Our Signature Experiences

Kitchen creations on board Bolette
Kitchen creations on Bolette in the auditorium
 

We believe that a cruise is very different from a holiday

A cruise is about being out there on the ocean, exploring the world from the vantage point of the sea, enjoying the journey itself, not just the destinations. We like to focus on that feeling of boarding your ship for the first time, the excitement of visiting new places, and the warmth and conviviality of our on board teams, ensuring you are valued and well looked after - as we say in Norway, 'I det beste selskap' - in the best of company.

On board each and every cruise, and alongside all the lovely food, drink, entertainment and activities you'd expect, we always have five Signature Experiences included:

 
Bolette sailing Eidfjord, Norway

Enjoy scenic sailing to spectacular destinations such as Eidfjord, Norway

Scenic cruising, Alta

Explore the world from our wide open decks

Scenic cruising Stromboli, Italy

We'll give you the time to record special moments

We prefer to take our guests on scenic lesser-known routes

We'll take you closer to some of the world's most fascinating places

Scenic cruising, Fingal's Cave

Experience scenic sailing of islands and archipelagos

 

Scenic Discoveries

While other cruise lines tend to take the fastest route from A to B, we prefer to follow the most fascinating route. We enjoy making the time to take in all the islands, ports, waterways, lochs, lakes, fjords and coastal landscapes that are out there, and to help our guests see and understand more about them. Out on deck, or from the comfort of our Observatory Lounges, our on board teams provide commentary, point out points and places of interest, tell stories of local people and culture, and help you spot marine and birdlife. On particular sailings, we travel with nature specialists from the whale and marine life charities, ORCA and Ocean Wildlife Encounters. They will join you on board to ensure that if there are whales to see, dolphins to spot, or other marine life to observe, our guests will be able to witness it firsthand.

Scenic Discoveries

While other cruise lines tend to take the fastest route from A to B, we prefer to follow the most fascinating route. We enjoy making the time to take in all the islands, ports, waterways, lochs, lakes, fjords and coastal landscapes that are out there, and to help our guests see and understand more about them. Out on deck, or from the comfort of our Observatory Lounges, our on board teams provide commentary, point out points and places of interest, tell stories of local people and culture, and help you spot marine and birdlife. On particular sailings, we travel with nature specialists from the whale and marine life charities, ORCA and Ocean Wildlife Encounters. They will join you on board to ensure that if there are whales to see, dolphins to spot, or other marine life to observe, our guests will be able to witness it firsthand.

Bolette sailing Eidfjord, Norway

Enjoy scenic sailing to spectacular destinations such as Eidfjord, Norway

Scenic cruising, Alta

Explore the world from our wide open decks

Scenic cruising Stromboli, Italy

We'll give you the time to record special moments

We prefer to take our guests on scenic lesser-known routes

We'll take you closer to some of the world's most fascinating places

Scenic cruising, Fingal's Cave

Experience scenic sailing of islands and archipelagos

 

ITINERARY INSIGHTS

Enrichment is very much a part of how we do things at Fred. Olsen. Our enthusiastic Guest Speakers are specially chosen to give our like-minded travellers a deeper understanding of the culture, history and people of the places that we are visiting. Talks take place in our dedicated theatre space with the opportunity for a good chat and Q&A with the speakers after the event. We also host smaller lunches and sociable gatherings for those who have a special interest in a particular subject.

Guests wildlife spotting with an ORCA Team Member

Join our team on deck to learn more about marine wildlife and nature

Guest Lecturer

Gain a deeper understanding of the ports you're visiting with our Guest Speakers

scenic sunset

Discover more about the nature and culture of each destination you visit

Guests enjoying a lunch forum in The Spey, Balmoral

Join us for immersive breakfast and lunch forums with our Guest Speakers

ITINERARY INSIGHTS

Enrichment is very much a part of how we do things at Fred. Olsen. Our enthusiastic Guest Speakers are specially chosen to give our like-minded travellers a deeper understanding of the culture, history and people of the places that we are visiting. Talks take place in our dedicated theatre space with the opportunity for a good chat and Q&A with the speakers after the event. We also host smaller lunches and sociable gatherings for those who have a special interest in a particular subject.

