I'm recently back from being a guest of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as a travel agent on the beautiful Bolette, sailing from Liverpool to Honfleur and the vineyards of France.
Having cruised with Fred. Olsen before on Bolette's sister ship, Borealis, it was lovely to be back onboard and have the opportunity to discover even more about what makes this cruise line so special.
As someone whose absolute passion is cruising, I'm always keen to learn more about the different cruise lines available. Finding the right ship, itinerary and onboard experience can make all the difference to your holiday.
One of the things I particularly love about cruising is only having to unpack once, but to wake up somewhere new with another destination waiting to be explored while enjoying wonderful food and onboard entertainment. For me the itinerary is important but the ship turns the journey element into a fabulous holiday.
So, what makes Fred. Olsen different, and could a smaller ship be the perfect choice for your next cruise holiday?
Fred. Olsen is known for its smaller ships, carrying around 1,300 guests, its friendly, relaxed atmosphere and impeccable service.
With three ships sailing from the UK, Fred. Olsen offers a more intimate alternative to some of the much larger cruise ships departing from British ports.
For me, one of the real attractions is the itineraries. Smaller ships can visit some fascinating destinations and ports that aren't always accessible to the largest vessels, with a real focus on the places you visit and the experiences along the way.
If you enjoy exploring new destinations, appreciate a more personal atmosphere and don't particularly fancy a ship carrying 5,000 passengers, smaller-ship cruising could be just what you're looking for.
It's a lovely way to see the world without feeling that you need to be constantly on the go.
The itinerary on my cruise took us to the picturesque French port of Honfleur, with its pretty harbour, colourful buildings and charming streets. It's the sort of place that invites you to slow down and enjoy a wander.
We then continued to Pauillac, where the ship stayed overnight. Located around 40km from Bordeaux, Pauillac is ideally placed for discovering the famous vineyards of the Bordeaux wine region.
An overnight port stay gives you so much more time to explore, rather than feeling you have to squeeze everything into a few hours.
Whether you fancy discovering the local area, visiting Bordeaux or exploring the surrounding vineyards, there's plenty of potential for a memorable day ashore.
It's these thoughtful itineraries and longer stays that can make a real difference to a cruise holiday.
For those of us living in the landlocked Midlands, being able to join a cruise from Liverpool is a particularly useful option for certain itineraries.
Fred. Olsen also offers departures from other UK ports including Southampton, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Rosyth in Scotland.
Of course, the best departure port will depend on your itinerary and where you're travelling from, but avoiding the stress of airports and flights is a great start to a holiday making the whole experience much simpler.
There's something rather lovely about starting your holiday closer to home, settling into your cabin and knowing that your adventure has begun without the need to navigate an airport.
It's definitely worth looking at the options before ruling out a cruise because you assume you'll need to fly to join the ship.
One of the things I particularly like about Fred. Olsen is the variety of cruise itineraries available from UK ports.
You don't always need to fly to the Mediterranean or join a ship overseas to enjoy a fabulous cruise. There are some wonderful adventures waiting much closer to home.
Here are just a few examples of the itineraries currently available to book up to June 2028:
Norwegian Fjords: Discover magnificent fjords, dramatic mountains and spectacular scenery, with the opportunity to explore some beautiful Norwegian destinations.
Circumnavigate Iceland: Experience extraordinary landscapes, fascinating destinations and the natural beauty of this remarkable island.
Explore Ireland from Liverpool: Enjoy a cruise taking in Irish ports, with opportunities to discover the scenery, history and character of the Emerald Isle.
Discover the Scottish Islands: Experience beautiful coastlines, island communities and some of Scotland's most captivating scenery.
Embark on a World Cruise: For those dreaming of a much longer adventure, Fred. Olsen offers extraordinary longer itineraries, including voyages that explore the Amazon.
Find the Sunshine: Explore the Portuguese islands of the Azores and Madeira, or head further afield to enjoy the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
These are just a few examples of the variety available, with itineraries changing from season to season.
Whether you're looking for a week away, a longer adventure or something a little different, there's plenty to explore.
Terrace Deck - Borealis
A cruise is about much more than the destinations, the onboard experience matters too.
