Celestyal Cruises vs Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

The core difference

Celestyal Cruises is a Greek-owned line with a singular geographic identity. Over 30 years of experience and a year-round homeport in Athens give Celestyal an unrivalled connection to the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The fleet — Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, each carrying around 1,200 passengers — is purpose-deployed for Greek Islands cruising, with 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries visiting Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos, and Kusadasi. The pricing model is genuinely all-inclusive: meals, drinks, shore excursions, and gratuities bundled into fares that start under $400 for a short sailing. The ships are not flashy, but the itinerary design and value proposition are hard to argue with.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is Norwegian-owned but British at heart — founded in 1848 and still family-owned, though operating an almost entirely British passenger base from UK homeports. The fleet of three ships — Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral — carries no more than 1,300 guests each, with a deliberate emphasis on intimate, personal service and scenic itineraries. Fred. Olsen’s strength is its ex-UK sailing programme: board in Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, or Edinburgh and wake up somewhere new without the hassle of flights, transfers, or jet lag. The ships are classic rather than contemporary, with wraparound promenade decks, traditional two-sitting dinners, and the kind of old-school cruise atmosphere that modern newbuilds have abandoned.

For Australian travellers, neither line is a household name, and both require international flights to reach. The choice between them is driven almost entirely by destination preference: Greece and the Aegean (Celestyal) versus Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, and the wider world (Fred. Olsen). They share a commitment to mid-size ships, personal service, and value-driven cruising — but they sail in different waters for different audiences.

What is actually included

Celestyal’s all-inclusive fare is one of the most comprehensive in mainstream cruising. The price covers all meals in the buffet and a-la-carte restaurants, a classic drinks package (beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks), two select shore excursions per voyage, port charges, onboard entertainment, and gratuities. The included excursions are a notable differentiator — most mainstream lines charge separately for every port stop. Celestyal’s excursions visit headline sites like Ephesus, the Acropolis of Lindos, and the Monastery of St John on Patmos, adding genuine cultural value to the fare.

Fred. Olsen’s fare covers accommodation and all meals in the main dining room and buffet. From 2026, drinks at mealtimes are included — a meaningful addition that narrows the gap with Celestyal’s offering. However, bar drinks outside meals, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, and gratuities remain extras. Fred. Olsen’s bar prices are notably lower than competitors, and the line offers its own shore excursion programme, but these are paid additions rather than bundled inclusions.

The net effect is clear: Celestyal delivers more in the base fare. A couple sailing a 7-night Celestyal voyage knows the total cost before boarding, with drinks flowing and excursions included. A couple on a comparable Fred. Olsen sailing will add bar tabs, excursion costs, and gratuities to the fare. The total-cost gap narrows once Fred. Olsen’s competitive bar pricing and included mealtime drinks are factored in, but Celestyal’s all-inclusive model remains the more transparent option for budget-conscious travellers.

Dining and culinary experience

Celestyal’s dining is rooted in its Greek heritage. The a-la-carte restaurant offers multi-course menus with regional specialities — moussaka, grilled octopus, lamb dishes, and fresh seafood — alongside international options. The buffet provides a broader selection throughout the day. Greek cooking classes, olive oil tastings, and themed Greek evenings add cultural context to the culinary programme. The dining is honest and regionally authentic rather than gastronomically ambitious, but on a 3- to 7-night sailing focused on destination immersion, it serves the itinerary well.

Fred. Olsen’s dining has quietly improved in recent years. The main restaurant offers traditional two-sitting dinners with menus featuring regional dishes from the destinations being visited alongside reliable British favourites — roast beef, fish and chips, afternoon tea, and proper puddings. From 2026, drinks at mealtimes are included, adding wine and beer to the dinner experience without surcharge. Speciality dining options are limited compared with larger lines, but the quality is consistent and the atmosphere is convivial. Fred. Olsen’s catering reflects its British passenger base: comforting, well-executed, and unpretentious.

Neither line is a culinary destination, but both deliver dining that reflects their cultural identity. Celestyal brings the Mediterranean to the table with regional ingredients and Greek flair. Fred. Olsen delivers the warmth of British traditional dining with a nod to each port of call. For food-motivated travellers, neither line competes with the speciality dining programmes of larger mainstream lines, but both provide satisfying, culturally appropriate meals that complement their itineraries.

Suites and accommodation

Celestyal’s cabins range from interior staterooms to balcony cabins and suites across both ships. The vessels are older and refurbished rather than new-builds, so cabin sizes are functional and contemporary but not lavish. In-cabin experience tablets were introduced fleet-wide in early 2026, bringing a modern touch to the hardware. The emphasis is on time ashore and on deck — on the short 3- and 4-night sailings, the cabin is primarily for sleeping and showering between port calls.

