Cruise line focus: Fred Olsen Cruise Line

Fred Olsen Cruise Line is a quintessentially British cruise line, more premium than P&O Cruises, but not as upmarket as Cunard.

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Fred Olsen Cruise Line doesn’t a have an over-50-only policy like Saga Cruises, but caters almost exclusively to retirees.

As such, the atmosphere is friendly, the service is efficient but unobtrusive, and the decor is familiar and relaxing, with ample seating in the public rooms.

The currency on-board is Pounds Sterling and evening entertainment is muted and fairly old fashioned (singing, dancing and cabaret).

Fred Olsen Cruise Line on-board experience

Daytime activities on port days are very limited, but on sea days there is a very good Vistas special interest program.

It offers classes in a range of subjects from gardening to wine appreciation, history to wildlife watching and painting classes.

Those not wishing to take part in set activities bask on deck and watch the world go by, or get stuck into a good book in the ship’s library.

The experience on-board is more akin to an ocean liner of yesteryear then, even those the four ships in the Fred Olsen fleet are pure cruise ships.

They’re all fairly old and relatively small, but have been maintained and refurbished to an extremely high standard over the years.

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In 2018, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines announced that throughout the year all four of its ships would receive a comprehensive refurbishment.

It is the largest fleetwide upgrade program ever undertaken by the line, aimed at extending the operational life of its fleet.

Each ship will get new restaurants, refreshed lounges, upgraded bedrooms and enhanced facilities, making Fred. Olsen’s ships even better than before.

The cruise line doesn’t try to offer anything other than a low-key, relaxing, traditional cruise experience and because of this, little things matter, like the fact that drinks on-board are affordable, and passengers still change for dinner, which entails good booze, laughter and a five-course meal.

Fred Olsen Cruise Line destinations

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines predominantly sails from UK ports to all corners of the globe on cruise itineraries of a week to several months in length.

It’s most popular cruise destinations are Amsterdam, Bergen, Bridgetown, Funchal, Havana, Mauritius, Reykjavik and Sydney, but also cruises far and wide from the Amazon to the Far East.

Types of passengers on a Fred Olsen cruise

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is for lovers of old-style cruising, who enjoy peace, quiet and the gentle art of conversation.

Passengers are therefore predominantly British and their average age is 67.

In an effort to cater to doting grandparents who like to spend holiday time with family, Fred Olsen also offers kids activities aboard Braemar during the summer months.

Cruise ships in the Fred Olsen fleet:

Balmoral

Bolette

Borealis

Braemar