Experience small ship cruising without committing to a week or two at sea with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
The trusted British-style cruise operator has a range of short taster mini cruise breaks planned for 2020/2021, conveniently sailing from ports dotted along the British coastline.
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Why choose a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines mini cruise break?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines can be traced back to 1848 when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and founded an international shipping company in Hvitsten, a small town on Oslofjord in Norway.
The Fred. Olsen group, now with headquarters in Oslo and Tenerife, operates companies within the cruise and passenger shipping trade, and also has interests in the luxury hotel sector, estate management, property development, and electronics companies.
The Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines cruise ship arm is based in Ipswich, Suffolk, and operates a fleet of four small sized cruise ships.
Each ship boasts heritage, elegance and character. Importantly they all offer the familiar creature comforts of home. Purchases are made in Great British Pounds, tea and coffee making facilities can be found inside each cabin and classic British dishes can be found on the restaurant menus.
Ships cater for families but lack the facilities found on larger cruise ships. During peak holiday times (school summer holidays, etc) then family orientated, parent supervised children's activities are offered on each ship aimed at kids aged between five and 11 years old. These include arts and crafts, disco's, treasure hunts and similar events. Family pool times will also be advertised on-board.
Entertainment during the day and evening is offered on-board and this is in keeping with the traditional feel of the cruise line. Unlike the full-on entertainment found on large cruise ships the entertainment on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is more genteel.
In terms of leisure activities you can find a spa on-board each ship as well as a fitness room should you want to burn off those extra calories from the delicious food included in the price.
A cruise ship holiday is a step up from a mini cruise aboard a ferry and while the price reflects this, fares on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines often represent exceptionally good value for money. If you are considering booking a mini cruise and want the facilities, charm and character of a boutique hotel then look no further than Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
The good and not so good
The good
- Great way to try a cruise ship holiday without committing to a week or more.
- Sail from a choice of British ports, normally no flights are required meaning there's no bag limits.
- Your sailing is full board meaning your main meals and snacks are included.
The not so good
- There won't be enough time on a mini cruise to fully explore and experience the ship, leaving you wanting more.
- Drinks cost extra, aside from the in-room tea and coffee. An all-inclusive drinks packages is available ° which may be better value depending on how much you intend to drink.
The fleet
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has a fleet of four small sized cruise ships - Balmoral, Boudicca, Black Watch and Braemar.
These ships are compact but perfectly formed. They offer a friendly, cosy atmosphere on-board with plenty of space to relax and enjoy yourself. The largest ship in the fleet, Balmoral, can accommodate just 1,300 passengers across 710 cabins so you can be assured that you won't find the ship busy or crowded.
Mini Cruise itineraries for 2020/2021
You can find the very latest list of mini cruise itineraries here °, together with current pricing and live availability.
If you want to dip your toes into the world of cruise ship holidays then a one- or two-night cruise is ideal. If you've been on a cruise ship holiday before, perhaps not with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, then a four- or five-night sailing would give you more time to explore the ship.
| Date | Nights | Ship | Itinerary | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 February 2020 | 5 | Black Watch | Southampton to Amsterdam (overnight) to Antwerp (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 19 March 2020 | 3 | Boudicca | Dover to Amsterdam to Rotterdam to Dover | Prices ° |
| 24 March 2020 | 2 | Black Watch | Southampton to Liverpool | Prices ° |
| 9 April 2020 | 5 | Braemar | Southampton to Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Antwerp (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 1 May 2020 | 5 | Balmoral | Newcastle to Eidfjord to Bergen to Newcastle | Prices ° |
| 22 May 2020 | 1 | Balmoral | Newcastle to Rosyth | Prices ° |
| 23 May 2020 | 5 | Black Watch | Liverpool to Kirkwall to Tobermory to Greenock to Liverpool | Prices ° |
| 23 May 2020 | 1 | Balmoral | Rosyth to Stavanger to Lerwick to Rosyth | Prices ° |
| 9 July 2020 | 5 | Balmoral | Rosyth to Bergen to Eidfjord to Rosyth | Prices ° |
| 10 July 2020 | 5 | Boudicca | Dover to Antwerp (overnight) to Amsterdam to Rotterdam to Dover | Prices ° |
| 23 July 2020 | 1 | Balmoral | Rosyth to Newcastle | Prices ° |
| 27 August 2020 | 5 | Black Watch | Liverpool to Kirkwall to Tobermory to Greenock to Liverpool | Prices ° |
| 27 August 2020 | 5 | Balmoral | Newcastle to Bergen to Eidfjord to Newcastle | Prices ° |
| 27 August 2020 | 5 | Boudicca | Dover to Rouen (overnight) to St Malo to Honfleur to Dover | Prices ° |
| 27 August 2020 | 5 | Braemar | Southampton to St. Mary's to Falmouth (overnight) to Plymouth to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 24 September 2020 | 5 | Balmoral | Southampton to Rouen (overnight) to Honfleur (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 24 October 2020 | 5 | Boudicca | Southampton to Rouen (overnight) to Honfleur (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 26 October 2020 | 5 | Braemar | Southampton to Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Antwerp (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 13 November 2020 | 5 | Balmoral | Southampton to Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Antwerp (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 17 December 2020 | 5 | Balmoral | Southampton to Rouen (overnight) to Honfleur (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 6 January 2021 | 2 | Black Watch | Liverpool to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 27 April 2021 | 2 | Black Watch | Southampton to Liverpool | Prices ° |
| 29 April 2021 | 5 | Black Watch | Liverpool to Belfast (overnight) to Dun Laoghaire to Liverpool | Prices ° |
| 1 May 2021 | 5 | Boudicca | Dover to Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Antwerp (overnight) to Dover | Prices ° |
| 1 May 2021 | 5 | Balmoral | Newcastle to Bergen to Eidfjord to Newcastle | Prices ° |
| 27 May 2021 | 1 | Balmoral | Newcastle to Rosyth | Prices ° |
| 28 May 2021 | 5 | Balmoral | Rosyth to Eidfjord to Bergen to Rosyth | Prices ° |
| 28 May 2021 | 5 | Braemar | Southampton to Rotterdam to Amsterdam to Antwerp (overnight) to Southampton | Prices ° |
| 29 May 2021 | 5 | Boudicca | Dover to Honfleur to Rouen to St Malo to Dover | Prices ° |
| 29 May 2021 | 5 | Black Watch | Liverpool to Dun Laoghaire to Falmouth to St Malo to Liverpool | Prices ° |
The dull-but-necessary small print
All deals are subject to availability and can be withdrawn by the operator without prior notice. The lead-in prices (otherwise known as the 'from' prices) are, unless otherwise stated above, based on two adults sharing the cheapest available cabin on the cheapest available date. Typically the best prices are available at the start of any promotion period so the earlier you book the better choice of sailing dates and cabin availability you should have. Mid-week sail dates are likely to be cheaper than weekend sail dates.
Alternative cruise lines to try
P&O Cruises Mini Cruises 2019 / 2020
Looking for a mini cruise holiday on a cruise ship? Trusted British cruise line P&O Cruises has you covered.
Marella Cruises Mini Cruises 2020
Sail with Marella Cruises on a taster voyage to some wonderful ports of call.
Royal Caribbean Mini Cruises 2020
Looking for an action-packed, fun-filled mini cruise holiday on a cruise ship? Sail with Royal Caribbean International.
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