Norwegian Fjords · Arctic · Europe · Canary Islands · Caribbean

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Experience ocean cruising the way it was meant to be. Fred. Olsen’s smaller ships reach places bigger vessels simply can’t go, with a warm onboard atmosphere that keeps guests coming back voyage after voyage. Family-owned for over 175 years, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines brings a distinctly personal touch to every sailing – from the genuine hospitality to the thoughtfully crafted itineraries.

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Smaller Ships, Bigger Experiences

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been a family-run business since 1848, and that heritage shows in everything they do. Their fleet of smaller, more intimate ships carries fewer passengers than most mainstream cruise lines, which means you actually get to know the crew. The atmosphere onboard leans toward traditional ocean cruising – think afternoon tea, enrichment lectures, and the kind of unhurried pace that lets you properly enjoy each port. With departures from regional UK ports and a reputation for reaching destinations that larger ships can’t access, Fred. Olsen has built a fiercely loyal following among cruisers who prefer substance over spectacle.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – Traditional Ocean Cruising, Family-Owned Since 1848

Fleet: Two smaller ships carrying approximately 1,300 to 1,400 guests

Destinations: Norwegian Fjords, Arctic & Iceland, British Isles, Mediterranean, Baltic, Canary Islands, Caribbean, South America, and worldwide voyages

Signature Feature: Departures from regional UK ports, smaller ships accessing unique destinations, and an intimate onboard atmosphere with a high crew-to-guest ratio

Philosophy: “Enjoy the experience” – delivering genuine, personal cruising where every guest is known by name

  • Full-board dining across multiple restaurants
  • Self-service tea, coffee, and water available around the clock
  • Daytime entertainment and enrichment program
  • Live evening entertainment and shows
  • Use of leisure facilities including swimming pools, gym, and games areas
  • Shuttle bus services in selected ports
  • All port taxes and charges
  • Luggage porterage between terminal and cabin

  • Family-owned for over 175 years with Norwegian maritime heritage
  • Smaller ships mean access to ports and waterways that larger vessels simply cannot reach
  • Departures from multiple regional UK ports – no need to fly to start your cruise
  • Warm, friendly atmosphere where crew members know your name
  • Handcrafted itineraries with more time in port and fewer sea days
  • Strong enrichment program with guest speakers, workshops, and themed cruises
  • Award-winning cruise line with consistently high guest satisfaction ratings

Main Dining Room: Open-seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a choice of freshly prepared dishes each evening

The Grill: Casual poolside dining with grilled dishes and lighter fare during the day

Buffet Restaurant: Relaxed self-service option with a wide range of international and British favourites

Speciality Dining: Premium dining venues available on select ships for an additional charge, featuring themed menus and intimate settings

Plus afternoon tea service, late-night snacks, and room service options for added convenience.

Fred. Olsen offers a range of cabin types across their fleet. Inside cabins provide a comfortable base at a great rate, while ocean-view cabins give you a window on the world. Balcony cabins let you enjoy fresh sea air from your own private outdoor space – perfect for watching the scenery drift by, especially in the Norwegian fjords.

Suites offer expanded living areas with separate seating, enhanced amenities, and priority services. Premier Suites on select ships include butler service and additional perks. All cabins feature en-suite facilities, flatscreen TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Single cabins are also available on certain ships, purpose-built for solo travellers – no supplements required.

At a Glance

Family-Owned Since 1848

Traditional

Ocean cruising with warmth

  • Smaller ships accessing unique ports
  • Full-board dining included
  • Regional UK departures
  • Enrichment lectures & workshops
  • Live evening entertainment
  • Warm, personal atmosphere
  • Purpose-built single cabins available

Explore

Discover Fred. Olsen

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Smaller Ships, Hidden Harbours

One of the real advantages of Fred. Olsen’s fleet is size. Their ships can navigate narrow fjords, dock in compact harbor towns, and reach places that the mega-ships have to skip entirely. That means you step off the gangway and straight into the heart of a destination – no tenders, no long transfers. Whether it’s a tiny fishing village on the Norwegian coast, a scenic Canary Island port, or a tucked-away Baltic gem, Fred. Olsen’s itineraries are built around these kinds of moments. You spend more time exploring and less time waiting around. Our advisors can help you choose the ideal itinerary based on what you want to see – we’ve sailed these routes and know them well.

