Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Mainstream Cruising
Fred. Olsen is the line I recommend for British clients who find P&O too big and Saga too restrictive. The ships are proper classic cruise ships — wraparound promenade decks, two-sitting dinners, and a genuine country-house warmth. Borealis going adult-only is a smart move, and with over 50 solo cabins across the fleet, they're one of the best options for single travellers. The Norwegian Fjords and Canary Islands itineraries from UK ports are their sweet spot.
Fred. Olsen is one of the world’s oldest cruise lines, founded in Norway in 1848 and still Norwegian-owned, though firmly based in the United Kingdom and sailing an almost entirely British passenger base. The fleet of three ships — Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral — carries no more than 1,300 guests each, a deliberate choice that keeps the atmosphere intimate, the service personal, and the embarkation ports flexible enough to include regional UK departures from Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, and Edinburgh.
The ships themselves are classic rather than contemporary. Borealis and Bolette, both former Holland America vessels acquired in 2020, brought a significant upgrade in space-per-guest ratios — Borealis offers a ratio of 45.5 compared to Balmoral’s 32.9 — along with wraparound promenade decks, traditional two-sitting dinners, and the kind of old-school cruise ship features that modern newbuilds have abandoned: steamer chairs on the foredeck, proper libraries, and enough open deck space for scenic cruising through fjords and archipelagos. Borealis has been designated an adult-only ship, while Bolette and Balmoral continue to welcome families.
Dining has quietly improved, with menus now featuring regional dishes from the destinations being visited alongside reliable British favourites. From 2026, drinks at mealtimes are included in the fare — a meaningful addition for a line at this price point — and bar prices remain notably lower than competitors. A new entertainment partnership with RWS Global is refreshing the onboard programming, though the Fred. Olsen atmosphere will always lean toward enrichment lectures, scenic cruising, and convivial evenings in the bar rather than Broadway-style production shows.
The itinerary range is impressive for a three-ship fleet. Sailings span from 1-night taster cruises to 108-night round-the-world voyages, with particular strength in the Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands, British Isles, Iceland, and the Mediterranean. The ships’ modest size allows access to ports that larger vessels cannot reach, and the ex-UK sailing programme means no flights, no transfers, and no jet lag — you board the ship in your home country and wake up somewhere new. Fred. Olsen also stands out as one of the best cruise lines for solo travellers, with over 50 dedicated single cabins across the fleet and a busy programme of daily social events specifically for guests travelling alone.
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