a more formal experience for evening dinner. Next we retraced our steps and passed through The Iceni Room, which is used for morning and afternoon tea. The swimming pool and Jacuzzis are located at the aft of this deck.

We descended to Atlantic Deck 4, where we were shown examples of inside cabins and outside cabins with porthole. This deck also houses the gymnasium and beauty salon. Up to Main Deck 5, which has mainly outside cabins with picture window, up to deluxe suites. Through the centre is found reception, along with photo gallery, shop, shore tours office, and future cruise sales office.

From here we ascended to Lido Deck 7, where we saw the small Internet room, the library and card rooms, and the lido lounge and bar. Each of these passenger spaces appeared spacious and had pleasant, fresh furnishings. This deck has an open promenade, which seemed very wide on the starboard side, but only part of the port side. This deck has a mixture of superior outside, junior suite and deluxe suite with picture windows looking out to the promenade.

Next we ascended to Bridge Deck 8, the first of two decks on which cabins and suites have balconies. We were, again, shown a variety of these cabins. I was surprised to see single balcony cabins of 150 sq ft, and there were also balcony cabins, balcony suites, and a superior suite. Marquee Deck 9 had the top range of suites; superior, marquee, and premier. These suites range from 300 to 550 sq ft. Forward of the suites is The Observatory with wonderful panoramic views. A pianist plays during the evening.

There is a final Sun Deck 10 and this has golf nets in addition to the sun deck areas. From here we descended to Deck 6 and to the Tintagel Restaurant for our buffet lunch. The buffet was tasty, with a good selection. However, it became a little congested, with slow-to-move queues, when the adjoining Four Seasons Restaurant opened for newly embarked passengers. Both restaurants share the same buffet stations. On a personal point, I felt that the Tintagel Restaurant was a nice space but I would not be happy to eat there regularly. My reason for this is that the chairs were a little too tight fitting for my ample physique, and I doubt that I would become thinner throughout the cruise experience.

Our party had a thoroughly enjoyable day on Boudicca and we want to express our immense gratitude to all the staff at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines who contributed to making this a very special day.

As the current Ship Visits Organiser I wish to add that I will continue to attempt to obtain visits in northerly ports, but please – northern members - do try to attend, as it will become embarrassing if we do not fill the places allocated, and cruise lines may withdraw offers in the future.