As a family-run cruise line, we really take your experience personally. While the cruise industry has gone for bigger ships, brimming with more and more people, we have always believed that smaller is better. We treat passengers as guests, we dock at smaller ports in more interesting places and we avoid overcrowding both aboard and ashore. At capacity, our smaller ships will only ever sail with between 900 and 1,400 guests.
We have a small team of specialist itinerary planners. They take great pride in handcrafting each journey, to ensure we show you hidden gems as well as highlights on each of our sailings. It is a passion that has won us the Cruise Critic award for Best Itineraries for five consecutive years.
Cruise from four regional UK ports to hundreds of destinations worldwide in the classic style and comfort of our smaller-sized ships. For most of the year, the ships are based in Britain, with cruises departing from Rosyth (Edinburgh), Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton.
We believe smaller is better
We are incredibly proud of our fleet of smaller ships. Each has been elegantly designed and they all look and feel like ships (not hotels or holiday resorts); with wide open deck spaces as well as lounges and restaurants which have been meticulously planned to ensure you have a wonderful experience.
With fewer guests, our crew can really get to know you and what you like. And the atmosphere on board our ships is always warm and civilised.
The smaller size of our ships also allows us access to more interesting places, such as Norway’s lesser-known Fjords as well as European cities with narrow waterways and size-restricted bridges. It also means we can dock in the heart of some of the world’s most fascinating cities.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Ships
More about Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
STARGAZING CRUISES
Fred. Olsen is proud to work in partnership with Go Stargazing, a diverse group of amateur and professional astronomers, instrument scientists, dark sky consultants, education providers and tourism experts with a shared passion for enthusing public interest in astronomy. Their team of astronomers deliver practical stargazing sessions across the United Kingdom, showcasing the incredible dark skies throughout the UK, from Northumberland Dark Sky Park to the South Downs Dark Sky Reserve.
Viewing the night sky is a remarkable experience, but doing so away from light pollution on a Fred. Olsen cruise takes it to a whole new level. The night sky viewed from the middle of the ocean is breathtakingly beautiful, with a vast expanse of stars twinkling brightly in the darkness.
In August 2026, a team from Go Stargazing will be on board our fleet of ships to share their insights and knowledge with you about the fascinating solar eclipse phenomenon. Don’t miss the chance to experience this celestial event with us!
STARGAZING SESSIONS
The stargazing sessions that Go Stargazing astronomers hold on deck will be informal, informative and entertaining. You will enjoy laser-guided tours of the constellations, learn how to identify planets and view deep-sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae using binoculars. You can take home this knowledge and share it with family and friends.
Guests will enjoy stories of legends and mythology using the starry skies as a backdrop, just like our ancestors once did. Exciting topics such as ship navigation using stars and nautical folklore will give you a unique perspective on the relationship between seafaring and the night sky.
There may also be the opportunity to take advantage of astronomical events such as meteor showers, which occur regularly throughout the year, solar eclipses and conjunctions where celestial objects align to create a fantastic view.
Witnessing impressive night-time views and using incredible facts and figures from astronomical distances to the sizes of stars, our on-deck stargazing sessions are designed and delivered in a way that makes them unforgettable.
ORCA CRUISES
PROTECTING THE WORLD'S WHALES AND DOLPHINS
As part of an official partnership, Fred. Olsen are proud to be working with marine wildlife charity ORCA, who will be sending teams of volunteers on a selection of Fred. Olsen sailings.
The conservationist team's objective will be to locate whales and dolphins, observe their behaviours, and to provide guests with a unique experience, offering you the opportunity to take an active role in marine science and conservation. The cruises will also enable ORCA to collect vital data on the species and numbers of marine life sighted and identify wildlife hotspots, feeding directly into the charity’s Cruise Conservationist Programme and its conservation work.
Pop along to one of their guest lectures, or find them on deck to ask them any questions you may have. With the help of ORCA, you may be lucky enough to spot several whale and dolphin species, whilst learning more about ORCA's conservation efforts.
178 Cruises ·
3 Ships
Cruise Regions
N Europe
Arctic
Mediterranean
World-wide
Western Europe
N Europe/Med
Mystery
Caribbean
Africa
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Reasons to Book
At Fred. Olsen, we’re a little different to the bigger cruise lines, and proudly so. Cruising, to us, is about enjoying the journey and seeing the world in comfort and style. It’s also about choice – the freedom to explore your way. It’s travel at its most rewarding: unhurried, carefully considered and full of character.
Always in the best of company
Our story began in Norway, where time on the water is part of daily life. It’s a heritage we’re proud of, one that shapes our respect for the sea, our love of exploration and the warm welcome you’ll find on board. We live by the saying ‘I det beste selskap’ – ‘in the best of company’, and that’s precisely how we want you to feel when you sail with us: relaxed, valued and part of something truly special.
