Why now is a smart time to book
If you’re interested in snagging a good-value escape in 2026, there are two solid reasons to get your dates in the diary now.
For a limited time, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is running a start-of-year promotion across a wide range of itineraries. Book by the 29th of January and you’ll receive up to £200 per cabin in on-board credit.* You can redeem this against extras like curated wine tastings, shore excursions, luxurious spa treatments or your favourite drink at the bar.
Alongside this, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is also introducing more inclusive pricing for 2026, with its most generous Freedom Fare yet. As well as covering full board dining with five-course à la carte dinners, entertainment and enrichment lectures, use of leisure facilities, guided walks in select destinations and luggage porterage, it will also include house wine and beer with lunch and dinner, as well as gratuities.
For the full rundown of everything that’s covered, see Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ website.
Who are these cruises best suited to?
What makes these cruises so appealing is that they’re designed to be approachable, particularly if you're a first-time cruiser. These aren't the kinds of sailings where you’ll feel out of place if you don’t know your aft from your bow. You’ll be in good company, with plenty of other passengers finding their sea legs.
The same applies if you’re a seasoned cruiser who wants to try something new. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a little different from operators you may have encountered in the past.
Crucially, it has smaller ships compared to many mainstream lines. These vessels are the ideal size to access less frequently sailed ports that larger ships can’t reach, and they can even cruise inland along rivers such as the Seine.
Their size also means they feel more intimate and easier to navigate, which is excellent for those sailing solo. Plus, these five-night itineraries are a smart way to see if independent travel is right for you. Between days in port, scenic sailing and the enrichment opportunities on board, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dull moment.
All said, anyone who wants to spend their annual leave well, seeing multiple destinations on voyages lasting just five nights, will find plenty to love about these itineraries. And you don’t even need to set foot in an airport to experience them. Instead, you’ll sail directly from a UK port such as Liverpool, Southampton or Newcastle.
Without further ado, here are five under five-night cruises, all of which come with onboard credit if you book before January 29th, 2026.
River Cities of France and Belgium
When does it sail: The 14th of February, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day, or indeed, Galentine’s Day getaway.
Where do you embark: It sails round-trip from Southampton.
Where does it sail: It will stop in Antwerp and Rouen, and cruise the River Seine.
What should I expect?
This romantic itinerary docks first in Antwerp. It’s perhaps best known as the diamond capital of the world, but even if you aren’t in the market for something sparkly, there’s plenty to catch your attention, from family-run chocolatiers creating edible art to renowned breweries producing traditional Belgian beer. Since it’s an overnight port, you have plenty of time to sample both.
This is followed by cruising to France, where the Balmoral sails up the Seine – something relatively few ocean-going cruise ships are small enough to do. Here, guests are invited to sit back and enjoy the vistas of Normandy’s countryside, taking in scenes that inspired the likes of Henri Matisse.
The final stop before returning to Blighty is another overnighter, this time in Rouen, known as the ‘City of a Hundred Bells’. Its cathedral is a sight to behold, and one that was painted over 30 times by Claude Monet. Nearby, you’ll also find a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to Joan of Arc, which provides an interactive narrative of the 15th-century heroine’s life.
Five-night Netherlands Escape
When does it sail: 30th of April, meaning you’ll have the chance to enjoy the best of tulip season, which typically runs from mid-April to early May.
Where do you embark: It sails round-trip from Southampton.
Where does it sail: Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
What should I expect?
If you’re looking for an adults-only getaway featuring culturally significant sights and nature in full bloom, you’ve come to the right place.
This voyage begins with the Borealis whisking guests away to Rotterdam. Since the city was heavily bombed during World War II, it has reinvented itself as one of Europe’s most architecturally intriguing destinations, known for its Cube Houses and large-scale murals.
You can also visit the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk, where 19 historic windmills rise from the pancake-flat landscape, forming a postcard-pretty scene.
