Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
History of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
The company originated in Hvitsten, a small town on Oslofjord in Norway, in 1848 when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and began an international shipping company. Now into the fifth generation of the family, they operate companies skilled in various aspects of the cruise and passenger shipping trade as well as aviation, ships’ crewing, shipbuilding and offshore industries.
Fred Olsen Cruise DealsAside from the transportation industries, the Fred Olsen group also has interests in the luxury hotel sector, estate management, property development, and electronics companies.
Small ships for a big world
Whoever said that “bigger is better”? Not us.
While the cruise industry has gone for bigger ships brimming with more and more people, we’ve always believed that small is better. Because smaller ships bring big benefits.
They mean we can treat passengers as guests, like the family-run business we are.
They can dock at smaller ports, much closer to the parts of our planet we’re most passionate about showing.
They mean we can avoid overcrowding, both aboard and ashore, so our guests can disembark easily and enjoy the freedom to see, explore and experience.
They mean we can offer warmer, more personal levels of service.
It would be easy to scale up, cram in and cut corners, but we never will.
Because to us, the size we are is the size we should be.
Accommodation
You’ll find a range of cabins and suites on board our ships, so you can choose the cabin type, layout and price to suit you and find your perfect home-from-home. We’ve thought of everything to ensure your time on board with us is as enjoyable, relaxing and carefree as possible. Even our lowest-priced Interior cabins are equipped with climate control, an interactive smart TV, hairdryer, desk, phone, fridge (which can be stocked as a mini-bar) and tea and coffee making facilities as standard. And, in keeping with the country house hotel style experience offered on our ships, your Cabin Stewardess will turndown your room daily too.
Guests in Ocean View Cabins can enjoy the view from either a porthole or picture window. Book a Balcony Cabin and make the most of your own outside space: the perfect place to sit back and soak up the scenery and fresh sea air. On selected grades, we even offer three and four berth cabins, ideal for guests travelling as a family or in a group.
Choose one of our Suites, and you’re in for the ultimate experience. Located across our ships’ upper decks, Suites have plenty of space to spread out and relax, with upgraded facilities too. Selected Suite grades also qualify for our fantastic Suite Dreams benefits, giving an extra touch of luxury to your stay.
Dining & Restaurants
Dining in our elegant restaurants and dining venues is a high point of every Fred. Olsen cruise. There are deliciously-tempting dishes – expertly crafted by our chefs – on offer throughout the day, presented with the personal touch of Fred. Olsen’s famous on board service. With something light like fresh fruits and cereals or perhaps something more substantial, like a hearty ‘full English’, you can tailor your breakfast to suit the day ahead. At lunchtime, there are varied and interesting menus, complemented by hot and cold buffet options. Savour scrumptious sandwiches, scones and cakes during complementary Afternoon Tea, before the main event – a fabulous, five-course á la carte feast. For those who may be peckish at bedtime, our late buffet will get you through the night.
Bars & Lounges
As part of Fred. Olsen’s fleet-wide, multi-million-pound refurbishment programme every lounge and public room has been refreshed with elegant décor and furnishings. Layouts and rooms have been changed too to ensure they are always a comfortable, stylish place to be, at any time of day. Among other updates, guests travelling on Balmoral will find a new concept for Fred. Olsen, the Oriental Room, serving a delightful collection of speciality teas in an inspirational setting.
With fewer people on board our smaller, more intimate fleet, it’s easy to find live entertainment to enjoy, a bar stool to perch on as you chat with new-found friends or a quiet spot to relax in peace with a drink and a good book. While each Fred. Olsen ship has its own distinctive personality, across the fleet you’ll find a consistent approach to bar and lounge themes which help to create the familiar, home-from-home feel that our guests know – and love to enjoy time and time again.
Each ship in our fleet feature a Neptune Lounge, the main entertainment venue; an Observatory Lounge, with a panoramic outlook; a Morning Light Pub; a Bookmark Café for coffee, fresh chocolates and more; and an al fresco Marquee Bar.
Guest speakers and port talks
Our diverse lectures from leading experts are always popular; subjects and topics discussed range from wine tasting to aviation. On some itineraries, lectures relevant to the specific destinations on your itinerary will be given to highlight a particular area of interest, while on all cruises, in preparation for arrival into each port, our knowledgeable port lecturers will share the information you’ll need to make the most of your time ashore.
Evening entertainment
Following the show, you can stroll under the stars on deck, or dance the night away to tunes performed by your ship’s resident band. And with our fabulous Dance Hosts
Freedom Fare
When you book a Freedom Fare cruise:
- Choose your cabin
- Choose your restaurant and dining time
- Low deposit – just 15%**
- Priority on board arrival and departure
- Free shuttle bus to local centre (where operating)
**15% deposit applicable for bookings made on cruises departing more than 90 days from time of booking, full payment required if booking within 90 days to departure.
Fred. Olsen’s Unique Enjoyment Promise
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines want you to book your cruise with us with complete confidence. That’s why Fred. Olsen Jnr himself insists each and every booking is covered with his Enjoyment Promise. It means that if within 48 hours of sailing, you are not enjoying your ocean cruise, they will arrange to take you home at their expense and give you a full refund.
