Updated: March 2026

This guide walks you through everything you can expect from your first Fred. Olsen cruise dining experience, so you can step on board well‑prepared.

For first-timers, a cruise holiday brings plenty to look forward to — exploring new shores, discovering fresh flavours and spending quality time with family and friends. But for those who haven’t joined us before, it can be hard to know what to expect, especially when it comes to the delicious food and drink options you can enjoy on board.

On our smaller cruise ships, dining feels welcoming, personal and unhurried. You’ll find plenty of choice throughout the day, along with attentive service and menus inspired by both British favourites and the destinations you’re cruising to.

Cruising with Fred. Olsen is about exploring the world in pure comfort and classic style, and our delicious food and drink options are just one of the reasons our guests sail with us again and again.

Misconceptions may have led you to believe that dining options on cruise ships can be limited and of low quality, but we’re here to break that stigma.

In our main restaurants and buffets, you’ll find a range of freshly cooked meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with flexible dining times to suit you, and dishes inspired by British tastes and the destinations you’ll be visiting.

On board Bolette, you’ll find five wonderful dining locations, Borealis has six, including our open-air venue, Fresco, with Balmoral featuring four, all of which offer friendly and relaxed atmospheres, creating a welcoming environment for all guests.

If you’re looking to celebrate or just want an excuse to get dressed up for the night, then you can indulge in one of our speciality restaurants for a night with a little extra flair. Got a taste for a sweet treat whilst you’re on board? Well then, you’re in luck, because we offer a classic afternoon tea with premium teas from The Rare Tea Company, plus savouries, scones, and cakes - a classic British experience.

For those who have never sailed with us before, you may want a little clarification on what is included in your cruise fare, from the food and snacks that are covered to the sorts of drinks you can enjoy.

By booking a cruise with us, you are entitled to what we like to call ‘full board dining’. This means all meals are included throughout the day, and you can choose from our range of dining venues, including both the main dining rooms and buffets.

Whether you’ve got a busy day of exploring ahead of you or you’re planning to while away the hours soaking up the sunshine on the deck, it’s important to start the day with a good, hearty breakfast. Usually served between 07:30 am and 10:30 am, our breakfast menu is varied and suits all diets and tastes.

You could visit the breakfast buffet and begin your morning with fresh fruit, cereals served with chilled milk, freshly baked pastries and a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed juice. Or treat yourself to a proper full English breakfast with bacon, sausages, black pudding, eggs and more. There’s even the option to have a continental breakfast delivered directly to your cabin if you prefer.

Lunch is generally served on board between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm every day and can be as light or indulgent as you like. Take a seat in one of the main restaurants and order from a varied menu, or perhaps pop into the buffet restaurant for a quick bite.

Our starters, salads, soups and sandwiches are the ideal ‘light bite’, or if you fancy a larger lunch, we’ve got a vast menu of main courses to suit everyone’s tastes. If you’ve got some room left, our mouth-watering desserts are the perfect treat.

Dinner time is when our dining experience truly comes to life, with our main restaurants serving mouth-watering five-course à la carte meals across two seatings. When booking, you can choose either the first or second dinner seating, with times available at either 6:15 pm or 8:30 pm. 

You don’t need to choose five courses every night, but if you fancy treating yourself, then there are plenty of options to enjoy.

A traditional afternoon tea is included in your fare, featuring premium teas, elegant finger sandwiches, dainty pastries, cakes and warm scones with jam and cream. Our afternoon tea can be enjoyed in our stylish Observatory Lounge, where you can take in the beautiful vistas whilst listening to the sultry sounds of our on-board pianist.

A selection of drinks is included when booking the Freedom Fare and can be enjoyed at lunch and dinner. You’ll receive the following at no extra cost during lunch and dinner in main dining, buffet and speciality dining venues:

• House beers
• House wines
• Draught soft drinks

If you want to indulge a little further, you can upgrade to our Premium Drinks Package, which includes branded spirits, cocktails, and premium wines, available throughout the day.

Certain items aren’t included in our standard fare unless you’ve upgraded to our premium package. These include:

Speciality meals

Meals in speciality restaurants are not included in our standard fare and will incur a supplementary charge.

Drinks outside mealtimes

If you want drinks at the bar, by the pool, or with entertainment, these are not included unless you purchase a Premium Drinks Package.

Premium Spirits, Cocktails & Branded Drinks

Not included in the fare; only available via purchase or drinks package.

Bringing your own alcohol

You cannot bring alcohol onboard for consumption.

• Bloomsbury & Terrace – Bolette
• Borealis & Aurora – Borealis
• Ballindalloch, Avon & Spey - Balmoral

The main restaurants on board Fred. Olsen cruises serve freshly prepared dishes throughout the day, with rotating menus and regional influences; no two meals will be the same.

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be on hand to make your dining experience as smooth as possible, providing table service throughout.

• The View – Bolette & Borealis
• The Thistle - Balmoral

Buffet restaurants are ideal for those seeking a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Great for those seeking a little more flexibility, as you can eat whenever you want.

The buffet restaurants on our ships offer delicious and warming comfort dishes, salads and themed dishes, so you’re bound to find something you’ll love.

• Colours & Tastes - blending Grill, Italian and Asian cuisine.
• The Chef’s Table - an exclusive, multi-course wine-paired dinner in a private venue.
• Fresco (Borealis only)- an open-air Mediterranean-inspired lunch venue serving light bites.

Celebrating or just want to indulge for a night or two? The speciality restaurants on our ships offer a night of premium dining. Tuck into authentic dishes, carefully curated for our diners, and enjoy flavours from around the world.

Our speciality offerings fill up fast, and spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

High-quality and delicious food is at the heart of what we offer on our cruise ships. Serving British classics with global influences, you’ll get to enjoy your favourites with continental twists. We put love and care into offering our guests the very best ingredients, right through to our mouth-watering dessert and pudding options.

We cater to every guest's needs, whether you’re vegetarian or vegan, have specific dietary requirements or simply want lighter, more considered options.

We take dietary requirements and allergies very seriously onboard and we will do everything we can to cater to your exacting needs. We recommend that those with additional dietary requirements contact us before departure so the team can prepare. Alternatively, you can speak to a Maître D' onboard.

When planning your upcoming cruise, you may be unsure what to wear for meals, as this can vary by the restaurants you plan to visit.

For the most part, mealtimes are casual and laid-back, so you can dress in whatever feels most comfortable for you. If you’re planning to dine at a speciality restaurant, at the Chef’s Table, or on a formal night, smart attire is recommended. Ladies are encouraged to wear glamorous dresses, skirts, or trousers with a smart top, while many gentlemen wear a black tie or a smart suit and tie.

You might also like: How to Choose your Cruise Cabin

If all this talk of food has got you excited about the prospect of a cruise, whether your first or your fiftieth, find the right itinerary for you and start planning your perfect trip today.