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 39 upcoming departures across 39 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.
✓ Adults seeking a child-free cruise environment
✓ Couples wanting traditional dining and several lounges
✓ Solo travellers choosing from dedicated single cabins and suites
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
Borealis at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 63%
A mid-size ship at 61,849 gross tons — #208 of 566 ships we track. 46 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Adults seeking a child-free cruise environment
- Couples wanting traditional dining and several lounges
- Solo travellers choosing from dedicated single cabins and suites
- Scenic-cruising enthusiasts wanting multiple observation areas
- Guests preferring a compact ship with extensive public rooms
Think twice if you want
- Families travelling with children under 18
- Travellers seeking waterslides or large-scale attractions
- Guests wanting complimentary Wi-Fi
- Passengers seeking numerous balcony cabins in every accommodation grade
- Travellers preferring an informal resort-style nightlife
Live Position ● 34 minutes ago
Heading to: AlesundCurrently on: In Search of the Northern Lights (15 nights) — En route to Ålesund — last stop Southampton
16.0 knots
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
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.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Deck 9
The Observatory Sports Courts The Olsen Art Studio Retractable RoofDeck 8
Swimming Pool Jacuzzis Poolside Café Atlantis Spa Fitness Centre Lido Bar Tea & Coffee Stations View Buffet Restaurant Fresco PediluvioDeck 7
The Bridge Owners Suite Premier Suite Balcony Suite Balcony Junior Suite Single Superior Interior Premier Adapted Suite Balcony Junior Adapted SuiteDeck 6
Lookout (Observation Area) Balcony Suite Balcony Junior Suite Single Balcony Suite Superior Ocean View Superior Interior Balcony Junior Adapted SuiteDeck 5
Sea Cove Shop Floral Blooms Shop Morning Light Pub & Lounge Card Room Bookmark Café & Lounge Earth Room Arctic Room Ocean Bar Botanical Room Indian Ocean Room Aurora Restaurant Neptune Balcony Boutiques Piano Bar Serenity Tea Room Future Cruise InformationDeck 4
Forecastle Neptune Lounge Photo Gallery Auditorium Colours & Tastes Restaurant Borealis Restaurant Guest Services Destination ServicesDeck 3
Forecastle Access Laundry Room Terrace Cabin Superior Ocean View Superior Ocean View Fully Restricted Single Ocean View Superior Interior Single Superior Interior Interior Room Terrace Adapted CabinDeck 1
Medical Centre Ocean View Single Ocean View Interior Room Single InteriorView the official Borealis deck plans from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines →
Cabins & suites
| Category | Type | Size | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owners SuiteCode OW. | Suite | 1,181 sq ft | — | 7 |
| Premier SuiteCode PS; adapted suites are also available. | Suite | 568-644 sq ft | — | 7 |
| Balcony SuiteCode BS. | Suite | 280-290 sq ft | — | 6, 7 |
| Balcony Junior SuiteCode BJ. | Suite | 280-290 sq ft | — | 6, 7 |
Dining, bars & venues
19 included 6 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Poolside Café
Varies
A casual daytime café beside the Lido Deck pool.
Vasco Restaurant
Included
A casual restaurant on Lido Deck.
Tea & Coffee Stations
Included
Self-service stations offering tea and coffee.
View Buffet Restaurant
Included
A self-service buffet restaurant on Lido Deck.
Bookmark Café & Lounge
Varies
A café and lounge serving drinks and selected refreshments.
Oriental Tea Room
Varies
A themed tea and refreshment room.
Aurora Restaurant
Included
A main dining restaurant on Lounge Deck.
Terrace Restaurant
Included
A dining restaurant with access to an outdoor terrace.
Colours & Tastes Restaurant
Extra cost
A specialty restaurant with an additional cover charge.
Borealis Restaurant
Included
A main dining restaurant on Main Deck.
Serenity Tea Room
Fresco
Bars & lounges
The Observatory
Varies
A panoramic upper-deck lounge and bar with views around the ship.
Lido Bar
Varies
A poolside bar serving drinks on Lido Deck.
View Bar
Varies
A bar serving drinks near the View dining area.
Morning Light Pub & Lounge
Varies
A pub-style lounge for drinks and socialising.
Ocean Bar
Varies
A bar on the central public-room deck.
Piano Bar
History & sister ships
- 1997Entered service, built by Fincantieri Marghera, Italy.
- 2020The former Holland America Line Rotterdam was acquired, renamed Borealis and refurbished with Fred. Olsen branding, updated accommodation, redesigned public areas and new signature spaces.
- 2022A dry-dock programme included steel repairs, work on the shafts and propellers, and renewed underwater paint.
- 2025A scheduled dry-dock refurbishment refreshed public areas including The Observatory and The View, enhanced Atlantis Spa, added a Thermal Suite jacuzzi, and completed technical, exterior and sustainability upgrades.
Where Borealis sails, month by month
| Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
Oct 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Mediterranean | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Asia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 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: Dec 22, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Nov 23, 2026
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Dec 18, 2026
1 upcoming departure
All 39 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
- Belgium Mini Cruise 18 Jan 2027
- Canary Islands Christmas & Funchal Fireworks 22 Dec 2027
- Canary Islands with the Fleet Fiesta 23 Nov 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
- 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
- Two Night Mini-Cruise to Liverpool 12 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 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Borealis?
Daywear is casual, while evenings are generally smart casual. Shorts are not permitted in the main dining room in the evening, and formal nights are optional.
What dining is included on Borealis?
Full-board dining includes main and casual restaurants, buffet dining, afternoon tea and late-night snacks. Colours & Tastes is specialty dining with an additional charge.
Are gratuities included on Borealis?
Standard gratuities are included in the cruise fare. Guests may still choose to provide additional discretionary gratuities.
Is Wi-Fi included on Borealis?
Wi-Fi is available on board but is not included in the standard cruise fare.
Does Borealis have accessible cabins?
Yes. Borealis has adapted cabins and suites, including cabins with roll-in showers. Guests who require a wheelchair or mobility scooter must book an accessible cabin.
Are children allowed on Borealis?
Borealis operates as an adults-only ship, so children and teenagers are not accommodated on board.