Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is giving your guests the chance to swap the soggy British autumn with the sizzling rays of southern Europe across a range of fly-cruise itineraries

Autumn can be a daunting time of year. The nights draw in quicker; the wind gets sharper and the glimmer of the summer sun is nothing but a distant memory.

But that’s no reason for your clients to fret as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is inviting your customers to swap begrudged walks through soggy leaves for white-sand beaches under clear blue skies. What’s more, passengers on selected itineraries can bag a free flight to make it even easier to secure some extra sunshine.

On 30 September 2026, Balmoral will sail a Grand Voyage around the Mediterranean and Atlantic islands, split into six individual itineraries, calling in destinations such as Athens, Istanbul, Marmaris, Thessaloniki and Syros.

The line’s Freedom Fare offer gives guests joining certain legs of the Grand Voyage a free flight to join or depart the sailing. That means less time spent sailing and more time in the sunshine, allowing customers to travel further and experience a greater variety of destinations along the way.

Included in the free flight offer is the eight-night ‘Charming Spanish Cities and Autumn Warmth’ departure from Southampton calling at Vigo, Cadiz (Seville) and Malaga, Spain; Melilla, Morocco; and ending in Alicante. Prices start at £929pp and passengers can benefit from a free flight back to the UK.

Also included in the offer is the 10-night ‘Canaries Escape with the Fleet Fiesta’ sailing so guests can jet off to Tenerife without paying a penny. The cruise calls at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria; Arrecife, Lanzarote; Funchal, Madeira; and Lisbon and Matosinhos (Porto), Portugal, before concluding in Southampton and costs from £1,099pp.

Passengers on this sailing will be treated to the ultimate VIP treatment when Balmoral joins sister ships Bolette and Borealis in Gran Canaria for a huge celebration, featuring lively competitions and special performances from crew on each ship.

The final cruise in the Freedom Fare offer is a newly created ‘Country Hopping from Greece to Tenerife’ itinerary departing from Athens on 19 November 2026. The 11-night sailing costs from £1,599 and includes calls at Valletta, Malta; Trapani, Italy; Cartagena, Spain; Gibraltar; Agadir, Morocco; and Tenerife. Prices start at £1,599pp.

To secure free flights, bookings must be made by 31 July 2026.

Phil Gardner, director of commercial and product, said: “Our fly-cruise programme is a rewarding and relaxing way to explore the Mediterranean, allowing guests to spend unhurried time discovering each destination.

“By flying to join Balmoral directly in port, guests can make the most of their time ashore, exploring iconic cities alongside the quieter charm of lesser-visited places. With free flights currently available on selected sailings, now is an ideal time to start planning a memorable escape.”

Head to fredolsencruises.com for more information.