Is a fly cruise worth it?
The honest answer is that’s a personal question. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers plenty of no-fly cruises as well as fly cruises to the Mediterranean, so you can find precisely what suits you, whether you’re looking for an adults-only escape for two or a short-but-sweet solo getaway packed with choice.
Before deciding what makes sense for you, here are four questions to ask yourself.
1. How much time do you have?
While no-fly cruises can be incredible, they don’t fit every schedule. If you want to sail all the way to the Mediterranean and back to Blighty, you may be looking at well over two weeks, depending on the precise destination.
If you’re a seasoned sailor with all the time in the world, that might sound like bliss. However, if you’re a first-time cruiser, sailing solo, or simply dealing with the confines of annual leave or other responsibilities, that might be a tad too long. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has fly cruises from just eight days, which are ideal if you’re still finding your sea legs.
2. How do you feel about sea days?
If you opt for a no-fly cruise, that means at least a few sea days are on the cards – often two or three each way. That’s by no means a bad thing; it’s just a matter of what you’re looking for.
While time at sea can be wonderfully relaxing and enriching aboard Fred. Olsen’s intimately sized ships, where you’ll find an abundance of activities and amenities, for many travellers, one of the most fundamental attractions of cruising is the chance to see multiple destinations in a single voyage. With fly cruises, you get to the part of your holiday where you’re exploring ports more quickly.
Plus, with many Fred. Olsen fly cruises, you’ll find a happy medium. For instance, on a significant number of itineraries, one or two sea days, complete with scenic sailing past noteworthy sights, are purposely built in to punctuate busy shore days. You can also find departures where you'll fly to the Med and sail back, or vice versa.
3. Where do you live in the UK?
If you live near Southampton or another major port like Newcastle or Liverpool, no-fly cruises may be very convenient for you. But if you live further away, it can be trickier.
With Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, you can fly from either London or Manchester, which is simpler for many British travellers. Crucially, the cost of the return flights is bundled into your fare, and you’re entitled to hand and hold luggage, as well as transfers to your ship.
Plus, if neither London Gatwick nor Manchester are practical, you can also work with an expert from Fred. Olsen Travel. They have access to a wide selection of airports and airlines, meaning they can tailor your package to your needs. Alternatively, you can book a cruise-only option directly with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and make your own travel arrangements.
4. Where do you want to go?
The biggest advantage of fly cruises? They significantly increase the number of destinations you can access with relative ease. While you can visit a surprising number of ports in the Med on no-fly cruises, some of the most enviable locations are inconvenient or time-consuming to reach by sea.
If you are willing to take a plane, the map expands dramatically, and so does the feeling that the world is truly your oyster.
Here are seven of the top Mediterranean destinations you can reach with Fred. Olsen’s line-up of fly cruises:
Croatia
While it’s possible to reach the Adriatic by sailing directly from the UK, the journey involves circling the Iberian Peninsula, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and past Italy. In other words, it’s not the most time-efficient route, and for most travellers, flying makes far more sense.
That’s precisely why Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers plenty of fly cruises that visit Croatia, which has fast become one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe. Many of these itineraries also have the advantage of being in shoulder season, ideal if you want to avoid crowds and explore the Dalmatian Coast on your own terms.
Frequently, Fred. Olsen will pair marquee ports such as Dubrovnik, known as ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’, with smaller cities like Koper in Slovenia or Kotor in Montenegro. You may even find itineraries with overnight stops, giving you more time to take in the fjord-like geography and the region’s striking blend of Byzantine and Venetian architecture.
Greece
The reality is that while you could reach the Greek Isles on a no-fly cruise, many travellers find it far more convenient to hop on a plane. And if there’s anywhere in the world worth flying for, it’s probably the Aegean.
From the Minoan sculptures of Crete to the tavernas of Samos serving sweet Muscat, there are layers of history as well as incredible gastronomy to uncover.
This region is also particularly well-suited to Fred. Olsen’s approach. Notably, the cruise line’s smaller ships can access lesser-visited islands. For example, select itineraries feature Syros in the Cyclades, which has the same world-renowned sunsets as Santorini, but far fewer tourists.
Plus, when planning itineraries, Fred. Olsen’s experts weave in scenic sailing, and along the Grecian coastline, that may well mean seeing the sun rise over the Temple of Poseidon or Mount Athos.
The Amalfi Coast
There are countless reasons the Italian coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea has almost legendary status among travellers: wind-in-your-hair vespa rides, limoncello in the sunshine, glamorous cafés where you could picture Sophia Loren sipping espresso.
The slight caveat? The Amalfi Coast is the kind of place where the prices can be as dramatic as the limestone cliffs. That’s why a Fred. Olsen cruise is a savvy way to see this beautiful stretch of coastline. You can enjoy a taste of dolce vita from your well-appointed ship, without having to splash out on expensive hotels or restaurants.
In 2026, that’s a particularly attractive proposition thanks to the cruise line’s new, more-inclusive-than-ever approach to pricing. See everything that’s now covered by Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fares, including select house beers and red, white and rosé wine with lunch and dinner, plus gratuities.
Cyprus
With over 300 days of sunshine, 60 Blue Flag beaches and both Greek and Turkish cultural influences, Cyprus has plenty to entice sailors.
The catch is that, in simple geographical terms, it’s closer to Asia than Europe. While that makes for milder winters, it also means that sailing there isn’t exactly quick. Instead, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers fly cruises to the island, many of which begin or end in the city of Limassol.
While there, there's no shortage of ways to spend your time, whether that means soaking up the sun on golden beaches, learning about the ancient mythology of Aphrodite, or indulging in the rustic, coastal flavours of Cypriot cuisine.
Morocco
There’s more to the Mediterranean than vineyards, tapas and Grecian statues. The medinas, mint tea and Majorelle blue of Morocco make it a standout destination, too.
Casablanca, for instance, is home to Rick’s Café – a real-life homage to the 1942 film – while Tangier has long drawn bohemian musicians and poets. And of course, the food alone is reason enough to visit. Deeply fragrant spice blends, slow-cooked tagines and thousand-hole pancakes await those keen to discover Morocco’s culinary heritage.
While its location in North Africa makes it possible to reach by sea, a fly cruise lets you maximise your time exploring this richly textured region, without the extra sailing days.
Egypt
Another North African destination that should rank high on your wish list is the Egyptian city of Alexandria, which features on select fly cruises by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
Founded by Alexander the Great, the age-old metropolis is a treasure trove for those with an interest in history. After all, it is widely believed to be the birthplace of Cleopatra and was once home to the era-defining Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
While many of the city’s greatest landmarks have been lost to time, it’s still well worth a visit for its wealth of archaeological sites, from rock-cut tombs to Roman amphitheatres.
On some cruises with Fred. Olsen, you can even join a special excursion to the Pyramids of Giza – a rare chance to see these enduring emblems of antiquity.
Turkey
No list of the best destinations for fly cruises in the Mediterranean would be complete without Turkey, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has plenty of options for cruisers who want to experience its natural beauty and cosmopolitan cities.
Take Marmaris, for example, which is considered a gateway to the Turquoise Coast. With its traditional Turkish market, whitewashed buildings and lush pine forests, it’s often an unexpected highlight of Eastern Mediterranean sailings.
Istanbul, meanwhile, more than lives up to its reputation. Modernity and history sit alongside each other, with gleaming skyscrapers and classical Ottoman architecture forming a fascinating tapestry.
Considering a fly cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines? Book by 11 March, 2026 to receive up to £150* in on board credit (T&Cs apply).
What else to know about sailing with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines:
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