14 Dec 2023
Liverpool
8 nights
Borealis
Your cruise at a glance
The Olsen Way Highlights
With calls into three cities timed to coincide with the Christmas Markets, this is the perfect getaway before the arrival of the big day. Charming wooden huts adorned with twinkling lights and selling food, confectionery and handicrafts make for a cosy setting in Hamburg. Perhaps enjoy a mug of steaming Glühwein as you browse for unique gifts. An overnight stay means you can experience the markets by day and night, too. En route to Hamburg, Borealis will cruise the River Elbe, presenting you with views of the city’s shipyards and drydocks. UNESCO-listed Bruges (from Zeebrugge) features festive shopping delights too, from traditional markets to Belgian chocolate shops.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Christmas Markets
This special Borealis cruise has been designed to allow you to experience the very best of Europe’s Christmas Markets. Throughout your cruise, you will have numerous opportunities to step off the ship and wander around Christmas markets filled with festive treats, stalls selling souvenirs, and illuminated rides. Zeebrugge is your gateway to the famous Bruges Christmas Market and Ghent Christmas Market, and when docked in Hamburg, choose to visit Hamburg Christmas Market, or travel a little further afield to see Lubeck Christmas Market. Historian and guest speaker, Dr. Julie Ackroyd will be imparting some hints for selecting the perfect present from each stop, which best reflects the tradition of local produce and customs of each port.
Experience the Festive Atmosphere in The Lowlands
As you step foot off your ship, you will be immersed in local Christmas traditions and able to soak up the atmosphere of bustling Christmas markets. You will have the opportunity to gain an insight into how Christmas is celebrated in different European countries by purchasing handmade crafts in Bruges, trying Lebkuchen at Hamburg's Christmas Markets, or sipping on a warm mulled wine in Ghent. Learn about the traditions of the people of the Lowlands and explore how the residents of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany make their Christmas season special with historian, Dr. Julie Ackroyd. You can also join us in the Olsen Art Studio to create your own Christmas Crafts on board.
Explore Maritime Cities
Beyond the seasonal activities you will experience throughout this sailing, you will be able to enjoy scenic cruise commentary as we sail along one of Central Europe’s main waterways, the River Elbe, on our way to Hamburg, and also explore a selection of maritime cities. You are perfectly placed in Amsterdam to explore its 165 canals on board a canal cruise, and in Bruges you can walk along tree-lined canals before embarking on a romantic canal boat journey along the Reie River that runs through the heart of the city. When docked in Hamburg, you are able to step out onto the largest port in Germany and learn about the history of Hamburg Harbour.
Life On Board
Introducing Borealis
Sister-ship to Bolette, Borealis is perfectly suited for enjoying scenic cruising of the world's lesser-known waterways. From cruising past remarkable landscapes and historical sites to capturing the beauty of the natural world.
Borealis
Sister-ship to Bolette, Borealis is perfectly suited for taking guests on a journey around the globe, enabling more exploration in more exciting ports. Her smaller size, spacious public areas, open deck spaces and impressive array of restaurants make her perfect for longer voyages, and shorter journeys alike.
Our Signature Experiences
To make your experience even more special, our Journey Planners have designed a unique programme of Signature Experiences which will allow you to discover real insights about the culture and nature of the places we are visiting, so you can arrive in each destination fully prepared to get the most out of your visit.
We have carefully curated a programme of events to give you a deeper understanding of each of the destinations you will be visiting
Our Scenic Discoveries are designed to allow you to enjoy seeing the world from the unique perspective of our ships
Maritime is in our DNA - our history in shipping goes back almost 200 years
There’s very little in the natural world more beautiful than a clear night sky, sunrise or sunset seen at sea
We love to bring a taste of the region's food, drink, local tastes and culinary traditions to life on board
Our Signature Tours
At each port of call, we have carefully researched and hand-selected some wonderful tour options for you, designed to help you see the real destination and not just the tourist hotspots.
