Springtime Tulips & Floriade Expo
Overview
Springtime Tulips & Floriade Expo
A feast of sights, scents and flavours await throughout this short, yet rewarding escape to two attraction-packed cities. A navigation of the peaceful Nieuwe Maas on smaller ship Bolette will provide a relaxing start to your time in the Netherlands, while the sights of Rotterdam are also yours to take in at leisure. See and compare the architecture of the futuristic Erasmusbrug Bridge, unusual Markthal and the Cube Houses, and take advantage of an overnight stay to tick-off the city’s collection of interesting museums and galleries. Visiting Amsterdam will be a particular highlight; enjoy time to experience the seasonal delights of the Keukenhof Gardens, where millions of tulips burst into life with vibrant colour and fragrance in the spring, and a chance to visit the Floriade Horticulture Expo, a fascinating decennial celebration of ecology and botany. You’ll dock within a mile of the Dutch capital, so you could discover other attractions, such as the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring and Anne Frank House, with ease if you wish too.
What's Included:
- Comfortable, stylish rooms and suites equipped with a Smart TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and individually controlled air conditioning
- A tempting choice of cuisine every day throughout your cruise – with five-course à la carte dinners, casual breakfast and lunch buffets, late-night snacks and much more
- Unlimited, self-service tea and coffee available 24hrs at selected venues, complimentary afternoon tea* with sandwiches and cakes, and in-room sandwiches and snacks
- A full programme of evening entertainment, including cabaret shows, comedy, dancing and live music
- Full use of on board leisure facilities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis and gym
- A wide choice of engaging on board activities and lectures throughout the day
- All UK port taxes (where collectable in advance)
- Luggage porterage between your room and the drop-off/pick-up point
Hand Picked By
Having cruised many times with Fred. Olsen, I am always confident in recommending their cruises to our customers. In our featured cruise, 'Amazon River Adventure', you can experience an exhilarating exploration of the Amazon. This cruise offers the opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful and once-in-a-lifetime experiences in South America.
Nina Robertshaw
Additional Information
- Departure Date: 29th April 2022
- Duration: 5 nights
- Highlights: A feast of sights, scents and flavours await throughout this short, yet rewarding escape to two attraction-packed cities.
Ship Overview
Bolette
Our flagship Bolette is everything that our loyal guests have come to expect from a Fred. Olsen ship. Proudly bearing the name of Fred. Olsen Jr.’s great-great-grandmother, as many other Olsen vessels have over the years, she exudes classic, elegant style in her exterior and interior design, features spacious and comfortable public areas, and has all the facilities and special touches you need for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.
While she’s one of the largest ships, by overall size, in our fleet, Bolette has capacity for less than 1,400 guests. So, in keeping with our smaller-ship ethos, you’ll find that you’re not overcrowded on board, Show lessand have plenty of space in which to indulge yourself in the stylish dining venues, enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple and fantastic entertainment at the bars, lounges and theatres, and while away the hours by the all-season pool. And of course, with our friendly staff providing our typical level of personal, attentive service, there’s an intimate feel to the on board experience too.
Bolette Profile
- Gross Tonnage: 62,735
- Rooms: 690
- Passengers: 1,338
- Crew: 657
- Bars & Lounges: 11
- Restaurants: 6
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Southampton, United Kingdom
Days 2 & 3: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Golden Age canals lined with elegant merchant homes is the familiar backdrop for the Netherlands' historic capital, Amsterdam. Established in the 17th century with the construction of the River Amstel dam, this celebrated port offers everything from treasure-packed museums and antiquarian bookshops to chic boutiques and convivial cafés. Equally, art is never far away in this hub of uber-creative design. One noticeable thing about the city is that, some 150 years after its industrial heyday, Amsterdam is once again awash with producers.
Amsterdam has some 40 museums, and the Museum Quarter boasts three of the most famous: the Rijksmuseum has paintings from Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals; the Van Gogh Museum; and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, displays work from Manet to Picasso. The Anne Frankhuis where Anne Frank and her family hid from German troops during the World War II, is an experience many visitors seek. Show less Whether on boat or bike - there are more bikes than permanent residents - exploration of the city is relatively straightforward, and a tour of the Canal Ring district, an UNESCO World Heritage site, is not to be missed. Seemingly unchanged since the 17th century, the district has been recognised for its unique cultural and historical values, and is home to many exclusive gabled facades and their celebrity owners.
Day 4: Rotterdam, Netherlands
The words innovative and inspiring sum up Rotterdam, a major port city in the Dutch province of South Holland. The Netherlands' second largest city has a diverse community, a captivating maritime history, and an abundance of excellent museums.
The city is like an exhibition of futuristic architecture, an achievement made even more remarkable given Rotterdam was literally razed to the ground during World War II. The north side of the city is easy to discover on foot. The Maritime Museum has vintage ships and exhibits that trace the city's seafaring history, while the Pilgrim Fathers Church is the site where pilgrims worshipped before embarking for America.
The rapid expansion of Rotterdam’s art scene, and the surge of quality dining and drinking venues make the port one of Europe's most exciting cities. The 17th century Delfshaven neighbourhood is home to canal side boutiques and shopping, and is one area of Rotterdam that still offers an impression of what the city looked like before the bombings.
Split by the imposing Nieuwe Maas shipping channel, the city is crossed by a collection of tunnels and bridges, notably the dramatic Erasmusbrug – nicknamed “the swan”. The innovative Cube Houses, tilted at 45 degrees, are a quirky discovery, as is the Schouwburgplein square. The renowned Blijdorp Zoological Garden, is also worth a visit.
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Southampton, United Kingdom
Additional Information
- Departure Date: 29th April 2022
- Duration: 5 nights
- Highlights: A feast of sights, scents and flavours await throughout this short, yet rewarding escape to two attraction-packed cities.
Cabin and Fares
| Cabin Type | Guide Price | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Cabin | £649pp | Choice of Free Drinks or £100pp on board spend |
View CabinInside Cabin Average size 183 sq ftThe Interior cabins can be found on Decks 1, 2 and 3, and are approximately 183 square feet in size. The room consists of two single beds which can be converted into a queen-size bed. The bathroom features a shower only. | Enquire Now |