Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a British cruise operator specialising in smaller-ship voyages and destination-led itineraries. Based at Fred. Olsen House in Ipswich, Suffolk, the company operates three ocean-going cruise ships: Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.
History and ownership
The Fred. Olsen story began in Hvitsten on Norway's Oslofjord in 1848, when the brothers Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas Olsen bought their first ships and established an international shipping business. The family maritime enterprise developed across successive generations, moving from sailing ships into steamships and a wide range of shipping activities.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is the modern UK cruise operating company. Its immediate parent is First Olsen (Holdings) Limited, and the business remains associated with the wider, family-controlled Fred. Olsen group. The cruise line's main trading address is in Ipswich, although its registered office is in London.
Fred. Olsen fleet
The current fleet comprises three ships:
- Bolette — the fleet flagship and the largest Fred. Olsen ship by overall size, accommodating up to 1,338 guests.
- Borealis — a sister ship to Bolette, accommodating up to 1,353 guests and operating as the line's adults-only ship.
- Balmoral — the smallest ship in the fleet, accommodating up to 1,250 guests and designed for a more intimate style of cruising.
Bolette and Borealis joined Fred. Olsen in 2020 after being acquired from Holland America Line, where they had sailed as Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Both were refurbished and redecorated for the Fred. Olsen product before entering service with the line.
Where Fred. Olsen sails
Fred. Olsen offers cruises from regional UK departure ports, including Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Dover and Rosyth, although individual programmes change by season. Its itineraries cover Northern Europe, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, the Americas and longer worldwide voyages.
The line places particular emphasis on the timing and routing of each sailing. Cruises may be planned around natural events, wildlife seasons, cultural occasions or scenic cruising through fjords, rivers and narrow waterways. The smaller scale of the ships can also allow calls at ports that are unavailable to many larger vessels.
Onboard experience
The onboard product combines traditional cruise features with a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Facilities vary by ship but include restaurants, lounges, theatres, libraries, swimming pools, fitness facilities and wide open decks intended for scenic viewing. Programmes can include live entertainment, talks, demonstrations, arts and crafts, dancing and activities connected to the destinations being visited.
Bolette and Balmoral accept younger guests, while Borealis operates exclusively for adults. Fred. Olsen no longer provides its former Little Skippers children's activity programme, so families should review the facilities and arrangements for their chosen sailing before booking.
Leadership
Samantha Stimpson is chief executive officer of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. The company continues to invest in its ships, dining and entertainment offering while retaining its focus on a fleet of three classic, smaller vessels.