Press release -
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines smaller ship Borealis embarks on season of sailing from Portsmouth
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has returned to Portsmouth this month to embark on a season of sailing to destinations including Norway, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
Smaller-ship Borealis will set sail on seven cruises from Portsmouth in November, December and January, offering guests the chance to seek out the magical Northern Lights in Arctic Norway, see in the New Year with a fireworks extravaganza in Madeira and encounter marine wildlife in the waters of the Caribbean.
Martin Lister, Head of Product Innovation at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“Having first set sail from Portsmouth back in 2009, we are thrilled to have returned to the port for another busy cruising schedule from November through to February 2025.
“Portsmouth’s location on the south coast provides the ideal departure port for those guests wanting to seek out some winter warmth in destinations such as the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco.
“Guests joining us can look forward to a variety of cruises on board Borealis where they can witness spectacular natural phenomena such as the magical Northern Lights, seek out native wildlife and immerse in the local way of life.
“Opportunities in our hand-crafted itineraries include the chance to learn to flamenco dance in its birthplace of Cadiz, discover volcanic vistas in the Canary Islands and spend time with local Sami people to learn about their way of life in Norway.”
Andrew Williamson, Head of Cruise and Ferry at Portsmouth International Port, said:
“Portsmouth has a long-standing relationship with Fred. Olsen, and we’ve looked forward to their return in November as they begin their winter season out of the city.
“2024 has been our busiest year yet for cruise and we will be rounding it off in style with sailings from Fred. Olsen taking us into the new year.
“Guests will also be travelling further afield for some winter sun, with cruises to the Caribbean and Morocco as well as festive trips in search of the Northern Lights.
“Borealis is the flagship vessel for the brand and will feel right at home in Portsmouth, after first calling in 2022. Since then, the port has continued to grow, and passengers will now travel through our new carbon neutral terminal as they start their holidays.”
Borealis will then return to Portsmouth again in November 2025 for a further five sailings, including a five-night Mystery Cruise setting sail on 7th November, and another two cruises in 2026.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said:
“It’s great to see Fred. Olsen returning to Portsmouth International Port. Their turnaround calls from the city will take us well into 2025, so Borealis will become a familiar sight as she passes through the harbour.
“The port team has worked hard to secure regular sailings from a major brand and this arrangement with Fred. Olsen will improve our boutique cruise offer, giving customers the best possible start to their holiday.
“As a council, we are proud to own our international port, with profits going directly back into vital services for our residents."
The 2024 and early 2025 sailings from Portsmouth are:
Borealis’ 14-night S2427 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 7th December 2024.Prices start from £799 per person. Enjoy savings of £100 per person when booking before 2nd December 2024.
- Look for the Northern Lights in ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, Tromsø
- Spend time with local Sami people to learn about their way of life
- Experience husky sledding through snowy landscapes
Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway –
Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Tromsø, Norway (overnight port) – Alta, Norway (overnight port) – Sortland, Norway – Bergen, Norway – Portsmouth, UK
For more details: Visit S2427 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’
Borealis’ 14-night S2428 ‘Canary Islands Christmas and Funchal New Year’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 21stDecember 2024. Prices start from £2,299 per person.
- Explore the year-round sunshine islands of the Canaries
- Celebrate Christmas Day festivities on board Borealis
- See in the New Year with the annual fireworks display in Madeira
Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Las Palmas, Canary Islands (overnight port) – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands – San Sebastian De La Gomera, Canary Islands – Santa Cruz De La Palma, Canary Islands – Funchal, Madeira (overnight port) – Portsmouth, UK
For more details: Visit S2428 ‘Canary Islands Christmas and Funchal New Year’
Borealis’ 28-night S2501 ‘Island-Hopping in the Caribbean’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 4th January 2025. Prices start from £2,999 per person.
- Explore diverse sun-kissed islands of the Caribbean
- Immerse yourself in laid-back Caribbean culture and cuisines
- Encounter marine life in Dominica and Barbados
Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Philipsburg, St Maarten –
Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – Castries, Saint Lucia – Cruising by Pitons, Saint Lucia –
Kingstown, St Vincent and Grenadines – Bridgetown, Barbados – St George’s,
Grenada – Roseau, Dominica – St John’s, Antigua (overnight port) – Praia Da Vitória, Azores – Portsmouth, UK
For more details: Visit S2501 ‘Island-Hopping in the Caribbean’
Borealis’ 14-night S2502 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 1st February 2025.Prices start from £999 per person. Enjoy savings of £300 per person when booking before 2nd December 2024.
- Have the chance to experience the Northern Lights in Alta and Tromsø
- Embrace friluftsliv and enjoy outdoor activities like husky sledding
- Sail past Torghatten, the intriguing mountain with the hole through its centre
Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway –
Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Tromsø, Norway (overnight port) – Alta, Norway (overnight port) – Sortland, Norway – Bergen, Norway – Portsmouth, UK
For more details: Visit S2502 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’
Borealis’ 12-night S2503 ‘Discovering Spain and Morocco’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 15th February 2025. Prices start from £1,149 per person.
- See the Belem Tower in Lisbon as Borealis sails past
- Bake Pasteis de Nata with a local pastry chef in Lisbon
- Sample tapas and learn flamenco in Cadiz
Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Casablanca, Morocco – Cruise by the Strait of Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Ceuta, Spain – Malaga, Spain – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruise by the Strait of Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cadiz, Spain (overnight port) – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Portsmouth, UK
For more details: Visit S2503 ‘Discovering Spain and Morocco’
Borealis’ 14-night S2504 ‘Canaries and Carnivals’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 27th February 2025. Prices start from £1,099 per person. Enjoy savings of £200 per person when booking before 2nd December 2024.
- Join in with both the Cadiz Carnival and Tenerife Carnival
- Visit the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of La Palma
- Wander through the fragrant botanical gardens of Madeira
Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Cruise by Tower of Hercules Lighthouse, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands – Las Palmas, Canary Islands (overnight port) – Santa Cruz De La Palma, Canary Islands – Funchal, Madeira – Cadiz, Spain – Portsmouth, UK
For more details: Visit S2504 ‘Canaries and Carnivals’
For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ departures from Portsmouth, visit fredolsencruises.com/cruises-from-portsmouth, call Reservations on 0800 0355 215 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.
