Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Bolette will take you to visit a string of charming towns perched on coastal cliffs, including the emerging gem of Cinque Terre, Corsica’s quaint Bonifacio, and the picturesque village of Portofino. You can experience the allure of the Italian Riviera while immersing yourself in authentic culture and cuisine from indulging in fresh seafood to savouring focaccia and pesto in its place of origin, Genoa. Beautiful Cinque Terre, known for olive growing and winemaking, will enchant your taste buds with trofie pasta, zesty lemons and local wines like Sciacchetrà. You can also uncover the region’s rich maritime history, particularly in Genoa, home to ancient city walls and the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Scenic Coastal Cliffs and teetering towns
Translated as “Five Lands”, the emerging treasure of UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre is an iconic stretch of coastline comprising of five colourful fishing villages, renowned for its natural beauty and unique pastel-coloured terraced houses. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore all have their own distinct characters and offer unparalleled views of the Mediterranean Sea. Portofino exudes timeless charm with buildings perched on rocky hillsides, and cobblestoned streets winding through the village, surrounded by lush greenery and azure blue waters. The Corsican town of Bonifacio is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, where ancient forts seem to cling on precariously. Home to streets filled with medieval structures, the town’s historical architecture blends perfectly into the natural beauty of its rugged coastline.
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita, translating as 'the good life', is the perfect way to describe this Bolette cruise. A trio of Italian towns offer a delectable range of culinary experiences for you to try. In Portofino, sample the freshest and most delicious seafood in local restaurants, set against the backdrop of the town’s scenic beauty; while in Genoa, we reocmmend you try Pesto alla Genovese, which originated here. Focaccia bread is another locally produced favourite, often served with just a drizzle of good quality olive oil, so be sure to enjoy them both in an authentic Italian setting. Seafood also takes centre stage in Cinque Terre, with fresh catches transformed into mouthwatering traditional dishes. Fishing and agriculture in the Cinque Terre region reflect its traditional roots, particularly the long-standing practice of olive growing. Terraced vineyards and olive groves rest on steep cliffs, displaying the ingenuity of the locals who produce some of the most flavoursome olives in Italy. Genoa is also well-known for its rich history of craftsmanship, with a particular focus on the intricate art of lace-making, known as ‘merletto’, which has been practiced here for centuries. Delicate lace patterns are meticulously created, and are celebrated for their fine detail and exquisite quality.
Maritime History
Genoa’s maritime history is a tapestry of global influences, and was known as a commanding force during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The city’s shipbuilding industry and maritime trade networks enabled Genoese sailors and explorers to play a pivotal role in discovering new continents. Christopher Columbus was born here in 1451, and spent much of his childhood in the city before leaving to discover the New World. La Spezia is home to Italy’s largest naval base, which still produces warships for the Italian Navy; and Cinque Terre was seen as a strategic coastal location for pirate attacks. This resulted in the construction of watchtowers and fortifications to prevent further occurrences and which can be climbed still today.
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.
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.
Bernie Raffe
Retired professional photographer, Bernie will be joining us throughout our sailing, ready to assist in capturing unforgettable moments of the destinations we will cruise by.
Dr. Armida Luciana Bordi
Local of Genoa, Dr. Armida L. Bordi, will be joining us on board to provide valuable insights into Italian culture and the local way of life.
Dr. Stephen Musgrave
Maritime speaker and former Merchant Navy Officer, Stephen Musgrave will be onboard to deliver engaging talks on the Age of Exploration, including the Portuguese Age of Discoveries.
Go Stargazing
Go Stargazing is formed of a group of astronomers, all of whom are keen to encourage public interest in astronomy to as wide an audience as possible. Join Dr Mark Westmoquette on your cruise for stargazing sessions conducted on the top deck in the evenings.
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 11:00 20/12/2024, 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 11:00 20/12/2024, 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 £6,399 pp |
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Terrace Cabin (TC)
Bolette's Terrace Cabins offer access to the Promenade deck via sliding doors.
| Freedom Fare | From £5,199 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Bolette's F Grade Ocean View cabins have two portholes and are on Marina & Coral deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £3,199 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
Located on decks Marina, Coral & Promenade deck, I Grade Interior cabins on Bolette have a bathroom with shower
| Freedom Fare | From £2,999 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
Bolette’s N Grade Single Interior cabins are situated on Marina deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,699 pp |
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Balcony Suite (BS)
Located on Highland deck, Bolette's Balcony Suites have a private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £10,498.50 |
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Terrace Cabin (TC)
Bolette's Terrace Cabins offer access to the Promenade deck via sliding doors.
| Freedom Fare | From £9,878.10 |
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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 £5,398.50 |
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Interior Cabin (H)
H Grade Interior cabins on Bolette are located on decks Marina & Coral deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £5,423.25 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
Bolette’s N Grade Single Interior cabins are situated on Marina deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,699 |
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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 be 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.