There’s something quietly comforting about a Fred.Olsen cruise. While the world outside is terribly exciting, you can count on being able to return to a calm and collected atmosphere on board. In this era of all-singing, all-dancing mega cruises, Fred. Olsen is understated, informal and unabashedly British. In their own words – “We don’t like to make a fuss”. You’ll find Agatha Christie novels in the library and every day on board is punctuated by a proper, English Afternoon tea.
If that sounds like heaven to you, then read on…
Why choose a Fred.Olsen cruise?
- Sailings from five local UK departure ports – Southampton, Dover,Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth (Edinburgh)
- The ‘British Country House’ atmosphere is ideal for those who prefer understated comfort and peace and quiet to the bells and whistles of American cruise lines
- Adult-oriented – most passengers are mature and well-travelled, and the activities cater to this group best
- Single occupancy staterooms offered
- The Fred Olsen Brexit Promise means you can book with total confidence
The Fred.Olsen Fleet
Yes, that’s a full-stop in Fred. Olsen – it’s how the original Frederick Olsen liked to write his name. And doing it just the way they like it runs through the whole Fred.Olsen operation. One of the oldest cruise lines in the world, family-owned Fred. Olsen maintains the best of British traditions and Norwegian heritage dating back to 1848.
While their competitors are building mega-ships by the dozen, Fred. Olsen has resisted the trend to go big and are proud of their fleet of four ocean-going mid-size ships. Not only does this mean that your experience feels more personal than overcrowded, but the smaller vessels allow the line to call at quieter, out-of-the-way ports that mega-ships simply cannot visit.
The Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch all carry fewer than 1000 passengers and can sail the world’s oceans to idyllic islands, into narrow Norwegian fjords, and along rivers into the heart of cities such as Seville and Bordeaux.
While the Fred. Olsen ships are some of the oldest at sea, they have all had extensive refurbishments over the past few years. So if you took a Fred. Olsen cruise a while ago, you won’t recognise the ships now.
Where do Fred. Olsen cruises go?
Fred. Olsen has won ‘Best for Itineraries’ in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards for the fourth year running. Fred. Olsen is known for its unique itineraries, which are seldom repeated within any cruise season. Cruises range from four-night “mini-breaks” to lengthier 7 to 21-day routes all the way up to 78-night round-the-world adventures.
But some of the best cruise opportunities for UK travellers are the Northern Europe cruises departing from 5 UK ports, including Rosyth (Edinburgh) and Newcastle. Unlike many of its competitors, Fred. Olsen runs comprehensive Northern European cruises all year round, with voyages calling as far away as Greenland.
You can also experience some of Europe’s most spellbinding rivers and waterways on a River Cruise aboard Brabant, sailing the peaceful Moselle, Rhine or Danube River.
Onboard entertainment with Fred. Olsen
Fred. Olsen cruises are undoubtedly well suited to travellers with diverse hobbies and cultural interests. The ArtsClub program is frequently a highlight for travellers. Lectures and special-interest classes cover subjects ranging from gardening to aviation, history to wine appreciation, and even bird- and wildlife-spotting. There’s also a range of gentle fitness activities on offer such as yoga and pilates.
And for those who don’t like noisy group activities, how about the Book Club? Specific categories and titles to discuss at the Book Club on each cruise are chosen in advance and listed below, allowing you time to purchase and read the books before you set sail.
There’s plenty of evening entertainment too. In classic Fred. Olsen style, elegant ballroom dancers vastly outnumber the late-night disco set.
While the onboard atmosphere is remarkably British, dining options are by no means limited to British cuisine. You can look forward to a variety of speciality dining options while on board any of the Fred. Olsen fleet.
Download a sample dining menu here.
New onboard the ocean-going ships are the RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats). These exhilarating small vessels can take you even closer to unmissable sights and highlights found off the regular tourist trail.
Could Fred. Olsen be the right cruise line for you?
If you enjoy travelling in the company of fellow Brits and Anglophiles and look forward to indulging in new hobbies and learn as you travel, then a Fred. Olsen cruise could be right up your street.
There’s a good reason more than half of all Fred. Olsen travellers on any ship are loyal customers. Onboard, you’ll feel like joining a family as you explore the world with your friends, loved ones and like-minded people who share your interests and attitude to life.
And thanks to the Fred. Olsen Brexit Promise, you can book in total confidence. If a cruise is cancelled due to the UK leaving the European Union, Fred. Olsen guarantees to give guests a full refund on that sailing PLUS a free cruise.
Feeling inspired? Then take advantage of the Fred. Olsen summer sale on the 2020/21 season cruises when you book by 31 May 2019.
Northern Europe Fred. Olsen cruises start at £699 per person for a 5-night cruise. Get in touch with us to find out more about the 2020-2021 sailings.