Guests wildlife spotting with an ORCA Team Member

Join our team on deck to learn more about marine wildlife and nature

Guest Lecturer

Gain a deeper understanding of the ports you're visiting with our Guest Speakers

scenic sunset

Discover more about the nature and culture of each destination you visit

Guests enjoying a lunch forum in The Spey, Balmoral

Join us for immersive breakfast and lunch forums with our Guest Speakers

Chef presenting a cookery demonstration for Treat of the Regions

Meet our talented chefs who bring regional dishes to life

Pasteis de Nata

Enjoy discovering dishes from the regions you are visiting

Crew team member handing out dish from Treat of the Region

Enjoy a taste of delicious dishes in our Treats of Region sessions

Treats of the region cookery demonstration

Join us as our chefs conjure up beautifully prepared dishes

 

Treats of the Region

There’s no more delicious way to discover something of a country’s culture than through its food. So, you will always find delicious regional dishes on the lunch and dinner menu in our main and buffet restaurants. Our talented chefs will also host cookery demonstrations where local delicacies are prepared, everyone attending is given a taster and the recipe to try for themselves when they return home. And, for a little evening treat, there’s always the Cocktail of the Day to enjoy as the sun goes down over the sea.

Treats of the Region

There’s no more delicious way to discover something of a country’s culture than through its food. So, you will always find delicious regional dishes on the lunch and dinner menu in our main and buffet restaurants. Our talented chefs will also host cookery demonstrations where local delicacies are prepared, everyone attending is given a taster and the recipe to try for themselves when they return home. And, for a little evening treat, there’s always the Cocktail of the Day to enjoy as the sun goes down over the sea.

Chef presenting a cookery demonstration for Treat of the Regions

Meet our talented chefs who bring regional dishes to life

Pasteis de Nata

Enjoy discovering dishes from the regions you are visiting

Crew team member handing out dish from Treat of the Region

Enjoy a taste of delicious dishes in our Treats of Region sessions

Treats of the region cookery demonstration

Join us as our chefs conjure up beautifully prepared dishes

 

The Sky at Sea

There is nothing quite like a sunrise at sea or looking up at the beauty of the night sky from the deck of a ship. On clear nights we host star-gazing experiences where you can sit back on the open deck, snuggled in a blanket with a hot chocolate or a toddy, and listen to our experts, as we bring the night sky to life. On certain itineraries, we sail to seek out the unique Northern Lights or witness the beauty of the midnight sun.

Sunset at sea

Enjoy spectacular sunrise and sunsets out on deck with fellow guests

Northern lights over Borealis funnel

Marvel at natural phenomenons such as the Northern Lights from our wide open decks

Star gazing on deck

Join our star gazing events and discover more about other planets and stars

The Sky at Sea

There is nothing quite like a sunrise at sea or looking up at the beauty of the night sky from the deck of a ship. On clear nights we host star-gazing experiences where you can sit back on the open deck, snuggled in a blanket with a hot chocolate or a toddy, and listen to our experts, as we bring the night sky to life. On certain itineraries, we sail to seek out the unique Northern Lights or witness the beauty of the midnight sun.

Sunset at sea

Enjoy spectacular sunrise and sunsets out on deck with fellow guests

Northern lights over Borealis funnel

Marvel at natural phenomenons such as the Northern Lights

Star gazing on deck

Join our star gazing events and discover more about other planets and stars

Navigational chart reading

Learn how we navigate the world's waterways and seas from our Officers

Audience with the Show Team

Join our Q&A sessions to find out what life at sea is like for our residents Show Teams

Ask the Captain session

Join our Ask the Captain sessions to find out more about how a cruise ship is run

 

The Ship and the Sea

The Olsen family’s history in shipping dates back to 1848, when three Olsen family brothers bought their first ship and set about discovering the world, so we like to say that maritime is truly in our DNA. Join us for ‘an audience with’ the Captain or some of our crew, take part in discussion sessions about navigation and chart-reading or (for a small extra charge) take a behind-the-scenes tour to see the fascinating workings of your ship.

The Ship and the Sea

The Olsen family’s history in shipping dates back to 1848, when three Olsen family brothers bought their first ship and set about discovering the world, so we like to say that maritime is truly in our DNA. Join us for ‘an audience with’ the Captain or some of our crew, take part in discussion sessions about navigation and chart-reading or (for a small extra charge) take a behind-the-scenes tour to see the fascinating workings of your ship.

Navigational chart reading

Learn how we navigate the world's waterways and seas from our Officers

Audience with the Show Team

Join our Q&A sessions to find out what life at sea is like

Ask the Captain session

Join our Ask the Captain sessions to find out more about how a cruise ship is run