Escaping the cooler UK months with these Fred. Olsen cruises

Designed to help guests escape the UK in favour of winter sunshine, cultural discoveries and adventures, the new cruises also include a fly-cruise programme aboard Balmoral. These sailings offer fewer sea days and more time to explore iconic and lesser-visited destinations across the Greek Islands, Italy, Croatia and the French and Turkish Rivieras. One of these itineraries visits six islands in just ten nights. 

The programme also features four new ports for Fred. Olsen - the Sicilian port of Milazzo, Taranto and Golfo Aranci, Italy, and Alanya, Turkey. Guests will also have the chance to explore many ports that are only accessible to smaller ships, including Mahon, Menorca; Propriano, Corsica; Ermopouli, Syros; and Agios Nikolaos, Crete.

Other highlights include: 

• A shorter-than-usual cruise to Northern Norway in search of the Northern Lights. The 11-night voyage from Southampton in November 2027 crosses the Arctic Cricle with stops at Vesterålen, Harstad and Hinnøya in Norway. 
• 16-night ‘Icons of the Mediterranean cruise’ with stops at Gibraltar, Barcelona, Lisbon and Corsica. 
• A six-night Mystery Cruise for something a little different in November. Described as a “unique sailing”, this holiday is said to bring a “sense of adventure just before the festive season is fully under way”. 
• A longer voyage to enjoy the warmth of the Caribbean in winter. The 33-night itinerary features St Lucia, Barbados as well as Antigua. 

There are a range of Christmas cruises too, from a 12-night holiday in the Canary Islands to a Christmas market break in Hamburg. 

Martin Lister, head of product innovation at Fred. Olsen said the autumn/winter programme was particularly exciting “because it offers such a breadth of experiences, from shorter sailings, perfect for those new to cruising or looking for a quick escape, to longer voyages for those seeking something more immersive.”