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Selene Nelson October 15, 2026

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Fred Olsen Cruises logoWhen you picture yourself on holiday, what do you see? Perhaps you’d love to stroll through a sunlit Caribbean town, look for whales and puffins off the coast of Iceland, or stand on deck beneath the glimmering Northern Lights. Or maybe a few days exploring Scotland’s atmospheric lochs sounds more up your street.

Whatever you have in mind, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ latest collection offers plenty of inspiration, and with 39 new cruises departing between January and June 2028, it’s never too early to start thinking about your next adventure. Plus, it will give you something to look forward to.

Fred. Olsen’s thoughtfully planned itineraries combine well-known sights with places you might never have thought to visit, while its smaller ships help you feel immersed in your surroundings, whether you’re sailing past rugged islands or arriving in the heart of a historic town.

Whether you’re looking for winter sunshine, keen to spot wildlife, or curious to explore somewhere new, here are nine cruise adventures to look forward to in 2028.

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1. Swap winter for Caribbean islands

If February’s grey skies leave you dreaming of sunshine, why not swap them for sandy beaches and azure seas? Sailing from Portsmouth in February 2028, Fred. Olsen’s Islands of Bermuda, Bahamas & Puerto Rico cruise takes you across the Caribbean and Atlantic. You’ll have two days to explore San Juan, Puerto Rico’s vibrant capital, before visiting Tortola and St Thomas in the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamian islands of Nassau, Bimini, and Great Exuma – the latter famous for its swimming pigs!

In Bermuda, Balmoral’s smaller size allows it to call at historic St George’s and dock in the heart of Hamilton, so you can step ashore close to the capital’s shops and waterfront. Towards the end of this 36-night adventure, the wild, green landscapes of Madeira and the Azores offer a dramatic change of scenery from the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean.

  • Islands of Bermuda, Bahamas & Puerto Rico

    Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Islands of Bermuda, Bahamas & Puerto Rico*

    Bimini - Hamilton - Ponta Delgada - Road Town, Tortola - Funchal - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - St. George's Island - Basseterre - Nassau - Lisbon and 3 more

    Portugal, Bermuda, Bahamas & 4 more | 37 nights

    Departs from Portsmouth on the ship Balmoral.

    Departs: 13 Feb 2028

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £3,499pp

2. Discover nine nations of Northern Europe

Nine countries in one holiday, with only one unpacking session… Fred. Olsen’s Nine Nations of Northern Europe cruise makes an ambitious trip feel wonderfully straightforward. The itinerary brings together the Baltic and Nordic regions, with time to wander Tallinn’s medieval Old Town, admire Helsinki’s waterfront landmarks, and explore Gdańsk’s ornate streets.

There are some lesser-known stops, too, including Latvia’s Ventspils, Denmark’s Rønne, and Lithuania’s Klaipėda – places you might not otherwise have thought to visit. Then, in Norway’s Lysefjord, the towns give way to steep rock faces towering above the water, with scenery best appreciated from the deck of Bolette. This 13-night voyage sets sail from Newcastle on 30th May 2028.

3. Go in search of the Northern Lights

Go in search of the Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights is something many of us dream of, and Fred. Olsen’s In Search of the Northern Lights cruises take you into Northern Norway for the chance to witness them. Away from the glow of towns and cities, and wrapped up against the cold, watching the glimmering green lights move above the inky sea can be an extraordinary experience – though sightings always depend on conditions.

By day, the journey takes you across the Arctic Circle and past snow-covered mountains, including Torghatten and the Seven Sisters. On land, you can try husky sledding and learn more about traditional Sámi culture, while on board you can settle in and watch Norway’s wintry landscapes unfold from the water. Each sailing lasts 10 nights aboard Bolette, departing Newcastle on 25th February, 13th March, or 23rd March 2028.

