Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled a series of scenic UK cruises departing this summer.

The ‘Welcome Back’ programme features 11 departures, sailing from Dover and Liverpool, taking in the “best of the British Isles”, including the Shetland and Orkney islands and the Isles of Scilly.

The line joins the likes of Hurtigruten, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Viking Cruises and Cunard in planning domestic voyages.

New ship Borealis will be the first of the fleet to set sail, with a three-night maiden voyage from Liverpool on 5 July, with Bolette to depart on its maiden cruise – again a three-night itinerary – from Dover on 16 August.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines managing director Peter Deer said: “We are so excited to be unveiling these new summer cruises today. So often overlooked, our British Isles are home to some of the most wonderful wildlife, and so much spectacular scenery that is best enjoyed from the water.

“With this selection of shorter sailings, guests can dip their toes back into cruising and enjoy all that they love about being on board with us, before we all begin to venture further afield again.

“This is an incredibly important milestone for our business, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests on board our new-look fleet this summer.”

Bolette will also sail a five-night Touring Scenic Orkneys & Shetlands cruise, departing Dover on 24 August 2021, with prices from £799pp, while Borealis’ five-night Scenic Orkney & Faroe Islands no port cruise, departing Liverpool on 17 July, is priced at £699pp.

Fred Olsen has also released its 2022/23 cruise programme, featuring 126 new voyages taking in 82 countries.

The line has added regional departures from Belfast and London Tilbury and shorter, five-night breaks, with departures from eight UK ports.

Fred Olsen also plans to visit a number of maiden ports, including Hakata and Nagoya in Japan; Crotone, Gallipoli and Monopoli in Italy; Lyngdal in Norway and Louisbourg in Canada