Fred. Olsen Mediterranean Cruises
For guests who want ancient ruins, harbour towns and long lunches in the sun, Fred. Olsen Mediterranean cruises offer an unhurried way to find them. Itineraries sail from the UK and range from a gentle eight nights along the Spanish coast to grand voyages of two months taking in the highlights of Italy, Croatia, Greece and beyond.
Why Sail with Fred. Olsen Cruises to the Mediterranean?
Across a destination where the largest ships are funnelled into a handful of the same commercial terminals, Fred. Olsen Cruises’ smaller ships change what a day ashore can actually look like. Guests can step off in Salerno for the Amalfi Coast or La Spezia for the Cinque Terre villages between days of scenic cruising through the Mediterranean’s more remote volcanic straits and archipelagos.
On board, Fred. Olsen’s Tastes of the Region dining brings Italian, Greek and Iberian flavours to the experience, and Itinerary Insights talks set out the history of each port before anyone steps ashore. Guests can also choose how much of a voyage to take on, as many Mediterranean itineraries are sold as both standalone cruises and as parts of longer combined voyages.
What Are the Best Fred. Olsen Mediterranean Cruise Destinations?
No two corners of the Mediterranean feel quite the same, and a single itinerary can cross four or five countries, mixing UNESCO World Heritage cities with island harbours, volcanic coastlines and beach days. Here are some of the top ports that guests can discover with Fred. Olsen Mediterranean cruises:
Italy
Italy is the backbone of most Fred. Olsen Mediterranean itineraries. Salerno opens up the Amalfi Coast, Positano and Ravello, and Pompeii and Vesuvius are within reach for a different sort of day. La Spezia is the gateway to the Cinque Terre villages, while Trapani in western Sicily leads to the hilltop town of Erice and the salt pans along the coast.
Croatia and the Adriatic
The Dalmatian coast is one of the great rewards of a smaller ship. Croatia’s Dubrovnik lets guests walk a full circuit of the medieval city walls before the day trippers arrive, and Split is built inside the walls of Diocletian’s Roman palace. Koper in Slovenia adds a Venetian-influenced old town, while the approach to Kotor in Montenegro, threading between mountains at the head of a deep bay, is one of the most memorable arrivals anywhere in Europe.
Greece
Greek itineraries span the mainland and its surrounding islands, offering so much to discover. In Piraeus, the iconic Acropolis and Plaka district are within easy reach, while Rhodes features a walled medieval old town that guests can wander for hours. On Crete, Heraklion leads to the Minoan palace at Knossos, and the Venetian fortresses and shaded arcades of Kerkira on Corfu are beautiful to behold.
Malta
Arriving in Valletta is half the pleasure, as Fred. Olsen’s ships sail into the Grand Harbour beneath the honey-coloured bastions of a city built by the Knights of St. John. Malta’s entire capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and compact enough to explore on foot, with St. John’s Co-Cathedral and its two Caravaggio paintings at its heart and the Upper Barrakka Gardens looking out over the harbour.
Turkey
Istanbul is the headline call of Turkey, and ships moor within reach of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Further south, Marmaris is a relaxed harbour town backed by pine-covered hills, while Kusadasi gives guests one of the best-preserved classical sites in the world at Ephesus, where the marble streets and library facade still stand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Balmoral spends most of the season in the region, covering Italian, Adriatic, Greek, and Turkish itineraries, as well as fly-cruise departures. Bolette sails the longer Mediterranean voyages from Liverpool, including the French Riviera and a route combining the Mediterranean islands with Croatia, while Borealis handles Southampton departures to northern Spain and to Italy with the Amalfi Coast. Your Cruise Expert can confirm which ship is sailing on your chosen departure date.
Southampton, Liverpool, and Newcastle all host Mediterranean departures, so guests can drive to the quayside or arrive by train and step straight onboard, with no airport to navigate.
Fred. Olsen Mediterranean cruises are concentrated on spring and autumn rather than high summer. Temperatures in May, June, September and October are warm enough for long days ashore without the heat that makes walking a Greek archaeological site hard work in August, and the ports themselves are considerably quieter.
They are, and the shorter Spanish and Portuguese itineraries are a sensible way in. Days ashore are largely walkable from the ship, and the pace is unhurried rather than packed. If you are weighing up your first voyage, your Cruise Expert can talk you through what to expect at no obligation.
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Experience a Mini Cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruises
You don’t need a lot of time to set sail on a holiday you’ll never forget. With Fred. Olsen’s mini cruises, you can embark on a voyage that’s short and sweet, visiting some of the world’s best destinations in just a matter of days. Transform any long weekend into a memorable holiday with Fred. Olsen itineraries range from 1 to 5 nights.