4. Explore the Italian Riviera and Amalfi Coast

Explore the Italian Riviera and Amalfi Coast

With pastel-coloured towns overlooking the water, steep hillsides dotted with houses, and sparkling turquoise seas, there’s much to love about Italy’s coastline. Fred. Olsen’s Italian Riviera & Amalfi Coast cruise brings together two of its most beautiful stretches, and offers a particularly striking perspective on both. From the deck, you can watch towns appear along the shoreline, clinging dramatically to the hills above the sea.

And, of course, there’s the food, from fragrant basil pesto and freshly baked focaccia to the Amalfi Coast’s lemon specialities. Whether you’re lingering over lunch or stopping for a gelato, there are plenty of excuses to take your time in town. The itinerary also puts famous Italian places within reach, with calls at Civitavecchia for Rome and La Spezia for the colourful villages of Cinque Terre. This 18-night voyage departs Liverpool aboard Borealis on 22nd April 2028.

  • Italian Riviera & Amalfi Coast

    Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Italian Riviera & Amalfi Coast*

    Cádiz - Savona - Mouth of River Tagus, Belém Tower & Discovery Monument - Lisbon - Civitavecchia (for Rome) - Cartagena - Gaeta - Pass Amalfi Coast - La Spezia - Salerno and 1 more

    Spain, Portugal & Italy | 18 nights

    Departs from Liverpool on the ship Borealis.

    Departs: 22 Apr 2028

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £2,349pp

5. Look to the skies on a solar eclipse cruise

There can’t be many more memorable places to watch a solar eclipse than from the deck of a ship, with nothing but sea and sky around you. Fred. Olsen’s Canary Islands, Madeira & the Solar Eclipse cruise is timed around the event, offering you the chance to experience it aboard Balmoral alongside fellow guests. Of course, exactly what you’re able to see will depend on the weather and viewing conditions on the day.

On land, there are six Atlantic islands to explore, from the volcanic landscapes of the Canaries to Madeira’s green hillsides and subtropical gardens. You can stroll Madeira’s famous levadas, discover the unspoilt shores of El Hierro, or simply enjoy some winter warmth before the voyage continues to Lisbon. This 13-night voyage departs Málaga aboard Balmoral on 24th January 2028.

  • Canary Islands, Madeira & the Solar Eclipse

    Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Canary Islands, Madeira & the Solar Eclipse*

    La Estaca - Las Palmas - Solar Eclipse - Lisbon - Santa Cruz de La Palma - San Sebastian de la Gomera - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Funchal - Málaga

    Spain, Portugal & Canary Islands | 13 nights | Flights & Transfers Included

    Coach Transfer.

    Departs from Málaga on the ship Balmoral.

    Departs: 24 Jan 2028

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,199pp

6. See the Netherlands in tulip season

If you’ve ever wanted to see the Netherlands’ tulip fields in bloom, spring is the time to go. Rows of red, pink, yellow, and purple flowers stretch across the countryside, turning the landscape into a glorious patchwork of colour – and Fred. Olsen’s Netherlands Tulip Season with Belgium cruise is planned around this seasonal spectacle. Departing Newcastle aboard Bolette on 20th April 2028, this five-night voyage combines the chance to admire the flowers with time in neighbouring Belgium.

At just five nights, it could be ideal for a spring break, particularly if you’re short on time but still fancy getting away. In the Netherlands, you can visit Keukenhof Gardens, where millions of spring flowers create vast displays of colour, as well as exploring Amsterdam. Over in Belgium, the medieval streets and canals of Bruges are within easy reach, too.

7. Discover Iceland’s wonders and wildlife

Seeing a whale breaching the surface can turn a quiet spell of watching the water into the highlight of your holiday. Fred. Olsen’s Wonders & Wildlife of Iceland cruises are timed with whale and puffin spotting in mind, so it’s worth keeping your binoculars handy. While sightings can’t be guaranteed, watching for movement in the sea or catching sight of puffins around the coast is all part of the fun.

On land, volcanic landscapes and thundering waterfalls reveal another side of Iceland’s wild beauty – and arriving by sea lets you appreciate the scale of its rugged coastline before you step ashore. Choose between a nine-night voyage from Liverpool aboard Borealis on 10th May 2028 and a 10-night sailing from Newcastle aboard Bolette on 12th June 2028.