Fred. Olsen’s accommodation benefits from the acquisition of former Holland America vessels. Borealis and Bolette, both acquired in 2020, offer notably higher space-per-guest ratios than their predecessors — Borealis at 45.5 compared with Balmoral’s 32.9. Cabins include standard interior and ocean-view rooms, balcony staterooms, and suites with separate living areas. A standout feature is the provision of over 50 dedicated single cabins across the fleet — purpose-built solo accommodation without a supplement, making Fred. Olsen one of the best cruise lines for solo travellers. Wraparound promenade decks, proper libraries, and steamer chairs on the foredeck add communal spaces that feel genuinely nautical.

The accommodation comparison tilts toward Fred. Olsen on space and variety. The former Holland America ships deliver more generous dimensions and more cabin categories than Celestyal’s fleet. The dedicated single cabins are a genuine differentiator for solo travellers. For couples and families, both lines offer adequate accommodation at their respective price points, with Fred. Olsen providing a more spacious base.

Pricing and value

Celestyal’s pricing is its most compelling feature. Seven-night sailings start under $900 per person all-inclusive. The 3-night Iconic Greek Islands itinerary starts under $400 per person with meals, drinks, two excursions, and gratuities included. These are genuine all-in prices with minimal extras required beyond spa treatments and additional excursions. For Australians, return flights to Athens add approximately AUD $1,500 to $2,500 per person, making a complete Celestyal Greek Islands holiday achievable for under AUD $3,000 per person.

Fred. Olsen’s pricing sits in the mid-range for the British cruise market. Seven-night Norwegian Fjords sailings start from approximately GBP $800 to $1,200 per person (roughly AUD $1,500 to $2,300), with longer voyages and world cruises priced proportionally. The fare covers accommodation and meals but not drinks (beyond the new mealtime inclusion), excursions, or gratuities. Total costs are higher once extras are added, but Fred. Olsen’s competitive bar pricing and the absence of flight costs for UK-based travellers keep the overall value strong. For Australians, return flights to London add approximately AUD $1,800 to $3,000 per person.

Both lines offer genuine value within their respective markets. Celestyal wins on all-inclusive transparency and absolute price — a 3-night Greek Islands cruise for under $400 is extraordinarily competitive. Fred. Olsen wins on itinerary breadth and the ex-UK no-fly proposition — though this benefit is less relevant for Australians who must fly to the UK regardless. For Australians choosing between the two, the decision is geographic rather than financial: the cost of reaching Athens versus London is comparable, and both lines offer strong value for the sailing itself.

Spa and wellness

Celestyal’s spa facilities are modest, reflecting the mid-size ships and short itinerary focus. Both ships offer a spa with massage, facials, and body treatments, along with a fitness centre. Pool decks provide outdoor relaxation in the Mediterranean climate. For 3- to 7-night sailings where most daylight hours are spent ashore, the spa offering is appropriately scaled.

Fred. Olsen’s spa and wellness facilities are more developed, benefiting from the larger former Holland America vessels. Spa services include massage, facials, and body treatments, with a fitness centre and pool areas. The ships’ generous open deck space — including wraparound promenade decks — supports scenic cruising and walking, which is particularly appealing during Norwegian Fjords and Canary Islands itineraries where the scenery is the spectacle. Borealis and Bolette offer more spacious spa areas than Balmoral.

Neither line competes with major mainstream operators on spa scale, but both provide adequate wellness facilities for their target markets. Fred. Olsen’s larger ships and longer itineraries (including world cruises of up to 108 nights) make greater use of spa facilities, while Celestyal’s port-intensive short sailings mean the spa is a pleasant option rather than a central feature.

Entertainment and enrichment

Celestyal’s entertainment is culturally immersive rather than production-driven. Greek cooking classes, traditional dance lessons, regional wine tastings, and live Greek music create an atmosphere rooted in the destination. Evening shows in the main lounge are modest, and the emphasis is on spending evenings ashore — the 3- and 4-night itineraries include overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos, where guests can enjoy the islands’ nightlife. The ship serves the destination rather than competing with it.

Fred. Olsen’s enrichment programme leans toward traditional British cruising: guest lecturers on topics related to the voyage, craft workshops, quiz nights, afternoon tea, and convivial evenings in the bar. A new entertainment partnership with RWS Global is refreshing the onboard shows, though the atmosphere will always favour enrichment over spectacle. Scenic cruising — particularly through the Norwegian Fjords, where guests gather on deck to watch the landscape unfold — is the signature entertainment on Fred. Olsen’s most popular itineraries. The line suits travellers who prefer an enrichment lecture and a G&T over a Broadway show.

