The Boudicca cruise ship is ideal for older cruisers who like to take their time with dinner, which is a big event each night. If you don't like a lot of noise, big crowds, and young families, the Boudicca ship is for you.
Ship Highlights
- Part of Fred. Olsen cruises
- Long, formal dinners
- Reminiscent of old-style cruising in the British tradition
- Refurbished main restaurants
- Small, cozy bars
Cuisine
What food onboard the Boudicca ship lacks in imagination, it makes up for in quality. Tintagel and the Four Seasons are the two main restaurants, with the Secret Garden offering buffet-style meals featuring lighter fare surrounded by an Oriental-themed atmosphere. Grab a snack at the open-air Marquee Bar overlooking the pool or from the Poolside Cafe, where you'll find tasty self-service buffets.
Entertainment and Nightlife
Nightlife isn't too crazy on Boudicca cruises, with many of the clientele being older couples. But the Neptune Lounge does offer nightly shows, comedy acts and magic performances that will keep you entertained in the evening. The main entertainment here is dinner. The mainly British passengers on this ship like to take their time with dinner and after-dinner drinks. Other lounges and bars include the Heligan Room, the Observatory and the Lido Lounge. A small casino allows for a little bit of gambling, but you won't find slot machines here. Smoking is banned on the ship, so you'll have to light up outside on one of the decks or on a balcony.
Cabins
As far as accommodations go, you have many options to choose from. Staterooms range from small interior cabins to Premier Suites boasting 550 square feet of space, which earns positive Boudicca reviews. These are located on the Marquee Deck, featuring a bedroom, sitting room, balcony and bathrooms with full tub and shower. You'll also find DVD/CD players, TVs, fridges and minibars in these suites. However, in all cabins, private baths or showers, as well as TVs come standard. Bathrooms and carpets recently have been renovated throughout, so you may notice these gentle upgrades.
Recreation
There are spa and fitness facilities onboard. The gym consists of bikes, treadmills, rowers and cross trainers, but is in desperate need of a remodel. Nearby are sauna and steam rooms. You can get a facial or massage at the ship's beauty salon near the gym, run by Harding Bros. An Internet Cafe allows you to keep in touch with the outside world, and a nicely stocked library pulls you in to relax and take a break. The Sun Deck gives you a chance to get some exercise out in the open, with a ball court, golf driving nets and shuffleboard. You may even want to take a brisk walk along the Promenade, which runs around the ship.
Onboard Fees
Most fitness classes are free, but you will pay extra for specialty classes like yoga and kickboxing. Other extras include photographs, Internet usage, all drinks, salon treatments, laundry service and shore excursions. Standard gratuities are expected at the end of your stay.
Taking the Kids
Since most of Boudicca's clientele are older couples in their 60s and up, children are not generally welcome aboard. Families with small children are better off with a larger, more kid-friendly ship that offers lots of activities for the young ones and for people on the go.