Celebrate Bolette’s Iconic Journey With Luxury Cruises To The Mediterranean, Canary Islands, And Beyond

Published on November 28, 2025

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette has recently completed an impressive 25th anniversary since her delivery in September 2000. The ship was initially built for Holland America Line under the name Amsterdam. The ship has transformed in several ways throughout her career. Currently, Bolette is one of the most important vessels in Fred. Olsen’s fleet, offering her guests an Experience of a lifetime while cruising on her to several parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.

Bolette is one of the most beloved and celebrated cruisers in the company and the cruise community as a whole. She is a 25-year master of one of the most enchanting and entertaining diversions around the world.

Holland America Line’s Fred Olsen Legacy

Bolette’s illustrious, illustrious, and honorable history started in Italy’s Marghera Shipyard, Fincantieri, where it was built under Holland America Line’s command to be the first of several of the company’s sister ships, including the Rotterdam, Zaandam, and Volendam. Designed to cater to the cruise industry with a promise of providing the world’s most luxurious cruise experience, Amsterdam began the first cruise of her inaugural season, North America.

In October 2000, the ship was given a name at a special ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The then company’s CEO Kirk Lanterman, ‘s wife, Janet Lanterman, took the role of the ship’s godmother. The ship then embarked on a line of ten-night cruises, welcoming her as the flagship of Holland America Line. The ship was called Amsterdam as she began her voyages through the Caribbean and Panama Canal.

Cruising the World

Over the years, Amsterdam gained popularity and became Holland America Line’s flagship. The ship became a symbol of the company’s world cruise voyages, and watching the ship sail the world was a sight to see. It became notorious for traveling to places like Alaska, Europe, and New England. As the ship became an icon in the industry, the ship was always in demand for the luxurious hospitality it was known for.

In 2020, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines purchased the Amsterdam along with her sister ship, the Rotterdam. The purchase was made in an effort to replace Fred Olsen’s older vessels in the fleet, the Black Watch and the Boudicca, which had been in service for 40 years. Lead in Sustainability and Innovation, Fred Olsen strived to give their long-time passengers an updated cruising experience with Modern vessels. The industry icon Amsterdam was a perfect fit for these desires.

Bolette’s New Era with Fred. Olsen

Having been acquired by Fred. Olsen, the Amsterdam was renamed the Bolette, having begun operating under the new brand in August 2021. Bolette’s first voyages were to the UK, including both shorter domestic sailings and longer UK cruises, and the ship’s introduction was highly anticipated by those wanting to experience the ship’s new, refurbished products.

Out of all the firsts for Bolette in 2025, the most juicy was her first world cruise. The route, which was unequaled by other Freds. Olsen voyages included South America, Africa, and the Indian Ocean, and it was headlined ‘the world cruise’. Now, Bolette was able to live her full potential, and the world cruises niche in the company greatly expanded.

A Promising Future for Bolette

Bolette’s journey has been very positive and will continue to be so. From now until the end of 2025, Bolette will be doing different Southern European, Canary Islands, and Northern Europe trips. This means that Bolette’s guests will be traveling to and enjoying the warm Mediterranean, popular Canary Islands, and picturesque Northern Europe, and they will be getting 5-star customer service the whole time!

In March 2026, Bolette will be doing a round-trip cruise that will last a month and go to the Caribbean. The boat will leave from the United Kingdom. It will be a great, memorable trip, and the Bollette guest will be able to visit several different nearby islands and spend time relaxing at sea!

Celebrating 25 Years of Maritime Excellence

Bolette got to cruise around the world for 25 years. This proves how popular and adored this cruise line is. Bolette has been with the Holland America Line and is now the main ship for Fred. Olsen. Cruise lovers will not forget about Bolette in the years to come.

Due to its refined look, extraordinary travel routes, and top-of-the-line service, the Bolette is a model of elegance, quality, and a true adventurous spirit on the sea. Bolette, true to form, has a bright future, sailing the seven seas and providing cruises to the next generation of adventure seekers.

Closing Statement

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and in that span has visited every corner of the world, from the Caribbean to Europe and beyond. Traveling with Holland America Line in the early years, to now a member of the Fred. Olsen fleet, the journey of the Bolette has been history-making. New and old customers during this next chapter of the Bolette are guaranteed to have many legendary experiences on the numerous and diverse routes to be offered in the decades to come. Bolette will continue to provide a cruising experience like no other.