Small British ships that sail up fjords the big ones can’t reach.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a British family company with three mid-size ships, Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, none carrying more than about 1,350 guests, and that size is the point: they sail into the narrow fjord arms, Scottish lochs and small Icelandic harbors the big ships cannot. Departures are from Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, Newcastle and Rosyth for Edinburgh, so for Americans it is a flight to London or Manchester and the ship does the rest: the Norwegian fjords, the British Isles, Iceland, the Baltic, the Canaries, and long winter voyages to South America, Africa and around the world. It suits mature travelers who want a quieter, more traditional ship with afternoon tea, a proper dance floor and a British sense of humor. SmartCruiser shows every Fred. Olsen sailing with taxes and fees included, SmartCruiser picks first, and SmartCruiser bonus onboard credit per stateroom on sailings where Fred. Olsen allows it.
Three ways to sail with Fred. Olsen
Pick one and the list below filters to it. Same ships and the same British comfort, three different seasons.
The Norwegian fjords
- 7 to 9 nights from Southampton, Liverpool or Newcastle, April to September
- Geiranger, Flam, Olden and Eidfjord, with scenic cruising deep into fjord arms the big ships skip
- Fred. Olsen has sailed Norway longer than any line; the captains know every bend
Best for: a first fjords cruise, scenery lovers, anyone who wants to skip the Bergen crowds
Scotland, Ireland and Iceland
- 7 to 14 nights around the British Isles and up to Reykjavik and Akureyri
- Orkney, Shetland, the Hebrides, the Faroes and Irish harbors with no other ship in sight
- Sails in summer when the days are 18 hours long
Best for: Americans tracing roots, Iceland without the rental car, birders and walkers
Winter voyages of 21 nights and more
- January departures to the Caribbean, South America, southern Africa and around the world
- Fly to Southampton, unpack once and come home in March
- The lowest per-night fares Fred. Olsen publishes, with gratuities included
Best for: retirees who want to escape the whole winter, repeat guests, sea-day lovers
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines deals: SmartCruiser picks first
Every Fred. Olsen sailing from every UK port, priced live in US dollars with taxes, fees and port expenses included. The picks at the top are sailings where booking with SmartCruiser gets you something extra: instant savings, bonus onboard credit or a Special SmartCruiser rate we hold on that departure. Below them, every other sailing with full sorting.
SmartCruiser picks
Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. SmartCruiser instant savings and bonus onboard credit are provided by SmartCruiser on top of the cruise line’s price and are not available when booking direct; amounts are per stateroom, vary by stateroom category and are shown for the lowest category offered. Special SmartCruiser rates are pricing SmartCruiser holds on that sailing for its clients, with extra onboard credit; you book your own stateroom and travel on your own. Senior fares apply to guests 55 and over; resident fares need proof of residency in a listed state or province at check-in; police and fire fares apply to active or retired police, fire and EMT personnel with ID. Qualifier-fare savings are measured against the best fare the cruise line offers the general public for the same stateroom category on the day the list was pulled, updated weekly.
Where Fred. Olsen sails
Everything starts in Britain and heads out in every direction. Pick a region and the list above filters to it.
Lines you may also like
If a traditional, smaller ship with a British accent is the draw, these are the lines our Fred. Olsen guests also sail.
When to go
The fjords and the British Isles fill April to October; winter is for long voyages south and the northern lights.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines questions we answer every day
What is included in a Fred. Olsen fare?
Your cabin, all meals including afternoon tea and late-night snacks, entertainment, lectures and gratuities. Drinks are extra, with an all-inclusive drinks package available; shore excursions, Wi-Fi and spa are extra too. We price the drinks package with your fare so the total is clear.
Who sails Fred. Olsen, and will I fit in as an American?
Mostly British couples in their 60s and 70s who want a traditional ship: ballroom dancing, bridge, port lectures, a quiz in the lounge and dinner at a civilized pace. Everything is in English, the currency on board is pounds, and the handful of Americans on each sailing are made welcome. If you want water slides, this is the wrong line; if you want a ship that feels like a well-run country hotel, it is the right one.
Are there formal nights?
Yes, usually one or two per week, and the British do dress for them: black tie or a dark suit for men, cocktail dresses for women. The other evenings are smart casual, and the buffet is always an option.
Does Fred. Olsen have a loyalty program?
Yes, the Oceans club. Points accrue by nights sailed, and the tiers bring onboard perks and invitations. Give us your Oceans number and we add it to the booking.
Do I need a passport, and how do I get to the ship?
Yes, a passport valid for your whole trip. Every sailing starts in the UK: Southampton is about 90 minutes from London Heathrow, Liverpool is 45 minutes from Manchester Airport, and Rosyth is 30 minutes from Edinburgh. We book the flights, a hotel night before the cruise and the transfers along with the fare.
Are taxes and fees included in the prices here?
Yes. Every price on this page includes cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses, converted to US dollars. Flights, drinks and excursions are extra, and we quote the total before you book.
Talk to a Fred. Olsen specialist
Tell us your dates and where you want to sail from, and we price every Fred. Olsen sailing with the flights, the hotel night and the bonus onboard credit included. Monday to Thursday 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 10 to 6 ET.