World Cruises
One ship. One unforgettable season. The whole world from the deck of Borealis.
A world cruise is a journey you carry with you for the rest of your life: months at sea, dozens of countries, and the rare pleasure of watching the world change slowly from the same familiar deck.[ReadMoreMob] With Fred. Olsen, a round the world cruise is hand-crafted from the first port to the last and sailed aboard one of our smaller ships, where the warm, friendly atmosphere turns the long voyage into time spent among friends.
It is travel at its most generous. Wake to a new coastline, step ashore to explore it at a gentle pace, then return to a ship that already feels like home, the unpacking done once, the welcome the same every evening.
Why sail around the world with Fred. Olsen
Hand-crafted itineraries, not mass-produced
Our world cruise itinerary is shaped by people who know these waters, not by a template.[ReadMoreMob] Our 2027 voyage calls at over 25 ports and is timed with care, Japan, for instance, is scheduled for the late plum blossom season and fewer crowds, so you arrive when the country is at its most rewarding to explore.
Smaller ships that reach further
Borealis carries 1,353 guests, not several thousand.[ReadMoreMob] Her smaller size lets her sail into ports the largest ships sail past, while her open deck spaces give you room to look out at the world as it drifts by. She is a ship that looks like a ship – elegant, characterful, built for the journey.
The joy of the journey
On a voyage this long, the days at sea matter as much as the days ashore.[ReadMoreMob] Enrichment talks bring each destination to life before you arrive, while dance classes, live music, swimming pools and quiet corners with a good book fill the time between ports.The journey is never simply the gap between two places – it is part of the holiday.
Warm, friendly service from the first port to the last
Our crew remember your name and your usual order.[ReadMoreMob] Service on board is sincere rather than scripted, and over the course of a world cruise that warmth becomes one of the journey's greatest pleasures, the reason so many of our guests sail with us again and again.
So much already included
Your world cruise fare covers far more than your cabin. Every Freedom Fare includes:
- Full board dining, from five-course à la carte dinners to afternoon tea
- Selected drinks with lunch and dinner
- Gratuities
- Evening shows, live music, dance classes and enrichment talks
- Swimming pools, jacuzzis and the fitness centre
- A free shuttle service in ports over one mile from the ship
- All UK port taxes and fees
Our 2027 world cruise: Around the World with Japan & Hawaii
Sail around the world aboard Borealis on a single, hand-crafted voyage that links the Caribbean, the Pacific, Asia and southern Africa in one continuous journey.
- Departs: Southampton, 21 January 2027
- Returns: Southampton, 29 April 2027
- Duration: 98 nights
- Ship: Borealis (adults only)
- Ports: over 25 ports of call
- From: £14,999 per person
Where you'll sail
From Southampton, Borealis sails south to Lisbon and the gardens of Madeira before crossing to the white-sand beaches of Barbados and Grenada. She transits the Panama Canal – one of the world's great feats of engineering – then spends four days in Hawaii, with time to explore volcanic landscapes, the islands' lush rainforests and the memorial at Pearl Harbor. [ReadMoreMob]
Across the Pacific lies Japan, with overnight stays in Tokyo and Osaka, calls at Shimizu and Nagoya, and views of Mount Fuji. From there the voyage carries on to Hong Kong, lit each evening by the Symphony of Lights, then Singapore's Gardens by the Bay, the beaches of Phuket and Mauritius, and Cape Town beneath Table Mountain – with the chance to seek out the 'big five' on safari. Whale watching follows you for much of the journey, from the Caribbean and Mexico to Hawaii and the Canary Islands.
World cruise questions, answered
How long is a world cruise?
A world cruise is one of the longest journeys you can make by sea, usually lasting somewhere between two and four months. Ours sails for 98 nights, departing Southampton on 21 January 2027 and returning at the end of April – long enough to reach four continents at a pace that lets you truly explore each one, rather than tick it off.
How much is a world cruise?
The price of a world cruise depends on the ship, the cabin you choose and how long you sail. Our 2027 round the world cruise starts from £14,999 per person for an interior cabin, with ocean view cabins, suites and single cabins also available. Because so much is already included – full board dining, selected drinks, gratuities and more – the fare covers a great deal of your journey from the moment you book.
What's the difference between a world cruise and a grand voyage?
A world cruise is a single continuous journey that sails around the world, calling at ports across several continents before returning home. A grand voyage is a long, in-depth cruise that explores one part of the world more deeply, without circling the globe. Both are hand-crafted for guests who love to travel slowly and immerse themselves in each place – the difference is simply how far you sail. You can explore our grand voyages on their own page.
Can I sail a world cruise on my own?
Our single guests feel very much at home on board. Fred. Olsen has long held the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat, and our 2027 world cruise offers a range of single cabins, from interior to ocean view and balcony. Over a long voyage, the warm atmosphere of a smaller ship makes it easy to fall into good company.
Which ship sails your world cruise?
Our 2027 world cruise is sailed aboard Borealis, one of our smaller ships and sister to Bolette. She carries 1,353 guests, with spacious public areas, generous open deck space and a choice of restaurants that suit a long voyage well. Her smaller size means she can reach ports the largest ships sail past.
What should I pack for a world cruise?
A world cruise carries you through many different climates, so the trick is a clever mix of layers and lighter clothing you can adapt as you go. We've written a full guide to packing for this voyage to Japan and Hawaii, with practical tips for each leg of the journey.
Do I need a visa for a world cruise?
Some of the countries on a world cruise itinerary require a visa for UK passport holders, and requirements can change. We'll advise you of anything you need at the time of booking, and your booking information will set out the details for your journey. We always recommend checking with a professionally qualified source as well.