Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Dining

Dining with Fred Olsen Cruises is rooted in classic cruising traditions, with a clear focus on quality, service, and unhurried meals. Each ship features elegant main dining rooms where guests enjoy five-course evening dinners, served by the same waiting staff throughout the voyage. Menus change daily and often reflect the regions being visited, from Norwegian salmon and reindeer-inspired dishes on fjord sailings to British roasts and puddings on homeport departures.

Casual dining is available in buffet restaurants offering cooked breakfasts, fresh salads, soups, and lighter options throughout the day. Afternoon tea is a much-loved highlight, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, served in venues such as the Observatory Lounge on Bolette or the Neptune Lounge on Borealis. Room service is also available for guests who prefer a quiet meal in their cabin.

Entertainment

Evenings on board are refined rather than flashy, with entertainment designed to encourage conversation and connection. The main show lounges host live vocalists, tribute acts, classical musicians, and cabaret performances, often drawing on British theatre traditions. Guest speakers frequently deliver talks linked to the itinerary, such as Viking history before visiting Bergen or Arctic wildlife ahead of calls at Tromsø.

After dinner, guests often gather in lounges like the Earth Room on Borealis or the Morning Light Pub on Balmoral, where resident bands play familiar favourites and dancing is encouraged. Quiz nights, themed music evenings, and port talks ensure there is always something engaging without overwhelming the relaxed onboard atmosphere.

Things to Do

Days at sea are filled with enriching activities rather than high-adrenaline attractions. On Bolette and Borealis, cookery demonstrations and tasting sessions give insight into regional dishes, while arts and crafts workshops, bridge tournaments, and photography classes are popular with regular guests. Lecture programmes often explore destinations in depth, from Baltic capitals like Tallinn and Riga to historic ports such as Cádiz and Lisbon.

For relaxation, guests can unwind around the pool deck, enjoy a massage in the Atlantis Spa, or settle into a quiet corner of the library with sea views. Shore excursion briefings and destination talks are particularly detailed, helping guests plan visits to specific landmarks such as Geiranger’s Flydalsjuvet viewpoint or the medieval Bryggen Wharf in Bergen.

Family

Fred Olsen is primarily geared towards adults, couples, and solo travellers who enjoy traditional cruising. That said, children are welcome on selected sailings, particularly during school holiday periods. The Little Skippers Club operates for ages 5 to 11, offering crafts, games, and supervised activities.

Families should note that ships do not feature waterparks or large-scale children’s entertainment. Instead, itineraries and onboard life suit families who enjoy destination-focused travel, scenic cruising through areas like the Hardangerfjord or coastal sailings around the Scottish Isles, including calls at Kirkwall and Stornoway.

Useful Information

The fleet consists of three mid-sized ships: Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral. Their smaller size allows access to ports that larger vessels cannot reach, such as Funchal’s central harbour, Flam’s narrow fjord berth, and the locks of the Kiel Canal. Cabins range from interior and ocean view rooms to balcony cabins and suites, with a strong selection of single cabins for solo travellers.

Guests looking for value should keep an eye on Fred Olsen Last Minute Deals, which can offer excellent savings close to departure. Repeat cruisers benefit from the Fred Olsen Oceans Club, earning points towards onboard credit, discounts, and priority booking.

Destinations

Itineraries are destination-led and carefully planned around scenic cruising and longer port stays. Norwegian Fjords sailings often include Geiranger, Olden, and Alesund, with extended time to explore viewpoints, glaciers, and waterfront towns. Baltic routes visit Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, Helsinki’s Senate Square, and Tallinn’s medieval Old Town.

British Isles cruises call at ports such as Greenock for Glasgow, Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock, and Belfast, with excursions to the Giant’s Causeway. Further afield, Mediterranean itineraries explore Malaga, Barcelona, and Valletta, while longer voyages may include Madeira’s Funchal, Lisbon’s Alfama district, and Caribbean islands such as Barbados and St Lucia.

Special Fred Olsen Cruises Offerings

One of the line’s standout features is the ease of sailing from regional UK ports. Guests can board close to home, avoiding flights entirely. Popular options include Fred Olsen Cruises from Liverpool, which are ideal for exploring the Irish Sea, Scotland, and Northern Europe, as well as departures from Newcastle and Southampton.

Those planning ahead can also secure great value on future sailings with Fred Olsen Cruises 2027, offering a wide range of itineraries from short UK escapes to longer voyages into the Arctic Circle.