Smaller ships, refined traditions
Our ships are smaller, warmer and full of charm. With space to relax and thoughtful touches throughout, they offer a more personal way to cruise. We’ve preserved the timeless pleasures of sea travel, but shaped them for today, with comfort, character and a relaxed sense of occasion.
Curated journeys, not just cruises
We design our itineraries to blend iconic destinations with lesser-known gems, creating journeys that enrich and inspire. Whether you’re seeking famous sights or quiet corners, our sailings are carefully curated to help you explore the world in a more thoughtful and rewarding way.
Your cruise, your way
Whether you prefer a peaceful spot with a good book or a full day of activities and entertainment, life on board offers plenty of choice, all in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of our smaller ships.
Service with genuine warmth
What sets us apart is our crew. From the moment you step on board, you’ll be greeted with warmth, care and a level of attention that feels refreshingly genuine. They take the time to get to know you, from your name to your favourite drink.
Alongside Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the Fred. Olsen group also operate a variety of other companies, including Fred. Olsen Travel, and Fred. Olsen Express ferries in the Canary Islands, and has interests in the luxury hotel, aviation, estate management, electronics and offshore energy industries. Fred. Olsen offices are spread throughout the globe, although the group's main headquarters remain firmly in the family's hands in Oslo and Tenerife. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is based in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, England.
Members Club
Welcome To Oceans Club
Oceans Loyalty Club is our way of saying thank you for choosing to cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Designed to make every voyage even more rewarding, it recognises your loyalty with exclusive benefits and thoughtful extras.
There are no cards to carry and no forms to complete. Simply sail with us and we'll take care of the rest. The more nights you spend on board, the more rewards you'll enjoy.
All benefits start from sailings departing after 30th of September
How it works
Sail with us
From your very first cruise, you'll automatically become a member of Oceans Loyalty Club. Every night you spend on board is added to your account at the end of your cruise.
Climb the levels
Every night spent on board brings you closer to the next Oceans level, as you travel from Bronze through to our highest level, Signature.
Enjoy more rewards
Once you've returned home from your first cruise, you'll be able to start enjoying your membership benefits on future sailings.
Unlock even more rewards
As your Oceans Loyalty Club level increases, so do the benefits. Enjoy an expanding range of rewards and thoughtful extras, all designed to make your future cruises even more rewarding.
Six levels. One warm welcome at every one.
Oceans Bronze - 1+ Nights
5% off cruises Booked 12+ months ahead
£25pp on board credit Reward for Introducing a Friend
Oceans Silver - 31+ Nights
5% off cruises Booked 9+ months ahead
£25pp on board credit Reward for Introducing a Friend
5% On Board Discount
Exclusive Oceans Party 7+ night cruises
Oceans Gold - 101+ Nights
5% off cruises Booked 6+ months ahead
£25pp on board credit Reward for Introducing a Friend
5% On Board Discount
5% off tours booked before your cruise
Bag of chocolates, per cabin*
Exclusive Oceans Party 7+ night cruises
Oceans Platinum - 251+ Nights
5% off cruises Booked 3+ months ahead
£35pp on board credit Reward for Introducing a Friend
10% On Board Discount
7.5% off any booked tours
Laundry vouchers or 3x hot drinks*
Exclusive Oceans Party 7+ night cruises
Exclusive Events on World Cruises or Grand Voyages (70+ nights) On board event invitation
Oceans Diamond - 501+ Nights
5% off cruises Booked at any time
£50pp on board credit Reward for Introducing a Friend
15% On Board Discount
10% off any booked tours
Laundry vouchers or 4x hot drinks**
Exclusive Oceans Party 7+ night cruises
Exclusive Oceans Coffee Mornings 14+ night cruises
Laundry Voucher
Speciality Dining Voucher
Exclusive Events on World Cruises or Grand Voyages (70+ nights) On board event invitation
50% discount off standard Wi-Fi
Dedicated check-in and priority disembarkation (on cruises departing from UK)
Priority Table Reservation
Oceans Signature - 1001+ Nights
5% off cruises Booked at any time
£50pp on board credit Reward for Introducing a Friend
17.5% On Board Discount
12.5% off any booked tours
Laundry vouchers or 7x hot drinks**
Exclusive Oceans Party 7+ night cruises
Exclusive Oceans Coffee Mornings 14+ night cruises
Laundry Voucher
Speciality Dining Voucher
Exclusive Events on World Cruises or Grand Voyages (70+ nights) Shoreside event invitation
Complimentary Cabin Upgrade (Freedom Fare only and subject to availability) Upgrade applied close to departure
Free standard Wi-Fi
Dedicated check-in and priority disembarkation (on cruises departing from UK)
Priority Table Reservation
For more information about each Oceans Club Membership Level and their benefits, please click here.