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  Head-to-Head Comparison

Royal Caribbean vs Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

A detailed side-by-side comparison of Royal Caribbean and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines covering ratings, fleet size, food quality, entertainment, value for money, and available sailings from UK ports. Updated for 2026.

Updated 28 March 2026 Royal Caribbean edges it on overall score
  Side By Side

The head-to-head

Ratings are based on aggregated passenger reviews, editorial analysis, and expert scoring. The cobalt outline marks the stronger line for each attribute.

Best value
Contemporary

Royal Caribbean

From£458pp
View Royal Caribbean
Traditional

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

From£194pp
View Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Price from
£458 pp
£194 pp
Overall Rating
4.6/5
4.4/5
Fleet Size
28 ships
4 ships
Family Score
10/10
3/10
Luxury Score
6/10
5/10
Value Score
7/10
7/10
Food Score
7/10
6/10
Entertainment Score
10/10
5/10
Founded
1968
1848
Headquarters
Miami, USA
Ipswich, UK
Sailings live
50available now
50available now
  Choosing Between Them

Who should choose which?

Every cruise line has its strengths and weaknesses. Here is an honest look at who each line is best suited for, based on passenger feedback and our editorial assessment.

Choose Royal Caribbean if you want…

  • Families with kids
  • Thrill seekers and adventurers
  • Mega-ship experience
  • Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean may not suit you if…

  • Quiet/intimate cruise seekers
  • Ultra-luxury preference
  • Those avoiding large crowds

Choose Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines if you want…

  • No-fly cruising from UK
  • Small-ship intimacy
  • Unusual itineraries
  • Solo travellers (low supplements)

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines may not suit you if…

  • Families with children
  • Those wanting mega-ship facilities
  • Modern luxury seekers
  Fleet Overview

Ships at a glance

A quick comparison of each line's fleet including passenger capacity, tonnage, and year of launch.

Royal Caribbean Fleet (28 ships)

Anthem of the Seas

Built 2015 · 4,905 guests

168,666 GT

Icon of the Seas

Built 2024 · 7,600 guests

250,800 GT

Utopia of the Seas

Built 2024 · 5,668 guests

236,860 GT

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Fleet (4 ships)

Borealis

Built 2021 · 1,360 guests

63,524 GT

Bolette

Built 2021 · 1,380 guests

63,524 GT
  Browse Sailings

Available cruises

Current sailings from both cruise lines. Prices shown are per person based on two sharing the lowest-grade cabin available.

Royal Caribbean Sailings

Jewel of the Seas — Key West Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Key West Perfect Day Cruise

Jewel of the Seas Fort Lauderdale, Florida 3 Aug 2026
From
£493pp
£497 pp
View deal
Wonder of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Wonder of the Seas Miami, Florida, USA 3 Aug 2026
From
£696pp
£703 pp
View deal
Mariner of the Seas — 5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise5 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Mariner of the Seas Galveston 3 Aug 2026

Ports: Puerto Costa Maya · Cozumel

From
£729pp
View deal
Brilliance of the Seas — 7 Night Italy & France Cruise7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Italy & France Cruise

Brilliance of the Seas Barcelona 3 Aug 2026

Ports: Barcelona · Toulon · Ajaccio · Civitavecchia · Naples · Messina

From
£959pp
View deal
Radiance of the Seas — Western Caribbean CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Caribbean Cruise

Radiance of the Seas Tampa, FL USA 6 Aug 2026
From
£587pp
£592 pp
View deal
Liberty of the Seas — 9-night Spanish Flair & Solar Eclipse9 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

9-night Spanish Flair & Solar Eclipse

Liberty of the Seas Southampton, England 7 Aug 2026

Ports: Bilbao, Spain · Gijon, Spain · Vigo, Spain · La Coruna, Spain · Paris (Le Havre), France

From
£1,321pp
View deal
Wonder of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Wonder of the Seas Miami, Florida, USA 7 Aug 2026
From
£802pp
£810 pp
View deal
Jewel of the Seas — Perfect Day Getaway CruiseSave 1%3 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Perfect Day Getaway Cruise

Jewel of the Seas Fort Lauderdale, Florida 7 Aug 2026
From
£602pp
£608 pp
View deal
Ovation of the Seas — Northbound Alaska Hubbard GlacierSave 1%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Northbound Alaska Hubbard Glacier

