Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship guide: Which ship is right for you?

Last updated: 06/11/2026 

What sets Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines apart is its belief that smaller ships often deliver a richer travel experience. While many cruise lines have moved towards ever-larger vessels, Fred. Olsen has remained committed to a fleet of smaller ships designed to bring guests closer to the destinations they visit. That means sailing through scenic waterways, docking in ports where larger ships may struggle to visit and enjoying a more personal atmosphere on board. 

Today, the cruise line sails to hundreds of destinations across Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean and beyond, with itineraries carefully designed around cultural events, seasonal highlights, natural wonders and scenic cruising opportunities. The ships themselves are an important part of the experience, but the destinations remain firmly at the heart of every voyage.

If you’re new to Fred. Olsen, it’s worth taking a little time to understand the differences between the ships before you book. While all share the cruise line’s welcoming atmosphere and destination-focused approach, each has developed its own personality, appeal and loyal following.

In this guide, we’ll introduce the Fred. Olsen fleet, explain where the ships sail, explore what sets them apart, and help you decide which ship suits your cruising style. 

The Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' fleet consists of three ships: Balmoral, Bolette and Borealis. Unlike many cruise lines where newer ships replace older vessels, Fred. Olsen has deliberately maintained a smaller fleet built around intimate cruising, destination discovery and personal service.

Whichever ship you choose, you’ll find a recognisably Fred. Olsen experience. The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable, the ships are easy to navigate, and the focus is very much on where you’re travelling rather than headline-grabbing attractions. Guests won’t find rollercoasters, water parks or giant resort-style neighbourhoods here. Instead, they’ll discover comfortable lounges, welcoming public spaces, expansive deck areas and itineraries designed to showcase the world beyond the ship. 

That isn’t to say the ships are identical. Each has its own strengths, whether that’s Balmoral’s traditional character, Bolette’s position as the flagship or Borealis’ adults-only atmosphere. The right ship for you will depend on factors such as where you’d like to travel, how important ship size is to you and what sort of onboard environment you enjoy most. 

For many guests, the itinerary will ultimately be the deciding factor. However, understanding the differences between the ships can help you choose a voyage that feels tailored to your preferences from the moment you step onboard. 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines currently operates three ships: Balmoral, Bolette and Borealis. While they share the same smaller-ship philosophy, each vessel offers a distinctive experience and appeals to slightly different types of travellers. 

Here’s a quick look at them:

• Balmoral
• Bolette
• Borealis 

Differences in size, atmosphere, and onboard experience may mean one ship feels like a better fit for your holiday than another.

Here’s a comparison of the three ships: 

Of course, these “ideal for” categories aren’t set in stone. Plenty of guests happily sail on all three ships and choose their cruise based entirely on itinerary rather than vessel. 

Read next: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ships by size, ranked largest to smallest by guest capacity

While all three ships deliver the same friendly service, destination-led itineraries and smaller-ship atmosphere, each has a distinct personality. Understanding those differences can help bring your shortlist into sharper focus. 

If you ask long-time Fred. Olsen guests to describe Balmoral, many will talk about her character.

As the smallest ship in the fleet, Balmoral offers a reassuringly traditional experience. Carrying up to 1,275 guests, she’s large enough to offer a comfortable range of dining venues, lounges and entertainment spaces, yet small enough to maintain the intimate atmosphere many cruisers actively seek.

Life onboard tends to feel relaxed and familiar. It doesn’t take long to find your favourite lounge, learn your way around the decks or start recognising fellow travellers. For guests who enjoy the sociable side of cruising, that’s a significant part of the appeal.

Her smaller dimensions also play an important role operationally. Balmoral can access some destinations and waterways that may be more challenging for larger ships, helping Fred. Olsen to create itineraries that stand apart from the mainstream. This destination-first approach resonates strongly with guests who view the ports they visit as being just as important as the ship itself. 

While she may not offer as many venues as Bolette or Borealis, that’s rarely why people book her. Instead, guests often choose Balmoral because they appreciate her traditional cruise atmosphere, manageable size and welcoming personality. 

As Fred. Olsen’s flagship, Bolette occupies something of a sweet spot within the fleet.

Named after Fred. Olsen’s great-grandmother, she combines the intimacy that defines the cruise line with a slightly broader range of public spaces and facilities than you’ll find on Balmoral. For many first-time guests, she feels like the natural introduction to the Fred. Olsen experience.

