Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis bids a fond farewell to Liverpool after calling the city home for more than two years

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis will be bidding a fond farewell to Liverpool today as the ship prepares to set sail on an around the world adventure.

Since joining the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet in 2020, Borealis has called Liverpool her home since her maiden voyage in July 2021, offering more than 50 sailings to destinations around the world, making a significant impact on the local economy and forming strong bonds within the community.

According to a report presented to the local authority's culture and visitor economy committee last year, Borealis contributed more than £2.25million to the local economy, solidifying the cruise line's connection to Liverpool and the community.

To recognise Fred. Olsen Cruise Line's commitment to Liverpool, its flagship, and Borealis' sister ship, Bolette, will now call Liverpool her home for 2024, marking a new chapter in the cruise line's relationship with the city.

To celebrate Borealis’ time in Liverpool, here’s a recap of everything that she has been up to in the past two and a half years:

Lifesaving Security Guards
In August 2022, three quick-thinking security guards from Cruise Liverpool saved the life of a guest in the terminal after collapsing, performing CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Karen Burgess, Adam Johnson and Jay Munro were later awarded a special recognition, a certificate and celebratory lunch on board Borealis, joined by the then Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Counsellor Roy Gladden, and were each gifted a cruise for two on board Borealis.

Cruise Liverpool’s One Millionth Passenger
In March 2023, a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines guest was named Cruise Liverpool’s One Millionth passenger since the terminal opened in 2007.

Lorraine Douglas and Janet Griffiths won an upgrade on their Borealis trip, an overnight stay with breakfast at Liverpool city centre’s Hotel Indigo, dinner and drinks at The Alchemist, a commemorative Liver Bird and tickets to the British Music Experience.

Cammel Laird – Dry Dock
In October 2022, Borealis completed a multi-million-pound refurbishment programme at Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead, becoming the first cruise liner to undergo work at the site for more than 25 years.

Borealis arrived on 28^thOctober, for a 14-day refurbishment, including steel repairs, an overhaul of the shafts and propellers as well a new application of underwater paint, supported by more than 150 members of Cammell Laird’s workforce – which injected more than £1million into the local economy.

Around the World in 80 days Cruise
In February 2023, Borealis set sail from on her ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ voyage, an adventure following as closely as possible in the footsteps of fictional character Phileas Fogg.

Just one of the events enjoyed by guests was a call at Brindisi and Port Said in Egypt where they could visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun on the 100^thanniversary of its opening.

Celebrating 20 years of sailing from Liverpool
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines marked two decades of sailing from Liverpool with a surprise celebration at the Cruise Liverpool terminal.

Guests were treated to a spontaneous performance from enchanting flash mob choir A Handbag of Harmonies choir, organised in collaboration with Cruise Liverpool and paying homage to the cruise line's 20 years of sailing from Liverpool.

A Handbag of Harmonies, known for their captivating performances that blend joyous melodies and spirited choreography, serenaded the cruise terminal as guests checked in for an eight-night scenic summertime Norwegian fjords cruise on board Borealis.

Also, in celebration of Fred. Olsen’s 20 years of sailings, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool invited senior officers to the Mayor’s Parlous in Liverpool for tea. The Lord Mayor was presented with a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines plaque to commemorate the occasion while Liver Bird pin badges were gifted to the senior officers.

My Big Future Project
In June 2023, to support the local community, 26 school children from Christ Church Primary School in Birkenhead were invited to spend the day at Cruise Liverpool, with a surprise VIP tour on Borealis to explore the range of opportunities and careers available on board.

The Johnson Foundation’s My Big Future – a work experience initiative designed to inspire the next generation.

Each pupil created their own CV and undertook a mock job interview at Cruise Liverpool before enjoying a tour of the ship, a light show and talks from the Fleet Entertainment Technical Manager, the Executive Chef and Sous Chef alongside members of Cruise Liverpool’s team.

Community Heroes
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines partnered with the Liverpool Echo to run a competition where readers could nominate their deserving community heroes to win a cruise on board Borealis departing from Liverpool.

From setting up mental health charities and foster carers to community workers and dedicated volunteers, 30 deserving winners were chosen.

Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said:

“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines extends its heartfelt thanks to Liverpool for two-and-a-half years of cherished memories.

“I would also like to thank the people of Liverpool for looking after Borealis. We’ve been sailing from Liverpool for 20 years, and we’re so proud to have this fantastic city as one of our departure ports.

“As a family-run cruise line, we know how important it is to support local communities and we hope to continue to build these relationships in and around Liverpool. We look forward to welcoming our flagship, Bolette, to the city and know she will receive a warm welcome.”

Borealis will now set sail for Southampton, where she will arrive on 7^th January, marking the start of the 2024 World Cruise. Bolette will make her maiden call in to Liverpool on 19^th April 2024.

Sailings from Liverpool on board Bolette in 2024 include:

Bolette’s 14-night T2408 ‘Natural Wonders and Wildlife of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 14^th April 2024. Prices start from £1,799 per person.

• Marvel at the wonders of beautiful Portuguese islands
• Explore volcanic sites in the Azores
• Go in search of whales with Orca on Bolette

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Portugal – Ponta Delgada, Portugal – Cruising by Santa Maria, Portugal – Cruise by Cabo Girao, Portugal – Funchal, Portugal (overnight port) – Lisbon, Portugal – Lexioes, Portugal – Liverpool, UK

For more details: Visit Bolette’s T2408 ‘Natural Wonders and Wildlife of the Azores and Madeira’

Bolette’s 17-night T2410 ‘Colourful and Cosmopolitan Mediterranean with the Amalfi Coast’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 8^th May 2024. Prices start from £2,699 per person.

• Enjoy views of the picturesque Amalfi Coast from the decks of Bolette
• From Salerno, delve into Roman history in Cartagena and Pompeii
• Tour from Sorrento to the active volcano of Mount Vesuvius

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Tangier, Morocco – Cruise Cartagena Bay, Spain – Cartagena, Spain – Cruising by Benirras Beach at Sunset, Spain – Cruise North Coast of Mallorca, Spain – Propriano, Corsica, France – Olbia, Italy – Sorrento, Italy – Cruising Amalfi Coast and Capri, Italy – Salerno, Italy – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Liverpool, UK

For more details: Visit Bolette’s T2410 ‘Colourful and Cosmopolitan Mediterranean with the Amalfi Coast’

Bolette’s 12-night T2414 ‘Whales and Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 15^th June 2024. Prices start from £1,899 per person.

• Explore the remarkable scenery, wildlife and nature in Iceland
• Enjoy Scenic Discoveries of Gasadalur and Vestmanna
• Spot marine life from Bolette with the help of wildlife charity ORCA

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Reykjavik, Iceland – Isafjordur, Iceland – Cruising by Hornbjarg, Iceland – Crossing the Icelandic Arctic Circle, Iceland – Midnight Sun – Akureyri, Iceland – Cruising Eyjafjordur, Iceland – Cruising by Hrisey, Iceland – Cruising Borgarfjordur Eystri, Iceland – Seydisfjordur, Iceland – Torshavn, Faroe Islands – Cruising Gasholmur, Tindholmur and Drangarnir, Faroe Islands – Cruising by Gasadalur (Goose Valley), Faroe Islands – Cruising by Mykines, Faroe Islands – Cruising by Vestmanna Cliffs, Faroe Islands – Cruising Cape Enniberg, Faroe Islands – Klaksvik, Faroe Islands (overnight port) – Liverpool, UK

For more details: Visit Bolette’s T2414 ‘Whales and Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland’

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.