Ovation of the Seas Vancouver 7 Aug 2026
From
£774pp
£781 pp
View deal
Utopia of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%3 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Utopia of the Seas Port Canaveral (Orlando) 7 Aug 2026
From
£828pp
£836 pp
View deal
Adventure of the Seas — Southern Caribbean Perfect DaySave 1%8 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Southern Caribbean Perfect Day

Adventure of the Seas Port Canaveral (Orlando) 7 Aug 2026
From
£852pp
£860 pp
View deal
Navigator of the Seas — 7 Night Cabo, Vallarta & Mazatlan7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Cabo, Vallarta & Mazatlan

Navigator of the Seas Los Angeles 7 Aug 2026

Ports: Los Angeles · Cabo San Lucas · Mazatlan · Puerto Vallarta · Los Angeles

From
£1,269pp
View deal
Freedom of the Seas — 5 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise5 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

5 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise

Freedom of the Seas Miami 8 Aug 2026

Ports: Miami · Nassau · Coco Cay · Miami

From
£549pp
View deal
Mariner of the Seas — 5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise5 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Mariner of the Seas Galveston 8 Aug 2026

Ports: Puerto Costa Maya · Cozumel

From
£659pp
View deal
Explorer of the Seas — 7 Night Greek Isles Cruise7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Greek Isles Cruise

Explorer of the Seas Venice 8 Aug 2026

Ports: Santorini · Mykonos · Athens · Split

From
£1,529pp
View deal
Rhapsody of the Seas — Southern Caribbean CruiseSave 1%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Southern Caribbean Cruise

Rhapsody of the Seas San Juan (Puerto Rico) 8 Aug 2026
From
£1,617pp
£1,633 pp
View deal
Legend of the Seas — Western Mediterranean cruise from BarcelonaSave 3%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona

Legend of the Seas Barcelona 9 Aug 2026

Ports: Barcelona · Palma De Mallorca · Marseille (Provence) · La Spezia (tours to Florence/Pisa) · Rome (Civitavecchia) · Naples

Flights
From
£1,992pp
£2,048 pp
View deal
Odyssey of the Seas — Greek Isles CruiseSave 1%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Greek Isles Cruise

Odyssey of the Seas Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy 9 Aug 2026
From
£1,817pp
£1,835 pp
View deal
Symphony of the Seas — Western Caribbean CruiseSave 1%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Caribbean Cruise

Symphony of the Seas Galveston, Texas, USA 9 Aug 2026
From
£2,356pp
£2,379 pp
View deal
Star of the Seas — Western Caribbean Perfect DaySave 1%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Caribbean Perfect Day

Star of the Seas Port Canaveral (Orlando) 9 Aug 2026
From
£1,556pp
£1,571 pp
View deal
Utopia of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%3 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Utopia of the Seas Port Canaveral (Orlando) 10 Aug 2026
From
£893pp
£902 pp
View deal
Wonder of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Wonder of the Seas Miami, Florida, USA 10 Aug 2026
From
£575pp
£580 pp
View deal
Quantum of the Seas — Catalina Ensenada CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Catalina Ensenada Cruise

Quantum of the Seas Los Angeles 10 Aug 2026
From
£753pp
£760 pp
View deal
Jewel of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%4 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Jewel of the Seas Fort Lauderdale, Florida 10 Aug 2026
From
£478pp
£482 pp
View deal
Freedom of the Seas — Bahamas Perfect Day CruiseSave 1%5 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise

Freedom of the Seas Miami, Florida, USA 13 Aug 2026
From
£458pp
£462 pp
View deal
Mariner of the Seas — Western Caribbean CruiseSave 1%5 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Caribbean Cruise

Mariner of the Seas Galveston, Texas, USA 13 Aug 2026
From
£809pp
£817 pp
View deal
Legend of the Seas — Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona Hot deal7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona

Legend of the Seas Barcelona 16 Aug 2026

Ports: Barcelona · Palma De Mallorca · Marseille (Provence) · La Spezia (tours to Florence/Pisa) · Rome (Civitavecchia) · Naples

Flights
From
£1,894pp
£4,199 pp
View deal
Liberty of the Seas — 7-night Norwegian Fjords7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7-night Norwegian Fjords

Liberty of the Seas Southampton 16 Aug 2026
From
£753pp
View deal
Star of the Seas — 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day