Dining with a Personal Touch

Fred. Olsen takes a refreshingly straightforward approach to dining. All meals are included in your cruise fare, with a choice of restaurants serving freshly prepared dishes. The Main Dining Room offers open seating, so you eat when you want and with whom you like. Menus change daily and feature a mix of British classics alongside international dishes, with locally inspired options when the itinerary warrants it. The buffet restaurant provides a more relaxed alternative, and the poolside grill is a favourite on warmer-weather sailings. On select ships, speciality dining venues offer themed menus for a small supplement. Afternoon tea is a highlight – properly done, with finger sandwiches and scones. It’s one of those little traditions that Fred. Olsen guests look forward to every sailing.

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Enrichment & Entertainment

Fred. Olsen puts a lot of thought into what happens between the ports. Their enrichment program brings expert guest speakers aboard to talk about the destinations you’re visiting – historians, naturalists, and local specialists who add real depth to your experience. Themed cruises cover everything from music and gardening to astronomy and art appreciation. In the evenings, you’ll find live music, cabaret-style shows, and dancing in the lounges. It’s entertainment pitched at the right level – engaging without being overwhelming. And on sea days, there are craft workshops, quizzes, book clubs, and the ever-popular afternoon tea. The pace feels natural. You can fill your day or do absolutely nothing at all.

Experience

The Fred. Olsen Difference

175+ Years of Heritage

The Olsen family has been in maritime business since 1848. That’s not a marketing line – it’s generations of seafaring knowledge shaping every aspect of the cruise experience. From ship design to itinerary planning, this Norwegian heritage runs deep.

Smaller Ships, Real Access

With ships carrying between 800 and 1,400 guests, Fred. Olsen can dock right in the centre of ports that larger vessels have to bypass. You’re closer to the action from the moment you step off the ship, and the onboard atmosphere stays genuinely personal.

Regional UK Departures

No flights, no airport queues. Fred. Olsen offers departures from ports around the UK including Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, and others. Your holiday starts the moment you board – and getting there is part of the ease that makes the whole experience feel different.

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Comfortable Cabins & Suites

Fred. Olsen’s cabins are designed for comfort rather than flash. Inside cabins offer a well-appointed retreat at a great rate, while ocean-view cabins give you natural light and passing scenery. Balcony cabins are particularly popular on fjord and scenic itineraries – there’s something special about watching the landscape unfold from your own private space. Suites provide a more expansive experience with separate living areas, enhanced amenities, and priority services. One standout feature is Fred. Olsen’s purpose-built single cabins on select ships, designed specifically for solo travellers. No awkward supplements, no sharing – just a properly sized cabin for one. All accommodations include en-suite bathrooms, flatscreen TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Not sure which cabin category or deck is right for your sailing? Our team of 23+ expert advisors knows these ships inside and out, and we’re happy to guide you toward the best fit.

Images

Gallery

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A large modern cruise ship with distinctive red and blue hull markings anchors in calm waters off the coast of Iceland, with dramatic green mountainous terrain and scattered settlements visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Two large cruise ships are anchored in a pristine turquoise fjord surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains and picturesque Norwegian villages nestled along the shoreline. This stunning scene captures the scale of modern cruise vessels against the majestic natural landscape of a Scandinavian fjord destination.
A large modern cruise ship is anchored in crystal-clear turquoise waters near a tropical beach destination. The vessel features multiple decks with a distinctive funnel and white superstructure, set against a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A magnificent humpback whale performs a dramatic breach in clear blue ocean waters, with its body nearly fully exposed above the surface. This spectacular marine wildlife display captures the power and grace of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Two large cruise ships anchored in a pristine turquoise fjord surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, and charming Alpine villages, showcasing the stunning natural beauty of a Norwegian fjord destination.
A large contemporary cruise ship with distinctive blue hull and white superstructure is anchored in a Mediterranean coastal port town, with hillside buildings visible in the background and calm turquoise waters in the foreground.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Fred. Olsen cruise fares include full-board dining across the ship’s restaurants, self-service tea, coffee, and water around the clock, daytime activities and entertainment, live evening shows and performances, use of all leisure facilities including swimming pools and gym, shuttle bus services in selected ports, port taxes and charges, and luggage porterage. Drinks packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, and speciality dining are available at additional cost.

