The 2023 No-Fly Cities of Germany & Kiel Canal

Yes, Fred. Olsen does have a Flexible Cancellation Policy and is known as The Plain Sailing Guarantee.

The Plain Sailing Guarantee is for any cruise in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and offers the below:

No-Risk Deposits: If guests change their mind to sail prior to departure, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will either move the deposit to an alternative sailing with no admin fees or refund it in full.

Transfer on your terms: The Plain Sailing Guarantee ensures any guests who test positive for COVID-19 and therefore cannot travel can move their cruise to another with no administration fees. Fred. Olsen will hold the money for the cancellation for up to 12 months to give their guests plenty of time to choose an alternative sailing of at least the same value. All guests need to do is call prior to departure to notify their inability to travel.

Transfer your deposit: Guests can transfer their deposit on any cruise to another of their choice, guests must do this prior to their final payment or interim payment is due (only applicable to longer cruises).  

Yes, you will need to have had both of your COVID-19 vaccinations with the last date of your second dose administered at least ten days prior to sailing

For cruises departing in 2021 the following will apply:

• Guests will need to book a PCR test (these cost approximately £99 per kit but we have a deal with BUPA which means Fred Olsen guests can get a discount with them to £77) they will then be given a reference code for the test which they will need to take with them as they will need that to complete their Passenger Locator Form.
• All guests are required to do a lateral flow at home, prior to travelling to the port and are then required to take a lateral flow test again at the port.
• Guests also are required to have a test carried out on board, 72 hours prior to arrival back to the UK at the end of their cruise – similar to the lateral flow test and this costs £10.00 charged to their on board account. Fred Olsen will provide the certified test and this is why guests are not able to bring their own (free) tests from home. 
• Guests will also have to have a smart phone or mobile device so that they can fill in the government’s Passenger Locator Form on disembarkation (they cannot travel without a smart phone or device that they can access their emails on).

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offer incredible value via inclusive fares. The following will be included in the price of your cruise: comfortable cabins with tv, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities and individually controlled air conditioning, tempting cuisine, self-service tea and coffee at selected venues, in-room sandwiches and snacks, evening entertainment, Captain’s Drinks Party and Gala Buffet, use of leisure facilities including pools and gym, a vast range of on board activities, all UK port taxes, luggage porterage at embarkation and disembarkation and flights (as part of fly-cruises).

There isn’t much Fred. Olsen doesn’t include in the price of their cruises! But do bear in mind the following (unless stated otherwise): travel to/from your port or airports, car parking, all drinks on board, Shore Tours and RIB Tours, hairdressing, health & beauty treatments and selected fitness classes, personal laundry and dry cleaning, WiFi, passport and visa costs, holiday insurance, discretionary gratuities, evening dining in premium restaurants, premium Traditional Afternoon Tea and games of Blackjack and Roulette.

Yes, there is a dress code on board. Most evenings, your chosen ship will have a smart casual dress code. For men, trousers, chinos or smart dark jeans with a shirt or polo shirt are required. For ladies, outfits range from tailored trouser suits/casual separates to stylish dresses. Depending on the length of your chosen cruise, there may be one or more formal evenings. On these occasions, men wear either a dinner jacket or dark suit and tie while ladies may wear cocktail-style dresses or full-length ball gowns.

Upon arrival, you’ll find a Restaurant Seating Card in your cabin which will detail your evening dining time and allocated table number for the duration of your cruise. Dining times consist of two sittings; First Sitting (18:15) and Second Sitting (20:30). For guests on Freedom Fare, you will be offered the choice of your preferred slot at the time of booking, subject to availability. While guests on Saver Fares can select their dining time for a nominal supplement in advance of sailing. Informal open seating is offered to evening diners in Palms Café on Balmoral and Braemar. On selected evenings, The Grill restaurant offers premium speciality dining (for a small supplement) in exclusive indoor or al fresco locations. Here, expect to dine on succulent steaks and seafood as well as world cuisine inspired by the waters you sail in.

Yes, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offer an All Inclusive Drinks Upgrade package. From only £19 per person, per night (£35 per person, per night on cruises of five nights or less and Speciality Sailings), you can enjoy selected white, red and rosé wine by the glass and selected house beers, house spirits and soft drinks all day, every day throughout your cruise. This package also extends to the restaurants on board where you can choose from a selection of soft drinks, a choice of wines by the glass and selected branded beers in cans.

Each evening you can enjoy a live show after dinner courtesy of resident and guest entertainers. From music to magic, cabaret to comedy, there’s so much to keep you entertained during your time on board - all you need to do is sit back and enjoy it all with your tipple of choice.

Gratuities (applicable to youths aged 12 to 17 and all adults) will be applied to your on board account. The amount (around £5 per person, per night) is not compulsory and can easily be altered by visiting Guest Services on board. You are welcome to tip personally if you prefer. You can also pre-pay gratuities before travelling (please ask at the time of booking).