Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is owned by Bonheur ASA, a Norwegian holding company controlled by the Olsen family.
The line has stayed in family hands since 1848, making it one of the last major cruise brands still controlled by its founding family rather than a public conglomerate.
Fred Olsen itself is a small scale British cruise line known for smaller, more traditional ships and a loyal, largely older passenger base.
Its ships avoid many of the large scale entertainment features found on mainstream lines, favoring a quieter, more classic style of cruising.
Bonheur ASA is a publicly traded Norwegian company with interests across shipping, renewable energy, and offshore wind, controlled by the fifth generation of the Olsen family.
This structure keeps Fred Olsen Cruise Lines connected to its founding Norwegian roots even though the cruise brand itself is headquartered in England.
Have you ever wondered how a shipping family that started with three brothers buying their first vessel in 1848 still controls a cruise line operating today, nearly two centuries later?
In this guide we will cover who owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, its Norwegian corporate structure, its small fleet, and how it compares with other small ship British lines.
Lets take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Is Fred Olsen Cruise Lines?
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is a small scale British cruise line built around traditional, classic style cruising.
The wider Fred Olsen shipping business traces back to 1848, when three Norwegian brothers, Fredrik Christian, Petter, and Andreas Olsen, bought their first ships.
The dedicated cruise line has operated for decades from its headquarters in Ipswich, Suffolk, England.
Today the company operates three ships, each considerably smaller than the megaships common among mainstream competitors.
Who Owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines?
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is owned by Bonheur ASA, a Norwegian holding company that is part of the wider Fred Olsen Group.
Bonheur ASA is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange, though the Olsen family retains significant control through its long standing shareholding.
The company has remained under the same founding family control for five generations, an unusually long run of family ownership in the cruise industry.
Publicly traded Norwegian holding company (Oslo: BON)
Wider family controlled shipping and energy group
British based cruise brand, headquartered in Ipswich
Is Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines itself does not have its own separate stock listing.
Its ultimate parent, Bonheur ASA, is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange, though the Olsen family retains substantial control through concentrated shareholdings.
This gives the cruise line a hybrid structure, connected to public markets through Bonheur while still operating with the stability of long term family ownership.
Who Founded Fred Olsen Cruise Lines?
The wider Fred Olsen shipping business was founded in 1848 in Hvitsten, Norway, by brothers Fredrik Christian, Petter, and Andreas Olsen.
The family business grew from cargo shipping into a diversified group that eventually added a dedicated cruise line.
Today the Fred Olsen Group is led by the fifth generation of the founding family, continuing a rare multi century family run business tradition.
Fred Olsen Fleet
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines operates three ships, Balmoral, Bolette, and Borealis.
Balmoral is the largest of the three at around 24,000 gross tons, while Bolette and Borealis are smaller vessels acquired from Holland America Line in 2020.
The line renamed the former Amsterdam and Rotterdam as Bolette and Borealis after purchasing them for approximately 37 million dollars.
Where Does Fred Olsen Cruise?
Fred Olsen typically sails from United Kingdom ports rather than requiring guests to fly to a departure point.
Popular itineraries include Northern Europe, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and longer voyages to the Caribbean and beyond.
The line focus on United Kingdom departures makes it especially popular among British travelers who prefer not to fly before their cruise begins.
What Is Fred Olsen Known For?
Fred Olsen is best known for its smaller, more traditional ships and no fly departures from United Kingdom ports.
The brand attracts a largely older, repeat passenger base drawn to its quieter, classic cruising style.
A long standing partnership with the RNLI, contributing over one million pounds to lifeboat services, is also closely associated with the brand.
How Does Fred Olsen Compare With Other Small Ship Lines?
Fred Olsen competes for a similar British, older skewing audience as sister brand P&O Cruises, though on a much smaller scale.
Compared with mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean, Fred Olsen ships are far smaller, with none of the water slides or rock climbing walls found on megaships.
Compared with other small ship lines like Windstar, Fred Olsen keeps a more traditional cruise ship look rather than a yacht style design.
Customer Service And Official Contact Information
Guests with booking questions or onboard concerns should start with Fred Olsen official channels rather than third party booking sites.
The official website is fredolsencruises.com, which lists current phone support and travel agent resources.
For background on other British small ship cruise lines, see WhoMakeThis guide to who owns Windstar Cruises and the related breakdown of who owns P&O Cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Who owns Fred Olsen Cruise Lines?
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is owned by Bonheur ASA, a publicly traded Norwegian holding company controlled by the Olsen family.
Is Fred Olsen Cruise Lines still family owned?
Yes. The Fred Olsen Group has remained under the control of the founding Olsen family for five generations since 1848.
Cruise industry standards are tracked by the Cruise Lines International Association at cruising.org.
How many ships does Fred Olsen have?
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines operates three ships, Balmoral, Bolette, and Borealis.
Where does Fred Olsen Cruise Lines sail from?
Fred Olsen mainly sails from United Kingdom ports, allowing British passengers to begin their cruise without flying first.
Additional company history is available on Wikipedia.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.