What makes Bolette particularly appealing is her balance. She’s large enough to provide variety, yet remains significantly smaller than many contemporary cruise ships. Guests can enjoy multiple lounges, dining venues, entertainment spaces, and open-deck areas without ever feeling overwhelmed by the ship's scale.

The atmosphere onboard is relaxed rather than formal. Days might be spent attending enrichment talks, enjoying afternoon tea, watching the scenery drift by from deck or simply finding a comfortable corner to read. Evenings typically revolve around dining, live entertainment and socialising rather than late-night nightlife. 

Bolette also operates a broad range of itineraries, from Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords to Mediterranean sailings and longer voyages further afield. This versatility makes her one of the easiest ships in the fleet to recommend, particularly if you’re experiencing Fred. Olsen for the first time. 

While Bolette is often seen as the all-rounder, Borealis has carved out a distinctive identity of her own. 

From the moment you step onboard, the emphasis is clearly on the journey itself. Whether sailing past towering fjords, dramatic coastlines or remote islands, Borealis is particularly well suited to scenic cruising, making her a natural choice for travellers who see the sea days and sailing routes as highlights rather than simply time spent between ports. 

One of the biggest differences is that Borealis operates as an adults-only ship. That quieter atmosphere appeals to many couples, solo travellers, and guests looking for a more peaceful holiday. Rather than family-focused activities and attractions, the focus is firmly on relaxation, destination discovery, and enjoying the voyage itself. 

Like Bolette, she offers a good range of lounges, dining venues and public spaces. However, there’s often a sense that the scenery outside the windows matters as much as anything happening onboard.

For travellers considering destinations such as Norway, Iceland and other scenic regions, Borealis is often one of the most appealing ships in the Fred. Olsen fleet. 

At this point, you may already have a favourite. 

If you’re drawn to traditional cruising and intimate ships, Balmoral may stand out. If you like the idea of a flagship experience with plenty of choice, Bolette could be the natural fit. If a peaceful adults-only atmosphere and scenic sailing are high on your wish list, Borealis may be the answer.

Ultimately, though, it’s worth considering not only the ship itself but also where it’s sailing. Some guests fall in love with a vessel, while others choose entirely based on itinerary. 

One of Fred. Olsen’s greatest strengths is the breadth of destinations available across the fleet. The cruise line sails to hundreds of destinations across multiple continents, covering everything from short European breaks to world cruise sectors and extended Grand Voyages.

Northern Europe remains a particular speciality. The fleet regularly visits Norway, Iceland, the Baltic, and destinations throughout the British Isles, with many itineraries featuring scenic cruising through fjords, along dramatic coastlines, and past landscapes often best appreciated from the deck of a ship. The smaller fleet size enables access to certain waterways and ports that may prove more challenging for larger vessels, helping guests experience destinations from a different perspective.

Balmoral’s intimate dimensions make her particularly well suited to itineraries where manoeuvrability and destination access are key parts of the appeal. Meanwhile, Bolette’s versatility allows her to operate across a broad programme of European and international sailings. Borealis frequently features on scenic itineraries where guests can enjoy her adults-only atmosphere while taking in some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery.

Beyond Northern Europe, the fleet sails throughout the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, North America and South America. Seasonal itineraries may also include unique events, cultural celebrations and natural phenomena carefully timed to enhance the guest experience.

Importantly, many cruises depart from regional UK ports, reducing the need for lengthy domestic journeys before your holiday begins. For many guests, that’s part of the appeal: your holiday starts closer to home, yet still opens the door to destinations across the world. 

Choosing a Fred. Olsen ship isn’t really about finding the “best” vessel. It’s about finding the ship that best matches the type of holiday you want. 

For first-time cruisers, Bolette is often the easiest place to start.

You may particularly enjoy her if you value:

• A balance between intimacy and onboard choice 
• The flagship experience
• A broad selection of itineraries 
• Plenty of lounges and public spaces
• A ship that’s easy to recommend to almost any type of traveller 

Some guests are looking for the sort of cruise experience that feels increasingly rare within the industry.

In that case, Balmoral could be your ideal match thanks to:

• Her classic cruise atmosphere
• Smaller guest numbers
• Friendly, sociable environment
• Strong sense of character
• Traditional approach to life at sea 

For travellers who value peace, relaxation and destination discovery, Borealis is particularly appealing.

