Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (fredolsencruises.com) is a Norwegian-owned, UK-based cruise shipping company headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. The company is part of the Fred Olsen Group, which is family-owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. Other subsidiaries of the Fred Olsen Group (headquartered in Oslo, Norway) include the shipping companies Fred Olsen Express (fast-speed ferries in the Canary Islands) and Fred Olsen Energy (crude oil tankers).

In November 2022, Fred Olsen announced it was looking for a buyer for the MS Braemar. The 30-year-old vessel was sold in December 2023 to Villa Vie Residences.

Company History and Changes

The cruise company and travel brand Fred Olsen was established in 1848 in Hvitsten, Norway, by three Olsen brothers (Petter, Andras, and Fredrik-Christian) with the purchase of their first ships and the start of international passenger shipping.

Today, this family-owned business, now in its 5th generation, operates several companies specializing in cruise ship travel, ship crewing, shipbuilding, and even aviation and offshore industries. Fred Olsen Group also has business interests in property development, estate management, luxury hotels, and electronics.

The cruise company's current President and CEO is Samantha Stimpson.

In July 2022, Fred Olsen Jr. resigned as Chairman and Board Member of the Fred Olsen Group, a position he held for 29 years (1993-2022).

Fred Olsen's Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience is Martin Lister.

Fred Olsen ships are smaller in size but attractive, with stylish bars and lounges, smartly furnished staterooms, and premium restaurants. Airy public areas offer excellent places to read, enjoy a drink, and relax at sea. Daily scheduled activities, uncrowded pool decks, and luxury spas are among the many reasons to book a cruise vacation with Fred Olsen.

Fred Olsen purchased its first ship in May 2006, the Norwegian Crown (now Balmoral), from NCL Norwegian Cruise Line. In November 2007, the vessel underwent a dry-docking for lengthening and refurbishment, with a 40-meter long pre-built midship section added. The ship, renamed MS Balmoral, entered service in 2008. This project was repeated in the summer of 2008 with the extension of MS Braemar. The vessel's size was increased from 19,000 to 24,000 GT tons.

Fred Olsen provides traditional, home-like cruising with an unhurried onboard atmosphere — the main reason for the company's many repeat customers. The liners offer a variety of itineraries, from a few days (European mini-cruises) to Around the World Voyages. The 2018-2019 brochure ("Venture to the four corners of the world") included two World Cruises: a 107-night Black Watch voyage from Southampton on November 12, 2019, starting from GBP 9,850 per person, and the company's longest itinerary ever — a 168-night Boudicca cruise, departing October 3, 2019, from GBP 15,000 per person.

On March 7, 2017, Fred Olsen announced its most successful sales day ever, with total bookings surpassing GBP 3 million. Most of these bookings were made by top-tier loyalty club members following the official release of Fred Olsen's 2018-2019 cruise itinerary program. The increase in bookings over the same day in 2016 was 15%. The program included visits to 228 ports and islands in 73 countries, with 91 scenic cruising destinations in 135 unique itineraries.

The company enjoys a high repeat booking rate. To attract first-timers, Fred Olsen has offered the "Enjoyment Promise" since 2013. This initiative guarantees a full cruise refund to anyone who doesn't enjoy their vacation. If passengers find that the experience is not for them, they can leave the cruise ship at the next available port. The "Enjoyment Promise" applies only to new bookings and first-time customers.

Occasionally, Fred Olsen offers short-breaks (themed as "Taster Cruises"), allowing potential customers to book 1-night UK cruise deals. These are a perfect opportunity to sample the company's product without committing too much money or time. Booking these 1-night deals doesn't require purchasing travel insurance. The package price includes a free Drinks Package. Optional flights from Belfast or Derry can be added, along with cruise port transfers for GBP 1000 per person. For passengers who don't want to fly, overnight ferry service (Belfast, Ireland to Birkenhead, England) can be added with cruise port transfers for GBP 100 per person.

In August 2017, the company contracted Speedcast International Ltd to provide fleetwide communication services (voice and data). Speedcast, a renowned provider of remote communication and IT solutions, installed satellite VSAT terminals and land-based 4G data connectivity on all Fred Olsen ships. The new technology allows seamless, automatic switching between various networks, ensuring reliable connectivity at all times. This network also provides connectivity between the company's offices and the fleet worldwide.

2018 was Fred Olsen's record year for cruise sales, with November 19 (Monday) being the year's most successful sales day, totaling nearly GBP 1.6 million. Also in 2018, Fred Olsen started charter operations for its first dedicated riverboat, Brabant (formerly Amadeus Princess). The 156-passenger ship cruises on the Moselle, Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.