Both lines attract travellers who consider the destination the entertainment. Celestyal wraps this in Greek cultural programming. Fred. Olsen wraps it in British cruise tradition and scenic landscape. Neither will satisfy travellers seeking production shows, comedians, or high-energy nightlife — and neither tries to.

Fleet and destination coverage

Celestyal’s two ships are dedicated to a single geographic focus. Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery sail year-round from Athens to the Aegean islands, Turkey, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Itineraries include the 3-night Iconic Greek Islands, 4-night Iconic Aegean, 7-night Heavenly Adriatic (adding Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu), and winter deployments to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. The geographic limitation is absolute — Celestyal does not sail beyond the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf — but within its home waters, the line offers a frequency and depth of Greek Islands access that no competitor matches.

Fred. Olsen’s three ships cover a far broader geographic range despite the modest fleet size. Borealis, Bolette, and Balmoral sail from UK ports to the Norwegian Fjords, Canary Islands, British Isles, Iceland, Mediterranean, Baltic, Canada and New England, and further afield on extended voyages and world cruises of up to 108 nights. Borealis is designated adult-only. The ships’ mid-size dimensions allow access to ports that larger vessels cannot reach, and the regional UK departure ports (Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, Edinburgh) offer convenience for British travellers.

The geographic comparison is stark. Celestyal’s narrow focus delivers unmatched depth in Greek Islands cruising. Fred. Olsen’s broader deployment delivers remarkable variety for a three-ship fleet. For Australian travellers, Fred. Olsen’s Norwegian Fjords itineraries are the strongest draw — a region where mid-size ships with wraparound promenade decks are ideally suited to the scenery. Celestyal’s Greek Islands itineraries are the strongest draw for Hellenophiles. The two fleets rarely overlap geographically.

Where each line excels

Celestyal excels in:

Greek Islands value. Genuinely all-inclusive fares starting under $400 for 3-night sailings and under $900 for 7-night voyages. No other mainstream line matches this pricing for Greek Islands access with drinks, excursions, and gratuities bundled.

Destination frequency. Year-round homeporting in Athens with regular 3-, 4-, and 7-night departures means more options for fitting a Greek Islands cruise into a broader European itinerary.

Cultural immersion. Greek cooking classes, dancing lessons, regional cuisine, and overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos create an experience that feels authentically connected to the destination.

Fred. Olsen excels in:

Solo traveller provisions. Over 50 dedicated single cabins across the fleet and daily social events for solo guests make Fred. Olsen one of the best cruise lines for travellers on their own.

Scenic itineraries. Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, Canary Islands, and British Isles sailings on mid-size ships with wraparound promenade decks — designed for scenic cruising rather than onboard entertainment.

No-fly cruising from the UK. Boarding in Southampton, Liverpool, or Edinburgh without flights is Fred. Olsen’s signature proposition — less relevant for Australians but meaningful for those already in Britain.

Adult-only cruising. Borealis is designated adult-only, offering a child-free atmosphere for couples and mature travellers.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Celestyal’s 3-Night Iconic Greek Islands (roundtrip Athens) is the easiest way to add a Greek Islands cruise to a European holiday. Visiting Mykonos, Santorini, and Kusadasi with an overnight in Santorini, the sailing packs iconic destinations into a long weekend for under $400 per person all-inclusive. Fly to Athens from Sydney or Melbourne via Singapore, Doha, or Dubai.

Celestyal’s 7-Night Heavenly Adriatic adds Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu to the mix, broadening the Eastern Mediterranean experience for Australians wanting a longer voyage to justify the flight. At under $900 per person all-inclusive, the value is exceptional.

Fred. Olsen’s Norwegian Fjords (7-14 nights, roundtrip UK ports) is the signature Fred. Olsen experience and a natural fit for Australians who are already visiting Britain. Borealis and Bolette navigate deep into fjord channels that larger ships cannot reach, with wraparound promenade decks perfect for taking in the scenery. An adult-only Norwegian Fjords sailing on Borealis is a particularly appealing option for couples.

Fred. Olsen’s Canary Islands (10-14 nights, roundtrip UK ports, autumn/winter) offers a warm-weather escape that Australians visiting Britain during the cooler months would appreciate. The sailing requires no flights beyond the initial journey to the UK, and Fred. Olsen’s relaxed, traditional atmosphere suits the unhurried pace of island-hopping in the Atlantic.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery (approximately 1,200 guests each) offer a comparable experience. Choose by itinerary rather than ship. For a first Celestyal sailing, the 3- or 4-night Iconic itineraries provide maximum destination impact for minimum time and cost — an ideal add-on to a broader European holiday.

Borealis (approximately 1,300 guests, adult-only) is the standout Fred. Olsen vessel. The former Holland America Braemar offers a space-per-guest ratio of 45.5, wraparound promenade decks, and a refined adult-only atmosphere. Choose for Norwegian Fjords, Baltic, or Canary Islands sailings where scenic cruising and a peaceful atmosphere are the priority.