Star of the Seas Port Canaveral 23 Aug 2026

Ports: Port Canaveral · Perfect Day CocoCay · San Juan · Philipsburg

Price on request
Enquire
Oasis of the Seas — 7 Night Perfect Day Bahamas Cruise7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Perfect Day Bahamas Cruise

Oasis of the Seas New York 23 Aug 2026

Ports: New York · Port Canaveral · Perfect Day CocoCay · Nassau

Price on request
Enquire
Odyssey of the Seas — 7 Night Greek Isles Cruise7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Greek Isles Cruise

Odyssey of the Seas Civitavecchia 23 Aug 2026

Ports: Rome · Santorini · Ephesus · Mykonos · Naples

Price on request
Enquire
Symphony of the Seas — 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise6 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Symphony of the Seas Galveston 23 Aug 2026

Ports: Galveston · Puerto Costa Maya · Roatan · Cozumel

Price on request
Enquire
Legend of the Seas — 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise

Legend of the Seas Barcelona 23 Aug 2026

Ports: Barcelona · Majorca · Florence/Pisa · Rome · Naples

Price on request
Enquire
Grandeur of the Seas — 7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise

Grandeur of the Seas Colon 23 Aug 2026

Ports: Colon · Cartagena · Willemstad · Oranjestad

Price on request
Enquire
Liberty of the Seas — 8 Night Northern City Escapes Cruise8 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

8 Night Northern City Escapes Cruise

Liberty of the Seas Southampton 23 Aug 2026

Ports: Southampton · Kristiansand · Copenhagen · Hamburg · Rotterdam

Price on request
Enquire
Vision of the Seas — Canada New EnglandSave 1%9 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Canada New England

Vision of the Seas Baltimore, USA 27 Aug 2026
From
£4,005pp
£4,045 pp
View deal
Wonder of the Seas — Bahamas & Perfect Day with Miami Beach Stay8 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Bahamas & Perfect Day with Miami Beach Stay

Wonder of the Seas Miami 28 Aug 2026

Ports: Miami · Perfect Day at Cococay · Nassau

Flights
From
£1,679pp
View deal
Liberty of the Seas — 9 Night Spanish Flair Cruise9 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

9 Night Spanish Flair Cruise

Liberty of the Seas Southampton 31 Aug 2026

Ports: Southampton · Vigo · Lisbon · Cádiz · La Coruña · Bilbao

From
£1,413pp
View deal
Voyager of the Seas — 2-night Seattle & 7-night Alaska Experience7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

2-night Seattle & 7-night Alaska Experience

Voyager of the Seas Seattle 2 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£1,339pp
View deal
Freedom of the Seas — 2-night Miami & 5-night Freedom of Bahamas & Perfect Day7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

2-night Miami & 5-night Freedom of Bahamas & Perfect Day

Freedom of the Seas Miami 3 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£1,079pp
View deal
Independence of the Seas — Canada New EnglandSave 1%9 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Canada New England

Independence of the Seas Cape Liberty (New York), USA 3 Sept 2026
From
£1,044pp
£1,054 pp
View deal
Explorer of the Seas — 2-night Venice & 7-night Greek Explorer & Split7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

2-night Venice & 7-night Greek Explorer & Split

Explorer of the Seas Ravenna, Italy 3 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£999pp
View deal
Liberty of the Seas — 9-night Spanish Flair9 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

9-night Spanish Flair

Liberty of the Seas Southampton 9 Sept 2026
From
£694pp
View deal
Explorer of the Seas — 2-night Venice & 7-night Adriatic & Greek Explorer7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

2-night Venice & 7-night Adriatic & Greek Explorer

Explorer of the Seas Ravenna, Italy 10 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£999pp
View deal
Oasis of the Seas — Tennis US Open Men's Semi Final with Bahamas and Perfect Day from Cape LibertySave 1%11 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Tennis US Open Men's Semi Final with Bahamas and Perfect Day from Cape Liberty

Oasis of the Seas New York 10 Sept 2026

Ports: New York (Cape Liberty) · Orlando (Port Canaveral) · Nassau · Perfect Day at Cococay

Flights
From
£3,079pp
£3,099 pp
View deal
Jewel of the Seas — 3-night Miami & 4-night Bahamas & Perfect DaySave 1%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

3-night Miami & 4-night Bahamas & Perfect Day

Jewel of the Seas Fort Lauderdale 11 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£1,049pp
£1,059 pp
View deal
Voyager of the Seas — 2-night Seattle & 7-night Alaska Experience7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