Fred Olsen's 2020-2021 schedule (ocean and river voyages) listed a total of 277 ports and destinations in 90 countries across 6 continents, with 170 itineraries.

In August 2023, Fred Olsen signed a partnership with Go Stargazing, a UK-based astronomy organization founded in 2002, for 26 voyages scheduled for 2024 on 3 ships (Bolette, Borealis, Balmoral). These voyages will visit destinations such as Norway, Iceland, Portugal's Azores, and Spain's Canary Islands. This partnership will provide passengers on select voyages with expert-led, laser-guided stargazing tours, as well as opportunities to observe sky phenomena like meteor showers and the northern lights/Aurora Borealis.

Fred Olsen cruise and ferry fleets' cellular services (onboard Internet/Wi-Fi/connectivity) are provided by WMS-Wireless Maritime Services LLC, based in Miramar, Florida, USA.

In April 2023, the company appointed Colin Parselle as CFO/Chief Financial Officer and Phil Gardner as Commercial and Product Director.

Fred Olsen Ferries

"Fred Olsen Express" (founded in 1974 as "Ferry Gomera" and headquartered in Tenerife) is also part of the Fred Olsen Group. The company provides regularly scheduled inter-island passenger shipping services via fast ferries in the Canary Islands. Its main competitor in this market is Naviera Armas.

Fred Olsen Express operates a fleet of nine Ro-Pax ships (including two trimarans currently under construction, with deliveries scheduled for 2020-2021). Among these vessels is the world's first trimaran ferry, HSC Benchijigua Express, launched in 2005. It has a capacity of 1,350 passengers and 357 vehicles. Each new trimaran is powered by four Rolls-Royce MTU Series 8000 M71L / 20-cylinder engines with a combined output of 36.4 MW. The trimaran's maximum capacity is 1,100 passengers and 276 cars, with a maximum speed of 38 knots (44 mph / 70 kph).

Currently, Fred Olsen ferries operate 12 routes in the Canaries, connecting Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, and La Gomera. Crossing times range from 25 minutes (Lanzarote to Fuerteventura) to 4 hours (Lanzarote to Gran Canaria).

Fred Olsen Fleet Meets: 2015-2018-2021-2023

For the first time ever, on July 28, 2015, all four Fred Olsen liners (the entire fleet) came together in Bergen, Norway's second-largest city after the capital Oslo.

The four vessels arrived at 8 a.m. and departed at 6 p.m.

• MS Balmoral was on an 8-night "Norwegian Fjords" cruise from Southampton, UK (July 25). Arriving from Stavanger, Norway, it docked at Bontelabo Terminal.
• MS Black Watch was on a 9-night "Cruising the Fjordland" cruise from Liverpool, UK (July 23). Arriving from Flam, Norway, it docked at Skolten South Terminal.
• MS Boudicca was on a 7-night "Glaciers, Fjords and Waterfalls of Norway" cruise from Newcastle, UK (July 26). Arriving from Newcastle upon Tyne, it docked at Skolten North Terminal.
• MS Braemar was on a 14-night "Falls, Fjords and Faroe Islands" cruise from Dover, UK (July 18). Arriving from Akureyri, Iceland, it docked at Festningskaien Terminal.
• The day-long festivities in Bergen included live music performances (marching drummers, singers, music bands), onboard entertainment (afternoon show, open deck party, live band music), an onboard treasure hunt, and a "water cannon" send-off show as all Fred Olsen ships departed the port.
• All four Fred Olsen ships visit Bergen every year since 1997.
• After the "fleet meet" day, Balmoral continued to Flam, both Black Watch and Braemar to Eidfjord, and Boudicca to Alesund.

On September 10, 2018, for the company's 170th anniversary, Fred Olsen's fleet docked together in Cadiz, Spain. The four themed cruise itineraries ("Captains in Cadiz") were open for booking on September 28, 2017. The port's excellent facilities allowed all four liners to be berthed alongside each other.

• All four liners sailed into Cadiz harbor at ~8 a.m. and were welcomed by "Los Sones de Cadiz" (a music band). The ceremony was attended by Fred Olsen Junior, the city's Mayor, the Cadiz Port Authority's President, and other VIP guests.
• At 5 p.m., all four liners departed in convoy, serenaded by a local jazz band. They were led out of Cadiz Harbor by a fire tugboat spraying water cannons. The fleet passed under the "Constitution of 1812 Bridge." Information: Braemar returned to Southampton; Black Watch and Balmoral went to Lisbon; Boudicca went to Ibiza.

