ORCA Cruises

Great Humpback Whale tail in Iceland
Protecting the world's whales and dolphins

As part of an offical partnership, Fred. Olsen are proud to be working with marine wildlife charity ORCA, who will be sending teams of volunteers on a selection of Fred. Olsen sailings. 

The conservationist team's objective will be to locate whales and dolphins, observe their behaviours, and to provide guests with a unique experience, offering you the opportunity to take an active role in marine science and conservation. The cruises will also enable ORCA to collect vital data on the species and numbers of marine life sighted and identify wildlife hotspots, feeding directly into the charity’s Cruise Conservationist Programme and its conservation work. 

Pop along to one of their guest lectures, or find them on deck to ask them any questions you may have. With the help of ORCA, you may be lucky enough to spot several whale and dolphin species, whilst learning more about ORCA's conservation efforts.

 

As part of an offical partnership, Fred. Olsen are proud to be working with marine wildlife charity ORCA, who will be sending teams of volunteers on a selection of Fred. Olsen sailings. [ReadMoreMob]

The conservationist team's objective will be to locate whales and dolphins, observe their behaviours, and to provide guests with a unique experience, offering them the opportunity to take an active role in marine science and conservation. The cruises will also enable ORCA to collect vital data on the species and numbers of marine life sighted and identify wildlife hotspots, feeding directly into the charity’s Cruise Conservationist Programme and its conservation work.

Pop along to one of their guest lectures, or find them on deck to ask them any questions you may have. With the help of ORCA, you may be lucky enough to spot several mesmerising whale and dolphin species, all whilst learning more about ORCA's conservation efforts.

 
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38 Ocean Cruises

38 Ocean Cruises
Passengers looking out to Fingals cave from onboard, UK Passengers looking out to Fingals cave from onboard, UK Passengers looking out to Fingals cave from onboard, UK

Scenic Isles of Scotland in Five Nights • T2409

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Liverpool
Bolette
03 May 2024
5 nights
  • Enjoy a relaxing break over the May Day Bank Holiday
  • Join ORCA on deck of Bolette to spot whales 
  • Visit Orkney and the Isle of Lewis for historic sites 
Please call our Reservations Team for latest pricing and availability.
Dynjandi waterfall, Westfjords of Iceland Dynjandi waterfall, Westfjords of Iceland Dynjandi waterfall, Westfjords of Iceland
2024 Cruise Offer

Whales & Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland • S2410

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Southampton
Borealis
14 May 2024
11 nights
  • Experience some of Iceland’s remarkable wonders of nature 
  • See spurting geysers and thundering waterfalls
  • Spot whales and other cetaceans from the decks of Borealis with ORCA
Views of Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland Views of Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland Views of Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
2024 Cruise Offer

Scenic Scottish Isles in Five Nights • T2411

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Liverpool
Bolette
25 May 2024
5 nights
  • Discover the awe-inspiring scenery of the Hebrides
  • Join ORCA on deck to spot marine life
  • Discover seabird and marine life of the Scottish Isles
Garenin blackhouse village on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, Garenin blackhouse village on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, Garenin blackhouse village on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland,
2024 Cruise Offer

The Life & Nature of Scotland's Scenic Isles • L2415

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Newcastle
Balmoral
28 May 2024
8 nights
  • Discover natural wonders and wildlife close to home
  • Join ORCA to spot marine life from Balmoral's decks
  • Take a tour to Skara Brae from Kirkwall
Stunning Eruption of Strokkur Geysir in Iceland Stunning Eruption of Strokkur Geysir in Iceland Stunning Eruption of Strokkur Geysir in Iceland
2024 Cruise Offer

Whales & Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland • T2414

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Liverpool
Bolette
15 Jun 2024
12 nights
  • Explore the remarkable scenery, wildlife and nature in Iceland
  • Enjoy Scenic Discoveries of Gásadalur and Vestmanna 
  • Spot marine life from Bolette with the help of wildlife charity ORCA
Old Man of Storr rock formation on Isle of Skye, Scotland Old Man of Storr rock formation on Isle of Skye, Scotland Old Man of Storr rock formation on Isle of Skye, Scotland
2024 Cruise Offer

Wildlife & Traditions of the Scottish Isles • L2420

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Rosyth
Balmoral
04 Jul 2024
8 nights
  • Enjoy birdwatching as Balmoral sails past Sumburgh Head
  • Search for whales with help from ORCA
  • Marvel at the Isle of Skye's scenery
Sete Cidades, Azores, Portugal Sete Cidades, Azores, Portugal Sete Cidades, Azores, Portugal
2024 Cruise Offer

Volcanic Islands & Hidden Gems of Portugal • T2416

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Liverpool
Bolette
06 Jul 2024
13 nights
  • Discover the Sete Cidades crater lakes from Ponta Delgada
  • Search for dolphins and whales from Bolette's decks with ORCA
  • Embrace Portuguese traditions and savour local cuisines
Strokkur geyser, Iceland Strokkur geyser, Iceland Strokkur geyser, Iceland
2024 Cruise Offer

Whales & Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland • S2415

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Dover
Borealis
11 Jul 2024
11 nights
  • Experience spurting Geysirs & thundering waterfalls
  • Immerse yourself in Icelandic culture, from trolls to hot springs
  • Encounter whales, dolphins & seabirds
View of Prins Christiansund from on board View of Prins Christiansund from on board Prins Christian Sound in Greenland
2024 Cruise Offer

Scenic Wonders & Wildlife of Canada & Greenland • T2417

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Liverpool
Bolette
19 Jul 2024
27 nights
  • Experience icebergs and glaciers in Greenland
  • Perhaps spot a polar bear in Nunavut
  • Learn about the Olsen family links with L'Anse aux Meadows
Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland
2024 Cruise Offer

