Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

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Overview

Family-owned Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines proudly boasts a Norwegian heritage of seamanship and a fleet of small ships that offer an intimate cruising experience. Although the fleet doesn't consist of new vessels, all were well constructed originally and have been refitted since 2001. Two sister ships from the defunct luxury Royal Viking Line, Royal Viking Star and Royal Viking Sky, have reunited under the Fred. Olsen house flag and now sail as Black Watch and Boudicca.

Shipboard ambience is friendly, relaxed, and unabashedly British. As Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines expands, the line takes pride in maintaining the consistency their passengers prefer and expect, both on board—in the self-described "British country house" atmosphere—and ashore. Activities and entertainment are traditional cruise-ship fare with a laid-back tempo, though on a much smaller scale than you find on the typical American megaship. Lectures are popular, and the ArtsClub special-interest program, which offers classes in subjects ranging from gardening to paining, history to wine appreciation, and even bird- and wildlife-spotting.

Ballroom dancers outnumber the late-night disco set, and evening entertainment is more cabaret than Vegas. Particular favorites with most passengers are theme nights and the crew show. Cruises range from four-night "mini-breaks" to lengthier 7- to 78-night sailings. British pounds are used for all transactions on board. Although the line is destination-focused—itineraries are seldom repeated within any cruise season—itinerary planning is versatile.

Fred. Olsen House, Whitehouse Rd., Ipswich, UK, 1P1 5LL. 01/473/742-424. www.fredolsencruises.com. Cruise Style: Mainstream.