Bolette (approximately 1,300 guests, all ages) shares Borealis’s former Holland America heritage and generous space ratios. Families and multigenerational groups are welcomed. Choose for Mediterranean and longer-haul itineraries.

Balmoral (approximately 1,300 guests) is the smaller, cosier option with a slightly more compact space ratio. The ship suits the British Isles and shorter sailings where the intimate atmosphere and personal service are at their best.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines require long-haul flights from Australia, and neither has significant Australian market presence. The practical considerations differ in ways that matter.

Celestyal requires flights to Athens — approximately 20 to 24 hours via one connection through Singapore, Doha, or Dubai. The line’s short 3- and 4-night itineraries make it an ideal add-on to a broader European or Greek holiday rather than a standalone trip. Australian travellers already planning time in Greece can slot in a Celestyal cruise at minimal additional cost and time. The line is best booked through specialist cruise agents familiar with the product.

Fred. Olsen requires flights to the UK — approximately 22 to 26 hours via one or two connections through Singapore, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia. The ex-UK departure ports (Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, Edinburgh) are easily reached by train from London. For Australians visiting friends and family in the UK or starting a European holiday in Britain, a Fred. Olsen cruise adds a scenic sailing without additional flights. The line’s longer itineraries (up to 108-night world voyages) suit Australian travellers with extended time available.

Loyalty and booking considerations are modest for both lines from an Australian perspective. Celestyal’s Celestyal Club and Fred. Olsen’s Oceans loyalty programme both reward repeat guests, but the distance from Australia makes frequent repeat bookings unlikely. Both lines are niche enough that booking through a specialist cruise agent — rather than attempting direct booking — is strongly recommended for Australian travellers wanting the best cabin selection and itinerary advice.

The onboard atmosphere

Celestyal’s atmosphere is warm, Mediterranean, and destination-focused. The passenger mix is predominantly European — Greek, British, German, and French travellers — with a relaxed, sociable energy. Greek music plays on the pool deck, the food carries the flavours of the Aegean, and the islands visible from the rail are the constant focus of conversation. The dress code is casual to smart casual, and the ambiance is of a floating boutique hotel rather than a cruise ship. The short itineraries and port-intensive schedules mean the onboard atmosphere is transient — guests board, explore, and disembark within days — creating an energetic rather than settled feel.

Fred. Olsen’s atmosphere is quintessentially British. The ships feel like country-house hotels at sea, with afternoon tea, quiz nights, two-sitting dinners, and a convivial warmth that encourages conversation. The passenger mix is almost entirely British, predominantly mature couples and solo travellers aged 55 and above. The dress code is smart casual with occasional formal evenings. The pace is unhurried, the service is personal, and the general feeling is of a gentler, more traditional era of cruising. The adult-only Borealis adds a particularly refined atmosphere for couples and solo travellers seeking peace.

For Australian travellers accustomed to a more cosmopolitan cruise environment, both lines offer a distinctly regional atmosphere. Celestyal feels Greek. Fred. Olsen feels British. Whether this is a charm or a limitation depends on your travel preferences. Both atmospheres are genuine — neither line dilutes its identity to chase a broader market — and that authenticity is precisely what makes each line worth considering.

The bottom line

Celestyal Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are both niche, mid-size operators delivering personal, value-driven cruising in their respective regions. Neither is a household name in Australia, and both require long-haul flights to reach. But for Australian travellers with specific destination interests, both reward the effort of discovery.

Choose Celestyal for the Greek Islands. Choose it for genuinely all-inclusive fares starting under $400, for overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos, for Greek cooking classes and regional cuisine, and for the simplicity of a 3- or 4-night sailing that slots effortlessly into a broader European holiday. Accept that the ships are not new, the entertainment is modest, and the line’s Australian presence is minimal.

Choose Fred. Olsen for scenic cruising from the UK. Choose it for the Norwegian Fjords on a mid-size ship with wraparound promenade decks, for the adult-only Borealis, for over 50 dedicated single cabins, and for the traditional British cruise atmosphere that larger lines have abandoned. Choose it if you are already in the UK and want to add a sailing without additional flights. Accept that the passenger mix is overwhelmingly British, the food is comforting rather than adventurous, and the ships reflect a classic rather than contemporary aesthetic.

For Australian travellers planning a European holiday, both lines offer genuine value as add-on experiences. A 3-night Celestyal added to a Greek holiday, or a 7-night Fred. Olsen Norwegian Fjords added to a UK visit, can transform a land-based trip into something richer — and neither requires a significant additional investment of time or money beyond what you have already committed to reaching Europe.