Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Experience an altogether more laidback festive season, visiting sun-kissed islands and spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve in warmer climes. Bolette will be beautifully decorated, and you'll experience an abundance of festive activities, including an indulgent Christmas lunch and spectacular gingerbread houses created by our talented chefs. Enjoy a relaxing Christmas Day on board Bolette as you sail towards Madeira, home to fragrant gardens, unique levada walking trails, and fortified wine. Discover volcanic landscapes with visits to La Palma, known as the ‘Pretty Island’; Tenerife’s mighty Mount Teide; and Lanzarote, with its otherworldly scenery at the Timanfaya National Park. You'll also have the chance to delve into Lisbon’s maritime history before celebrating the arrival of 2025 with the New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Immerse yourself in the way of life in the Canaries and Portugal by savouring a Pastel de Nata when you are in Lisbon, a crumbly custard tart that will have you wishing for more, or when in Lanzarote, try a glass of Malvasía wine, made from the sweet-smelling grape that is only found on this island.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Explore sun-kissed islands
Renowned for their sun-kissed beaches, volcanic landscapes, and vibrant culture, the Canary Islands offer year-round sunshine and warmth, although it's not unusual to see the peak of Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain, covered in a dusting of snow at this time of year. Explore the lush gardens of Madeira, where the scents of colourful blooms and tropical plants permeate the air, or wander along palm tree-lined promenades in La Palma, Arrecife, and Tenerife. Meanwhile, relax on golden sand beaches with crystal-clear seas lapping lazily against the shore, creating the perfect atmosphere for rejuvination.
Indulging in the local way of life
Life in the Canaries and Portugal is influenced by a blend of Spanish and African traditions and often revolves around delicious food and drink. In Lisbon, the mouth-watering Pasteis de Nata custard tarts are not to be missed, as the flaky pastry and delicious filling melt in your mouth, while sipping Madeiran wine in Funchal offers an aromatic indulgence of rich caramel and toffee. In Tenerife, the famous spicy Mojo sauce adds a zesty kick to traditional dishes, such as paps arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) while listening to Fado music in Lisbon tells tales of melancholy, love, and longing. Also in Lisbon, join us on a tram ride through narrow streets lined with colourful buildings, immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of this iconic city.
Volcanic Vistas
The Canary Islands offer a plethora of breathtaking volcanic panoramas that will captivate your imagination. The rugged peaks of Cumbre Vieja provide sweeping views across ancient craters and lush valleys, while Mount Teide in Tenerife towers majestically above the clouds and serves as an example of the strength of volcanic forces in the Canaries, with its lunar-like landscape. La Palma's volcanic cones bear witness to the island's fiery past, while Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote offers mesmerising vistas created by volcanic eruptions in the 18th century, showcasing an uneartly landscape of lava fields and craters.
Life On Board
Introducing Bolette
With just 690 cabins Bolette fits perfectly in our fleet of smaller ships. With her warm, welcoming atmosphere, timeless style, and classic open deck spaces providing a place to fully immerse yourself in the magic of ocean cruising.
Bolette
Bolette is one of the largest ships, by overall size, in our fleet. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and timeless style, and classic open deck spaces providing a place to fully immerse yourself in the magic of ocean cruising, Bolette is very much in keeping with what our guests have come to expect from a Fred. Olsen ship.
Sample Shore Tours
At each port of call on your cruise, we carefully research and hand pick Shore Tour options for you, designed for you see as many of the world's best destinations as possible.
Below, you will find some sample Shore Tours which will give you an example of what to expect on your cruise. Your Shore Tours will be available to book approximately 8-13 weeks prior to departure via your My Cruises account.
Cabo Girão
Explore Funchal's scenic landscape from top viewpoints and visit the village that inspired Sir Winston Churchill's paintings. Begin at Pico dos Barcelos for stunning city views, then head to Europe's highest sea cliff, Cabo Girão. Visit Câmara de Lobos, where Churchill painted, and enjoy a taste of Madeira wine.
££££
Funchal
Flowers of Funchal
Begin with a scenic drive to Palheiro Gardens to explore the beautiful garden before continuing to the family-owned Quinta Jardins do Lago, where Pedro, a local botanical enthusiast, will conduct an insightful orchid workshop.