2-night Seattle & 7-night Alaska Experience

Voyager of the Seas Seattle 16 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£1,419pp
View deal
Liberty of the Seas — 7-night Spain & France7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

7-night Spain & France

Liberty of the Seas Southampton 18 Sept 2026
From
£771pp
View deal
Legend of the Seas — Western Mediterranean cruise from BarcelonaSave 6%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona

Legend of the Seas Barcelona 20 Sept 2026

Ports: Barcelona · Palma De Mallorca · Marseille (Provence) · La Spezia (tours to Florence/Pisa) · Rome (Civitavecchia) · Naples

Flights
From
£1,557pp
£1,665 pp
View deal
Explorer of the Seas — 2-night Venice & 7-night Greek TreasuresSave 6%7 NIGHTS
Royal Caribbean

2-night Venice & 7-night Greek Treasures

Explorer of the Seas Ravenna, Italy 24 Sept 2026
Flights
From
£939pp
£999 pp
View deal

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Sailings

Borealis — River Cities of France and Guernsey from SouthamptonSave 3%7 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

River Cities of France and Guernsey from Southampton

Borealis Southampton 3 Aug 2026

Ports: Southampton · Honfleur · St. Peter Port, Guernsey · Pauillac

Drinks
From
£1,556pp
£1,599 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Northern Europe6 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Europe

Balmoral Southampton 6 Aug 2026
Drinks
From
£2,622pp
View deal
Bolette — Northern EuropeSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Europe

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 7 Aug 2026
From
£2,619pp
£2,699 pp
View deal
Borealis — Northern Spain with the Solar EclipseSave 18%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Spain with the Solar Eclipse

Borealis Southampton 10 Aug 2026

Ports: Southampton · La Coruna · Vigo · Cadiz · Lisbon

Drinks
From
£1,759pp
£2,149 pp
View deal
Bolette — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 18 Aug 2026
From
£2,395pp
£2,469 pp
View deal
Balmoral — One Night Mini Cruise from RosythSave 3%1 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

One Night Mini Cruise from Rosyth

Balmoral Edinburgh (Rosyth) 18 Aug 2026

Ports: Rosyth · Newcastle

From
£194pp
£199 pp
View deal
Borealis — Mountain Landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords8 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Mountain Landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords

Borealis Southampton 20 Aug 2026

Ports: Southampton · Olden · Bergen · Ulvik · Stavanger

Drinks
From
£1,859pp
View deal
Borealis — Exploring the Landscapes of Green Spain from Southampton5 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Exploring the Landscapes of Green Spain from Southampton

Borealis Southampton 28 Aug 2026

Ports: Southampton · Getxo (tours to Bilbao) · Santander

Drinks
From
£699pp
View deal
Bolette — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 2 Sept 2026
From
£2,522pp
£2,599 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Western EuropeSave 2%9 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Western Europe

Balmoral Southampton 2 Sept 2026
From
£2,057pp
£2,099 pp
View deal
Borealis — Exploring the Scenic British IslesSave 2%11 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Exploring the Scenic British Isles

Borealis Southampton 2 Sept 2026

Ports: Southampton · Belfast · Tobermory · Kirkwall · Stornoway · Galway

From
£2,057pp
£2,099 pp
View deal
Bolette — British IslesSave 3%5 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

British Isles

Bolette Liverpool 12 Sept 2026
From
£1,940pp
£1,999 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Spain & the River Cities of FranceSave 3%12 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Spain & the River Cities of France

Balmoral Southampton 18 Sept 2026
From
£2,134pp
£2,199 pp
View deal
Borealis — Regions of Northern SpainSave 2%7 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Regions of Northern Spain

Borealis Southampton 21 Sept 2026

Ports: Southampton · Santander · Getxo · Gijón · La Coruña

Drinks
From
£1,077pp
£1,099 pp
View deal
Bolette — MediterraneanSave 3%16 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Mediterranean

Bolette Liverpool 22 Sept 2026
From
£7,614pp
£7,849 pp
View deal
Borealis — MediterraneanSave 3%26 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Mediterranean

Borealis Liverpool 28 Sept 2026
From
£6,984pp
£7,199 pp
View deal
Bolette — Western EuropeSave 3%8 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Western Europe

