Dining & Restaurants
Dining in our elegant restaurants and dining venues is a high point of every Fred. Olsen cruise. There are deliciously-tempting dishes – expertly crafted by our chefs – on offer throughout the day, presented with the personal touch of Fred. Olsen's famous on board service. [ReadMoreMob]With something light like fresh fruits and cereals or perhaps something more substantial, like a hearty 'full English', you can tailor your breakfast to suit the day ahead. At lunchtime, there are varied and interesting menus, complemented by hot and cold buffet options. Savour scrumptious sandwiches, scones and cakes during complementary Afternoon Tea, before the main event – a fabulous, five-course á la carte feast. For those who may be peckish at bedtime, our late buffet will get you through the night.
Dining included:
| Breakfast | À la carte & buffet |
| Lunch | À la carte & buffet |
| Afternoon Tea | À la carte & buffet |
| Dinner | À la carte & buffet |
| Supper Club | Buffet |
Extras:
Speciality Dining | £15pp - £20pp
Premium Afternoon Tea | £8.95pp
The Bookmark Café | coffees & chocolates
Depending on the length of your cruise holiday there will be one or more formal evenings whilst you are on board. This is your chance to ‘dress to impress’ and add glitz and glamour to your dining experience.
Most men opt to wear either a dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie. Ladies are often seen looking fabulous in anything from a cocktail-style dress to a full-length ball gown.
All Fred. Olsen cruise ships feature a casual dining experience for those guests who do not wish to join the formal evenings. Dress code for these restaurants is smart casual every evening.
The exact number of formal nights, including any theme nights will be highlighted on your cruise ticket, but here's a quick guide so you know what to expect on various cruise durations:
|
3 nights or less |
Smart casual throughout |
|
3 - 5 nights |
Captain's Welcome Party, but no formal nights |
|
6 nights |
Captain's Welcome Party + 1x formal night |
|
7- 12 nights |
Captain's Welcome Party + 2x formal nights |
|
13- 20 nights |
Captain's Welcome Party + 3x formal nights |
|
22 nights + |
Captain's welcome Party + 1x formal night each week |
The good news is, unlike some other cruise ship operators, we don't charge a small fortune at the bar. We continually try to keep our pricing in line with local pub prices back in the UK, so you don't have to worry about the cost of enjoying yourself.
For example, you'll pay just £4.35 for a glass of house white, £3.80 for a pint of lager, and £4.05 for a gin & tonic (prices are subject to change and your brand of choice).
Whether it's an aperitif or a bottle of wine, our drinks menu and wine list will give you plenty to pour over.
Main Restaurants
Each of our ships has two or three main restaurants serving buffet and à la carte breakfast and lunches, as well as sumptuous five-course à la carte dinners every evening. The same tempting menu is served in each restaurant, presenting a wide selection of fabulous foods every day.
Both breakfast and lunch are open seating while there are two seatings for dinner. Guests booking Freedom Fares will be offered their choice of dining time (subject to availability). The restaurant will be allocated by the Maitre’D; we will happy take requests should you have a preference, although these are not guaranteed. During the day the dress code in all restaurants is casual; the evenings are usually smart-casual, apart from Formal Nights.
Balmoral | Ballindalloch, Avon & Spey Restaurants
Braemar | Thistle & Grampian Restaurants
Black Watch | Glentanar Restaurant & Orchid Room
Boudicca | Four Seasons, The Indian Ocean Restaurant & Tintagel Restaurant
Relaxed Dining
For a more flexible, relaxed experience, with a casual dress code at all times, there is the option to eat in the buffet restaurant on each ship. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, you’ll find a wide variety of quality dining, where you’re free to help yourself to whatever you want.
Balmoral | Palms Café
Braemar | Palms Café
Black Watch | Brigadoon
Boudicca | Secret Garden Café
Speciality Dining
While the main restaurants are always popular, during your cruise you may be tempted to try something different for an evening or two. When you’re in the mood for the truly special, each ship in our fleet features speciality dining (a small supplement applies).
For a truly premium experience, The Grill features the finest cooked-to-order steaks and sumptuous desserts, served in elegant, sophisticated surroundings. The more relaxed Poolside has sublime themed menus, taking inspiration from the cuisines of the cruising region.
| Balmoral | The Grill - £20pp The Poolside - £15pp |
| Braemar | The Grill - £20pp |
| Boudicca | The Grill - £20pp |
| Black Watch | The Grill - £20pp The Poolside - £15pp |
Room Service
All rooms and Suites have tea and coffee making facilities as standard, so you can enjoy a pick-me-up first thing, and a relaxing drink at the end of the day. For those times when you’d like something more while you’re in your home-from-home at sea you can also order room service up until 11pm every day.
Continental breakfast can be ordered in advance for delivery at your preferred time, while snacks are available from 10am onwards. Should you prefer not to head to the restaurants, short lunch and dinner menus are also available. Whatever the time of day, you’ll never be hungry on a Fred. Olsen cruise.
Afternoon Tea
Each day complimentary afternoon tea is served, with sandwiches, scones and cakes, along with fresh tea and coffee, always a popular choice.
On some days guests can book a very select experience: Traditional Premium Afternoon Tea. Enjoy beautiful views from the stylish Observatory Lounge, with musical accompaniment from our on board pianist and the careful attention of white-gloved waiters.
Your choice from a selection of premium teas by Taylors of Harrogate is served in porcelain teapots, along with elegant finger sandwiches, pastries and warm scones with jam and clotted cream. Such civilised indulgence – and all for only £8.95 per person*.
