Fred Olsen Borealis

The 1997-built (as "MS Rotterdam") cruise ship MS Borealis is the latest addition to the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' fleet, together with MS Bolette (formerly MS Amsterdam). MS Rotterdam was the first R-class ship of Holland America Line, with sisterships MS Amsterdam (now Bolette), MS Zaandam, and MS Volendam.

The vessel (IMO number 9122552) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000987) and registered in Nassau.

In July 2020, Carnival Corporation (via HAL–Holland America Line) sold four liners. MS Amsterdam (Bolette) and MS Rotterdam (Borealis) were sold to Fred Olsen, while MS Maasdam and MS Veendam were sold to Seajets Ferries (Greece). All scheduled cruises for the four ships were canceled or assumed by other HAL vessels.

• A total of 41 MS Rotterdam cruises were canceled (November 8, 2020, through March 12, 2022), including 15–16-day Panama Canal voyages (between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego), a 16-day South America itinerary (between San Diego and Callao–Lima, Peru), a 32-day cruise (San Diego to Hawaii, Tahiti, and the Marquesas), 14–21-day Transatlantic repositionings (Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam, Holland), 7–14–21-day Norwegian Fjords from Rotterdam (April 24 through June 26, 2021), 16–30-day Transatlantic repositionings (Rotterdam to Boston), a 17-day roundtrip Boston to Greenland, Newfoundland, and New England (July 26 through August 29, 2021), a 10-day Canada and New England cruise (between Boston and Montreal, September 15 through October 5, 2021), a 14-day repositioning (Montreal to Fort Lauderdale), and 14-day Panama Canal transition voyages (between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, January 15 through March 12, 2022).
• On July 26, following a Suez Canal transit, Rotterdam and Amsterdam anchored off Port Limassol (Cyprus).

Holland America's Rotterdam (IMO number 9122552) was Holland-flagged (MMSI 246167000) and registered in Rotterdam, Netherlands. For Fred Olsen, Borealis was reflagged to The Bahamas (MMSI 311000987) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is a Norwegian-owned, UK-based cruise company, part of the Fred Olsen Group (Fred Olsen & Co / shipowner, headquartered in Oslo, Norway). The company is headquartered in Ipswich (Suffolk, England) and owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. Founded in 1848 in Hvitsten, Norway, by the Olsen brothers (Petter, Andras, and Fredrik Christian), the company began with the purchase of its first ships and established an international shipping operation. Today the Fred Olsen Group is in its fifth family generation and operates subsidiaries specializing in cruise passenger shipping, trade, shipbuilding, aviation, and offshore industries.

Fred Olsen Group wholly owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, Fred Olsen Travel Ltd (worldwide tours and vacations via independent operators), Fred Olsen Marine Services AS (shipowner and vessel management), First Olsen Ltd (tankers), Dolphin Drilling Holdings Ltd (offshore drilling rigs), Fred Olsen Express (Canary Islands-based fast ferries / catamarans), Fred Olsen Freight Ltd (cargo shipping and air freight), Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS (transport and installation of offshore wind turbines), Fred Olsen Production AS (offshore petroleum production), Fred Olsen Renewables AS, SeaRoc Group Ltd (offshore and marine consultancy and contracting services), ZephIR Lidar UK (wind measurement devices), and Ganger Rolf ASA (energy and shipping). Also within the Group, Bonheur ASA manages several wholly owned companies, including NHST Media Group AS (newspapers and online media) and the real estate companies Stavenes Byggeselskap, Koksa Eiendom, and Fred Olsens gate 2. Timex Group BV (parent of several watchmaking companies, including subsidiaries in the USA, India, and the Philippines) is also part of the Fred Olsen Group.

