Fred. Olsen ships are small, classic cruise ships, and in November 2026 the fleet has three of them: Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. Each carries roughly 1,300 guests, sails mostly from UK ports, and suits travellers who want a relaxed, British-style cruise without the crowds of a mega-ship. There is no single best Fred. Olsen ship. Bolette and Borealis are the newest and most spacious, and Balmoral is the smallest and the easiest to get into narrow waterways.
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This guide covers the current Fred. Olsen fleet by age and size, explains how the three ships differ, suggests which one fits which kind of cruiser, and runs through the ships that have left the fleet.
How many ships does Fred. Olsen have?
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has three ocean ships as of November 2026. The line calls them its “smaller ships”. They carry far fewer passengers than the 4,000 to 6,000-guest resort ships you will find with the big brands, so a Fred. Olsen ship can dock in smaller harbours, sail further up Norwegian fjords and pass under size-restricted bridges.
The fleet is smaller than it was a few years ago. In 2020 the company replaced its two oldest ships, Black Watch and Boudicca, with Bolette and Borealis, which it bought from Holland America Line. Braemar was sold in 2023. Balmoral has stayed, and there has been no announcement that it will be sold or retired. It had a big refit in late 2024 that was meant to keep it sailing for years to come. In 2026 it was still sailing from Newcastle and Southampton, and the line describes it as its smallest ship.
No new ships have been ordered. In 2018 Fred. Olsen announced plans for a series of new 600-passenger ships, but they were never ordered. The line also has no river ship today. Its river vessel, Brabant, sailed only in the 2018 and 2019 seasons before the company ended its river operations.
Fred. Olsen fleet at a glance: ships by age and size
The table below lists the Fred. Olsen cruise ships from newest to oldest. Guest numbers are approximate. They vary depending on how many cabins are sold for single use, and Fred. Olsen has a lot of single cabins.
| Ship | Built | Joined Fred. Olsen | Gross tonnage | Guests (approx.) | Previous identity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolette | 2000 | 2020 (sailing from 2021) | 62,735 | around 1,270 to 1,380 | Holland America Line’s Amsterdam |
| Borealis | 1997 | 2020 (sailing from 2021) | 61,849 | around 1,300 to 1,360 | Holland America Line’s Rotterdam |
| Balmoral | 1988 | 2008 (after lengthening) | 43,537 | around 1,275 to 1,350 | Crown Odyssey, later Norwegian Crown |
These ships are big enough to have proper theatres, several restaurants and wide promenade decks. Their size is moderate, so you can walk from one end to the other in a couple of minutes, and the crew soon get to know regular guests.
The three Fred. Olsen cruise ships in detail
Bolette: the flagship
Bolette is the newest and largest ship in the fleet by gross tonnage, and it is the line’s flagship. It is named after a member of the Olsen family. It was built in 2000 as Holland America Line’s Amsterdam, and its interiors are classic and elegant, with plenty of wood, artwork and spacious lounges. It has around 690 cabins, and a large share of them have balconies or are suites. Bolette had a 16-day dry dock in early 2026.
Bolette sails from several UK ports, including Dover, Southampton, Newcastle and Liverpool. Its itineraries range from short breaks to Norway, the Baltic and the Canary Islands, through to longer voyages. If you are choosing a cabin, the guide to Bolette cabins to avoid explains which areas tend to be noisy or have restricted views.
Borealis: built for long voyages and scenery
Borealis is Bolette’s near-sister. It was built in 1997 as the Rotterdam, a former Holland America flagship, and it has a similar layout and similar facilities. It has a reputation as a steady ship for longer voyages and scenic cruising. Fred. Olsen often uses it for its grand voyages. For example, it is scheduled to leave Southampton on 5 January 2028 for an 87-night Amazon and Antarctica voyage. Borealis had an extensive refurbishment in October 2025.
Borealis regularly sails from Liverpool and Southampton. That makes it a handy choice if you live in the North West, the Midlands or Wales.
Balmoral: the smallest and most traditional
Balmoral is the oldest Fred. Olsen ship, but it has been looked after well. It was built in 1988 as Crown Odyssey and sailed as Norwegian Crown before Fred. Olsen bought it. In 2008 it was cut in half and a new midsection was added, which raised it from about 34,000 to about 43,500 gross tons. Its refit at Falmouth in late 2024 included engine work, a new, more efficient propeller, better Wi-Fi coverage (including on balconies and open decks) and refreshed public rooms.
Balmoral is the smallest ship in the fleet, so it can visit ports and waterways the other two cannot. It has an al fresco dining area and a lot of open deck space. In 2026 it marked 20 years of Fred. Olsen sailings from Newcastle. For advice on picking a cabin, see the Balmoral cabins to avoid guide.
