Owner: Festival Cruises.
Built: 1968.
Tonnage: 16,000.
Rating: three star.
Passengers: 802.
Crew: 350. Greek officers. First Choice reps and entertainment team are British.
Cabins: 401 featuring six types: inside standard, outside standard, inside superior, outside superior, suite and deluxe suite.
Restaurants: Windows on the Sea Restaurant and Signals Cafe.
Entertainment facilities: two bars (Topsiders and Reflections), Starlight Lounge, casino, piano bar
Other facilities: gym, two swimming pools, sauna, beauty parlour, cinema and shops.
Overall: as you would expect for a three-star ship, it is a far cry from the luxury often associated with cruising but for many first-time cruisers, this will be a bonus. The lasting impression is that Bolero is a friendly ship.
At just 16,000 tonnes, Bolero is small fry compared with the giant floating resorts operated by some cruise companies. But this is by no means a drawback.
In fact in some ways Bolero has a distinct advantage over larger ships precisely because of its small size. For starters it doesn’t take long to get to know your way around the ship. It is also easy to get to know your fellow guests and the atmosphere on board is friendly. Even the star guest, Roy Walker, host of the TV quiz show Catchphrase, who was on board Bolero for its inaugural journey was chatting away to people by the time we set sail from Palma at 11pm on the first day.
The presence of Walker was no doubt an added bonus, but for most of the 800 or so passengers the highlight was the Sun Cities itinerary. From the Coliseum in Rome to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the brilliant architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona, the tour gives you an opportunity to see some of Europe’s most spectacular sites.
Every evening around 6pm the ship’s entertainment team perform a sketch to give guests an idea of the history and sites of the next port of call. But nothing can prepare you for the splendour of Rome, our first port of call.
The tour of Italy’s capital started at the Vatican where we visited St Peter’s Square and the awesome Basilica. We had time to grab a cappuccino just off St Peter’s Square before heading back to the coach for a tour of the city centre. The afternoon took in the Coliseum and the Trevi Fountain.
Back on board our thoughts turned from the magnificent ruins of Rome to the evening ahead. Dinner is a six-course meal. The menu ranges from staples like lamb cutlets to more exotic dishes such as lobster savannah. If you’re still hungry after dinner there’s always the midnight buffet.
After that, breakfast is only a few hours a way! Of course, you can eat as much or as little as you like, but with all food included in the price it is difficult not to make the most of the six daily meals and though the two swimming pools are too small to exercise in, there is a gym to help work off those extra pounds.
The highlight of the evening has to be the cabaret act. Every night a different show is staged in the Starlight Cabaret lounge. From Hollywood nights featuring classics such as Singing in the Rain and Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend to a whole evening of Abba tributes, the programme is designed to provide something for everyone. It seemed strange to be singing along to the strains of Waterloo just hours after staring up at the incredible dome of St Peter’s Basilica but by the time Abba had hit the stage we were a long way from Rome, full steam ahead to Livorno, gateway to Tuscany and our next port of call.
“The cruise is good value especially when you consider the itinerary and the standard of entertainment and service. The only fault I would pick is that the rooms are too basic.”
Martin Jones, director,Freedom Direct
“We have just started advertising this cruise and it is selling well. In two weeks, we sold over 20 cabins. You get good value for money.”
Kathryn Thompson, marketing manager, Magic Breaks
“I was expecting a bigger ship but the standard is excellent. I like the atmosphere here. It’s relaxed and the people are younger than you would expect on a cruise. This sort of ship is widening the market and making cruising accessible.”
Lee Bruce, assistant manager, Travel Choice
“My expectations weren’t high but I think First Choice has undersold and overdelivered. The restaurant is well above expectations for a three-star cruise and the crew are very good. Before I would be a bit tongue in cheek about this type of ship as a poor man’s cruise but I feel I can recommend this with confidence.”
Bill Munro, director,Barrhead Travel