We give you the lowdown on this very British cruise line to ensure it’s the right one for you before you step on board

Where does Fred Olsen Cruises come from?

The Olsen family - yes, the cruise line is still family-owned after more than 175 years - is based in Oslo in Norway. However, the cruise headquarters are based in Ipswich in Suffolk.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line: What Makes Them Unique?

What are its USPs?

Few cruise lines operate from more UK ports. Sailing out of Southampton, Portsmouth, Dover, Newcastle, Liverpool and Edinburgh (Rosyth), Fred Olsen is a quintessentially very British cruise line.

It’s also very traditional. While some cruise lines make a point of shying away from the formal nights and set dining times and allocated seating, Fred Olsen fully embraces it.

The ships are small, providing a more intimate experience and service standards are very personal. Apparently Mr Olsen himself says: ’It’s all about the people. All of it, everything”.

The small size of the ships also means they can go places where the big floating resorts can’t –namely to some of Norway’s lesser-known fjords, through narrow waterways and closer to some of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Itineraries are carefully crafted, with shore excursions and life onboard planned to ensure guests fully immerse themselves in the destinations.

Who does it suit?

As we’ve said, this is a very British cruise line and hence the majority of passengers on board are Brits.

They’re also likely to be around 70 years old - that’s the average age. In fairness’s the cruise line is trying to push the point that “it’s not just for old people” and to a certain extent we fully agree. In our opinion 70 is not necessarily ‘old’ these days.

As such, the hand-crafted itineraries are fairly adventurous and activities are suited to mature people who want to embrace travel. The typical Fred Olsen passenger is also pretty social – which is handy because chances are you may end up sharing a table with other passengers over dinner in the main dining room.

Overall, they’re a loyal bunch. The repeat passenger rate is impressively high with guests returning year after year. It’s not that they’re unadventurous, it’s more that they love “coming home”. Let’s face it, it must feel pretty good to step on board to be met by a familiar face and greeted on first-name terms by the crew?

It’s also a firm favourite among solo travellers. Its ships have a higher-than-average number of single cabins. What’s more, there are social events designed just for singletons and solo guests are often seated together at dinner thereby forging new-found friendships.

There are even gentleman hosts and dance couples to spin singletons around the floor at the regular ‘tea dances’.

What are the ships like?

Compared to the real biggies, the Fred Olsen cruise ships are relatively small.
Dwarfed by the vessels that can hold up to 7,600 passengers, a Fred Olsen ship looks tiny in comparison, holding around 1,340 at full capacity.

Small in size but also in number, there are just three ships in the entire fleet to choose from: Balmoral, Borealis and Bolette.

Bolette is the flagship and bears the name of Fred Olsen’s great-grandmother. She’s the largest ship in the fleet spanning 12 decks.

With 11 decks, Balmoral is the smallest. And Borealis claims the title of being the fastest, allowing her to embark on longer voyages and pack in more stops en route.

Overall, the trio are all fairly similar. Each one has six restaurants, eight bars (seven on Balmoral if we want to be precise), a show lounge, fitness centre and spa, library and laundry room.

None of the ships have casinos or cinemas, but Balmoral has golf nets for those who want to practise their swing, while her two sisters have dedicated art studios for passengers wanting to work on their arts and crafts.

What’s it like onboard?

As we said, one of the key USPs of Fred Olsen is the attentive service you’ll receive onboard. The crew-to-passenger ratio is such that there is always a crew member close at hand to address your every need.

They’ll do their darnedest to ensure you’re happy. This is such a priority that they make a promise: if after a couple of days on board you find that it is not right for you, Fred Olsen Cruises will fly you home at their expense from the next available port and your cruise fare will be refunded in full.

Apparently, this is not something that happens very often, but it’s a reassuring nice-to-know, particularly if you’ve never cruised before.

Life on board is called The Olsen Way. In other words, Fred Olsen sticks to its guns. Unlike other cruise lines that have relaxed the traditional formalities of a cruise, Fred Olsen has not (so much). It knows that its passengers enjoy dressing up for those formal nights. The Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Parties are a highlight. The set dining times allow for routine and regularity. It’s what the passengers like - and what they like is what they get with Fred Olsen.

The timetable of events is packed - but not onerous. And it’s all listed in your copy of the Daily Times newsletter delivered to your cabin. Fred Olsen promises to take the scenic route as opposed to the fastest route. Destinations are brought to life with the help of guest speakers, historians, astrologers, nature experts and even the chefs who teach passengers to cook dishes synonymous to the local area of the time.

There are lots of opportunities to get to know the crew too. The Navigation Officer will teach you how to read the ‘charts’ or be part of ‘an audience with the Captain' when he offers a glimpse into what running a modern cruise ship really takes.

If you're keen to see how the ship operates behind the scenes, you can opt for a guided tour for a small additional charge. These tours are led by crew members who can provide firsthand accounts and insights into the inner workings of the ship.