What all Fred. Olsen ships have in common
All three ships offer the same Fred. Olsen experience, so the brand matters more than the specific ship.
- Mostly no-fly cruising from the UK. Most sailings leave from British ports such as Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth, so you avoid airports.
- A traditional British atmosphere. There are formal and themed evenings, afternoon tea, quizzes, talks from guest speakers and ballroom dancing.
- Lots of single cabins. Fred. Olsen is known for offering more dedicated solo cabins than most lines, which helps solo travellers avoid single supplements.
- Mainly older guests. Most guests are retired or semi-retired. There are no waterslides, and there is little in the way of children’s clubs.
- Itineraries focused on destinations. The ships can reach smaller ports, including Norwegian fjords, the Scottish isles and Baltic cities, where the size of the ship allows.
Drinks are not included in the basic fare on any of the ships, so it is worth reading up on the Fred. Olsen drinks package before you book to see whether it will pay for itself.
Which is the best Fred. Olsen ship for you?
The best Fred. Olsen ship depends mostly on where you want to go, which port is closest to you and what kind of cabin you want. The ships share the same dining style, entertainment and service. Here is a simple way to choose.
- For a balcony and more space, choose Bolette or Borealis. They have more balcony cabins and suites, larger public areas and a slightly more contemporary feel than Balmoral.
- For long voyages and world cruises, choose Borealis. Fred. Olsen often puts its grand voyages, such as trips to South America and Antarctica, on Borealis.
- For narrow waterways and unusual ports, choose Balmoral. Being the smallest ship means it can reach places the larger two may skip.
- For sailing from your local port, check the departures first. Balmoral has a strong link with Newcastle, Borealis sails often from Liverpool, and all three use Southampton. Sailing from your nearest port can save a hotel night and a long drive.
- For a budget cruise, look at Balmoral’s inside and oceanview cabins. The older ship often has the lowest fares for the same region. Compare dates using our cruise deals 2027 guide.
A tip many comparisons leave out is to compare the itinerary before you compare the ship. The three ships are quite similar on board, so the same price can get you very different trips. One might have more sea days, another might stay overnight in port, and one might offer scenic cruising that only a smaller ship can do. Look at the ports, how long you get ashore and the number of sea days before you decide on a ship.
Former Fred. Olsen ships and what happened to them
Many Fred. Olsen regulars remember the earlier fleet. Here is what became of the ships that have left:
- Black Watch was built in 1972 as Royal Viking Star and joined Fred. Olsen in 1996. It was sold in August 2020 to be used as accommodation for workers. It was later renamed and was beached for scrapping at Alang, India, in June 2022.
- Boudicca was built in 1973 as Royal Viking Sky and joined Fred. Olsen in 2006. It was sold in 2020 alongside Black Watch. The accommodation plans fell through, and it was beached for scrapping at Aliağa, Turkey, in May 2021.
- Braemar was built in 1993 as Crown Dynasty and joined Fred. Olsen in 2001. It was known for being able to sail up narrow waterways such as the Kiel Canal. It was put up for sale in 2022, sold in December 2023 to Villa Vie Residences, and now sails as the residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey.
- Brabant was Fred. Olsen’s only river ship. It sailed European rivers such as the Rhine and Danube in the 2018 and 2019 seasons before the line ended its river operations.
Fred. Olsen fleet: what to expect next
Fred. Olsen has announced no new ships or retirements, so expect the three-ship fleet to continue. The 2028 programme, launched in autumn 2026, runs on Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. It includes a new Canada voyage and the 87-night Amazon and Antarctica grand voyage. The line has said 2026 brought record bookings. For the latest itineraries and ship information, see the official Fred. Olsen ships page.
FAQs
How many ships does Fred. Olsen have in 2026?
Fred. Olsen has three ocean cruise ships: Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. It has no river ships and no new ships on order.
What is the biggest Fred. Olsen ship?
Bolette is the largest by gross tonnage at about 62,735 tons. Borealis is almost the same size at about 61,849 tons. Both carry roughly 1,300 guests.
Is Balmoral being retired?
No retirement or sale has been announced. Balmoral had a refit in late 2024 to extend its service life, and it was still sailing in 2026.
What is the best Fred. Olsen ship?
Bolette and Borealis have more space and more balcony cabins. Balmoral is the best choice for narrow waterways and lower fares. The onboard experience is very similar across all three.
What happened to Braemar, Black Watch and Boudicca?
Black Watch and Boudicca were sold in 2020 and later scrapped. Braemar was sold in 2023 and now sails as Villa Vie Odyssey.
