Fred. Olsen Offers Up to £50 Off Select Cruises for 2026-27

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering up to £50 per person off select cruises sailing between September 2026 and April 2027, adding a new booking incentive as it promotes a wider mix of itineraries across its smaller-ship fleet.

The promotion applies to new bookings made from March 17 to April 30, 2026, on sailings operated by Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral. Geoff Ridgeon, head of sales at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said the offer is designed to give travel agents more options, adding: “With a wide choice of itineraries across our fleet and added value through our Freedom Fare, agents have plenty of inspiring options to offer their customers.”

Discount window and where it applies

Fred. Olsen said the discount is available on selected departures timed to late-summer extensions and winter cruising, with itineraries spanning Mediterranean destinations, Northern Lights sailings, and Canary Islands voyages that include a fleet meetup in Las Palmas.

• Islands of the Mediterranean with Croatia (October 29, 2026): A 23-night cruise on Bolette calling at Croatia’s islands, Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, and Sicily, with prices from £2,899 per person.
• Discovering Greece, Italy, and Morocco (November 19, 2026): An 11-night fly-cruise on Balmoral covering three Mediterranean countries, with prices from £1,599 per person including flights and transfers.
• Canary Islands with the Fleet Fiesta (November 23, 2026): A 15-night cruise on Borealis featuring a celebratory fleet meeting in Las Palmas, with prices from £1,799 per person.
• In Search of the Northern Lights (March 4, 2027): A 10-night Bolette sailing to Arctic Norway focused on aurora viewing opportunities, with prices from £1,249 per person.

Balmoral’s 2026 season from Newcastle

Separately, Balmoral has begun a new run of departures from Newcastle’s Port of Tyne, with 17 cruises scheduled between February and September 2026. The program includes sailings ranging from one-night breaks to 14-night itineraries, with destinations spanning Arctic Norway, Norway’s fjords, the Baltic, Scandinavia, Iceland, and European city-focused voyages.

Fred. Olsen said the first sailing departed on February 21, 2026, operating a 10-night In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary. Marking the start of the season, Doug Glenwright, guest experience director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our guests from the North East back on board Balmoral as she begins her programme of sailings from Newcastle.” He added that the mix ranges from Northern Lights trips in Arctic Norway to “exploring Europe’s riverside cities.”

Highlighted departures and fares from the Port of Tyne

Fred. Olsen has positioned the Newcastle lineup around seasonal themes, including late-winter aurora opportunities and spring and summer scenic cruising. The company also highlighted experiences linked to the itineraries, including kayaking in Briksdal National Park and whale watching in Iceland.

• In Search of the Northern Lights (March 23, 2026): A 10-night Balmoral departure, with fares from £1,599 per person.
• European Cities & Scenic Rivers (April 2, 2026): A 14-night itinerary visiting riverside cities including Bordeaux and Lisbon, with fares from £2,099 per person.
• Exploring Iceland in Nine Nights (May 5, 2026): A nine-night sailing built around Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and geothermal features, with fares from £1,699 per person.
• Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights (August 28, 2026): A five-night late-summer cruise focused on fjord scenery and active excursion options, with fares from £999 per person.

Onboard updates rolling out during the 2026 program

Fred. Olsen said Balmoral has received dining and entertainment updates for the 2026 season, including a rotating Colors & Tastes menu and a Chef’s Table experience that is exclusive to the ship.

The line is also refreshing entertainment in partnership with RWS. Fred. Olsen said revised daytime activities are part of the updated schedule from February, with additional evening theater productions planned to launch from mid-2026.

Additional booking incentive for select Newcastle sailings

For certain Balmoral departures from Newcastle, Fred. Olsen is offering onboard spending credit for bookings made by March 11, 2026. The onboard credit varies by sailing, ranging from £25 to £150, with the company noting that availability, pricing, and applicable onboard spend depend on the specific departure and itinerary length.

Balmoral’s Port of Tyne departures run through late August 2026, while Fred. Olsen’s broader promotion on selected sailings extends into April 2027, with the booking window for the up-to-£50 discount running through April 30, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fare?

Freedom Fare is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ pricing structure that the company describes as offering added value, including flexibility in bookings, spending credits, and promotional discounts such as the up-to-£50 savings on select cruises departing in 2026 and 2027.

Which ships are included in Fred. Olsen’s current promotions?

The up-to-£50-per-person promotion applies to sailings on Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral, with itineraries ranging from Mediterranean fly-cruises to Northern Lights and Canary Islands departures.

How many Balmoral cruises are scheduled to depart from Newcastle in 2026, and how long are they?

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has scheduled 17 Balmoral departures from Newcastle’s Port of Tyne between February and September 2026, ranging from one-night trips to 14-night itineraries.

What onboard updates are planned for Balmoral in 2026?

Fred. Olsen said updates include a rotating Colors & Tastes menu, a Chef’s Table experience offered exclusively on the ship, and refreshed entertainment developed with RWS, including new theater productions planned from mid-2026.

Which destinations are included in the Canary Islands Fleet Fiesta cruise?

The Canary Islands with the Fleet Fiesta cruise on Borealis visits Gibraltar, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Madeira, and Porto, and includes a quayside celebration in Las Palmas built around a fleet-wide meetup.