Fred. Olsen Names Paolo Togonon Captain of Bolette
Togonon joined Fred. Olsen in 2011 after starting at sea as a deck cadet in 2004, later serving on Black Watch and Braemar before becoming staff captain.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has promoted Paolo Togonon to captain of Bolette, with the staff captain scheduled to assume command of the ship on June 20, 2026. Togonon has been serving aboard the vessel, the former Holland America Line Amsterdam, which sails year-round from British ports and is due to operate a Liverpool program through December.
Togonon joined Fred. Olsen in 2011. He came aboard as a second officer, having graduated from the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific and started at sea in 2004 as a deck cadet on cargo ships and OBO carriers.
Fred. Olsen said Togonon later served as safety officer on Black Watch and Braemar before advancing to chief officer and then staff captain. The company cited his work during the fleet restart after the pandemic, participation in major drydock projects, mentoring of officers and crew, and involvement in Braemar’s 2019 Corinth Canal transit among his career highlights.
The line said Togonon will focus on safety, professional standards and the guest experience while supporting crew development. “Paolo believes leadership is built on trust, open communication, accountability and supporting people to achieve their full potential,” Fred. Olsen said.
Bolette, one of Fred. Olsen’s three cruise ships alongside Borealis and Balmoral, sails a Liverpool schedule that includes the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, the Iberian Peninsula, Iceland and the Mediterranean. One of the longer departures is a 16-night French Riviera and Spain cruise in September, with scheduled calls at seven ports including Port Vendres, Ajaccio and Cartagena.
