Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a British-based, Norwegian-owned cruise line headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk, led by chief executive Samantha Stimpson. It belongs to the Fred. Olsen Group, the shipping business founded in 1848 in Hvitsten on the Oslofjord by three Olsen brothers and still run by the family in its fifth generation, and is owned through Bonheur.
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About Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
The fleet is three midsize ships: Balmoral, built in 1988 and lengthened for Fred. Olsen in 2008, and Bolette and Borealis, the former Holland America Line ships Amsterdam and Rotterdam, bought in 2020 to replace the older Black Watch and Boudicca. Braemar, laid up since 2020, was sold in 2024. Borealis has sailed adults-only since January 2026.
Most cruises sail round trip from UK ports, chiefly Southampton and Liverpool but also Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rosyth, to Norway, the British Isles, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean, with Mediterranean fly-cruises on Balmoral and long grand voyages each winter, including a 2027 world cruise and an 87-night Amazon and Antarctica voyage in 2028. Since January 2026 the Freedom Fare has included drinks with lunch and dinner, gratuities, port fees, fitness classes and guided port strolls, backed by a four-week price promise for early bookers. The onboard style is traditionally British, with formal and themed nights, afternoon tea and observation lounges, and the three ships meet once a year for the Fleet Fiesta, held in Las Palmas on December 1, 2026.
What Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is known for
Fred. Olsen is known for smaller ships, an unhurried, traditional British atmosphere and no-fly cruises from regional UK ports. The line leans on that smaller scale in its marketing, saying its ships can navigate narrow waterways for scenic cruising and that its crews get to know their guests. It is the longest-standing corporate partner of the RNLI lifeboat charity, and its awards include a 2026 Group Leisure & Travel Award for best cruise line. In 2026 all three ships recorded their highest-ever guest satisfaction scores, with Balmoral, the smallest, scoring best, and the July 2026 launch of the Amazon and Antarctica Grand Voyage gave the company its strongest single sales day ever.
The trade-offs follow from the same choices. All three ships were built between 1988 and 2000, so they lack the water parks, large production shows and range of venues found on newer ships, and specialty dining and all-day premium drinks cost extra (house drinks with lunch and dinner have been included in the fare since January 2026). The traditional British style, with formal nights and afternoon tea, will feel quiet to travelers looking for nightlife, and Borealis does not take children.
Who it's for
Premium · smaller crowds, better food and service than mainstream
- Couples
- Solo travelers
- History and culture
Fred. Olsen suits British travelers, especially retirees, couples and solo cruisers, who want to sail from a UK port without flying and prefer a calm ship of around 1,300 guests to a resort-style megaship. Its itineraries suit people who like scenic cruising, Norwegian fjords, Northern Lights voyages and longer winter-sun trips, and its afternoon teas and formal nights appeal to those who enjoy a traditional style.
Families with young children, travelers looking for nightlife or big-ship attractions, and anyone outside the UK who would need to fly to Southampton or Liverpool will usually find better options elsewhere.
Cruising solo on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen is one of the most solo-friendly lines sailing from Britain: single cabins on Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, hosted solo get-togethers, and a mostly British, older crowd that travels alone in numbers. Fares now include drinks with meals, tips and port fees. The small ships and no-fly sailings from UK ports suit first-time solo cruisers.
- Cabins for one
- Single cabins (inside, ocean view and balcony)
- Single supplement
- Single cabins are priced for one. A solo guest in a twin cabin pays a single supplement that varies by cruise; Fred. Olsen runs regular reduced-supplement solo offers on selected cabin grades.
- Meeting other solo guests
- Welcome drinks party for solo guests, solo traveler meet-ups listed in the Daily Times, hosted dinners and events run by the Guest Experience team, social dining tables with mixed groups, and dance hosts on board.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 2.3/5
- Dining
- 3/5
- Entertainment
- 3/5
- Service
- 4/5
- Pools & decks
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 3 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sails
Ships
Best rated
#13.3 ★Balmoral1988 · 43,537 GT · 1,275 guests · Canary Islands · MediterraneanBalmoral was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, and entered service in 1988 as Royal Cruise Line's Crown Odyssey, later sailing for Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient…#23.2 ★Bolette2000 · 62,735 GT · 1,273 guests · Canary Islands · MediterraneanBolette is the flagship of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, built by Fincantieri in Italy and launched in 2000 as Holland America Line's Amsterdam, the last of the Rotterdam class…
#33.2 ★Borealis1997 · 61,849 GT · 1,299 guests · World cruises · Canary IslandsBorealis was built by Fincantieri in Trieste and entered service in November 1997 as Holland America Line's Rotterdam, the sixth ship of that name and HAL's flagship for 22…Every ship, by class
Rotterdam class
2 ships · 1997–2000 · 61,849–62,735 GT · avg 3.2 ★
Other ships
1 ship · 1988 · 43,537 GT · avg 3.3 ★
Former ships
| Ship | Sailed | Gross tons | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braemar | 2001–2024 | 24,344 | February 2024 |
| Black Watch | 1996–2020 | 28,613 | August 2020 |
| Boudicca | 2006–2020 | 28,388 | August 2020 |
Where to fly in
- London Heathrow (LHR)2 Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ships sail from Southampton, England40 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Manchester Airport (MAN)1 Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship sails from Liverpool, England7 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines known for?
