This cruise liner joined the fleet of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in early 2006 after a major refit to suit the company's mostly British passengers. Modifications included dividing the large main restaurant into three smaller ones and adding 35 single cabins. Built in 1972 as the Royal Viking Sky, the 28,388-ton
Boudicca (an East Anglian queen who fought the Romans in the first century AD) can take up to 850 passengers and has a crew of 320, comprising a Norwegian captain, European officers and mostly Filipino crew.
Fred. Olsen is a family-run company of Norwegian origins that owns and operates a cruise fleet catering mainly to British passengers who embark in U.K. ports or fly to their cruises overseas. The Boudicca is one of the original Royal Viking Line trio that served the high end of the U.S. cruise market beginning in the early 1970s. All three ships were subsequently lengthened under Royal Viking and cruised worldwide until the line was disbanded. Fred. Olsen operates two of the former RVL ships—the Black Watch (former Royal Viking Star) and Boudicca (former Royal Viking Sky). The latter had operated for a number of different cruise lines as the Sunward, Birka Queen, Golden Princess, SuperStar Capricorn, Hyundai Keumgang and Grand Latino.
Fred. Olsen draws mostly sedate British passengers, 40 and up on the shorter cruises, and considerably older for the longer ones. Many are especially loyal not only to the line but also to a particular ship. Suggested gratuities of US$7 per day are individually handed to the dining and cabin staff.
Boudicca spends spring, summer and fall in Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, Iberia and the Mediterranean. In the winter she makes a 72-night cruise from Southampton, England around South America, including several days docked at Rio de Janeiro during Mardi Gras. The closest competitors to Fred. Olsen are the medium-sized ships of Saga Cruises and Voyages of Discovery. The British-based Cunard ships and those of P&O are much larger.
The understated decor is English and Norwegian, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Most of the public rooms, including restaurants, are on Lounge Deck. The Neptune Lounge and Bar is a level, and pillared, entertainment venue for small production shows and cabaret acts. Adjacent is the Iceni Bar, named after the Anglo tribe that Queen Boudicca led. Aft are two pools, a pair of whirlpools and the somewhat-cramped poolside buffet. The Observatory on Marquee Deck is superbly designed for viewing ahead while enjoying drinks, and another outdoor pool and bar are located aft. Additional public spaces are the Lido Lounge, card room, good sized library, small casino and Internet center. Deck activities include golf nets, paddle tennis, deck quoits and shuffleboard. A multi-room spa and fitness center is located on the lowest passenger deck.
Dining in three separate restaurants is open seating for breakfast and lunch and reserved at two sittings for dinner. The Tintagel and Four Seasons face to port and starboard respectively, and the more intimate Heligan Room, located on the portside, is set aside for suite passengers. The food caters to British tastes and is of a good if not an exciting standard. Wines are fairly priced. The Secret Garden Cafe, crowded at peak times, on the same deck serves breakfast and lunch buffet style with coffee and tea available around the clock.
The 437 cabins fall into 20 price categories and 35 are set aside as singles. Only 39 are inside and 59 have private balconies. Most cabins have bathtubs and ample storage space as the ship was originally built for long cruises. Room service is limited.
If you are an Anglophile and like British manners, routines and food, then the Boudicca will offer a sedate-style cruise to a variety ports from northern Europe south to Iberia, the Atlantic Isles and the Mediterranean.