Bolette Liverpool 8 Oct 2026
From
£1,241pp
£1,279 pp
View deal
Bolette — Andalusia & Portugal with Madeira from Liverpool13 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Andalusia & Portugal with Madeira from Liverpool

Bolette Liverpool 16 Oct 2026

Ports: Liverpool · Lisbon · Cadiz · Malaga · Ceuta · Funchal, Madeira

Drinks
From
£2,526pp
View deal
Bolette — Islands & Bays of the Mediterranean from LiverpoolSave 11%23 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Islands & Bays of the Mediterranean from Liverpool

Bolette Liverpool 29 Oct 2026

Ports: Liverpool · Ceuta · Cartagena · Cagliari · Messina · Siracusa

Drinks
From
£3,010pp
£3,378 pp
View deal
Borealis — In Search of the Northern Lights from Southampton15 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

In Search of the Northern Lights from Southampton

Borealis Southampton 8 Nov 2026

Ports: Southampton · Alesund · Narvik · Sortland · Tromsø, Norway · Harstad, Norway

Drinks
From
£1,943pp
View deal
Bolette — MediterraneanSave 3%16 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Mediterranean

Bolette Liverpool 21 Nov 2026
From
£2,522pp
£2,599 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Canary IslandsSave 3%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Canary Islands

Balmoral Southampton 30 Nov 2026
Drinks
From
£1,164pp
£1,199 pp
View deal
Bolette — Canary Islands & Geminid Meteor Shower from Liverpool Hot deal14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Canary Islands & Geminid Meteor Shower from Liverpool

Bolette Liverpool 7 Dec 2026

Ports: Liverpool · Leixoes · Funchal · Santa Cruz de La Palma · Santa Cruz · Vigo

Drinks
From
£1,362pp
£1,944 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Northern EuropeSave 3%6 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Europe

Balmoral Southampton 10 Dec 2026
From
£824pp
£849 pp
View deal
Borealis — A Celebration of Dance at Sea with Dame Arlene Philips & Ian Waite!5 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

A Celebration of Dance at Sea with Dame Arlene Philips & Ian Waite!

Borealis Southampton 13 Dec 2026

Ports: Southampton · Amsterdam · Honfleur

Drinks
From
£708pp
View deal
Balmoral — Northern EuropeSave 3%6 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Europe

Balmoral Southampton 16 Dec 2026
From
£911pp
£939 pp
View deal
Bolette — Canary Islands Christmas & Cadiz New Year from Liverpool15 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Canary Islands Christmas & Cadiz New Year from Liverpool

Bolette Liverpool 21 Dec 2026

Ports: Liverpool · Santa Cruz de La Palma · Santa Cruz · Las Palmas · Puerto del Rosario · Cadiz

Drinks
From
£3,592pp
View deal
Bolette — Southern Spain Siesta from Liverpool13 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Southern Spain Siesta from Liverpool

Bolette Liverpool 5 Jan 2027

Ports: Liverpool · La Coruna · Cadiz · Malaga · Gibraltar · Vigo

From
£1,391pp
View deal
Balmoral — Canary IslandsSave 3%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Canary Islands

Balmoral Southampton 6 Jan 2027
From
£1,455pp
£1,499 pp
View deal
Bolette — Canary IslandsSave 6%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Canary Islands

Bolette Liverpool 18 Jan 2027
Drinks
From
£1,652pp
£1,749 pp
View deal
Bolette — MediterraneanSave 3%16 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Mediterranean

Bolette Liverpool 1 Feb 2027
From
£3,298pp
£3,399 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Canary IslandsSave 3%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Canary Islands

Balmoral Southampton 2 Feb 2027
From
£1,455pp
£1,499 pp
View deal
Bolette — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 22 Feb 2027
From
£1,455pp
£1,499 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Balmoral Southampton 28 Feb 2027
From
£1,697pp
£1,749 pp
View deal
Bolette — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 4 Mar 2027
From
£1,212pp
£1,249 pp
View deal
Bolette — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 14 Mar 2027
From
£1,212pp
£1,249 pp
View deal
Bolette — Northern EuropeSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Europe

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 24 Mar 2027
From
£1,164pp
£1,199 pp
View deal
Balmoral — France & Belgium Easter BreakSave 3%8 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

France & Belgium Easter Break

Balmoral Southampton 25 Mar 2027
From
£921pp
£949 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Capitals & Cultures of Scandinavia7 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Capitals & Cultures of Scandinavia