Fred. Olsen is known for smaller ships, an unhurried, traditional British atmosphere and no-fly cruises from regional UK ports. The line leans on that smaller scale in its marketing, saying its ships can navigate narrow waterways for scenic cruising and that its crews get to know their guests. It is the longest-standing corporate partner of the RNLI lifeboat charity, and its awards include a 2026 Group Leisure & Travel Award for best cruise line. In 2026 all three ships recorded their highest-ever guest satisfaction scores, with Balmoral, the smallest, scoring best, and the July 2026 launch of the Amazon and Antarctica Grand Voyage gave the company its strongest single sales day ever.
Who is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines best for?
Fred. Olsen suits British travelers, especially retirees, couples and solo cruisers, who want to sail from a UK port without flying and prefer a calm ship of around 1,300 guests to a resort-style megaship. Its itineraries suit people who like scenic cruising, Norwegian fjords, Northern Lights voyages and longer winter-sun trips, and its afternoon teas and formal nights appeal to those who enjoy a traditional style.
Is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines good for solo travellers?
Fred. Olsen is one of the most solo-friendly lines sailing from Britain: single cabins on Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, hosted solo get-togethers, and a mostly British, older crowd that travels alone in numbers. Fares now include drinks with meals, tips and port fees. The small ships and no-fly sailings from UK ports suit first-time solo cruisers.
Where does Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sail?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's ships in service sail Mediterranean (3 ships), Northern Europe (3 ships), Norwegian Fjords (3 ships), Canary Islands (3 ships), Caribbean (2 ships) and World cruises (1 ship).
How is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines rated?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's fleet averages 3.2 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 3 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Balmoral at 3.3.
How many ships does Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has 3 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Balmoral, Bolette and Borealis.
What ship classes does Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sail?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sails 1 class of ship in service: Rotterdam class (2 ships), plus 1 ship not in a named class.
Who owns Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is part of Bonheur (Fred. Olsen Group).
Where is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines based?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is headquartered in Ipswich, England. It has operated since 1848.
What is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's loyalty program called?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's past-guest loyalty program is Oceans Club.
What is the largest Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship?
Bolette is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's largest ship at 62,735 gross tons, carrying 1,273 guests.
Cruising with children
Fred. Olsen families must choose the ship as well as the itinerary. Its current children’s policy differs from older descriptions of the fleet and its former club.
Read the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
Thinking about a drinks package on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines? The average drink starts at what a glass of house wine costs on board, about $7.95; change it to what you usually order, and enter the package price Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines quotes.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines includes house wine with lunch and dinner. A 175 ml glass of house wine costs about £6 on board, roughly $7.95. Fred. Olsen FAQ: drink prices ↗ Fred. Olsen: inclusive drinks ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A glass of house wine on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
10drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 9.4 drinks at $7.95. Over 7 days that's $525, or 67 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $246.75 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $278.25
Needing 10 drinks a day to break even isn't a plan, it's a dare. Your liver politely declines.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and its ships
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- What a glass of house wine costs on cruise lines, and which ones pour it free
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- Solo cruising with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: single cabins, hosted meetups and small ships
Fred. Olsen has single cabins on every ship, hosted solo meetups and dinners, and a reputation for the friendliest fleet afloat. Here is the solo picture.
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- Three Ships, One Harbor: Fred. Olsen's Fleet Fiesta Returns to the Canaries This December
Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral meet in Las Palmas on December 1, 2026, for a day of celebrations and a fireworks sailaway. Three cruises are built around it.
Itineraries
- Fred. Olsen Listened to Its Guests, Bundled the Extras, and Posted Its Best Satisfaction Scores Ever
Drinks with meals, tips and port fees went into the fare in January 2026. By August all three ships had record guest scores and 2027 bookings were up 40%.
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- Jungle to Ice: Fred. Olsen's 87-Night Amazon and Antarctica Voyage Broke the Company's Sales Record in a Day
Borealis sails from Southampton on January 5, 2028, up the Amazon to Manaus and on to Antarctic waters, with no flights. Bookings set a company record on day one.
Itineraries
- 5 things Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
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