Fred Olsen Cruises
Fred Olsen Cruises offers no-fly cruise holidays from regional UK ports on three smaller ships. Explore the Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands, Mediterranean and seasonal Caribbean voyages. Experience warm British hospitality, attentive service and inclusive Freedom Fares that bundle drinks at meals and gratuities.
Why Choose Fred Olsen?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been sailing smaller ships to remarkable destinations for over 175 years, and the intimacy of the experience is still what sets it apart. Three ships, Balmoral, Bolette and Borealis, sail to the Norwegian fjords, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the British Isles and beyond, most departing directly from UK ports. The fleet has won Cruise Critic's Best Itineraries award five years running. Browse 2026 and 2027 sailings and book with Paramount Cruises, fully ABTA and ATOL protected.
Smaller Ships
The three ships in the Fred. Olsen fleet are small enough to sail where most cruise ships simply cannot go. While larger vessels turn away from narrow fjords and city-centre harbours, Balmoral, Bolette and Borealis can navigate deep into Norwegian fjord country, dock in the heart of historic ports and sail through inland waterways that remain out of reach for ships carrying thousands of passengers. The result is a fundamentally different kind of itinerary, and a closer connection with every destination.
Award-Winning Itineraries
Fred. Olsen has won Cruise Critic's Best Itineraries award five consecutive years, and it is easy to see why. Routes are designed by expert journey planners who think carefully about where to go and when, timing arrivals to catch ports at their most vibrant and building in scenic cruising through landscapes that the itinerary itself makes memorable. From the peak of Norwegian fjord season to the quiet harbours of the Mediterranean, these are journeys designed to be discovered slowly.
No-Fly from UK Ports
Fred. Olsen sails no-fly from a wider range of UK departure points than almost any other cruise line. Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth near Edinburgh all feature regularly in the programme, along with sailings from Bristol, Belfast and Dundee. For guests who prefer to drive or take the train to their ship, this breadth of regional departures makes a genuine difference, removing the airport entirely and beginning the holiday from the moment you step on board.
Joy of the Journey
Fred. Olsen takes the time between ports as seriously as the ports themselves. Days at sea are shaped around the destination ahead, with Itinerary Insights talks from regional specialists, Treats of the Region cooking demonstrations using produce and recipes from places you are about to visit, and on-deck stargazing sessions during a Northern Lights cruise in waters far from light pollution. Whether you spend a sea day on deck watching the horizon or in a talk about the history ahead, the voyage itself becomes part of the experience.
Solo Cruises
Fred. Olsen has been voted Best Cruise Line for Solo Travellers two years running by Cruise Critic. Every ship carries dedicated solo cabins and selected sailings with no single supplement, while the intimate size of the fleet means a sociable atmosphere comes naturally. The smaller the ship, the easier it is to meet people and build the kind of friendships that often become the most memorable part of any voyage.
Sip, relax and enjoy
Drinks Packages
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ inclusive pricing makes enjoying a drink with your meal simple and stress-free. Guests booked on a Freedom Fare can enjoy selected beers, wines and soft drinks included with lunch and evening meals, with gratuities covered as standard. For those who would like a wider choice throughout the day, optional drinks packages are available to add at the time of booking. From a relaxed glass of wine at dinner to a refreshing soft drink with lunch, everything is thoughtfully arranged so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Fred Olsen Cruises, including UK departure ports, fleet, fares, solo travel and adult-only sailings.
Fred Olsen Cruises sails from four UK departure ports: Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle (Port of Tyne) and Rosyth, the port for Edinburgh. Each port has its own selection of itineraries, so the departure port often shapes where you sail. All sailings are no-fly, with passengers joining the ship directly from a UK port rather than via an airport.
Fred Olsen operates three smaller ships: Borealis, Bolette and Balmoral. Bolette is the flagship with 690 cabins. The fleet's smaller scale lets each ship dock closer to city centres and reach narrower waterways than larger cruise ships.
The Freedom Fare is Fred Olsen’s inclusive fare type. It adds selected house beer, red, white and rosé wine by the glass, and draught soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Gratuities are also included in the fare. For drinks outside meals or premium brands, a separate drinks package can be added at the time of booking.
Yes. Fred Olsen is well set up for solo guests. Each ship has dedicated single cabins across three grades: Single Balcony, Single Ocean View and Single Interior. Onboard, you can join a daily solo travellers meet-up, dine at mixed-group tables and dance with the resident Dance Hosts.
Fred Olsen sails to the Norwegian Fjords, Arctic Norway, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, Scandinavia and the Baltic, European cities, the Mediterranean and Adriatic, the Greek Islands, Portugal with Madeira and the Azores, the Canaries and Cape Verde, plus the Caribbean and Central America. Grand Voyages also reach Japan, North America, Australasia, South Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Fred Olsen is not strictly adults only. The line runs a selection of Exclusively for Adults sailings on Borealis for guests who prefer that atmosphere. Other sailings welcome children and the line publishes a Kids Club page for family-friendly cruises. The clientele still tends to skew older and the onboard feel is generally adult.
