Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen is a Norwegian family shipping name with roots in the 19th century, and its cruise line has long been run from Ipswich in England for the British market. It has built a loyal following among older British travelers who value smaller ships, friendly crew and unusual itineraries over big-ship attractions.

The fleet is three ships of roughly 1,250 to 1,350 guests: Balmoral, Borealis and Bolette. Borealis and Bolette were built for Holland America Line in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and Balmoral began life as Crown Odyssey in the 1980s, later stretched. Their moderate size lets them squeeze into small harbors and fjords, and their classic design includes wraparound promenade decks.

A defining feature is departure ports. Instead of sailing mainly from Southampton, Fred. Olsen also offers no-fly cruises from regional ports around the UK, such as Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth for Edinburgh, so many guests can avoid flying entirely. Itineraries cover Norway and the Northern Lights, Iceland, the British Isles, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and long winter voyages.

Fred. Olsen is traditional, quiet and sociable. Guests are mostly British and typically in their 60s and older, many of them loyal repeat cruisers and solo travelers. Evenings alternate between smart casual and formal nights, when many guests wear dinner jackets and evening gowns. Ships are mid-size and feel homely rather than flashy, with ballroom dancing, afternoon tea and talks by experts. Onboard currency is pounds sterling. North American travelers who enjoy British culture and an older crowd can feel at home, but entertainment, menus and humor are geared to UK tastes, and there are few children.

Main restaurants serve traditional British and international menus at set or flexible times, and casual buffets are available at breakfast and lunch. Smaller specialty restaurants on the ships carry a supplement. Afternoon tea is a daily ritual, and menus feature British favorites alongside regional dishes from the voyage. Fares include selected drinks with lunch and dinner.

Entertainment is traditional: production shows by a resident company, cabaret singers, ballroom and sequence dancing, quiz nights and live music in the lounges. Destination and specialist speakers are a highlight, including astronomers on Northern Lights cruises. Fares include guided walks ashore in many ports.

Children are allowed, but there are few dedicated facilities and most sailings carry very few families. Some school-holiday cruises offer limited children’s activities.

Cabins range from interiors and ocean views to balcony cabins and suites, and all three ships have single cabins with no single supplement on many sailings, a big plus for solo cruisers. Borealis and Bolette offer a larger share of balconies than Balmoral.

Selected drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and drinks packages are available for the rest of the day. Bar prices are in pounds sterling.

Onboard gratuities are included in Fred. Olsen fares, so no daily service charge is added to your account.