Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is one of the most traditional shipping companies in the world – the Norwegian Olsen family has been active in seafaring since 1848 and has been operating the cruise brand since the 1990s for British guests. The cruise subsidiary is headquartered in Ipswich, United Kingdom. The brand positions itself as a smaller, classic premium operator with ships carrying fewer than 1,500 guests.

The fleet comprises four ships: Borealis (1997, ex Rotterdam VI from Holland America), Bolette (2000, ex Amsterdam), both acquired in 2021 as a pandemic bonanza for the cruise line, as well as the older classic ship Balmoral (1988) and the smaller Braemar (1993). The on-board atmosphere is consistently classic British: fixed dining times, black-tie evenings, a library instead of casino areas, and an average guest age of 60+.

The on-board language is English, and the on-board currency is the British pound. Key routes focus on Norwegian fjords, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, and world voyages departing from Southampton, Liverpool, and Newcastle. The target audience is loyal British guests who prefer smaller ships and a classic cruise experience over mainstream offerings.