The 1,300-passenger ship MS Borealis/Rotterdam debuted in 1997 as the sixth Holland America flagship to bear the name. The first Rotterdam set sail in 1872, beginning a tradition that continued through this beloved vessel. Like her five classic predecessors, Rotterdam is a nod to earlier cruise ships compared to many mega-ships built after 1995. However, with a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots and the stylish features expected of a larger vessel, she successfully bridges classic charm and modern comforts. Size-wise, Rotterdam sits mid-fleet for Holland America—smaller than the Vista and Signature classes and carrying about 700 fewer passengers than Eurodam, the line’s largest at the time. Even on full sailings, she rarely feels crowded, except during the lunch rush at the casual Lido Restaurant on sea days and the occasional fast-moving line in the La Fontaine main dining room. Highlights include some of the widest “standard” cabins at sea; a high percentage of oceanview staterooms with balconies; upscale alternative dining in the Pinnacle Grill; and the Explorations Cafe—a combined library, Internet cafe, and coffee bar.

Fred Olsen refurbished Borealis in 2022 (October 28–November 13). The two-week, multimillion-pound drydock was conducted at Cammell Laird’s yard in Birkenhead/Liverpool.

Decks and Cabins

MS Borealis staterooms (742 total) include 232 Suites, 39 Balcony, and 125 Inside across 40 cabin grades (including the “Lanai” category). Most cabins are 140–320 ft² Oceanviews (346). Around 28% of all accommodations have private step-out balconies. There are 26 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest are the Pinnacle Suites/Owner’s Suites (940 ft² / 87 m², with a 190 ft² / 18 m² terrace).

There are also Lanai staterooms (with sliding glass doors opening onto the Promenade Deck), Spa cabins (3), and Spa suites (20).

The boat has 10 passenger-accessible decks, five of which have cabins.

Implemented fleetwide in 2019, HAL’s “Club Orange” program provides exclusive amenities to Suite guests booked in Neptune and Pinnacle categories. Bonus perks include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes)
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (à la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes—including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine on embarkation day, a Club Orange tote bag, and premium bathrobes (for in-cabin use; available for monogramming and purchase)
• Club Orange Restaurant is part of the Main Dining Room (configured as a separate VIP dining section).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

La Fontaine is the ship’s two-level main restaurant, serving open-seating breakfast and lunch, plus a blend of flexible and set-seating dinner. Breakfast hours vary but start as early as 7:00 a.m. on port days and 8:00 a.m. on sea days, wrapping up by 9:30 a.m. Breakfast fare includes breads, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes, and yogurt parfaits. Portions are on the smaller side, so a second pastry may be welcome. Lunch in the MDR is typically limited to one hour per day (from noon to 1:00 p.m. on sea days; closed when the ship is in port all day). If there’s a line to be seated, it moves quickly and tables are plentiful. Lunch offerings include sandwiches, soups, light salads, fish, and heartier entrées.

Follows the complete list of MS Rotterdam’s restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (88-seat, reservations-only seafood/steakhouse with a fine wine selection; complimentary for guests under 12). The venue transforms once per cruise into “An Evening at Le Cirque” via a partnership with NYC’s Le Cirque.
• La Fontaine Restaurant (684-seat aft Dining Room; open-seating Breakfast and Lunch; two Dinner options—two fixed seatings or “Any Time” dining between 5:15 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.)
• King’s / Queen’s Room (La Fontaine annex; reservations-only private dining)
• Terrace Grill (poolside fast-food bar; complimentary)
• Lido Restaurant (418-seat complimentary buffet; self-service Breakfast 6:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Afternoon Tea, and Dinner 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annex; operates as an Italian restaurant for Dinner; reservations required)
• Slice (poolside Italian pizzeria)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

On most nights, MS Rotterdam presents two Las Vegas-style shows in the Queen’s Lounge, which spans a main floor on Deck 4 and a balcony on Deck 5. The venue also hosts events like the Crew Show at the end of each cruise, where dining-room stewards, housekeeping staff, and other crew entertain passengers. The Wajang Theatre offers feature films with cookies, cappuccino, and popcorn, and is also used for lectures and culinary demonstrations. Rotterdam features a piano bar; a band or DJ at night in the Crow’s Nest; other live performances in various locations; and sports on TV in the Mix Spirits & Ales sports bar. In-cabin entertainment includes a flat-screen TV with DVD player. MS Rotterdam also has a casino and activities such as art auctions, bingo, and games (including shuffleboard, bridge, and hockey slap-shot competitions). Other amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, the supervised kids’ program “Club HAL,” cruise ship weddings, Internet/Wi-Fi access, and laundry/self-serve laundromats.

