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It’s one of the world’s favourite lines, but why choose Fred. Olsen Cruises for your next voyage if you’ve never sailed on one of its ships before? Here are ten things our guests love about the Fred. Olsen experience!
1. The Small-Ship Advantage: Docking Where Bigger Ships Can’t
Fred. Olsen’s smaller cruise ships can reach ports that larger ships simply cannot, including heart-of-city berths, narrow European rivers and quieter fjord passages. This means less time spent tendering ashore and more time actually exploring the world’s best destinations.
2. Warm and Personalised British Service
Guests often describe the Fred. Olsen onboard atmosphere as unpretentious and genuinely friendly. Signature dining and entertainment experiences feel crafted for every unique audience, and the crew get to know regular faces quickly.
3. Handcrafted, Regional UK Itineraries
Fred. Olsen sails from the UK regularly, departing from ports like Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton, making it easy to reach your ship and see the world without needing to fly. If a no-fly cruise from a port closer to home appeals to you, Fred. Olsen’s British Isles itineraries offer excellent value and a variety of close-to-home secrets to uncover.
4. Dedicated Support for Solo Travellers
Solo cruising can feel like a big step if you haven’t done it before, but Fred. Olsen offers dedicated single cabins, low or zero single supplements on select sailings and solo-friendly social events to ensure you’re never left to work things out alone. Our Ultimate Guide to Solo Cruising covers this in more detail if it’s on your mind.
5. A Traditional Onboard Atmosphere
If elegant decor and a classic cruising feel appeal to you more than a theme park at sea, this is where Fred. Olsen stands apart. Expect comfortable lounges, traditional afternoon tea and a pace that never feels rushed.
6. Getting to Know the Fleet: Borealis and Bolette
Two ships worth knowing by name are Borealis and Bolette, both of which offer a range of cabin types from comfortable interiors through to spacious Premier Suites. Each has its own character, so if you’re not sure which suits you best, that’s a perfect question for our Cruise Experts.
7. Quality Dining With Regional Menus
Main dining room menus are often inspired by the destinations you’re visiting, alongside speciality dining venues for guests who fancy something different. It’s a smaller-scale approach to dining, but one many guests find more personal than larger buffet-style ships.
8. Enriching Shore Excursions and Onboard Lecturers
Rather than big-budget stage shows, Fred. Olsen tends to focus on guest speakers, onboard lecturers, arts and crafts, and local cultural performances. If you enjoy learning a little more about where you’re sailing, this enrichment-led approach is worth knowing about ahead of booking.
9. Traditional Evenings and Formal Nights
For many guests, getting dressed up for a classic formal evening is one of the highlights of a Fred. Olsen cruise, rather than something to dread. We’ll cover exactly what to expect in the dress code section below.
10. Genuinely Good Value for Money
Finally, Fred. Olsen strives to make every voyage an incredible experience that’s more than worth the cruise fare. From full-board dining and entertainment to a broader range of inclusions under Fred. Olsen’s newer Inclusive Fares, this line makes your money go further.
Your Quick Packing Guide: What is the Dress Code on Fred. Olsen Cruises?
- Daytime Wear: Casual, comfortable clothing for relaxing onboard and for shore excursions.
- Smart Casual Evenings: Shirts, trousers, dresses and smart separates for dinner on most evenings.
- Formal Nights: Dark suits or dinner jackets for men, and cocktail dresses or evening gowns for women, though a smart dress or trouser suit is just as welcome if a tuxedo isn’t your thing.
Here’s roughly how many Formal Nights to expect, depending on the length of your cruise:
| Cruise Length | Formal Nights |
| 1 to 5 nights | 0 Formal Nights |
| 6 to 9 nights | 1 Formal Night |
| 10 to 14 nights | 2 Formal Nights |
| 15+ nights | 3 or more Formal Nights |
Explore Fred. Olsen Cruises
Ready to set sail on a Fred. Olsen cruise? Whether it’s your first-ever cruise or your first time trying a new line, there’s no question too small to bring to our Cruise Experts. Get in touch today, or check out some of Fred. Olsen’s incredible itineraries.
Cruising With Fred. Olsen Cruises – Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in Fred. Olsen’s new inclusive pricing?
As standard, your Fred. Olsen fare includes your cabin, full-board dining in the main restaurants, and a full programme of onboard entertainment. On top of this, Fred. Olsen has introduced Inclusive Fares on many sailings, which typically bundle in extras such as a drinks package, gratuities and Wi-Fi as part of the headline price.
Inclusions can differ from sailing to sailing, so it’s always worth asking your Cruise Expert to confirm exactly what’s bundled into your chosen cruise before you book so there are no surprises later.
Is Fred. Olsen a luxury cruise line?
Not in the five-star, ultra-luxury sense of the word. Fred. Olsen sits in a more traditional, premium-value space: understated rather than glitzy, with genuine comfort and attentive service taking priority over glamorous extras.
Are Fred. Olsen cruises adults only?
Children are welcome onboard, but Fred. Olsen’s ships are primarily geared towards adults and mature travellers, without the extensive kids’ clubs and facilities you’d find on a large family-focused ship. If you’re travelling with young children, it’s worth having a chat with your Cruise Expert about which sailings and ships suit families best.
Are Fred. Olsen cruises good for families?
Families with children are welcome, but the line caters primarily to adults and mature travellers, without extensive kids’ facilities. It’s worth speaking to your Cruise Expert about which sailings suit families best.
Are Fred. Olsen Cruises All-Inclusive?
Not in the traditional all-inclusive resort sense, though the line’s newer Inclusive Fares bundle include extras like drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi on many sailings. Always check with your Cruise Expert exactly what’s included on your chosen fare.
Are drinks free on Fred. Olsen cruises?
On an Inclusive Fare, a drinks package is often included as standard. On a cruise-only fare, drinks are usually paid for separately, either as you go or via an optional drinks package.
What currency is used onboard Fred. Olsen ships?
All onboard pricing and your onboard account operate in Great British Pounds, so there’s no need to worry about exchange rates while you’re cruising.
Discover Your Perfect Cruise Getaway with Bolsover Cruise Club
Get ready to book your next cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
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