First ever cruise Bolette

[Dairbear01]

Hi there

We are seriously thinking about booking a Nordic capitals cruise aboard the Bolette in April this year.

But as we have never cruised before we have a few newbie questions.

If anyone can help that would be fantastic,

1/ My wife is gluten intolerant but I believe they cater for allergies
2/ Can you eat at the buffet on the formal nights without having to dress up.
3/ they seem to be pushing 8.30pm as a dining time, but we prefer to eat at 6.30pm , can we opt for the earlier time.
4/ is water and possible fruit juice free with your meals, or is that all extra.

[Manoverboard]

We are familiar with Fred but not the Bolette, so ...

1. Allergies are certainly catered for

2. If the buffet restaurant is actually open on the formal night(s) then yes you can

3. If you are able to choose the earlier time at the time of booking then yes.

4. Fred cruises are generally inclusive of non premium drinks but water is always free.

For your first cruise you may be best booking through a TA rather than going online.

ps ... Hello and welcome

[Dairbear01]

Thanks for that , lot of if buts and maybes as far as what cabin you might get, or what you are booking for, so as it's a complete step into the dark, we want to be sure

[Manoverboard]

Don't worry about it, ask away ... we've all been there

My first piece of advice would be to book an unobstructed outside cabin, ideally in the middle of the ship as this will be more stable. Do not book an inside cabin or you will miss too many views. A suite or a balcony would be great but they are far too expensive if cruising turns out not to be your thing.

[Dairbear01]

The deal is for an outside cabin which we think will either be a porthole or a picture window, but we are not sure what lower decks.

We definitely don't want a cabin with no daylight, but don't want to pay for an expensive cabin either, they are quite vague with what you might get, so that's why were not sure about grabbing the deal, 10 days in a cr***y room will put the dampers on our first cruise venture.

[barney]

I’d recommend going through a good cruise travel agent.
Explain your concerns and they should be able to sort you out.
I’d never personally go for an inside cabin but am aware that others seem to like them, or so they say.
Think about it as a hotel (that moves) room.
You’d never accept a room without a window would you?
Depending on area going to, we look at it as a series of city breaks with a lot of eating and drinking in between.

[Dairbear01]

It's a 10 day , Sweden, Denmark, Finland , Norway trip, with a outside cabin, but were not sure exactly if it will be an accessible cabin as it's an offer price. Which is what attracted us to it,

[Manoverboard]

We have taken up offers that guarantee a cabin type without knowing the actual cabin number right up to boarding in a couple of cases. Never had an accessible cabin though, thought they were saved for folks who actually need them and that they were only available if specifically booked.

[Onelife]

Hi Dairbear,

I can’t add anything to what has already been said other than to say first cruises are so exciting, not just for the fact that you are going on a cruise, but also the anticipation and excitement that you will feel leading up to them. Enjoy!

[towny44]

It's a 10 day , Sweden, Denmark, Finland , Norway trip, with a outside cabin, but were not sure exactly if it will be an accessible cabin as it's an offer price. Which is what attracted us to it,

We need an accessible cabin, and never been able to book one on a special offer price. I think you definitely need to contact a reputable cruising TA , like Bolsover, they will be able to check if you could book an accessible cabin with this offer, and be able to answer all the questions you have, as well as being able to offer you A discount on the P&O price.

[Dairbear01]

Thanks all , we used the call back option and had a lovely conversation with a real human , which allowed us to ask loads of questions and has put our minds at ease, we are going to take tonight to think of anything else, with a call back planned for tomorrow morning, where we expect to go ahead and book the cruise, unless anything else comes to mind, that puts us off.

Just a quick thought , as a British passport holder do we need any visas as we are visiting those 4 countries, or as it's a cruise ship that isn't an issue

[Dairbear01]

We don't need an accessible cabin it was just coming up on the cabin description on the offer, we wondered if that was our choice, that has now been clarified.

[Dairbear01]

If we do go ahead , we would probably be driving down from Scotland, anyone know the best and cheapest options for leaving your car in Newcastle whilst you go on the 10 day cruise.

[barney]

You don’t need a visa.
All you need is a passport, a credit card and a smile

[Stephen]

If we do go ahead , we would probably be driving down from Scotland, anyone know the best and cheapest options for leaving your car in Newcastle whilst you go on the 10 day cruise.

Depends if you like your wheels

[david63]

If we do go ahead , we would probably be driving down from Scotland, anyone know the best and cheapest options for leaving your car in Newcastle whilst you go on the 10 day cruise.

https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/newcastle ... l-parking/

Also see what, if anything, is being offered by the cruise line

[Onelife]

If we do go ahead , we would probably be driving down from Scotland, anyone know the best and cheapest options for leaving your car in Newcastle whilst you go on the 10 day cruise.

https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/newcastle ... l-parking/

Also see what, if anything, is being offered by the cruise line

Good informative Post David

Regards

Your mate Onelife

[Stephen]

You'd better get someone to tie your feet to the ground Keith before we lose you completely up davids back side

[Onelife]

You'd better get someone to tie your feet to the ground Keith before we lose you completely up davids back side

Getting to the top can be a messy ole business

[Stephen]

You'd better get someone to tie your feet to the ground Keith before we lose you completely up davids back side

Getting to the top can be a messy ole business

Let's hope you've got plenty of roses for it.

[Onelife]

You'd better get someone to tie your feet to the ground Keith before we lose you completely up davids back side

Getting to the top can be a messy ole business

Let's hope you've got plenty of roses for it.

Say no more...been there

[Dairbear01]

Thanks again for all the help

We went ahead and booked the cruise and took the parking via free Olsen at the cruise terminal, so we could book in advance and know the car would be sorted on our arrival.

Not long till the 11th of April to get clothes etc sorted, but maybe that's a good thing, we can focus our minds on getting everything pulled together quickly, instead of leaving it till later.

Kenny

[Ray B]

Kenny, you are all done and dusted, just counting the days to when you join your ship.
Have a wonderful time on board and don't forget to post on your return to tell us all how it all went.
Happy cruising.

[oldbluefox]

The first cruise is always something special and having done it hopefully it will be the first of many.

[Manoverboard]

Don't forget to pack a cardi ... brrrrrr