Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines returns to Newcastle marking the start of spring and summer sailings

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today returned to Newcastle, offering a selection of sailings throughout spring and summer to destinations including Norway, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, France and the Mediterranean.

The arrival also marks the first time Fred. Olsen’s Borealis has visited the Port of Tyne, with the inaugural call celebrated with an exchange of plaques - a maritime tradition marking the establishment of a lasting relationship between the port and ship.

This year, aboard smaller ship Borealis, guests can go in search of the Northern Lights and learn more about life in the Arctic in Tromsø with a Sámi community, discover the maritime traditions of Spain and Portugal with the chance to join a flamenco lesson in Cádiz, explore Iceland’s breathtaking natural wonders and waterfalls, and enjoy a five-night mini-cruise to Amsterdam to witness the spectacular tulips in full bloom.

Later today, Borealis will depart Newcastle for the 10-night ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, where guests will be exploring some of Norway’s most picturesque villages, crossing the Arctic Circle, enjoying an overnight stay in Tromsø and seeking out the enigmatic Aurora Borealis.

Doug Glenwright, Guest Experience Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We’re delighted to be returning to the Port of Tyne to mark the start of our 2025 cruises from Newcastle. This year, we’re offering an exciting selection of cruises from the city, where guests can look forward to exploring the heart of each destination and experiencing unforgettable moments, such as spotting whales, dolphins, and other native wildlife from the deck, seeking out the Northern Lights, and discovering the local way of life.

“We can’t wait to welcome all our guests aboard our beautiful Borealis for some truly memorable adventures in the months ahead.”

Jak Johnson, International Passenger Terminal Manager at the Port of Tyne, said:

"We're delighted to welcome Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines back to the Port of Tyne, as we kick off another exciting cruise season. We are especially excited to give a warm North Eastern welcome to the Borealis on her inaugural visit.

“Our team takes great pride in providing a smooth and efficient turnaround for every vessel, ensuring passengers enjoy a seamless start and end to their journey. Supporting cruise operations is a key part of what we do, in total, we have 42 cruise calls scheduled with different lines this year.

“We look forward to working closely with Fred. Olsen to deliver an exceptional experience for their guests throughout the season."

Smaller ship Borealis, never sails with more than 1,400 guests and offers award winning cruising and excursions, along with a variety of restaurants, bars, leisure facilities and a range cabins, from dedicated cabins for solo travellers to cosy interior cabins and balcony suites.

Later in the year, cruises from Newcastle aboard Balmoralinclude opportunities to enjoy an eight-night cruise to the scenic isles and lochs of Scotland, sail the picturesque Norwegian fjords, cruise along the River Seine and enjoy an overnight stay in Bordeaux or embark on a 59-night Mediterranean grand voyage.

Newcastle is just one of Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s 2025 departure ports, alongside Liverpool, Portsmouth, Southampton, Dover, Rosyth and Southampton.

A selection of upcoming cruising highlights from Newcastle include:

Borealis’ 10-night S2507 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights Cruise’ departing from Newcastle 25^th March 2025. Prices start from £1,099 per person.

• Witness the magical Northern Lights from Borealis
• Learn about life in the Arctic in Tromsø
• Climb the steps to the top of Mount Aksla in Alesund

Itinerary: Newcastle, England – Molde, Norway – Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Narvik, Norway – Tromso, Norway (overnight) – Alesund, Norway – Newcastle, England
For more details: Visit S2507 'In Search of the Northern Lights'

Borealis’ 13-night S2508 ‘Maritime Traditions of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 4^th April 2025. Prices start from £2,199 per person.

• Stroll through the old towns of Iberia
• Join a flamenco lesson with a local bailaora in Cadiz
• Learn to make Pasteis de Nata in Lisbon

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruise by Rock of Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Malaga, Spain – Cadiz, Spain – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Matsinhos (for Porto), Portugal – La Coruña, Spain – Cruise by Tower of Hercules Lighthouse, Spain – Newcastle, UK
For more details: Visit S2508 ‘Maritime Traditions of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar’

Borealis’ 5-night S2511 ‘European Waterways’ cruise, departing Newcastle 2^nd May 2025. Prices start from £599 per person.

• Ideal for first-time cruisers
• Explore the delights of the Netherlands by bicycle or canal boat
• Indulge in local delights such as Bitterballen or Stroopwaffels
• Visit the windmills of Kinderdijk, from Rotterdam

Itinerary: Newcastle, United Kingdom – Cruising North Sea Canal, Netherlands – Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight port) – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Newcastle, United Kingdom
For more details: Visit S2511 'European Waterways'

Balmoral’s 59-night L2523N ‘Mediterranean Grand Voyage’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 15^th September 2025. Prices start from £7,099 per person.

• Explore iconic Mediterranean sights in Barcelona, Seville and Istanbul
• Immerse yourself in traditional Dalmatian customs
• Sample delicious olives, moussaka, paella, tapas and pasta

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK - Southampton, UK – La Coruña, Spain – Cádiz, Spain – Ibiza, Spain – Cruising by Cape Bernat, Ibiza, Spain – Barcelona, Spain – Valencia, Spain (two-night stay) – Cruising by Cape Bernat, Ibiza, Spain – Mahon, Menorca, Spain – Propriano, Corsica, France – La Spezia (for Cinque Terre), Italy – Salerno, Italy – Cruising the Amalfi Coast, Italy – Naples, Italy – Sorrento, Italy – Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy (two-night stay) – Cruising by Stromboli, Italy – Cruising the Strait of Messina, Italy – Cruising Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – Kotor, Montenegro – Koper, Slovenia – Cruising St Anthony Channel, Croatia – Šibenik, Croatia – Split, Croatia – Cruising by Mount Biokovo, Makarska Riviera, Croatia – Dubrovnik, Croatia (overnight stay) – Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece – Cruising Zakynthos Coastline, Greece – Kalamata, Greece – Piraeus (for Athens), Greece – Thira, Santorini, Greece – Rhodes, Greece (two-night stay) – Bodrum, Turkey – Kusadasi, Turkey – Istanbul, Turkey – Valletta, Malta – Malaga, Spain (two-night stay) – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruising by Belem Tower, Portugal – Cruising by Monument to the Discoveries, Portugal – Cruising by Christ the King statue, Portugal – Cruising under Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal (overnight stay) – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit L2523N ‘Mediterranean Grand Voyage’

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sailings from Newcastle visit www.fredolsencruises.com/cruises-from-newcastle , call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.