Follows the complete list of MS Rotterdam lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Atrium (three-deck-high midship open-floor area with live performances)
• Promenade Deck, Walking Track (jogging not permitted)
• The Showroom at Sea (557-seat theater/main show lounge; also hosts Holland America Line’s enrichment program via partnership with BBC Earth)
• Queen’s Room (La Fontaine annex used as a meeting room; hosts digital workshops via Microsoft partnership—computer classes, social networks, blogging, photo editing)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Wine Tasting Bar; Gourmet Shops (bottles available for purchase; wine sampling)
• Wajang Theatre & Culinary Arts Centre (124-seat cinema; culinary classes and cooking shows in demonstration kitchens)
• Atrium Terrace with boutiques; Atrium Shops (duty-free tobacco and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL-logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop
• Ocean Bar (110-seat Atrium bar and lounge with dance floor and stage for live performances)
• MIX Lounge (sectioned into three parts—Mix Champagne wine bar, Mix Martini cocktail bar, and Mix Spirits & Ales sports bar)
• Casino (served by the Mix Lounge’s sports bar)
• Hudson Room (75-seat meeting room; also used as a Cards Room)
• Explorations Cafe (65-seat specialty coffee bar and patisserie; also serves as the ship’s Library and Online Centre/Internet computers room)
• Explorer’s Lounge & Bar (95-seat lounge with bar; classical concert performances)
• Neptune Lounge (17-seat club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Fitness Center (gym with separate Aerobics Room); five jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido Pool area (served by Lido Bar and Terrace Grill); The Retreat Pool sundeck
• Crow’s Nest (250-seat observation lounge with bar and dance floor; becomes a disco at night)
• Tennis Court; Basketball Court; Shuffleboard
• Club HAL (kids’ lounge; complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens’ club lounge with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco)
• The Oasis (40-seat teen-only outdoor area)

During the 2025 drydock, aft on Deck 8 (in The Retreat area) the Mediterranean-themed, open-air dining venue Fresco was added. It serves light bites during the day and transforms into a lounge in the evenings, offering beverages and cooked-to-order food.

Itineraries

Holland America’s MS Rotterdam itinerary program was based on European (Mediterranean and Baltic) and Asian cruises.

Fred Olsen’s Borealis itineraries went on sale in mid-September 2020. The inaugural cruise program 2021–2022 included almost exclusively departures from homeport Liverpool, England. MS Borealis assumed the existing program originally planned for the retired (August 2020) MS Black Watch, plus new itineraries.

The ship’s Maiden Voyage (first cruise for Fred Olsen) was initially a 6-night “Scottish Lochs and Isles,” followed by a 5-night “Irish Capitals and Scottish Scenery,” then a planned relocation to the Mediterranean, Iceland, Norway, and other destinations. This program was later significantly revised.

• (maiden voyage/CANCELLED) 6-night “Scottish Lochs and Isles” from Liverpool, planned for April 23, 2021. Prices started from GBP 600 per person. Call ports included Liverpool, Belfast, scenic cruising (Loch Torridon, Loch Broom, Loch Eriboll), Lerwick, Kirkwall, and Liverpool.
• (maiden voyage/CANCELLED) 7-night “Sailing Around Iconic Ireland” (May 22, 2021), roundtrip from Liverpool to Dublin, Cobh–Cork, Galway, Killybegs, and Belfast, with prices from GBP 1,200 per person.
• (maiden voyage/CANCELLED) 9-night “The Natural Wonders of Iceland” (July 2, 2021), roundtrip from Liverpool to Seydisfjordur, Akureyri, Isafjordur, and Reykjavik; prices from GBP 1,595 per person.
• (inaugural cruise) 3-night “Borealis’ Maiden Voyage” (cruise to nowhere from Liverpool; booking code S212), with prices from GBP 970 per person. The itinerary (no port calls) featured scenic cruising of Scotland’s lochs, passing Duart Castle (Isle of Mull), Fingal’s Cave (Isle of Staffa), and Dutchman’s Cap (Bac Mor Island, Treshnish Isles).

