I recently took a mystery cruise with the British cruiseline, Fred. Olsen. We took a five-day trip from Portsmouth, and we had no idea where we would be sailing to.
The ship itself felt surprisingly British – small and slightly quirky.
There were plenty of British home comforts that you simply wouldn’t find on an American cruise line. From the food to the drinks, the entertainment, to the pub, it was a very British experience.
It made the British people feel right at home, and I’m sure it would be great for those from other countries who would like to try a truly British cruising experience.
Considering a Fred Olsen cruise, just like this one? I’d highly recommend it! 🏆🩷
Check out the itineraries here (affiliate) 😋✈️
#1. A Proper British Roast… at Sea
A traditional roast dinner is served by many on a Sunday in the UK.
But you don’t have to save it for a Sunday, of course. It’s great to have a roast dinner any day of the week!
If you are sailing with Fred. Olsen, you can have a full roast dinner, available in both the main dining room or in the buffet.
A roast with all the proper trimmings – gravy, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes – the whole works.
Some other cruiselines come close, but a vital elements are often missing.
I remember having a Christmas roast dinner onboard Norwegian Spirit – the turkey and the vegetables were lovely – but it came with mashed potatoes! No roast potatoes with your Christmas dinner is just sad…
The Christmas dinner I had onboard MSC Meraviglia didn’t resemble a Christmas roast dinner at all!
Find out about how Christmas can be very different depending on the cruiseline you book here:
I’ve Tried Christmas Cruises With British, American and Italian Lines – Here’s How They Compare
#2. Custard Creams in the Buffet
You all know that I love a cookie, and I like to try them out on every cruise line I sail with.
It’s not hard to find an American-style cookie of some sort – and some are far better than others, it has to be said.
It is very rare to find a biscuit, though. Spotting custard creams in the buffet was like finding hidden treasure!
It shows very clearly who Fred. Olsen’s target market is.
#3. Actual Squash (Not Juice!)
When we got back onboard from exploring land, it was cold and getting dark.
Imagine how lovely it was to get back onboard and be offered a cup of hot blackcurrant squash!
Squash is a concentrated fruit drink that you dilute with water. It comes in many flavours, but blackcurrant is a traditional favourite. You can have hot or cold water, depending on taste/preference/season.
Those from outside the UK never understand that squash is something many British people drink every day. It was a dead giveaway that Fred. Olsen’s target audience is British.
#4. Kettles in the Cabins
Most cruise lines don’t have kettles in the cabins, but Brits simply refuse to cruise without a cuppa!
It is a real treat to be able to make yourself a cup of tea in the mornings. I don’t want to wait around for room service or get dressed and go to the buffet. I want to have a relaxing cup of tea in bed to start the day, the way I would at home.
British cruise lines and MSC (when sailing from the UK) provide tea and coffee-making facilities and biscuits in the cabins.
Fred. Olsen is no exception. Again, this shows that they know their target audience very well.
#5. British Trivia… With Very British Questions
I often think I am not very good at trivia – but when the questions are aimed at, and written for a British audience, I do far better.
We had questions about UK geography, British sitcoms, soaps, children’s TV, sports, and musicals. Things I have actually heard of!
A lot of the questions would have an American audience completely confused and mystified, but we were happy!
#6. A Pub Where the Casino Normally Is
Many American cruise lines have big, flashy casinos, but there wasn’t one on Borealis.
Instead, there was a pub where the casino would normally be.
The Morning Light Pub & Lounge was designed to resemble a traditional British pub, with a friendly atmosphere, comfortable seating, and games such as shuffleboard and bar billiards.
There was live music, quizzes, pints, and a carpet that wouldn’t look out of place in your local Wetherspoons! ( A famous British pub chain).
They serve a range of ales and bitters, rather than just lager beer. This particularly pleased my dad, who isn’t keen on Budweiser, Heineken, Fosters or Miller Light.
#7. That Distinctly British Sense of Humour Onboard
The announcements, entertainment, or even signage use British phrasing, sometimes with mild sarcasm or dry humour.
I remember being on a Norwegian Fjords cruise with Captain Wesley Dunlop, who was in charge of P&O’s Britannia.
He told us that there was great news – the temperature was going to be 24°C (75°F) that day – 12°C in the morning and 12°C in the afternoon….
Considering a Fred Olsen cruise, just like this one? I’d highly recommend it! 🏆🩷
Check out the itineraries here (affiliate) 😋✈️
Have a closer look at my mystery cruise onboard Fred. Olsen’s Borealis here:
Before You Go
Find out about some great places to visit in the UK if you are interested in ship history here:
The Best Places In The UK To Visit If You Are Interested In Ship History
Find out what happens to cruise ships when they reach the end of their useful sailing life here:
Where Cruise Ships Go To Die: What Really Happens When a Cruise Ship Is Retired
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