The next fleet meet was initially planned for April 4, 2020, in Port Funchal, Madeira Island. All four itineraries (themed "Four Freds in Funchal") included activities such as a welcome ceremony, live music performances, specially prepared food menus, and fun competitions between the crew and passengers of each boat. However, due to the global health crisis, the fleet rendezvous was canceled and rescheduled for October 22, 2021 ("Four Ladies in Lisbon") in Port Lisbon, Portugal.

Here are the four itineraries planned for the "Four Ladies in Lisbon" (fleet meet 2021):

• (Braemar) 27-night "Iconic Sites of Croatia and Italy" roundtrip from Southampton (September 30, from GBP 3,800 per person)
• (Balmoral) 16-night "Heritage Sites of the Med" roundtrip from Newcastle (October 12, from GBP 2,000 per person)
• (Borealis) 15-night "Exploring the Azores and Portugal" roundtrip from Liverpool (October 18, from GBP 2,000 per person)
• (Bolette) 15-night "Escape to the Canaries" roundtrip from Dover (October 18, from GBP 1,900 per person)

Next are listed Fred Olsen's "fleet meet in Funchal" itineraries scheduled for 2023. Prices ranged between GBP 2,000-2,100 per person.

• (Bolette) 15-night "Spain & Portugal with Fleet in Funchal" roundtrip from Southampton (October 29)
• (Balmoral) 15-night "The Canary Islands with the Fleet in Funchal" roundtrip from Southampton (October 30)
• (Braemar) 15-night "Discovering Cultural Morocco with the Fleet in Funchal" roundtrip from Dover (October 30)
• (Borealis) 14-night "The Azores with The Fleet in Funchal" roundtrip from Liverpool (November 1)

(Coronavirus Crisis) Passenger Shipping Pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fred Olsen suspended its entire cruise fleet's passenger shipping operations, canceling all voyages scheduled between March 14, 2020, and June 30, 2021.

Operations for both river and ocean fleets were initially planned to resume on October 24, 2020, but were eventually canceled. Ocean voyages resumed in 2021, with Borealis on its Maiden Voyage from Liverpool on July 5, and Bolette on its Maiden Voyage from Dover on August 16. Balmoral resumed in 2022 (May 2, Canaries from Newcastle), and Braemar was scheduled to restart in 2023 (April 28, from Southampton).

All affected bookings were fully refunded, including pre-purchased cruise company packages and services. All bookings for Fred Olsen cruises in 2020 (any itinerary) could be canceled penalty-free (up to 14 days prior to departure) and rebooked on any Fred Olsen 2021 cruise (river or ocean).

Fred Olsen"s cruise fleet is UK-based (homeported) during most of the year, with roundtrips out of UK departure ports - Southampton, Dover, Falmouth, London-Tilbury, Harwich, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (Edinburgh), Portsmouth, Greenock-Glasgow and Belfast Ireland. MS Braemar"s winter Caribbean fly-cruise program is from homeport Bridgetown Barbados and provides connecting flights from Manchester and London Gatwick.

Fred Olsen"s itineraries are in popular destinations like the Baltic, Norway Fjords, Mediterranean, Canaries, Caribbean. Longer itineraries include "Around the World" and "Around South America" voyages. The list of cruise destinations operated by Fred Olsen ships includes Mediterranean (also Adriatic), North Africa (Morocco), Canary Islands, Transatlantic crossings, Canada-New England, Northern Europe-UK (Around Britain/British Isles, Iceland, Norway), South America, USA-Canada.

One of the "most British" cruise companies, Fred Olsen"s fleet consists of smaller-sized vessels. Fleet"s largest liners (two former Holland America ships) joined in September 2020 - Bolette/MS Amsterdam (2000-built) and Borealis/MS Rotterdam (1997-built). At the same time, the fleet left Boudicca (1973-built, 47-years-old) and Black Watch (1972-built, 48-years-old).

Fred Olsen cruise itinerary changes

Fred Olsen added a South Africa program on MS Boudicca (transferred to Bolette) operated with the UK to South Africa fly-cruise deals. Boudicca"s fares were inclusive of flights from London (or Manchester) to Cape Town (departure port). The 14-day roundtrip itinerary included overnights in Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, and Durban. The 3-day stay in Cape Town offers as tour options Scale Table Mountain (cable car ride), wine tours (Stellenbosch, Constantia), Camps Bay strolling, visiting the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront complex and the Newlands (cricket ground), Cape Town Harley Davidson bike tour, boating, shark diving, whales-dolphins watching.

