Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled its 2024/25 ocean cruise programme, featuring “a host of specially timed sailings to coincide with natural wonders and destination events”.

For the first time since 2019, it includes an 11-night Mystery Cruise setting sail from Southampton in November 2024, with guests able to follow in the footsteps of explorers, navigators and seafarers as they guess their next port of call.

The line will offer departures from Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth, Dover, Southampton and Portsmouth.

According to the line, the itineraries will provide “opportunities to follow natural bird migrations, witness meteor showers, experience the world’s second largest carnival, and the chance to spot wild polar bears”.

Offers to mark the launch include up to £150pp on board spend on sailings of five to 12 nights, as well as the choice of up to £250pp in on-board spend or free door-to-door transfers within 250 mainland miles of the port.

A series of deals for solo travellers will also be available.

Fred Olsen ‘to make the most’ of smaller ships

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines head of itinerary planning and destination experience Martin Lister said: “This has been a particularly exciting programme to curate, and we have taken inspiration from both natural and organised events in the destinations to create some really imaginative and unusual itineraries.

“Some of the highlights include chances to witness the Perseid Meteor Shower in sailings to the Azores, to seek out the phenomenal Northern Lights in adventures to the Arctic or to visit the beautiful Norwegian fjords in the spring when the waterfalls are at their strongest.

“There are many opportunities to uncover ancient history and fascinating cultures too, including in sailings to the Adriatic, Mediterranean and the Baltic regions.

“Of course, we will be making the most of the smaller size of our ships where we can too, allowing us to visit smaller ports away from the well-sailed route, and dock closer to the centre of the destinations.”

Lister added that the line has “continued to curate our on-board programme”, such as “sessions out on deck, whether it’s to join an astronomer for stargazing or spotting marine life with wildlife charity ORCA“.

Earlier in March, Fred Olsen released a new 82-night Grand Voyage, offering the chance to discover the culture-rich lands of Asia.