The Life & Landscapes of Iceland • L2422

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Rosyth
Balmoral
22 Jul 2024
11 nights
  • Discover volcanic wonders, such as the Snæfellsjökull Glacier
  • Witness thundering waterfalls and spurting geysers
  • Take the chance to encounter humpbacks on a whale-watching tour

Showing 1 - 10 cruises

Uncrowded Iceland - T2307

Bolette | 10-nights | T2307

Cetacean Species Recorded
White beaked dolphin
Harbour porpoise
Fin whale
Minke whale
Humpback whale

 

ORCA Conservationists: 
Ellie A & Peter

Borealis | 25-nights | S2309

Cetacean Species Recorded
Common dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin
White-beaked dolphin
Fin whale
Humpback whale
Minke whale
Sei whale
Orca
Long-finned pilot whale
Harbour porpoise

ORCA Conservationists:
Lynn & Elizabeth

Borealis | 10-nights | S2310

Cetacean Species Recorded
Risso's dolphin
Common dolphin
Harbour porpoise
Minke whale
Grey seal
Atlantic white-sided dolphin
Long-finned pilot whale
Humpback whale

ORCA Conservationists:
Tony & Beth

Bolette | 7-nights | T2313

Cetacean Species Recorded
Bottlenose dolphin
Common dolphin
Harbour porpoise
Minke whale

Other Marine wildlife: Species Recorded
Grey seal

ORCA Conservationists:
Leonie & Chrissie

Bolette | 23-nights | T2316

Cetacean Species Recorded
Polar bear
Blue whale
Northern bottlenose whale
Fin whale
Minke whale
Humpback whale
Orca
Harbour porpoise
Long-finned pilot whale
Sei whale
White-beaked dolphin

ORCA Conservationists: 
Lynn & Elizabeth

Borealis | 15-nights | L2317

Cetacean Species Recorded
Basking shark
Beluga whale
Fin whale
Harbour porpoise
Orca
Long-finned pilot whale
Humpback whale
Sperm whale
Minke whale
White-beaked dolphin
Walrus

 

ORCA Conservationists: 
Richard & Layla

Dolpin spotting in Komodo Islands, RIB boat
Dolpin spotting in Komodo Islands, RIB boat
Orca conservationist taking a picture of the sunset from on board
Whale tail spotted on board by Orca conservationists
Guests and Orca representative looking out from the deck to the sea
Bird and reflection in the sea, Iceland
Guests/Orca looking to spot wildlife
Whale tail in the water, Iceland
Guests/Orca looking to spot wildlife from deck
Puffin in the sea, Iceland
Birds in the water, Iceland
Guests/Orca looking to spot wildlife
Puffin flying, Iceland
Whale spotted on board by Orca conservationists
Whale tail spotted on board by Orca conservationists
Harbour Porpoise seen from onboard
Minke Whale seen from on board

Anna Bunney - Head of Education

Anna is the Head of Education for ORCA, and is responsible for coordinating the wide breadth of ORCA’s education and outreach activities. Although Anna’s day-to-day job varies considerably, her main responsibilities include developing and delivering all of ORCA’s training courses. These courses train members of the public to become citizen scientists, whether by training them to take part in ORCA’s dedicated ferry-based surveys, or by monitoring their local seas by using the OceanWatchers app. 

Anna also manages our worldwide seafarer’s education programmes, which includes ship strike mitigation training.  This work has led Anna to also lead on our exciting ship strike mitigation research projects in the Bay of Biscay and Alaska, helping us to understand how whales react to vessels so that we can provide appropriate advice to bridge crews on how to avoid this threat.

Anna studied Geography at university, where she focussed on wildlife conservation.  Since then, Anna has worked for a variety of terrestrial and marine conservation charities in the UK, before landing her dream job at ORCA 9 years ago.

Anna has a huge amount of experience at sea, having travelled all around the world; from the UK and Europe to Alaska to Antarctica to deliver educational activities on board and collect vital data on whales, dolphins and porpoises encountered

Steve is Director of Operations & Fundraising at ORCA, one of the UK's leading whale and dolphin charities. ORCA work with the cruise industry to identify important whale and dolphin hotspots around the world, collecting vital scientific data that is used to establish protected areas and safeguard these animals for future generations.

Steve started working for ORCA in 2017, but his passion for the ocean goes back to being a five year old insisting he was going to be a marine biologist! His work involves developing partnerships across the shipping industry, showing companies the changes that they can make to help protect whales and dolphins. Steve is also a keen photographer and a movie buff, so if you run out of whale and dolphin questions you can always chat movie trivia or compare camera techniques instead!

Kate is an Ocean Conservationist for ORCA, a whale and dolphin conservation charity. Kate’s fascination with dolphins began on holidays to West Wales, where she would sit on seawalls waiting for dolphins to appear. She has a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and an MSc in Environmental Biology. She has worked in conservation worldwide, studying turtles in Mexico and Cape Verde and bottlenose dolphins in Wales, Florida and Australia.

In 2018 Kate began working for ORCA as a Wildlife Officer in the Bay of Biscay and later became an Ocean Conservationist travelling to places like Spain, Iceland, Portugal, the Canary Islands, and Norway. Kate is passionate about chatting to people about the issues faced by whales and dolphins, and ways in which we can help them. Come and find her out on deck, join her at a lecture or she’d love to grab a cup of coffee and swap whale tales! In her spare time, Kate enjoys photography, scuba diving, and going to musicals. But her favourite way to spend time is out at sea looking for whales and dolphins so wrap up warm and she’d love to see you out on deck!