The Arts Society Members can benefit from up to £200pp Free On-Board Spend on Fred. Olsen cruises
New Adventures await
Beautiful geographies, astonishing nature and rich culture. This is why our journey planners put so much consideration and pride into crafting itineraries each and every year. Because we want our guests to sail the most imaginative routes and to visit the world’s most wonderful destinations at the very best times to experience them.
At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we are proud of our smaller-sized ships, which allow us to offer exceptional, hand-crafted itineraries, rich in culture and with real experiences in the destinations we visit, making them the perfect pairing with The Arts Society.
Our elegant fleet of smaller ships can dock at smaller ports in more interesting places and enjoy scenic cruising along size-restricted waterways in the heart of fascinating cities. Our passion for cruising has led to us having more returning guests than any other cruise line
With Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, you can sail from the convenience of regional UK ports to hundreds of destinations around the world, with sailings available from Southampton, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Rosyth (Edinburgh). Or try one of our brand new Mediterranean Fly/Cruises sailing in 2025 or 2026, with flights options available from London and Manchester, along with a selection of regional flight options.
2025 & 2026 cruises with Arts Society Accredited guest lecturers
What's more, the Arts Society have teamed up with award-winning Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to give you a tempting benefit of up to £200pp FREE On-Board Spend, applicable to most cruises.
On 5-night cruises - £50 per person on-board spend
On 6 to 10-night cruises - £100 per person on-board spend
On 11 to 15-night cruises - £150 per person on-board spend
On 16 night+ cruises - £200 per person on-board spend
2025 & 2026 cruises with Arts Society Accredited guest lecturers
Cruise S2527 | Departs from Southampton| Borealis | 3rd October 2025 | 7 nights
Discover the majestic mountains of Northern Spain
Indulge in typical Spanish dishes such as empanadas or pintxos
Explore the beauty of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Arantxa Sardina was born in Santander, Spain, who lives in London & has been a volunteer art guide at the Tate since 2011, she completed her MA in Art History in 2019 focused on fellow Spaniard painter Joaquin Sorolla.
She is an accredited art lecturer of the Arts Society and enjoys learning about art history and artists.
Cruise T2524 | Departs from Liverpool | Bolette | 10th October 2025 | 13 nights
Admire the vibrant floral displays on the ‘Garden Island’ of Madeira
Engage in local traditions and sample Madeiran wine or pastéis de nata
Go dolphin and whale watching in the waters surrounding the Azores
David Winpenny has long been interested in gardens and landscapes and their associated architecture. He studied at the Universities of Birmingham and Hull, and worked for the Countryside Commission and the Central Office of Information before starting his own PR company. David has led many tours of gardens, written guidebooks for the Automobile Association, and contributed to BBC Countryfile Magazine.
An accredited Arts Society lecturer, he has spoken to groups in Britain and abroad, as well as at sea. David has taken part in the BBC's ‘Brain of Britain’ contest and in Mastermind; he was a Mastermind finalist in 1999.
Cruise L2530 | Departs from Southampton | Balmoral | 13th November 2025 | 14 nights
Enjoy scenic cruising past the Seven Sisters mountains
Discover the Arctic way of life with local Sámi people
Discover the extraordinary science behind the Northern Lights
Bill retired early from accountancy and embarked on a completely different career path as a Tour Manager, escorting groups of travellers to worldwide destinations.
His eclectic list of talks largely reflect his experiences during his ten years as a Tour Manager, mixing personal highlights with amusing anecdotes about his journeys around the world. His love of Art, History and Music feature strongly in his extensive list of lectures. Bill is a rock and roll historian and also an accredited Arts Society lecturer.
Cruise T2526C | Departs from Liverpool | Bolette | 10th December 2025 | 5 nights
Explore the colourful harbour area of Honfleur
Sample Normandy cuisine, like camembert and Calvados
Discover Vieux Bassin, famous for Monet and Boudin's paintings
Caroline Holmes is an Academic Tutor for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education – Course Director on International, Residential and accredited programmes and is an Arts Society accredited guest lecturer.
Caroline is an Author, Broadcaster and Consultant Designer, and contributed to Country Homes and Interiors, Country Life, Country Living, Garden News and The English Garden and filmed for BBC and Anglia TV. And had a programme about her work and lifestyle of her house, gardens, office & surrounding countryside broadcasted on NHK (Japanese National Broadcasting TV).
Caroline is well known for her variety of books that she has written including “The English Garden Celebrated – “Where Wildness Pleases, and her best selling book “Monet at Giverny” which has also been translated into French & Norwegian.
Caroline regularly hosts special interest talks, on many tours and cruises with multiple operators globally across all continents.
Cruise S2603 | Departs from Southampton | Borealis | 28th January 2026 | 76 nights
Witness the dramatic landscapes of Antarctica
Experience the electric atmosphere of the Rio Carnival
Visit remarkable sites such as Machu Picchu
Prof Maria Chester studied Fine Arts and Art History in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She also was a resident student in Rome, Florence and Ravenna (Italy). She travelled the world and later specialized in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican (Olmec, Maya, Aztec, Toltec) and South American Civilisations (Pre-Inca, Inca), which left behind a heritage that allows us to appreciate their aesthetics and customs.
She also developed an interest in Archaeology, which gave her a frame for her constant research. Since 2011, she is the National Subject Adviser in American Archaeology, since 2018 she became an accredited lecturer of The Arts Society in London.