It comes down to atmosphere. Fred. Olsen’s smaller ships create a community feel where crew members learn your name and you recognise fellow passengers by the second day. The ships access ports and waterways that larger vessels have to skip. Add in departures from multiple UK ports (meaning no flights needed), a strong enrichment program, and 175+ years of family maritime heritage, and you get a cruise experience that feels genuinely different from anything the mega-ships offer.

Fred. Olsen offers a wide range of itineraries covering the Norwegian fjords, Arctic and Iceland, British Isles, Mediterranean, Baltic, Canary Islands, Caribbean, South America, and extended worldwide voyages. The Norwegian fjords are a particular strength – unsurprisingly, given the company’s Norwegian roots. They also offer themed cruises and special event sailings throughout the year.

Fred. Olsen is known for offering departures from a variety of regional UK ports, making it easy to start your cruise close to home. Common departure ports include Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, Newcastle, Edinburgh (Rosyth), and Belfast, among others. Availability varies by season and itinerary. This is a real advantage if you’d rather not fly to reach your ship.

Depending on the vessel, you’ll be sailing with roughly 800 to 1,400 fellow guests. The practical benefits are real: shorter embarkation lines, less crowded restaurants, and a more personal atmosphere throughout. The crew-to-guest ratio allows for attentive service, and the onboard experience feels more like a floating hotel than a floating city.

Absolutely. Fred. Olsen is one of the few cruise lines that offers purpose-built single cabins on select ships, designed specifically for solo travellers without the awkward single supplement that most other lines charge. The intimate ship size also makes it easier to meet fellow travellers, and the onboard social programme includes hosted events for solo guests. It’s a great choice if you’re cruising on your own.

Categories include inside, ocean-view, balcony, suite, and purpose-built single cabins. Balcony cabins are especially popular on scenic routes like the Norwegian fjords, while suites offer expanded living space with premium amenities. Our advisors can recommend the ideal cabin and deck placement for your chosen itinerary – just get in touch for personalized guidance.

Fred. Olsen’s standard cruise fare includes full-board dining and entertainment. They also offer optional all-inclusive drinks packages that cover a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your cruise. These can be added at the time of booking or before sailing for the best rate. Shore excursion packages are sometimes available as well, bundling popular tours at a reduced price compared to booking individually.

Fred. Olsen has a traditional British cruising atmosphere – relaxed, friendly, and unhurried. Think afternoon tea, enrichment lectures, and live music rather than waterslides and go-karts. The dress code includes formal evenings on longer sailings, which many guests enjoy as part of the experience. The smaller ship size creates a community feel, and repeat guests often make up a significant portion of each sailing. It’s the kind of line where you feel at home quickly.

Gratuities are not automatically included in the Fred. Olsen cruise fare. A discretionary service charge is added to your onboard account daily. The amount varies but is clearly communicated before sailing. You can adjust this at the Guest Relations desk if you wish. Some promotional offers occasionally include gratuities as part of a package deal.

When you book Fred. Olsen through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares – with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors provides personalised cabin selection advice based on real cruise experience. We know which cabins to recommend and which to avoid. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. And we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees. With 365-day support, you have a team behind you from first enquiry through to disembarkation.

Get Started

Ready to Cruise with Fred. Olsen?

Whether it’s the Norwegian fjords, a Mediterranean escape, or a grand world voyage, Fred. Olsen delivers the kind of cruise experience that larger ships simply can’t replicate. Our expert advisors at Cruise Help are ready to help you find the right ship, the right cabin, and the right itinerary – all at exclusive group rates with weekly price monitoring and no fees. Ever. Call us at +1 888-636-3667 or email Peter@cruisehelp.org to get started.