Customers who booked by September 30, 2020, any Fred Olsen Borealis cruises for 2021–2022 received free shipboard gratuities and up to GBP 100 per person in OBC (onboard credit).

• On October 1, 2020, Fred Olsen announced Borealis’ first World Cruise (ex-UK roundtrip departing in January 2022) visiting 37 ports. “Around the World Voyage 2022” could be booked as a Liverpool roundtrip (104-day itinerary, departing January 4) or a Southampton roundtrip (100-day itinerary, departing January 6). Prices started at GBP 10,450 (Liverpool) and GBP 10,000 (Southampton).
• On March 5, 2021, Fred Olsen opened bookings for Borealis’ “Around the World in 80 Days” (2023), themed on Jules Verne’s novel. The 79-night/80-day “World Voyage 2023” celebrated the novel’s 150th anniversary and visited many of the ports featured in Phileas Fogg’s journey.

For Fred Olsen’s world voyages scheduled for MS Borealis, see the ship’s Wiki section.

MS Rotterdam (named after Rotterdam City, Netherlands) was Holland America Line's first R-class liner, with sisterships Amsterdam (now Fred Olsen Bolette), Volendam, and Zaandam.

The vessel was built at Fincantieri's Marghera Shipyard (Fincantieri CN Italiana SpA, Venice, Italy) under yard number 5980. She was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 23, 1996, and delivered to the shipowner (Holland America Line NV, a subsidiary of Holland-America Line Westours Inc) on November 1, 1997. The christening ceremony took place on November 6 at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Her Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) was on November 11, with HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands serving as Godmother. "MS Rotterdam VI" was HAL's sixth liner to carry this name. The ship’s onboard fine art and antiques collection is valued at around USD 2 million.

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 5980) is powered by five Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 16ZAV40S/12ZAV40) with a total power output of 57.7 MW.

In July 2020, the vessel was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (owned by Fred Olsen & Co, based in Oslo, Norway), renamed "MS BOREALIS," and reflagged to Norway (registered in Oslo). Under Holland America, MS Rotterdam was Holland-flagged (MMSI number 246167000) and registered in Rotterdam.

For Holland America, MS Rotterdam VI was last refurbished in 2017. Her 2020 drydock (for vessel inspections) took place at Damen Shiprepair Yard in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Fred Olsen’s Borealis was last drydocked in 2022 (October 28 - November 14) at Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead (Liverpool, England, UK) for routine maintenance, including steel repairs and overhauling of the shafts and propellers.

Fred Olsen World Cruise 2027 (Around the World with Hawaii and Japan)

In April 2025, the World Cruise 2027 was announced, titled "Around the World with Hawaii and Japan."

The 98-night itinerary (MS Borealis) is scheduled to depart from Southampton on January 21, 2027. Highlights include a 4-day stop in Hawaii (with a visit to Pearl Harbor) and five Japanese ports, timed to coincide with the late plum blossom season.

As of April 2025, the full itinerary voyage was priced from GBP 26,000 (Suite), 21,200 (Terrace), 14,400 (Ocenaview) and 11,500 (Interior).

Fred Olsen World Cruise 2026 (Exploration of South America and Antarctica)

In February 2024, Fred Olsen announced two Grand Voyages scheduled for 2026 - Borealis' "Exploration of South America and Antarctica" itinerary (76-night) and Bolette's "Discovering the World's Idyllic Islands and Iconic Cities" itinerary (95-night).

Bookings for Fred Olsen's 2026 Grand Voyages were opened on February 7th (for Oceans Members) and on February 9th (for the general public).

Fred Olsen World Cruise 2024 (MS Borealis)

The next table shows MS Borealis' 2024 World Voyage (101-day roundtrip) from the UK.

The 101-day voyage was priced from GBP 13440 (USD 16140 / EUR 15130) per person with double occupancy.

Fred Olsen World Cruise 2023 (MS Borealis)

In early-March 2021, Fred Olsen announced the "Around the World in 80 Days" itinerary themed on Jules Verne's novel "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873-published).

The 79-night/80-day "World Voyage 2023" celebrates the novel's 150th anniversary and will visit many of the ports visited by the novel's protagonist Phileas Fogg.

