Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is known for smaller-ship cruising, carefully crafted itineraries and a warm, traditional style of service. Its fleet of three smaller ships — Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral — is designed to offer a calmer, more personal experience than larger resort-style vessels.
Each ship has its own character, with spacious public areas, wide open decks, lounges, restaurants and a welcoming atmosphere where crew can get to know guests personally. Bolette is the line’s flagship, Borealis is well suited to longer journeys and scenic cruising, and Balmoral, the smallest ship in the fleet, is ideal for sailing narrow waterways and docking closer to the heart of destinations that larger ships cannot reach.
Fred. Olsen’s itineraries are planned around scenic sailing, cultural highlights and memorable natural events, with routes designed to sail closer, linger longer and make the journey itself part of the experience. Cruises sail from convenient UK departure ports including Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth and Southampton, with voyages ranging from short breaks to longer journeys across Europe, Norway, Iceland, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and further afield.
On board, guests can expect comfortable accommodation, restaurants and bars, live entertainment, enrichment, regional experiences, scenic commentary and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The experience is especially suited to travellers who value thoughtful itineraries, smaller ships, personal service and the ease of sailing from the UK.
Recent recognition includes Best Cruise Line for Groups at the 2026 Group Leisure and Travel Awards, Feefo’s Exceptional Service Award and Gold Trusted Service Award in 2025, Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended accreditation for itineraries in 2025, and Best for Solo Travellers in Cruise Critic UK’s Best in Cruise Awards for a second consecutive year.
