Fred. Olsen returning to Australia after more than three years

Borealis’ 101-night world voyage leaves from Southampton on January 7, 2024 and includes calls to Australia, Bali, French Polynesia, Hawaii and Oman, among numerous other destinations.

‘We are absolutely thrilled to be returning to Australia for the first time in more than three years,’ stated Martin Lister, head of itinerary planning and destination experience, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. 

‘On this epic cruise circumnavigating the world, our guests will have a multitude of opportunities to see varying species of marine and wildlife.

‘The waters around Hawaii are said to be some of the best for whale watching and we have timed this cruise to coincide with humpback whales making their annual migratory trip from the summer feeding grounds of Alaska.’

Lister said that with partners of Fred. Olsen, the line has planned once-in-a-lifetime experiences allowing passengers to be immersed in the destination visited. ‘These include seeing Uluru at sunrise in Australia, discovering more about village life in Papua New Guinea on a shore tour to see local women demonstrate the age-old technique of clay pot making and spending time with a Dabbawala in Mumbai delivering tiffin lunch boxes,’ he said.

Other highlights include the chance to spend three days on Florida’s coast, encounter wildlife in the rainforests of Costa Rica and revel in local cultures and volcanic vistas in Hawaii. Passengers will go on to experience diverse landscapes, famous vineyards and scenic waterways in New Zealand, while iconic landmarks and natural wonders such as Ayers Rock await in Australia.

The Asian leg of the journey comprises the rarely-visited Alotau in Papua New Guinea and Komodo Island – the natural habitat of the world’s largest lizard.

Prices start at £9,999 per person. 

Shorter journeys available  

Passengers can alternatively choose a shorter stretch of the grand voyage. The fly-cruise options available include a 53-night ‘Liverpool to Sydney’ sailing leaving on January 5. Priced at  £8,399 per person, the programme includes Florida and Cape Canaveral, three volcanic Hawaiian islands and the chance to learn about the marine life in New Zealand’s Sounds. 

Port Canaveral, the USA’s east coast, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal feature on the 18-night ‘The Americas with the Panama Canal’ cruise leaving Southampton on January 7 and priced starting from £2,399 per person.

Passengers also depart from Southampton on January 7 for the 51-night ‘Florida, Hawaii and Oceania’ cruise, whose highlights are the east coast of the USA, including Cape Canaveral, sailing through the Panama Canal and New Zealand’s fjords. Prices start from £6,499 per person.

Far East and Mediterranean

Passengers can experience the cultures of Hawaii and French Polynesia, contrast the sights of Sydney with the fjords of New Zealand, and experience the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and Kochi during the 61-night ‘Hawaii, Oceania and The Far East’ cruise, departing from Puerto Caldera on January 25, priced starting from £7,999 per person.

Borealis’ 50-night ‘Australia, Far East and the Mediterranean’ cruise sets sail from Sydney on February 27. Priced starting from £6,999 per person, passengers can see attractions in Sydney and discover the contrasts of Asia, as well as visit Petra and sail Egypt’s Suez Canal. 

An ‘Australia and the Far East’ leg of the sailing leaves from Sydney on February 27, where passengers can visit Papua New Guinea and explore Bali, Phuket and Komodo Island. Prices for the 28-night trip start from £5,199 per person. 

Middle East

Borealis’ 22-night ‘Emirates to the Med via the Suez Canal’ cruise gets underway March 26, leaving from Dubai. Those joining the sailing will see the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, see some of Oman’s highlights, visit Petra and sail the Suez Canal. Prices start from £3,299 per person.