A cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Borealis offers a style of travel that feels increasingly rare. Sailing from Southampton on a French Atlantic cruise to St Malo, La Rochelle and Bordeaux, the journey matters just as much as the places waiting at the other end.
Borealis is a ship for travellers who enjoy being at sea. There is time to settle into life on board, discover its more unusual spaces and watch the coastline change as the ship makes its way towards France.
A ship with personality
What stands out about Borealis is its character.
At a time when new cruise ships seem to be getting ever larger, Borealis feels refreshingly individual. There are unexpected spaces to discover and plenty of places where spending an hour with a coffee, a book or a view of the sea becomes part of the experience.
The Japanese Tea Room is one of them, offering a peaceful retreat from the busier areas of the ship. Then there is the Botanical Room, filled with plants and natural light and easily one of the most distinctive spaces on board.
Afternoon tea brings another glimpse of the more traditional side of cruising. Served while a live quartet performs contemporary songs reimagined with a 1940s feel, it manages to be nostalgic without feeling dated.
There are surprises too.
The Secret Garden Soirée transformed part of the ship with flowers, themed entertainment and a playful sense of occasion. It is these smaller details and unexpected moments that give Borealis much of its personality.
At the table
Food is an important part of any cruise and the main restaurants on Borealis delivered consistently good meals accompanied by attentive service throughout the voyage.
For something different, Colours & Tastes is worth booking.
The smaller speciality restaurant feels more intimate than the main dining rooms, with carefully presented dishes and flavours that venture a little further from traditional cruise dining. It feels like an evening out rather than simply another meal on board.
France by sea
Then there are the destinations.
St Malo is made for arriving by ship. Its historic walled centre, cobbled streets and unmistakably Breton character make it an easy place to explore on foot.
La Rochelle brings a different pace, centred around its waterfront and historic harbour, while Bordeaux opens the door to one of France’s great wine regions.
Together they create a journey through three very different sides of western France, without the itinerary ever feeling rushed.
And perhaps that is where Borealis works best.
This isn’t a ship trying to compete with the biggest resorts at sea. Its appeal lies elsewhere: in characterful spaces, good food, traditional touches and the pleasure of watching another coastline appear on the horizon.
For travellers who still believe the journey should be part of the adventure, Borealis makes a convincing case for taking the slower route.
