Fred Olsen smart casual

[Dairbear01]

We are off next week on our first cruise with Fred Olsen on the Bolette.

 

We arent looking to get dressed up, so wondered about dining on the Bolette.

 

Anyone know, if you are just going to the buffet is it ok to wear jeans, or do you have to wear chinos or dress trousers.

We can't see us eating in the main restaurant as it's 8.30 which is to late for us to eat.

 

Thanks In advance 

Edited April 5, 2023 by Dairbear01

[lohr500]

We dined most nights in the restaurant on our 5 night cruise on Bolette last autumn (and very good it was too). Jeans and a short sleeved or long sleeved shirt would be fine. We skipped the formal night as we couldn't be bothered packing our "sunday best" attire. The buffet wouldn't be an issue either for jeans, etc.

[Dairbear01]

Thanks for the info, were definitely not into the formal dining, so will stick to the buffet for that night, my wife is gluten intolerant so felt we might have to lean towards the restaurant, meeting maitre-d once boarded.

so hopefully the buffet will be fine, we eat by 6pm latest, so that late restaurant sitting just doesn't suit us.

As it's our first cruise, I have chinos and jeans, but prefer to be in jeans and a polo shirt, so hoped we could dine like that, seem to be taking so much clothes because it's colder, didn't want to take even more.

 

 

[sleepingcat]

oh good luck with your first cruise.  be aware that having a polite word with the maitre d of the restaurant you've been allocated for 8,30 could easily get you moved to a 6 pm sitting. Ive always been successful with this  request, and last time on FOCL we were moved to a table with some delightful dinner companions, and to a nicer restaurant. 

[Dairbear01]

@sleepingcat

Thanks for that, certainly worth a try, shame to miss out on the restaurant experience with it being later, if it was possible to move to the earlier time, we could then see what works best with the gluten free requirements in the restaurant and buffet 

[Eglesbrech]

19 hours ago, Dairbear01 said:

@sleepingcat

Thanks for that, certainly worth a try, shame to miss out on the restaurant experience with it being later, if it was possible to move to the earlier time, we could then see what works best with the gluten free requirements in the restaurant and buffet 

It is certainly well worth a try but don’t rely on being moved. We were on 2 weeks ago and many people asked and the answer was a resounding no. The first seating was packed.

 

Fred don’t help themselves as all the entertainment revolves around first dining. I don’t mind eating later (in fact I prefer it) but I object to the lack of entertainment for later diners.

 

Second seating dinner was all but empty except for the on the formal nights when some tables came along. That may have been peculiar to our cruise. We sat with empty tables all around us most nights.

 

[Dairbear01]

We were just watching a video about Bolette on YouTube, the lady sailed to Norway recently, she was saying you could pay extra to move if you really wanted to, but it was £2 each per day, so around £40, I think I'd rather go to the buffet or spend the money in the specialist restaurant. Also she had bad sea sickness, with our lovely North sea, so hopefully our weather will behave