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Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Independently owned and operated by the same family for over 150 years, Fred Olsen is distinctively different from other cruise lines. Their four ships are relatively intimate in size, relaxed in character and giving a traditional cruise experience for mainly British passengers.

Fred Olsen offer an exciting range of no-fly cruises from a selection of regional UK ports, including Southampton, Dover, Newcastle and Liverpool. Their cruises from the UK explore Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, including the British Isles, Baltic Cities, Iceland and the Adriatic Coast. Fred Olsen also offers a selection of fly-cruises to destinations further afield including the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and the Indian Ocean. Their fleet of ships include Balmoral, Bolette and Borealis, and carry between 779 and 1404 guests.

Cruise Collection 2023/ 2024/ 2025

Finding Cruises
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  • Winter Warmth in the Canaries

    Fred Olsen
    Choice of Ships
    Santa Cruz De La Palma, Canary Islands 13 Nights No Fly Cruise from £1199pp Half-price drinks package on 2023 departure! Southampton, Funchal, Madeira, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arrecife, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Southampton

    This island-hopping Canaries cruise offers opportunities to discover the volcanic landscapes of La Palma’s and Tenerife, Gran Canaria's year-round warmth and golden dunes, and the Botanical Gardens in Madeira.

  • Discovering Scandinavian Islands & Capitals

    Fred Olsen
    Borealis
    Tallinn, Estonia 15 Nights No Fly Cruise from £1999pp Book by 31 Oct 2023 and receive a free drinks package! Southampton (UK), Oslofjord - Oslo (Norway), Visby (Sweden), Stockholm - Stockholm Archipelago, Tallinn (Estonia), Helsinki (Finland), Turku - Turku Archipelago, Copenhagen (Denmark), Southampton (UK)

    This 15-night sailing from Southampton combines magnificent Scandinavian cities with scenic cruising, making for a rewarding adventure.

  • Dutch Waterways in Five Nights

    Fred Olsen
    Choice of Ships
    Rotterdam, Netherlands 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £599pp Southampton, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Southampton
  • Scandinavian Easter City Break

    Fred Olsen
    Balmoral
    Gothenburg 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £699pp Newcastle upon Tyne, Cruising by the Olsen Family Home, Cruising Oslofjord, Gothenburg, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Springtime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights

    Fred Olsen
    Choice of Ships
    Olden Fjord - Norway 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £749pp Newcastle upon Tyne, Olden, Cruising Nordfjord, Cruising Hornelen, Bergen, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Scenic Isles of Scotland in Five Nights

    Fred Olsen
    Bolette
    Duart Castle, Isle Of Mull 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £749pp Liverpool, Cruising past Duart Castle, Cruising Sound of Mull, Cruising Loch Hourn, Cruising by The Small Isles, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr), Cruising Fingal's Cave, Cruise by Iona, Liverpool
  • Discovering Normandy & the Channel Islands

    Fred Olsen
    Borealis
    Isle Of Scilly 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £749pp Southampton, Saint Mary's, Isles of Scilly, Saint Peter Port, Cruise by Brecqhou, Cruise by Sark, Circumnavigate Alderney, Honfleur, Southampton
  • Scenic Scottish Isles in Five Nights

    Fred Olsen
    Bolette
    Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £749pp Liverpool, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Portree, Isle of Skye, Cruising by The Small Isles, Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr), Cruising Fingal's Cave, Cruise by Iona, Liverpool
  • European River Cities & Christmas Markets

    Fred Olsen
    Balmoral
    Christmas Display Window In Rouen 6 Nights No Fly Cruise from £799pp Southampton, Antwerp, Rouen, Cruising River Seine, Southampton
  • France & the River Seine Bank Holiday

    Fred Olsen
    Balmoral
    Honfleur Port 5 Nights No Fly Cruise from £799pp Southampton, Cruise Pleinmont to Jerbourg, Cruise by Brecqhou, Cruise by Sark, Circumnavigate Alderney, Cruising River Seine, Rouen, Honfleur, Southampton

About Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred Olsen offers a traditional cruise experience, and believes that smaller is better, with ships accommodating between 799 and 1404 guests. Their size allows them to dock in the heart of destinations and visit some of the smaller and lesser-known ports around the world. Their size also means that guests experience more personal levels of service onboard. The newest additions to the fleet are 1338-passenger Bolette and 1404-passsenger Borealis.

The company operates a fantastic range of no-fly cruises from the UK. Guests can cruise from Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth to an array of destinations including the breathtaking Norwegian fjords, diverse cities of the Baltic, and the sun-drenched Canary Islands.

Fred Olsen offers exciting optional extras including immersive shore tours which allow guests to discover more during their time in a destination. For example, in St Petersburg, guests don’t just watch the ballet, but meet the dancers too.
A Fred Olsen cruise is perfect for all the family. On peak holiday season cruises, the Little Skippers Club provides a variety of entertainment and fun activities for children between 5 and 11 years old. These activities are run by a qualified, friendly team and include arts and crafts, treasure hunts, baking and much more.

Ships

There is a relaxed atmosphere on board the company’s small to mid-size ships, which all offer a traditional cruise experience.

The latest additions to the fleet are Bolette and Borealis, carrying up to 1380 and 1404 guests respectively. Bolette was named after Fred. Olsen Junior’s great-great-grandmother, and Fred. Olsen Senior’s great-grandmother, while Borealis was named after a ship which was in the fleet many years ago.

Balmoral can accommodate 1325 guests and retains the warm and friendly atmosphere that the fleet is renowned for. Named after the Scottish residence of the British Royal Family, the Scottish theme is evident in the main dining venues of Ballindalloch, Avon and Spey. Other public areas include lounges, bars and two swimming pools. 

Bolette accommodated up to 1338 passengers, with spacious, elegant and comfortable public areas. Features on board include eleven bars and lounges, and main restaurant and speciality restaurants, a swimming pool and show lounge.

Borealis accommodated up to 1338 passengers, with spacious, elegant and comfortable public areas. Features on board include eleven bars and lounges, and main restaurant and speciality restaurants, a swimming pool and show lounge.

Dining

Dining is an important part of a Fred Olsen cruise, with each ship offering a choice of elegant restaurants and venues. All dishes are expertly crafted by talented chefs, and there are both A La Carte and Buffet style options at meal times. The buffet restaurants offer a flexible, relaxed experience and are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. 

The main restaurants allow guests to enjoy sumptuous five-course A La Carte dinners every evening. Breakfast and lunch in these restaurants are open seating, while for dinner there is a choice of two seatings. Guests booking Freedom Fares are given a choice of dining time. 

Every cabin and suite has tea and coffee making facilities as standard, with room service available up until 11pm every day. Continental breakfast can be ordered in advance for delivery at a guest’s preferred time. 

Guests can enjoy complimentary afternoon tea every day, a delicious selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes served with tea and coffee. Select experiences can be booked. Traditional Premium Afternoon Tea in the stylish Observatory Lounge, accompanied by music and served by white-gloved waiters.

BalmoralBalmoral Afternoon TeaAfternoon Tea ObservatoryObservatory BoletteBolette Swimming PoolSwimming Pool RestaurantRestaurant