Below, you will find some examples of the kind of tours which could be available on your itinerary. Your Shore Tours will be available to book around 8-13 weeks prior to departure via your My Cruises account.
Ghent Christmas Market
Journey through the Flemish countryside to Ghent where you will stroll over St. Michael’s Bridge to see the ‘Row of Three Towers’ before stepping inside the Christmas Market to find 150 wooden huts selling Christmas goods and delicious delicacies.
££££
Zeebrugge
Amsterdam Canal Cruise
View the sights of Amsterdam from the unique perspective of the water with a cruise along the famous crescent-shaped Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canals.
££££
Amsterdam
Lübeck - Christmas in the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before tucking into some refreshments at the Niederegger Café.
££££
Hamburg
Your Guest Speakers
We’ve arranged for some wonderful guest speakers to join us for this cruise. They will be delivering a programme of insightful talks and activities to deepen your cultural, artistic and historical understanding of the destinations we will be exploring, well as helping you to enjoy the natural beauty of the places we visit.
Dr. Julie Ackroyd
As we explore Europe’s Christmas markets together, Historian Dr. Julie Ackroyd will be joining us on board to teach you all about the Christmas traditions of locals in Belgium, Holland and Germany.
Treats & Pastimes
In addition to our Signature Experiences, we have a selection of lovely Treats & Pastimes for you to enjoy when on board. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
* Prices correct as of 00:00 02/12/2023, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on two people sharing a twin cabin. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
* Prices correct as of 00:00 02/12/2023, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
Cabin Grades
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Borealis' Balcony Junior Suites have a private balcony and sitting/bedroom area.
Solo traveller offer available
| Freedom Fare | From £2,149 pp |
|---|
360°
Saver Terrace Cabin (LTC)
Borealis' Terrace Cabins have sliding glass doors onto the Lower Promenade Deck.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | From £999 pp |
|---|
Superior Ocean View (B)
B Grade Superior Ocean View cabins on Borealis are situated on deck 3.
Solo traveller offer available
| Freedom Fare | From £1,349 pp |
|---|
360°
Superior Interior Cabin (G)
G Grade Superior Interior cabins on Borealis are on decks 3 & 6.
Solo traveller offer available
| Freedom Fare | From £1,149 pp |
|---|
360°
Single Balcony Suite (JB)
Borealis' Single Balcony Suites, located on deck 6, have a private balcony.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,949 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Borealis' Balcony Junior Suites have a private balcony and sitting/bedroom area.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £2,999 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £4,298 |
360°
Saver Terrace Cabin (LTC)
Borealis' Terrace Cabins have sliding glass doors onto the Lower Promenade Deck.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £1,249 |
|---|
Superior Ocean View (B)
B Grade Superior Ocean View cabins on Borealis are situated on deck 3.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £1,869 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £2,360.75 |
360°
Superior Interior Cabin (G)
G Grade Superior Interior cabins on Borealis are on decks 3 & 6.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £1,799 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £2,298 |
360°
Single Balcony Suite (JB)
Borealis' Single Balcony Suites, located on deck 6, have a private balcony.
| Saver Fare | from £2,299 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £2,949 |
360°
Cruise Offers
What's Included
SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
As well as our Signature Experiences, there is a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships.
Dining & Lounges
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
Treats & Pastimes
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
Relaxation & Fitness
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Enhance your cruise
Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.
Need Some Help?
Take a look at our FAQ's
What do I pack for a cruise?
The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise.
Are there any visa requirements I need to be aware of?
Visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. UK passport holders will need visas for certain Fred. Olsen cruise holidays and will advised at the time of booking. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday.
What's the difference between Freedom and Saver fares?
On certain sailings we offer two types of cruise fares; Freedom and Saver Fares.
I'm travelling alone, how will I get to meet people?
Our single guests feel right at home on board our ships; Fred. Olsen have the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat.
How do I get off the ship if we're at anchor?
Disembarking when your ship's at anchor is a very different experience to when it's docked portside. Getting ashore in this instance often involves the use of the ship's tender, which is accessed via the steps of a secure gangway.