Sailing in Style: “Why Fred. Olsen Cruises Feel Like Coming Home”

There’s something undeniably thrilling about stepping aboard a cruise ship in Southampton. The bustle of porters, the promise of new horizons, the faint shimmer of adventure in the air. For our recent educational trip with Fred. Olsen Cruises aboard Borealis, that anticipation turned quickly into reality as we sailed south towards the sun-soaked ports of Santander and Bilbao.

From the very start, Fred. Olsen’s reputation for warm hospitality and attentive service was evident. Crew members welcomed us not as passengers but as treasured guests, greeting with genuine smiles and an instinctive sense of what would make us comfortable. It’s the kind of service you can’t train into people it comes from a company culture that treats every sailing like a shared journey.

Life Onboard Borealis
Borealis herself is a revelation. Spacious yet intimate, with just the right balance of traditional elegance and modern comfort, she never feels overwhelming. Instead, she feels like home only with far better views.

The days at sea were a joy in themselves. A highlight was the wine tasting led by sommelier Dee, who brought both expertise and humour to the 

experience, guiding us through vintages with warmth and passion. Sportier types found their rhythm on the pickleball courts, while the evenings sparkled with entertainment that rivalled the West End slick productions, live music, and performances that left us genuinely forgetting we were at sea. Dining, too, was exceptional: from indulgent multi-course dinners to lighter bites, every meal was delivered with care and flair.

Santander & Bilbao: A Spanish Double Bill
Arriving in Santander, we were greeted by sweeping beaches and a stylish promenade a city that blends seaside charm with a lively cultural heartbeat. It’s a place to wander, to sit with a coffee in a sunlit square, to watch the Atlantic shimmer against golden sand.

In Bilbao, the contrast was striking. A city reborn, Bilbao has gone from industrial roots to an artistic and culinary powerhouse. The Guggenheim Museum, with its gleaming titanium curves, is as much a masterpiece as the art it houses. Pintxos bars spill onto the streets, offering bite-sized culinary adventures that showcase Basque creativity at its best. Both ports reminded us why cruises are such a clever way to travel you unpack once, and the world unfolds at your doorstep.