  • Wonders & Wildlife of Iceland

    Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Wonders & Wildlife of Iceland*

    Grímsey - View Vigur Island - Pass Látrabjarg - Crossing the Icelandic Arctic Circle - Grundarfjörður - Husavik - Reykjavík - Midnight Sun - Hornbjarg - Ísafjörður and 1 more

    Norway & Iceland | 10 nights

    Departs from Newcastle on the ship Bolette.

    Departs: 12 Jun 2028

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,449pp

  • Wonders & Wildlife of Iceland

    Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Wonders & Wildlife of Iceland*

    Eyjafjörður - Drangaskörð - View Vigur Island - Ísafjörður - Crossing the Icelandic Arctic Circle - Reykjavík - Grímsey - Akureyri - Hornbjarg - Seyðisfjörður

    Iceland | 9 nights

    Departs from Liverpool on the ship Borealis.

    Departs: 10 May 2028

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,249pp

8. Experience the colour and culture of Morocco

Experience the colour and culture of Morocco

If you’d like a winter escape with plenty to see and do, Morocco has lots to tempt you. Think tiled courtyards, market stalls piled with fragrant spices, and cafés where you can relax over a glass of mint tea. On Fred. Olsen’s Colour & Culture of Morocco cruise, there’s plenty of time to soak up the country’s architecture, food, and traditions, from the patterns around a doorway to the aromas drifting from a local kitchen.

In Tangier, you can wander the narrow streets of the medina and browse bustling souks filled with traditional crafts and spices, while Casablanca is home to the striking Hassan II Mosque. There are opportunities to venture further afield, too, from the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen to the palaces and lively squares of Marrakech. This 13-night voyage departs Newcastle aboard Bolette on 12th February 2028.

9. Keep the adventure closer to home in Scotland

Keep the adventure closer to home in Scotland

You don’t have to cross an ocean to find scenery that leaves you awed. Scotland’s islands and lochs are captivating from the water, with rugged shores, sheltered inlets, and hills that appear and disappear beneath passing clouds. On Fred. Olsen’s Scenic Isles & Lochs of Scotland cruise, you’ll sail past Duart Castle, through the Sound of Mull and Loch Hourn, and on to the Small Isles and Fingal’s Cave. Keep an eye out for wildlife, too, with the chance to spot puffins, gannets, whales, and even orcas along the way.

At five nights, this is one of the shorter voyages in the collection, making it easier to fit around other plans, or to try cruising without committing to a longer holiday. Sailing from Liverpool also means you can explore Scotland’s coast without taking a flight, beginning your break aboard Borealis on 27th May 2028.

Final thoughts…

If you want to give yourself something to look forward to for 2028, now could be the time to start planning. These are just nine of Fred. Olsen’s 39 new cruises for the first half of 2028, with adventures ranging from island-hopping in the Caribbean to a few days exploring Scotland’s coast. There’s time to enjoy the journey, too, whether that’s getting to know fellow travellers over dinner or finding a quiet spot on deck to watch the scenery go by.

Bookings open on 7th October 2026, and if you’re thinking of getting in early, Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fare Price Promise offers some extra reassurance. Book an eligible new sailing on a Freedom Fare between 7th October and 4th November 2026; if the price for your booked cabin grade is later reduced on Fred. Olsen’s website, you’ll receive either a complimentary upgrade, subject to availability, or onboard spending money equal to the difference.

The offer applies to eligible new sailings departing between 1st January and 1st June 2028. Terms and conditions apply.

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Selene Nelson

Selene Nelson is an author, freelance journalist, and lifestyle writer for Rest Less. After graduating from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature, Selene began contributing to many major newspapers and websites, and has written for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Town & Country, and HuffPost. Her specialist subjects include food, travel, and health, though she enjoys writing about a wide range of topics (e.g. her two books are about veganism and psychopathy, respectively!). She enjoys cooking (particularly pasta and Asian noodle soups), reading, travelling, hiking, attempting to keep fit, and watching animal videos on YouTube.

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