‘We love Fred Olsen as their ships are small and it is a very friendly intimate cruise. We only started cruising this year and have already cruised twice with Fred and have two more booked.’
Laura McKenna Audience Writer
05:32, 01 Jan 2026
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Forget the winter weather with a Fred. Olsen Cruise to look forward to (Image: Getty )
With the New Year upon us, the arrival of 2026 marks the start of ‘Wave Season.’ The cruise industry’s equivalent of Black Friday, now is the perfect time to ride a tide of unbeatable cruise deals from the cruise holiday experts at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
The cruise operator prides itself on ships that are small in size but big in character. Offering a sense of familiarity that larger vessels often lack, visitors can enjoy a more relaxed pace and take the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere on board.
Each Fred. Olsen cruise offers hand-crafted itineraries with attentive and supportive staff always on hand to help. Better still, guests sailing from Liverpool can also enjoy added perks, including up to £200 in free on-board credit on selected 2026 and 2027 departures (offer ends January 29).
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With many Brits banking on snapping up a cut-price holiday deal in January, there are plenty of alternative options to consider. For no-fly options Ambassador Cruises also set sail from Liverpool to selected destinations across Europe, the Baltic, Scandinavia and the British Isles.
While oversized floating hotels may look glam at first glance, it is the intimate feel and personal touches that help holidaymakers feel more at home while they are away. The smaller design of the Fred. Olsen vessels also means they can navigate closer to ports, bringing lesser travelled destinations within easy reach, below, we’ve selected some of our favourite Fred. Olsen cruises, setting sail from Liverpool.
The Azores and Madeira
Departing from Liverpool on April 14, this 14-night adventure through the Azores and Madeira takes travellers to some of the most beautiful islands and inlands the Northern Atlantic has to offer. The itinerary includes some of the Azores’ most distinctive islands, including Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, Horta on Faial and Praia da Vitória on Terceira, before continuing south to Madeira’s capital, Funchal.
Enjoy free on-board credit up to £200 on selected 2026 & 2027 sailings
Varies
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
New Year deals end on January 28.
Each stop has been carefully chosen to showcase the region’s volcanic scenery, coastal towns and relaxed island culture. With organised excursions available in every port, guests can focus on exploring the islands’ landscapes, gardens, seascapes and historic centres at their own pace. Prices start from £1599 per person with £200 Onboard Credit included with the Freedom Fare.
Explore the French Riviera
Stop off in Gibraltar, the French Riviera and Spain on this 16-night cruise (Image: Fred Olsen)
The French Riviera offers mile upon mile of coastal towns, beautiful beaches and sparkling Mediterranean waters. A sun-soaked playground for the rich and famous, the Exploring the French Riviera cruise offers 16 nights to visit some of Med’s most iconic destinations.
Ports of call include Gibraltar, with its blend of British and Mediterranean influences, Port-Vendres, France, known for its colourful harbour and Catalan culture and Toulon, France, with its historic harbour, Romanesque cathedral and open-air markets.
The cruise continues along the French Riviera, stopping at Villefranche for its quaint old town and 16th-century citadel, and Ajaccio, Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Spanish ports of Cartagena, with its Roman amphitheatre and Concepcion Castle, and Málaga, featuring Picasso’s birthplace and the Alcazaba fortress, complete the itinerary, offering a rich mix of history, culture, and local cuisine.
Prices start from £2,249 per person with £200 Onboard Credit included with the Freedom Fare.
Mediterranean Islands, Harbours and Coastlines
Discover Italy, Spain, Malta and more on the 19-night cruise through the Med(Image: Fred Olsen)
Anyone looking to take to the open sea for even longer can set sail on the 19-night Mediterranean Islands, Harbours and Coastlines cruise. This Mediterranean sailing visits Tangier, Málaga, Alicante, Cagliari, Valletta, Catania, Cartagena, and Gibraltar, offering a rich mix of history, culture, and sun-soaked scenery.
From bustling medinas and Roman amphitheatres to cathedrals, scenic harbours, golden beaches and hilltop citadels, each port has been chosen to provide a unique taste of its country’s heritage and charm. Slightly more expensive, this mega-tour lets guests be taken care of for almost three weeks, while they explore some of the region’s most beautiful destinations.
Setting sail from Liverpool on March 12, it’s a great way to escape the early spring chill in the UK. Prices start from £5,099 per person with £200 Onboard Credit included with the Freedom Fare.
Elsewhere big names in the business like Virgin Voyages offer onboard credits and group discounts for holidays in the Caribbean and beyond, while TUI Cruises have up to £300 off selected sailings for 2026. For example, TUI River Cruises offers a seven-night Ancient Gods and famous Pharaohs round trip from Luxor, Egypt on TUI Bahareya from £1429 per person.
This ship has all inclusive as standard, so all food and drink at the two restaurants and two bars is part of the package. There are also Egyptologists onboard who can fill anyone in on the local area and share the stories behind the sights.
This price is based on two adults sharing a Deck 1 Superior cabin on an all-inclusive basis, including two excursions. Includes TUI Airways Flights from London Gatwick/Manchester Airport to Luxor on March 3, 2026, 25kg of luggage per person, transfers, tips and service charges.
Guests can enjoy up to £200 to spend onboard on selected cruises for 2026/7(Image: Fred. Olsen)
Holidaymakers who have already been away with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have given them an impressive 4.6 out of five-star rating on Trustpilot. One couple who travelled to the Azores and Madeira on The Bolette said: “Fred Olsen cruises are distinctive due to the smaller ships and more intimate experience.
“One of the nice things is that staff, whether in the bars, restaurants or coffee shop, actually get to know you over the period you are on board, which adds to the experience. Visited the Azores, Funchal in Madeira and Lisbon, all great ports and getting off and on was really well organised. Overall, a brilliant cruise!”
Another who sailed with Fred. Olsen to the Mediterranean said: “The relaxed atmosphere as we travelled between a number of parts of France and Spain I had never seen before was ideal for catching up on my reading. With amazing food, lectures and entertainment, it was a great holiday.”
A regular guest added: “We love Fred Olsen as their ships are small and it is a very friendly intimate cruise. We only started cruising this year and have already cruised twice with Fred and have two more booked. Cleanliness is first class, food delicious and varied and crew and staff so friendly and welcoming.”
Not every passenger was quite so impressed. One traveller said: “Staff are amazing but didn’t like the regimented time slots for dinner.” While another five-star review was delighted with how friendly the Fred. Olsen staff were, adding: “This was my first cruise of any kind, and it was a remarkable experience.
“It exceeded my expectations by a huge margin. As a solo traveller I was welcomed and not isolated, in trying to find my way around. Every member of the crew seemed to have one passion that was to ensure everyone had a good time on board and I did. It was great fun.”