Next, you head to Amsterdam, often called the ‘Venice of the North’ thanks to its meandering canals. The must-see sight in spring is the botanical garden of Keukenhof, which is open for just eight weeks every year. Often called the Garden of Europe, it’s home to around seven million blooms, including 800 varieties of tulips.
Thanks to an overnight stay in port, you’ll also have time to see the rest of the capital’s considerable sights. Art lovers can marvel at masterpieces at the Van Gogh Museum, as well as works by Vermeer and Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum.
Scenic Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights
When does it sail: 30th of April, meaning you're travelling when daylight extends up to 16 hours in some places along your route, so you’ll have even more time to enjoy the serene beauty of the fjords.
Where do you embark: It sails round-trip from Newcastle.
Where does it sail: It will stop in Stavanger and Ulvik, and cruise Lysefjord, Hardangerfjord and Maurangerfjord.
What should I expect?
The Norwegian fjords have become one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe for good reason. With dramatic cliff faces soaring 1,000 metres and ancient rock formations carved by Ice Age glaciers, it’s little wonder that they top so many bucket lists.
Your voyage aboard Balmoral will begin by sailing to Stavanger, home to colourful wooden houses, relics of a Viking history and Norway’s oldest cathedral.
From there, you’ll spend days cruising fjords of incredible natural beauty. Lysefjord, which is only accessible to smaller ships, affords views of the iconic landmark of Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) on clear days.
Hardangerfjord, meanwhile, is one of the longest fjords in the world. It’s set among what’s frequently dubbed the Nordic Champagne region, thanks to its cider-producing orchards. You can sample local products for yourself when you stop in the charming village of Ulvik.
Finally, Maurangerfjord is a particular highlight at this time of year. It’s home to Furebergsfossen waterfall, which peaks in spring thanks to melted snow.
Scenic Islands and Dramatic Coastlines of Scotland
When does it sail: The 22nd of May, on the Friday just ahead of the Spring Bank Holiday, making it a great way to maximise your annual leave.
When do you embark: It sails round-trip from Liverpool.
Where does it sail: It will stop in Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, and Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. It will also cruise by the Small Isles, Dutchman’s Cap (Bac Mòr) and Fingal’s Cave.
What should I expect?
Because of the size of the Bolette, you can expect an itinerary that diverts from typical tourist routes and glides into picturesque lochs and remarkable sites, as well as hitting marquee ports.
The first port is Kirkwall, where you can explore Orkney’s Pictish and Norse heritage, sip world-class whisky, or visit the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, which was only discovered after a ferocious storm in 1850.
Stornoway is up next, well worth visiting for Lews Castle alone, though you may also want to shop for some Harris Tweed or go for a stroll at one of the nearby beaches, known for their turquoise water.
From there, you’ll cruise by the Small Isles, taking in the craggy silhouettes, as well as the bonnet-formation of Bac Mòr and the Isle of Staffa, where hexagonal basalt columns form Fingal’s Cave.
Cuisines and Culture of French Cities
When does it sail: 22nd of May, meaning it’s also ideally timed for making the most of the Spring Bank Holiday.
Where do you embark: It sails round-trip from Southampton.
Where does it sail: It will stop in Honfleur and Pauillac, and cruise the River Gironde.
What should I expect?
Honfleur, set on Normandy’s Côte Fleurie, is up first. A popular daytrip spot for Parisians and long-beloved by artists, this picturesque town is full of maritime history and cultural gems. Les Maisons Satie pays homage to the avant-garde composer Erik Satie, who was born here in 1866, while the Musée Eugène Boudin is full of early impressionist masterpieces.
Next is a cruise of the Gironde estuary, which flows to the Bay of Biscay. It’s nestled among fertile wine country, offering views of rolling vineyards, as well as nature reserves home to a range of wildlife.
Finally, guests will arrive at Pauillac, located within the Bordeaux wine region. There are vineyards to explore on foot or by bike, world-famous châteaux with cellars well worth touring and the city of Bordeaux an hour away, where the esteemed wine museum La Cité du Vin awaits.
Read next:How Fred. Olsen is offering more value for money in 2026
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