££££
Funchal
Local Wines of La Palma
Head to Fuencaliente, one of the best wine-growing regions on the island. Visit the San Antonio volcanic park before stepping inside one of the island’s famous wine cellars to learn about the winemaking process and sample some wines.
££££
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Whale Watching from La Palma
Enjoy a tour sailing along the coastal waters of La Palma spotting for marine life.
££££
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Mount Teide Cable Car
Journey up Spain’s highest volcano, Mount Teide, via cable car to La Rambleta, 3,555 metres above sea level, affording fabulous views not only of the crater but of Tenerife and the other islands of the archipelago.
££££
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Fire Mountains
Discover the fiery mountains of Timanfaya and witness the rustic nature of this otherworldly volcanic landscape caused by the eruptions that affected the southern part of the island.
££££
Arrecife
Pastéis de Nata Workshop
In this hands-on baking class, learn the secrets of how to bake the iconic pastéis de nata under the guidance of a local chef, before enjoying your creations with a coffee.
££££
Lisbon
Your Guest Speakers
We’ve arranged for some wonderful guest speakers to join us for this cruise. They will be delivering a programme of insightful talks and activities to deepen your cultural, artistic and historical understanding of the destinations we will be exploring, well as helping you to enjoy the natural beauty of the places we visit.
António Batarda
Throughout the cruise, Portuguese Archaeologist António Batarda will be discussing the History of Exploration and how the islands have perfect climate for produce.
Dorothy Satterfield
As a geologist with 27 years’ of experience teaching and leading Master's programmes, Dorothy will be joining us, alongside her husband Roger, to discuss the geology of the Canaries.
Dr. Chris Crowe
Chris is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a professional astronomer. He will be on board leading stargazing sessions out on deck as well as speaking about a manner of astronomical matters.
Roger Suthren
Geologist, Roger has taken regular geological study trips to the Canary Islands, and will be joining us alongside with his wife, Dorothy, to talk about the geology of the Canaries.
Treats & Pastimes
In addition to our Signature Experiences, we have a selection of lovely Treats & Pastimes for you to enjoy when on board. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
* Prices correct as of 07:00 26/04/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on two people sharing a twin cabin. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
* Prices correct as of 07:00 26/04/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
Cabin Grades
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Bolette's Balcony Junior Suites have a private balcony and sitting/bedroom area.
| Freedom Fare | From £5,799 pp |
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Terrace Cabin (TC)
Bolette's Terrace Cabins offer access to the Promenade Deck via sliding doors.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,799 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Bolette's F Grade Ocean View cabins have two portholes and are on decks 1 & 2
| Freedom Fare | From £2,899 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
Located on decks 1, 2 & 3, I Grade Interior cabins on Bolette have a bathroom with shower
| Freedom Fare | From £2,499 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
Bolette’s N Grade Single Interior cabins are situated on deck 1.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,499 pp |
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Balcony Suite (BS)
Located on deck 6, Bolette's Balcony Suites have a private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £8,998.50 |
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Terrace Cabin (TC)
Bolette's Terrace Cabins offer access to the Promenade Deck via sliding doors.
| Freedom Fare | From £9,118.10 |
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Superior Ocean Fully Obstructed View (CO)
CO Grade Superior Ocean View cabins have a fully obstructed picture view window
| Freedom Fare | From £4,948.50 |
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Interior Cabin (H)
H Grade Interior cabins on Bolette are located on decks 1 & 2
| Freedom Fare | From £4,723.25 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
Bolette’s N Grade Single Interior cabins are situated on deck 1.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,499 |
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Cruise Offers
What's Included
SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
As well as our Signature Experiences, there are a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships.
Dining & Lounges
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
Treats & Pastimes
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
Relaxation & Fitness
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Enhance your cruise
Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.
Need Some Help?
Take a look at our FAQs
The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise.
Visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. UK passport holders will need visas for certain Fred. Olsen cruise holidays and will advised at the time of booking. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday.
On certain sailings we offer two types of cruise fares; Freedom and Saver Fares.
Our single guests feel right at home on board our ships; Fred. Olsen have the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat.
Disembarking when your ship's at anchor is a very different experience to when it's docked portside. Getting ashore in this instance often involves the use of the ship's tender, which is accessed via the steps of a secure gangway.