Signature highlights
Borealis offers panoramic viewing from The Observatory, expansive open decks, a retractable-roof pool and Fred. Olsen’s Scenic Discoveries approach. The ship was refreshed during a major 2025 dry-dock refurbishment.
Borealis
Borealis is a 1,353-guest Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines cruise ship, in service since 1997. This page lists 41 upcoming departures across 41 itineraries in Northern Europe, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
Borealis at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 63%
A mid-size ship at 61,849 gross tons — #208 of 565 ships we track. 46 tons of ship per guest.
Live Position ● 50 minutes ago
Heading to: Lisboa
0.0 knots
Moored
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Borealis
Borealis is an adults-only Fred. Olsen ship designed around relaxed, scenic cruising rather than resort-style scale. Originally built for Holland America Line as Rotterdam, she retains a classic, spacious layout with broad open decks, panoramic viewing areas and a two-tier main restaurant. Guests can choose from formal and casual dining, speciality cuisine, lounges, theatre-style entertainment, a library, art studio, pool and Atlantis Spa. Her smaller size and attentive crew make her particularly suited to destination-focused voyages and scenic coastal sailing.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Builder / shipyard
- Fincantieri Marghera, Italy
- Registry / flag
- Bahamas (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- C6ES4
- IMO number
- 9122552
- MMSI
- 311000987
- Draft
- 8.0 m
- Previous names
- Rotterdam (1997–2020)
Onboard Experience
Dining
Dining includes the two-tier Aurora and Borealis Restaurants, casual meals and afternoon tea at The View, Poolside dining, and Colours & Tastes speciality menus covering Asian, Italian and grill dishes.
Entertainment
Entertainment and talks are presented in the Neptune Lounge and Auditorium, with additional live performances and activities across the ship’s lounges. The ship also includes a library, card room, art studio and destination-focused presentations.
Staterooms & suites
Borealis has 702 cabins and suites, including single cabins, ocean-view accommodation, balcony cabins and larger suites. The Owners Suite is the ship’s largest accommodation, with a separate sitting, dining and dressing area and a private balcony.
For families
Borealis is an adults-only ship and does not provide children’s clubs or dedicated family programming.
Pools, spa & wellness
The onboard Atlantis Spa includes spa treatments, salon services and a Thermal Suite. Guests can also use the fitness centre, swimming pool and two jacuzzis.
Accessibility
Accessible cabins and mobility assistance are available subject to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ booking and medical requirements. Guests should confirm specific access needs with the operator before sailing.
Environmental features
The 2025 dry-dock included more efficient propellers, energy-efficient galley equipment and operational upgrades intended to reduce energy use and support lower-emission operation.
Where Borealis sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Mediterranean | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Asia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ports it visits most
Explore This Ship
Jump from Borealis sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
Ports of Call
Next: Jan 5, 2028
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Oct 25, 2026
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Dec 22, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Nov 23, 2026
1 upcoming departure
All 41 itineraries and their departure dates
- A Festive Celebration of Dance 13 Dec 2026
- Adriatic Discovery with Croatia 27 Sep 2027
- Amazon & Antarctica Adventure 5 Jan 2028
- Autumn Fjords of Norway 18 Sep 2027
- Autumn Warmth in the Canary Islands 25 Oct 2026
- Belgium Mini Cruise 18 Jan 2027
- Canary Islands Christmas & Funchal Fireworks 22 Dec 2027
- Canary Islands with the Fleet Fiesta 23 Nov 2026
- Captain’s European Mystery Cruise 16 Oct 2026
- Caribbean Christmas Island-Hopping 18 Dec 2026
- Coasts & Culture of Ireland 1 Jun 2028
- Cultural Charm of Ireland 20 Jun 2027
- Cultural Mediterranean with the Amalfi Coast 2 Sep 2027
- Culture & Craic of Ireland 29 Apr 2027
- Europe Mystery Cruise 27 Nov 2027
- Fjords & Mountains of Norway 26 Jun 2027
- Greenland's Fjords, Mountains & Icebergs 5 Jul 2027
- Hamburg Christmas Markets & Honfleur 17 Dec 2027
- Hawaii, Japan & the Wonders of Asia 21 Jan 2027
- In Search of the Northern Lights 8 Nov 2026
- Italian Riviera & Amalfi Coast 22 Apr 2028
- Mountains & Fjords of Norway 6 Jun 2028
- Mountains & Fjords of Norway 19 May 2028
- Remote Isles of Scotland 28 May 2027
- Scenic Highlights of Canada 14 Jun 2028
- Scenic Isles & Lochs of Scotland 27 May 2028
- Scenic Isles of Scotland 19 Jul 2027
- Scenic Norwegian Fjords 1 Apr 2028
- Scenic Norwegian Fjords 12 Apr 2028
- Scenic Summertime Fjords of Norway 19 Aug 2027
- Scottish Isles Bank Holiday Break 28 Aug 2027
- South Africa & the Indian Ocean 21 Mar 2027
- South of France & Corsica 3 Jun 2027
- Spain, Portugal & Gibraltar Escape 23 Oct 2027
- Springtime Falls & Fjords of Norway 4 May 2027
- Volcanic Azores & the Solar Eclipse 27 Jul 2027
- Volcanos & Whales of the Remote Azores 14 May 2027
- Whales & Wonders of Iceland 10 Aug 2027
- Winter Warmth of Spain & Portugal 3 Dec 2027
- Wonders & Wildlife of Iceland 10 May 2028
- World Cruise with Japan & Hawaii 21 Jan 2027
All Upcoming Departures
Borealis FAQ
What flag does Borealis sail under?
Borealis is registered in Bahamas.
How many passengers does Borealis hold?
Borealis carries about 1,353 guests with roughly 642 crew.
How old is Borealis?
Borealis entered service in 1997 and was last refurbished in 2025.
How big is Borealis?
At 61,849 gross tons and 238 m long, Borealis is a mid-size ship — larger than 63% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.