Cruise L2609 | Departs from Newcastle | Balmoral | 2nd April 2026 | 14 nights
Sail along the beautiful Tagus, Douro and Seine rivers
Discover the Portuguese delicacy of pastéis de nata
Uncover port and wine production in Porto and Bordeaux
Bill retired early from accountancy and embarked on a completely different career path as a Tour Manager, escorting groups of travellers to worldwide destinations.
His eclectic list of talks largely reflect his experiences during his ten years as a Tour Manager, mixing personal highlights with amusing anecdotes about his journeys around the world. His love of Art, History and Music feature strongly in his extensive list of lectures. Bill is a rock and roll historian and also an accredited Arts Society lecturer.
Cruise L2611 | Departs from Newcastle | Balmoral | 23rd April 2026 | 7 nights
Experience the beauty of Monet’s Garden and Keukenhof Gardens
Explore Rotterdam on King's Day, and join in with local festivities
Sample Dutch treats such as stroopwaffels and Gouda cheese
As a graduate of Liverpool College of Art, Adrian has worked as an illustrator, Arts Development Officer and lecturer in various academic and public institutions. He was Arts Development Officer for Cheshire West and Chester Council, with a particular interest in Visual Arts. Join Adrian during your cruise as you explore the art and architecture of the places you'll be visiting.
Cruise T2617 | Departs from Liverpool | Bolette | 25th July 2026 | 5 nights
Explore the Jurassic Coast, Etretat’s cliffs, and Honfleur’s harbour
Sample Dorset apple cake, delicious cheeses, and moule-frites
Discover sites that inspired Monet and Thomas Hardy
David Winpenny has long been interested in gardens and landscapes and their associated architecture. He studied at the Universities of Birmingham and Hull, and worked for the Countryside Commission and the Central Office of Information before starting his own PR company. David has led many tours of gardens, written guidebooks for the Automobile Association, and contributed to BBC Countryfile Magazine.
An accredited Arts Society lecturer, he has spoken to groups in Britain and abroad, as well as at sea. David has taken part in the BBC's ‘Brain of Britain’ contest and in Mastermind; he was a Mastermind finalist in 1999.
Cruise T2626 | Departs from Liverpool | Bolette | 16th October 2026 | 13 nights
Explore Madeira's botanical gardens and dramatic cliffs
Experience Andalusia's lively tapas bars and flamenco performances
Discover Lisbon's rich past and sample fresh pastéis de nata
David Winpenny has long been interested in gardens and landscapes and their associated architecture. He studied at the Universities of Birmingham and Hull, and worked for the Countryside Commission and the Central Office of Information before starting his own PR company. David has led many tours of gardens, written guidebooks for the Automobile Association, and contributed to BBC Countryfile Magazine.
An accredited Arts Society lecturer, he has spoken to groups in Britain and abroad, as well as at sea. David has taken part in the BBC's ‘Brain of Britain’ contest and in Mastermind; he was a Mastermind finalist in 1999.
Signature Experiences
On board each and every cruise, alongside all the lovely food, drink, entertainment and activities you'd expect, we always have five Signature Experiences included:
1. Join fascinating talks as part of our Itinerary Insights. From lively lectures to smaller entertaining talks you can learn about the culture, history, architecture and hidden gems of the places you will visit.
2. Our Sky At Sea sessions will invite you out on deck to enjoy sunrise and sunset events. You can also go along to the Stargazing sessions where you can sit back on the open deck and listen as our on board teams bring the night sky to life.
3. During our Treats of the Region cookery demonstrations, our chefs will show you how to prepare local dishes, and offer you the chance to taste local delicacies which are on the menu for lunch and dinner.
4. Our cruises are planned with Scenic Discovery routes in mind, designed to take in all the islands, ports, waterways, lochs and lakes, fjords and interesting seascapes that are out there. You can also join our teams for interesting talks or out on deck where they will point out the geology and wildlife you are passing along the way.
5. As a family-run business with almost 200 years of maritime history, Fred. Olsen are perfectly placed to show you what it takes to run a cruise ship. We have a programme called The Ship and The Sea where you can join our friendly officers to learn more about chart reading, or join in with our “Audience With” interviews with the Captain and Officers on board.
Offers end 31st December 2025. E&O
How to book
Terms & Conditions apply.
For more information regarding our current cruises, please visit our website www.fredolsencruises.com or call our friendly reservations team on 0800 0355 116 to order our latest cruise brochures. Or to book quote Arts Society code AFN0001. (Reservations phone Lines are open Mon to Fri 9am – 6pm, Sat 9am – 5pm & Sun 10am – 4pm).
GROUP TRAVEL
A Fred. Olsen cruise is an ideal group holiday for your Society, for tailor-made group quotations, please contact the award winning group sales team on 01473 746169 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm) or email [email protected]
For more information regarding group travel, please click on the below link here: https://www.fredolsencruises.com/group-travel
Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions apply. The free on-board Spend Arts Society membership benefit is valid for new bookings only, made from 3rd March through to 31st December 2025, & cannot be applied retrospectively and is not combinable with any other discounts or offers, including the FOCL Oceans Loyalty Club membership benefits, or any group deals. The free on board spend benefit offer is applicable on selected sailings. All bookings must be made directly with FOCL quoting the Arts Society booking code AFN0001, the free on board spend benefit is not applicable to book via any third parties including travel agents or tour operators. FOCL reserve the right to exclude any other cruises from this membership scheme at any time without prior notice. You will need to present your booking code and Arts Society membership number at time of booking and evidence of your membership may be required at embarkation. On-Board Spend is automatically applied to your on-board account and cannot be transferred, refunded or exchanged for cash. Visit fredolsencruises.com/legal/terms-and-conditions for full t&c’s. E&OE.