Signature seaports are Mumbai India, China's Hong Kong and Shanghai, San Francisco CA USA. The visit to Safaga (port to Luxor) coincided with the 100-year anniversary of Tutankhamun Tomb's discovery. Japanese ports were visited during Japan's cherry blossom season. The voyage also featured Panama Canal and Suez Canal transits.

The itinerary was officially published on March 5, 2021, with two roundtrip England UK options available - out of Liverpool (81-day/from GBP 13840 pp) and Southampton (79-day/from GBP 13540 pp), with prices based on double occupancy.

All Early Booking deals received GBP 500 per person in OBC (onboard credit) as a promo offer.

The voyage was offered in the following itinerary segments (prices per person with double occupancy):

• 79-night roundtrip from Southampton (February 23, 2023), from GBP 11500 pp
• 81-night roundtrip from Liverpool (February 21, 2023), from GBP 11800 pp
• 101-night roundtrip from Southampton (January 7, 2024), from GBP 14300 pp
• 105-night roundtrip from Liverpool (January 5, 2024), from GBP 13400 pp
• 103-night from Southampton to Liverpool (January 5, 2024), from GBP 13200 pp

Fred Olsen's 2023 World Voyage on Borealis featured the presence of two masters/Captains (Victor Stoica and Rommel Pineda), two Hotel Managers (Iain Gibson and Hermann Stingeder), as well as Sammie Firbanks (Entertainment Manager)and David Buchanan (Executive Chef).

Fred Olsen Borealis World Cruise 2022

On October 1, 2020, Fred Olsen announced a World Cruise on MS Borealis (departing roundtrip out of the UK in January 2022) that visits a total of 37 call ports. "Around the World Voyage 2022" was bookable as a Liverpool roundtrip (104-day itinerary, January 4th) and as a Southampton roundtrip (100-day itinerary, departure January 6).

Signature destinations include Suez Canal transit, Panama Canals full transit, North America, Pacific Ocean islands (Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef), Australia and New Zealand (3-day Sydney overnight stay), Singapore, Dubai.

"101 days Around the World" itinerary

Besides the full itinerary, the World Voyage 2022 was also available in smaller segments (ranging from 17 to 84 days). Prices started at GBP 10,450 (Liverpool roundtrip) and GBP 10,000 (Southampton roundtrip).

Bookings made by October 31, 2020, included up to GBP 600 in onboard credit (per cabin).

(Holland America) MS Rotterdam Refurbishment 2017 Review

During the October 2017 drydock (at Freeport, Bahamas), MS Rotterdam received the following Suite cabin upgrades:

• New furnishings (sofas, chairs, headboards), carpeting, wall coverings, privacy curtains, draperies, bed runners, bed skirts, vanities with quartz stone tops and modern lighting, dressers, dressing tables, nightstands, LED reading lights, and wardrobes with lighted closet rods
• Enhanced décor and amenities (espresso coffee machine, binoculars, complimentary mimosas with in-cabin breakfast)
• USB outlets (on headboards), additional power outlets, and LED ceiling lights
• BOSE SoundDock (iPod stations) added exclusively to PS-Pinnacle Suites
• Interactive HDTV system with wall-mounted smart TVs offering Internet capabilities and free movies on demand
• Complete renovation of all Suite bathrooms
• Standard cabins upgraded with new wall-mounted smart HDTVs

MS Rotterdam’s 2017 refurbishment was part of Holland America Line’s USD 300 million fleet-wide renovation program (2016–2018), which also included upgrades to onboard entertainment, dining venues, and suite accommodations across the fleet.

In 2016, Holland America also updated MS Rotterdam’s onboard programming (enrichment, entertainment, and children’s activities), replacing “Dancing With the Stars” with new “BBC Earth” content.

The theater lounge began hosting daily expert lectures, presentations, and a nature-themed game show featuring BBC Earth screenings introduced by the crews who filmed the series. A signature evening concert based on the “Frozen Planet” program (polar regions-themed) offered a spectacular multimedia show accompanied by live musicians.

The ship’s Club HAL children’s facilities introduced an explorer trail, interactive workshops (including journalism and filming), and fact-based shows on animals and dinosaurs.