The ships are spacious, elegant and comfortable, with plenty of places to relax, enjoy a drink, read a book or simply watch the world go by. It really is “Your Cruise Your Way”.
Every evening you'll find a copy of Fred. Olsen's Daily Times in your cabin, giving you all the information you need for the following day.
To give you an idea of what's available on a sea day, activities range from:
Art and craft classes in a purpose built studio
Quizzes, lectures and bridge
Dance classes, from line dancing to ballroom
Tastings and exercise classes
Films and plenty more
Also depending on the itinerary there will be astronomy and wildlife experts onboard as part of the enrichment programme.
Some activities need to be booked when you’re onboard and a few, such as certain tastings, carry an additional charge.
There's also a gym, spa and plenty of comfortable spaces to sit and relax, including around the pool. On Bolette and Borealis, the pool area has a retractable roof, which is a particularly useful feature when sailing from the UK.
Cruise ships are cashless so any purchases will be added to your onboard account. Gratuities are included in the cruise fare so you don’t need to tip.
The Bar on Bollette
The dining on Fred. Olsen is absolutely excellent.
The main dining room offers 5 courses at dinner and a choice of two sittings at either 6pm or 8pm which you decide when you book.
Of course you can always opt for more casual dining in the buffet. There’s also speciality restaurants to tempt you offering Asian, Italian and Grill menus.
House beer and wine waiter served by the glass are available with lunch and dinner (on Freedom Fares).
For me, good food is an important part of any holiday, and having the opportunity to enjoy lovely meals as part of the overall cruise experience certainly adds to the enjoyment.
The theatre shows are arranged around the dining so you don’t miss anything.
If you're travelling solo, Fred. Olsen is a cruise line definitely worth considering.
Solo travellers can find options designed with them in mind, making it easier to explore independently while enjoying the reassurance and convenience of a cruise holiday.
There are plenty of meet ups for solo travellers along with the option to dine with other solo passengers.
As always, facilities, cabin choices and arrangements will vary by ship and sailing, so it's important to find the right option for you.
The general dress code is smart casual which means you can dress up as much or as little as feels comfortable.
On the formal nights you can bring out the sequins and sparkle or the dinner suit. But if that's not your style, don't worry.
Depending on the length of your cruise there will be a couple of formal evenings, but you don't need to invest in a cocktail dress or dinner jacket.
Think along the lines of what you’d wear if you were going to a lovely restaurant on a special occasion. Ladies will look glamorous and gentlemen smart in a jacket with a tie.
The formal night dress code can be avoided by eating in the casual buffet restaurant.
For me, cruising should be about relaxing, enjoying wonderful destinations and feeling comfortable, not worrying about whether you've packed the right outfit!
So, whether you love a bit of glamour or prefer to keep things simple and smart, there's room for both.
There's no single cruise line that suits everyone, which is why I take the time to talk to my customers to understand what matters most to them.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend Fred. Olsen for everyone. For instance, it wouldn’t suit young families looking for thrills, water slides and lots of high-energy activities.
But for couples and travellers who enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, interesting destinations, excellent dining and a smaller ship, Fred. Olsen could be a perfect choice.
And, as with any cruise, it's worth looking beyond the headline price and considering the itinerary, ship, cabin, dining and overall experience you want from your holiday.
That's where having someone to talk it through with can really help.
Cruising is my absolute passion, but I also know that choosing the right cruise can feel overwhelming when there are so many ships, itineraries and options to compare.
As your Personal Travel Consultant, I can help you explore the choices, answer your questions and find a cruise that suits your interests, budget and travel style.
Whether you're considering Fred. Olsen for the first time, returning to a favourite cruise line or simply wondering whether a smaller ship might suit you, I'd love to help.
I'm based in Aldridge and work with customers across Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Aldridge and the surrounding areas, helping them find holidays worth looking forward to.
Every holiday matters because every customer matters, and my aim is to make planning your next adventure feel just as enjoyable as the holiday itself.
When you’re ready to plan your next trip get in touch for a chat and leave the rest with me.
Louise Patrick | Your Personal Travel Consultant
Not Just Travel
Get in touch here.
Images courtesy of Louise Patrick, Not Just Travel
