Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
We have hand-crafted this cruise to take you on a discovery of remote Scottish islands, coinciding with the May Day Bank Holiday. Your itinerary is packed with Signature Experiences, including Scenic Discoveries and Itinerary Insights. Enjoy sailing by the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave, bonnet-shaped Bac Mòr, the Small Isles archipelago and the Holy Isle of Iona. Bolette will also cruise Loch Hourn and the Sound of Mull, passing the 13th century Duart Castle. The island theme continues with calls to Lewis and Orkney, sandwiched in between your scenic sea days. During your time ashore, you can delve into ancient history, particularly at the Neolithic sites of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Callanish Standing Stones.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Rugged Scottish Isles
Many Scenic Discoveries await you on our cruise, including dramatic rock formations such as the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa, the bonnet-shaped Bac Mor, also known as Dutchman’s Cap, and the imposing Duart Castle. Enjoy scenic cruise commentary from a local guide as we divert into the fjord-like Loch Hourn, providing you with unforgettable sights of steep, imposing mountains, and occasional bays and beaches that break the craggy, untamed water’s edge.
Your Hand-crafted Signature Experience | Scenic Discoveries
Way of Life on the Scottish Isles
As we sail the isles of Scotland, immerse yourself in the traditional way of island life. In Kirkwall, visit Barony Mill, the only Bere grinding mill in the UK, to meet the local miller and learn about the past and present island life. Guest speaker and Isle of Lewis local, Derek Murray, will be providing your Itinerary Insights on this cruise and will be speaking about life on the island and offering Gaelic language lessons. In Stornoway, you will have the opportunity to try local handmade delicacies, Ness black pudding and Guga by a talented local chef.
Your Hand-crafted Signature Experience | Itinerary Insights
Dolphins, Whales & Seabirds
We have designed this itinerary to give you the best chance of witnessing the remarkable wildlife the Scottish Isles has to offer. Ocean conservationists, ORCA will be out on deck to help you search the skies and seas for nearby wildlife, including dolphins, whales and seabirds. In Kirkwall, you will have the opportunity to embark on a bird watching excursion where you will journey through the farmland of Orkney to a spectacular clifftop to spot seasonal cliff bird colonies along the beautifully sculpted coastline.
Your Hand-crafted Signature Experience | Scenic Discoveries
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.
Our Signature Experiences
To make your experience even more special, our Journey Planners have designed a unique programme of Signature Experiences which will allow you to discover real insights about the culture and nature of the places we are visiting, so you can arrive in each destination fully prepared to get the most out of your visit.
We have carefully curated a programme of events to give you a deeper understanding of each of the destinations you will be visiting
Our Scenic Discoveries are designed to allow you to enjoy seeing the world from the unique perspective of our ships
Maritime is in our DNA - our history in shipping goes back almost 200 years
There’s very little in the natural world more beautiful than a clear night sky, sunrise or sunset seen at sea
We love to bring a taste of the region's food, drink, local tastes and culinary traditions to life on board
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.
Orkney's Wartime History
Together with a specialist Wartime Guide, embark on a tour of Orkney and visit historic sites such as Stromness, Ness Battery, Scapa Flow and the beautiful hand-painted Italian chapel built by Prisoners of War.
££££
Kirkwall
Skara Brae & Skaill House
This exploration of Skara Brae village will shed light on prehistoric life as your tour guide leads you through the remains of eight dwellings built during the Stone Age and the manor of Skaill House
££££
Kirkwall
Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Visit the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney to discover the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness. Journey to an ancient Neolithic village to walk amongst the houses and learn about everyday life, and enjoy views of the bird hide on Harray Loch, before visiting St. Magnus Cathedral.
££££
Kirkwall
A Taste of Lewis
Visit the Clan MacQuarrie Community Centre to taste local produce cooked by a Niseach Chef who will demonstrate how to cook these delicacies and teach you about their significance to the island.
££££
Stornoway
Culture & Crofting Traditions of Lewis
Journey to North Lewis to discover the local culture and history of crofting. The local museum houses two exhibition galleries and a local history archive, and reflects various aspects of island life including crofting, fishing and local industries.
££££
Stornoway
The Harris Tweed Story
Learn about the history of Harris Tweed and how this iconic fabric has been a staple piece of the Outer Hebrides heritage. Discover the processes from wool to yarn and enjoy a workshop to create your own piece of Harris Tweed.
££££
Stornoway
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.
Elaine Hansen
An Arts Society speaker and Historian, Elaine Hansen will be on board delivering a series of talks on the history of the Scottish Isles we will be visiting, including Skara Brae and the Viking history of Shetland.
Orca
Founded in 2001, ORCA is a group of Ocean Conservationists. Join them out on deck to search the seas for marine life.
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
Please call our Reservations Team for latest pricing and availability.
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.