Balmoral UK 22 Apr 2027
Drinks
From
£1,119pp
View deal
Bolette — Northern EuropeSave 3%10 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Northern Europe

Bolette Newcastle upon Tyne 8 May 2027
From
£1,940pp
£1,999 pp
View deal
Borealis — British IslesSave 3%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

British Isles

Borealis Liverpool 14 May 2027
From
£1,940pp
£1,999 pp
View deal
Borealis — Remote Isles of Scotland from Liverpool6 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Remote Isles of Scotland from Liverpool

Borealis Liverpool 28 May 2027

Ports: Liverpool · Ullapool · Lerwick · Stornoway

Drinks
From
£974pp
View deal
Balmoral — Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland from Rosyth9 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland from Rosyth

Balmoral Edinburgh (Rosyth) 2 Jun 2027

Ports: Rosyth · Slieve League Cliffs · Killybegs · Carrickfergus Castle · Belfast · Dun Laoghaire (for Dublin)

Drinks
From
£1,119pp
View deal
Borealis — Cultural Charm of Ireland from LiverpoolSave 16%6 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Cultural Charm of Ireland from Liverpool

Borealis Liverpool 20 Jun 2027

Ports: Liverpool · Cobh (Cork) · Galway City · Killybegs

Drinks
From
£925pp
£1,100 pp
View deal
Borealis — Fjords & Mountains of Norway from LiverpoolSave 16%9 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fjords & Mountains of Norway from Liverpool

Borealis Liverpool 26 Jun 2027

Ports: Liverpool · Alesund · Nordfjordeid · Nordfjord · Skjolden · Lustrafjorden

Drinks
From
£1,264pp
£1,504 pp
View deal
Balmoral — Western EuropeSave 3%9 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Western Europe

Balmoral Southampton 19 Jul 2027
From
£1,164pp
£1,199 pp
View deal
Borealis — Scenic Isles of Scotland from LiverpoolSave 14%8 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Scenic Isles of Scotland from Liverpool

Borealis Liverpool 19 Jul 2027

Ports: Liverpool · Portree · Isle of Skye · Ullapool · Kirkwall · Orkney Islands

Drinks
From
£1,458pp
£1,691 pp
View deal
Borealis — Volcanic Azores & the Solar Eclipse from LiverpoolSave 17%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Volcanic Azores & the Solar Eclipse from Liverpool

Borealis Liverpool 27 Jul 2027

Ports: Liverpool · Matosinhos (Porto) · Lisbon · Funchal · Madeira · Ponta Delgada

Drinks
From
£2,138pp
£2,572 pp
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Borealis — Whales & Wonders of Iceland from Liverpool9 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Whales & Wonders of Iceland from Liverpool

Borealis Liverpool 10 Aug 2027

Ports: Liverpool · Reykjavik · Grundarfjordur · Latrabjarg · Eyjafjordur · Akureyri

Drinks
From
£1,846pp
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Balmoral — Norwegian FjordsSave 3%14 NIGHTS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Norwegian Fjords

Balmoral Southampton 18 Aug 2027
From
£1,309pp
£1,349 pp
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  Our Verdict

Royal Caribbean vs Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: the bottom line

Choosing between Royal Caribbean and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ultimately comes down to what kind of holiday you are looking for. Both are well-established cruise lines with loyal followings, but they cater to different preferences and budgets.

Royal Caribbean, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Miami, USA, operates a fleet of 28 ships. It is categorised as a contemporary cruise line and scores 4.6/5 overall based on 24,500 reviews. The line is particularly strong for families with kids and thrill seekers and adventurers, making it a natural choice for cruisers who value those attributes.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, established in 1848 from Ipswich, UK, has a fleet of 4 ships. As a traditional line rated 4.4/5 from 5,600 reviews, it excels at no-fly cruising from uk and small-ship intimacy. If those are your priorities, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines deserves serious consideration.

On food, Royal Caribbean scores 7/10 compared to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's 6/10. For entertainment, Royal Caribbean comes in at 10/10 versus Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines's 5/10. Value for money favours Royal Caribbean with a score of 7/10.

Our recommendation: browse the available sailings above and compare itineraries, dates, and total cost including what is bundled in the fare. The best cruise line is the one that matches your specific needs, budget, and travel dates. Use the scores as a guide, but remember that individual ship and itinerary matter just as much as the cruise line brand.

Royal Caribbean vs Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines — FAQ