What’s the food like?

The main dining rooms are grand affairs. At the time of booking you choose which dinner sitting you’d like for the entire trip - early (6.15pm) or late (8.30pm). You’re assigned an allocated seat, so you may end up sitting with strangers - but after that first meal, those strangers will have become great friends.
Expect five-course a la carte meals with the menus changing daily. And there’s always a dish to reflect the destination at the time.

Things are more informal in the buffet restaurants or poolside bars.

The ships also have two speciality restaurants. Savour flavours from the Far East in Colours and Tastes or take your tastebuds on an Indian adventure at Vasco. You need to book these in advance.

Afternoon tea is a glamorous, elegant affair served by white-gloved waiters.

All cruises include breakfast, lunch, five-course à la carte dinners and late-night snacks from the main restaurants, as well as afternoon tea and self-service tea and coffee in selected venues.

What cabin should I choose?

Well, this is not simple owing to a long list of different configurations. You’ve got premier suites, balcony suites, junior suites, terrace cabins, superior ocean view cabins, single cabins…it’s a long list of options.

Obviously the Suites are the top choice and all these come with the complimentary Suite Dreams Package. This includes priority check-in and a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, daily canapés, bathrobes and slippers, binoculars, a world atlas, carafe of water each day and various other little bonuses

What’s the entertainment like?

Just as on any cruise ship, the theatrical shows are the mainstay of the evening entertainment.

The ships’ theatre company put on a schedule of spell binding dance and musical performances, with comedians and illusionists bolstering the line-up.

Jazz sessions and classical recitals keep up the tempo and if you fancy a spin on the dance floor there’s always a dance professional happy to show you the steps.

Try your hand at classic cruising games, such as quoits, deck tennis or shuffleboard; learn or refine your crafting skills in the Art Studio (on board Borealis and Bolette); relax in the spa and indulge in a facial or massage; and if you’re on Borealis and Bolette then lay back on the heated ceramic beds or in the heated mineral baths within the thermal suites.

Cookery demonstrations, wine tasting sessions, tea tasting and guided stargazing are just some of the additional activities offered. Meanwhile, onboard experts provide insights into local folklore, culture and ecology. They're also your go-to for identifying marine and bird life.

The card room is always a popular haunt, as is the library for those who enjoy the hushed silence and curling up with a book.

Where does Fred Olsen travel?

Given its Norwegian family heritage, unsurprisingly the waters and fjords of Norway and Scandinavia are highly popular for Fred Olsen. Owing to their smaller size, the ships can navigate the low bridges, narrow canals and winding fjords that the larger ships find impossible to reach. Greece’s Corinth Canal, the Kiel Canal in Germany and the UNESCO listed Naeroyfjord are all do-able for the Olsen sisters.

Further afield, they’ve pretty much got the A to Z of destinations covered. Tour the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean; see The Fall in Canada; witness the Northern Lights on an Arctic cruise; explore The Azores; The Canaries; Latin America and Europe. Or tick off the lot on a Round the World cruise or Grand Voyage.

What are the shore excursions like?

Excursions are intimate - in other words, you won’t be in a massive group. This is great because who wants to be shepherded around in a crowd. However, it does mean you have to book your chosen tours well in advance.

Fred Olsen likes to get you off the beaten tourist trail so you can get a greater understanding of local cultures and traditions.

How about exploring the largest flower garden in the world at Keukenhof in the Netherlands? Go whale watching off Norway with a marine biologist? Visit a bee-keeping farm in Lithuania? Learn to flamenco dance in Cadiz? Or groom a pint-sized pony in a remote Shetland Island?

What’s included in the price of my cruise?

Fred Olsen has not gone down the all-inclusive route. All meals, afternoon tea and self-service tea and coffee at selected venues are included. All evening entertainment, including cabaret shows, live music and dancing are included. And use of the leisure facilities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis and fitness centre are included.

However, you need to budget for all the extras. This includes tipping the crew, shore excursions, wi-fi, access to the Thermal Suite and there’s also a supplement to dine in the speciality restaurants.

You’ll also be paying for your drinks. In fairness, the drinks are reasonably priced – glass of wine is £6; cocktail £7; soft drink £2.50; pint of larger £5; cappuccino £4. However, if you don’t want to keep shelling out, then you can upgrade to the drinks package. Starting at £24.99 the drinks packages include all the house spirits and selected brands. If you’ve got a preference for a particularly premium brand that’s not part of the package then you’re entitled to 50% off the price of your favourite tipple.

Bottom line

Fred Olsen is a sedate, personal, low-key cruise, offering attentive service and well-thought-out itineraries and tours. Ideal for mature travellers who enjoy taking things at their own pace.

Does this sound like your cup of tea?

Then why not pick up the phone and let your Not Just Travel agent talk you through it. We’ll help you choose the right itinerary and secure the cabin that’s ideal for your needs.

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