Reasons to consider her include:

• Adults-only atmosphere 
• Scenic cruising credentials 
• Relaxed onboard environment 
• Popularity with couples and solo travellers
• Focus on the journey as much as the destination

Many Fred. Olsen guests fall into this category. 

You may wish to:

• Prioritise the itinerary first 
• Compare ports of call
• Consider scenic cruising opportunities 
• Look at departure ports
• Choose the sailing that visits the destinations most important to you

Few cruise lines place as much emphasis on scenic sailing as Fred. Olsen.

For scenery lovers, consider:

• Borealis for her scenic cruising reputation
• Norwegian fjord itineraries 
• Iceland voyages
• Coastal sailings
• Cruises where the journey itself becomes a highlight 

While all three ships are considered small by modern standards, some guests actively seek the most intimate experience available. 

In that case:

• Balmoral is the smallest ship in the fleet
• Navigation around the ship is straightforward
• Public spaces often feel more familiar
• There’s a strong community atmosphere onboard 

Once you’ve narrowed those down, choosing between the available ships becomes much easier. 

Still undecided? Here’s a simple way to narrow down your options: 

• You want the best all-round introduction to Fred. Olsen ➡️ Bolette
• You enjoy traditional cruising and intimate ships ➡️ Balmoral
• You prefer adults-only cruising ➡️ Borealis
• You love scenic voyages ➡️ Borealis
• You want the smallest ship available ➡️ Balmoral 
• You want to choose purely based on destination ➡️ Book the itinerary you love most and let the ship be the bonus! 

Whichever ship you choose, you’ll find a range of inclusions designed to make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable from the moment you step onboard.

Included in your cruise fare are: 

• Comfortable accommodations
• Dining in included restaurants 
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Afternoon tea
• Tea and coffee in selected venues
• Live entertainment and performances 
• Talks and enrichment activities
• Use of swimming pools and fitness facilities
• Onboard activities and events
• Attentive service from Fred. Olsen’s crew
• Destination-focused itineraries and scenic cruising opportunities 

You can also choose additional experiences, such as speciality dining, spa treatments, selected activities, and most alcoholic drinks. But you don’t need to add these to enjoy your time onboard. In fact, one of the reasons guests return to Fred. Olsen time and again is the straightforward, relaxed nature of the experience, where the focus remains on great destinations, comfortable ships and memorable journeys rather than endless upselling. 

Yes, all three Fred. Olsen ships are significantly smaller than many modern cruise vessels, carrying no more than 1,275 guests. Their size creates a more intimate onboard atmosphere and allows access to a wider range of ports and waterways. 

Generally, no. One benefit of sailing on a smaller ship is that it’s easier to find quiet spaces, whether that’s on deck, in a lounge, or by the pool. Public areas are designed to feel comfortable rather than busy, even on sea days.

All three ships welcome solo travellers, but many solo guests are particularly drawn to Fred. Olsen’s friendly onboard atmosphere and sociable enrichment activities. The best choice often comes down to itinerary rather than ship.

Fred. Olsen cruises are generally relaxed, friendly, and destination-focused. Days are often spent enjoying the scenery, attending talks and demonstrations, socialising with fellow guests, or exploring ashore, while evenings centre on dining, entertainment, and live music.

Yes, their smaller size means it’s quick and straightforward to navigate the ships, making them a popular choice for guests who prefer a more manageable alternative to larger cruise vessels.

Many cruises include opportunities to dress up for special evenings, but the overall atmosphere is welcoming rather than overly formal. Dress codes can vary by sailing, so it’s always worth checking the details before you travel. 

All three ships are designed with scenic cruising in mind, but Borealis is often particularly popular for itineraries where dramatic landscapes and coastal scenery are a major part of the experience.

Yes, Fred. Olsen is well known for offering departures from a variety of regional UK ports, allowing many guests to start their cruise closer to home.

For travellers looking for a smaller ship, a relaxed atmosphere and a destination-led experience, Fred. Olsen can be an excellent introduction to cruising. Many guests appreciate the friendly environment and easy-to-navigate ships.

Many guests choose Fred. Olsen because they prefer smaller ships, more unusual itineraries and a stronger focus on destinations. The experience tends to feel more personal, with fewer crowds and more opportunities to visit lesser-known ports.