• mv Balmoral (1988) - the UK/British Isles, Baltic Sea (Russia-Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords) and the Canary Islands leaving out of Newcastle (home-port), also from Dover and Southampton (home-port) including on Transatlantic round-trip cruises to South America.
• sold and left the fleet in 2020/ ms Black Watch (1972) - World Cruise from Southampton, Northern Europe (Norway Fjords, Russia and Scandinavia) leaving from England (Dover, homeport) and Scotland (Edinburgh-Rosyth homeport).
• sold and left the fleet in 2020/ ms Boudicca (1972) - UK/British Isles, Azores, and Madeira, the Mediterranean leaving from Liverpool (home-port), World Cruise round-trip from Southampton to the Caribbean and South America. Select departures from Greenock-Glasgow, Belfast, and Rosyth were also available.
• ms Bolette (fka MS Amsterdam, 2000-built) was acquired from Holland America Line (Carnival Corporation) in July 2020.
• ms Borealis (fka MS Rotterdam, 1997-built) was acquired from Holland America Line (Carnival Corporation) in July 2020.

After joining the fleet (in September 2020), Bolette and Borealis increased the company's passenger capacity by ~30%. To Bolette and Borealis were transferred the itineraries previously scheduled, respectively, for Boudicca and Black Watch.

At an extra charge, Fred Olsen cruise passengers benefit from exclusive excursions on newly-installed RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) with max capacity 12 people (each). Fred Olsen also offers all-inclusive cruise package upgrades (additional fixed price PP per day) and UK fly-cruise deals to Canary Islands (year-round discounted airfare from Southampton).

In 2022, the company introduced 5x "Signature Experiences" (Itinerary Insights, Sky at Sea, Ship and the Sea, Scenic Discoveries, Treats of the Region) as part of its “Joy of the Journey” program.  All experiences are led by expert guides and include Sky at Sea (open-deck sunrise and sunset viewing, stargazing events, wildlife watching and nature-themed talks in the Observatory Lounge), Itinerary Insights (lectures and talks themed on culture, arts, and the history of the visited destinations), Ship and the Sea (themed on Fred Olsen company's history, including meetings with the Captains and crew), Treats of the Region (food- and dining-temed, led by the chefs and galley teams, live cooking demos for making and sampling local dishes).

Mediterranean fly-cruises from Manchester and London

For the winter 2025 Mediterranean season (September 27-November 6/ship Balmoral) Fred Olsen signed a partnership with Jet2.com Ltd (1978-founded British low-cost airline) to provide fly-cruises from the UK with chartered flights leaving from London Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport.

Balmoral's 6x Mediterranean fly-cruises 2025 were themed:

"Spanish Colors & Cultures" (10-night) from Southampton, departure September 17th

"Colourful Cliffside Towns of the Amalfi Coast" (10-night), from Valencia/September 27th

"Bays, Mountains & Islands of the Dalmatian Coast" (10-night), from Civitavecchia-Rome/October 7th

"Greek Island Odyssey" (8-night), from Dubrovnik/October 17th

"Discovering Turkish Treasures" (12-night), from Rhodes/October 25th

"Mountain Landscapes of Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar" (7-night), from Malaga/November 6th

Fred Olsen RIVER CRUISE itineraries

The company launched its new European river cruise program via a chartered vessel. Fred Olsen river cruises are operated on the 156-passenger river ship MS Amadeus Princess (renamed "MS Brabant").

Fred Olsen"s river cruise program includes itineraries on Danube, Main, Rhine and Moselle rivers, with 30+ departures and itinerary durations from 5 to 25 nights (price-inclusive of luxury land tours and excursions). The new program was specifically planned to include a large amount of daylight river cruising, allowing passengers to enjoy as long as possible the riverside scenery along the itinerary routes.

The new river cruise itineraries on Brabant include Dusseldorf to Amsterdam (Holland), Dusseldorf to Nuremberg, Nuremberg to Budapest (Hungary), Budapest to Bucharest (Romania), Dusseldorf to Basel (Switzerland), and Bucharest to Dusseldorf.

Every Fred Olsen river trip is due to incorporate a lot of daytime scenic cruising so that travellers can enjoy some of the most fantastic European scenery with 14 areas of scheduled scenic cruising that are included across the itineraries. Brabant passengers can also benefit from the introduction of the brand's new enrichment program with almost every voyage featuring an onboard speaker, specifically tailored to the itinerary.