Whilst they pride themselves on sticking with popular traditions, they also surprise with amazing locations, fantastic food and wonderful small touches. Here are our top reasons why every Fred Olsen cruise stands out from the crowd.
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1 - Small Ships
Fred Olsen have a fleet of 3 ships: Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. They all have a capacity of under 1,360, making them small compared to most UK cruise lines. This is great news for their passengers for so many reasons, with one of these being the adventurous itineraries. With smaller ships, Fred Olsen can sail down rivers, and even some canals, taking you closer to exciting and unique destinations. For example, itineraries can include a sailing down the Gironde estuary towards Bordeaux, getting direct access to the port in Amsterdam or heading further into the Norwegian fjords.
Take a closer look at Fred Olsen's fleet.
2 - Slow itineraries
Fred Olsen pride themselves on taking things slow. They want their cruisers to immerse themselves in their beautiful surroundings. So expect to spend a good amount of time in your chosen area of the world, visiting ports that are not traditionally included in cruise itineraries. This way of cruising offers plenty of time for both relaxation and exploration. For example, there are a wide variety of ports in Greece that feature in Fred Olsen itineraries. These may include favourites such as Corfu and Piraeus (Athens), as well as lesser known locations, such as Kalamata, Kavala, Mytilene and Agios Nikolaos.
3 - The ability to explore like a local
When heading off the ship to a well-known tourist spot or hidden gem, Fred Olsen's excursions offer a chance to see the place like a local. They are organised in small groups to keep that intimate, special holiday feeling and are often led by experts. They won't take you to the obvious tourist spots, instead looking for places off the beaten track to give you a real sense of life in the area. You could lead Shetland ponies onto the beach in the Scottish highlands, guided by their owners; head off with a marine biologist to see whales in Norway; or explore the Lithuanian countryside with a beekeeper to see how traditional skills are being kept alive.
Take a deeper look at Fred Olsen's excursions.
4 - Excellent service guaranteed
Fred Olsen look after their cruisers in the 'Olsen Way'. They want to make everyone feel at home on their ships and prioritise fantastic service at every turn. Staff are well-known for being some of the friendliest, happiest and caring in the business. A typical staff to cruiser ratio is 1:2. This is extremely good, with an average ratio on larger ships being around 1:6 or more. So be prepared to feel truly looked after for on a Fred Olsen voyage.
5 - A focus on fantastic food
When relaxing in one of the many restaurants on offer, it will not only be the service that blows you away - the food itself also has a fantastic reputation. With main dining halls, buffets, poolside bars and speciality restaurants (that won't break the bank), there's a choice for everyone onboard. Colours and Tastes offers a scrumptious mix of Asian cuisine, from Peking duck to Massaman lamb curries, while you can try the delights of India in Vasco, with its array of traditional curries with modern fusion twists. The buffet chefs can prepare you chosen meal in front of you after you've chosen from the many cuisines and the main dining rooms offer a new menu every night to delight the taste buds.
Fred. Olsen Cruises
Explore the low-down on the Fred Olsen drinks package, plus more great booking tips.
6 - A focused cruiser demographic
Whilst you will find a range of ages on a Fred Olsen cruise, most passengers are over 60. This doesn't mean the ships are all about playing bridge and afternoon naps (although these are great options in our opinion!); instead Fred Olsen attracts mainly retirees, who seek a sense of comfortable adventure. Their demographic want to make the most of this exciting time in life where, often, they have more free time to explore the world in their own way. With this group of like minded people, it's no wonder that many leave the ship with new friends and a new perspective.
7 - Unique onboard activities
Fred Olsen really set themselves apart from the sailing crowd with their choice of onboard activities. For a start, there's the daily newsletter - no, it's not an activity, but it's a great way to start your day, find out about what's in store and stay connected to others onboard. Then there's the daily 8am mile on the top deck for those who like to start early with some fresh air. Exercise and cooking classes are commonplace, as are tours of the ship with the crew, but what really sets Fred Olsen apart are their guest speakers. These speakers look to immerse you further into the world around you. They are often world experts in the nature and culture of the country in which you are sailing, giving your later excursions and explorations more meaning and depth.
8 - Traditional Values
Fred Olsen are proud to maintain many cruising traditions on their ships. These traditions have lasted for a reason - they allow for the smooth running of a cruise ship and provide moments of calm and wonder throughout the journey.
The first thing you may notice as you enter a Fred Olsen ship is the amount of fresh flowers. These adorn public spaces and are a tradition upheld to brighten up everyone's day. Fred Olsen also adhere to dining traditions. There are two dining times, shared tables for smaller groups and formal nights included in most itineraries. These ensure a well-run kitchen and are a great way to meet others at these special times of the day. Other traditions include the Captain's Welcome and Farewell parties, as well as the British mainstays: Sunday roasts and cream teas.
Find out more about Fred Olsen dining here.
9 - It's great for solo cruisers
There are several reasons why Fred Olsen won the Cruise Critic award for solo travellers in 2022. If you're heading off on a solo itinerary, you definitely won't feel alone. From the first day, Fred Olsen have considered what solo travellers need to have a great, memorable trip. There's a welcome reception, a dedicated table in the buffet dining room and a meeting point at all the ports. Of course, if you'd prefer to keep to yourself, that's completely possible too. Possibly the best part about the Fred Olsen solo package is the price of the cabins, with many additional offers regularly available too.
Check our Fred Olsen's current solo cruise deals here.
GET.cruises will help you find the best cruise deals. Search for your perfect Fred Olsen cruise holiday and compare prices from all the major travel agents.
