Guests will be able to step behind the scenes and explore areas of the ship that are usually off limits.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new behind the scenes tour on board its fleet of three smaller-sized ships Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.

As part of the new offering, guests can see the inner workings of the ships by venturing into the Galley to see how the chefs prepare delicious meals, learn what it takes to manage the stores and laundry room and enjoy visits to the Engine Control Room and the Bridge.

James Moss, Itinerary Product Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We're thrilled to be able to offer our guests these brand-new tours which will help them uncover the secrets and challenges of running a cruise ship.

“They'll be able to discover the volume of food needed to feed both guests and crew as well as meet and speak to our dedicated crew members who are at the heart of what makes sailing with us so special, while gaining an insight into life on board.

“We have limited the spaces on the tours to just 12 guests to ensure it is an enjoyable, immersive experience and they really get to know what it's like running a cruise ship day-to-day.”

The tours are to enhance Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Signature Experience, The Ship and Sea, which aims to give guests an insight into the company's 175 years of maritime heritage.

The behind the scenes tours cost £49 per person and include a keepsake lanyard and professional photo.

Upcoming cruise highlights, with departures available from Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth, include:

Balmoral's 15-night L2424 'Portugal's Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower' cruise, departing from Rosyth on 7th August 2024. Prices start from £1,499 per person.

• Discover the natural wonders of the Azores
• Join ORCA to search for marine life from Balmoral
• See the Perseid Meteor Shower and hydrangeas in bloom

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Horta, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Vila Franca Islet, Azores – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Rosyth, Scotland

For more details: Visit L2424 'Portugal's Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower'

Borealis' eight-night S2418 'Summertime Norwegian Fjords' cruise, departing from Dover on 14thAugust 2024. Prices start from £1,099 per person. Enjoy £50 per person of free credit to spend on board.

• Visit the mountain plateau of Hardangervidda from Eidfjord
• In Flåm, join a boat tour along the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord
• Take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen for a hike

Itinerary: Dover, UK – Cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergsfossen, Norway – Cruise Hardangerfjord, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – Bergen, Norway – Flåm, Norway – Cruising Nærøyfjord, Norway – Olden, Norway – Cruising Nordfjord and Innvikfjord, Norway – Dover, UK

For more details: Visit S2418 'Summertime Norwegian Fjords'

Bolette's nine-night T2422 'Scenic Autumnal Norwegian Fjords' cruise departing from Liverpool on 21st September 2024. Prices start from £1,099 per person. Enjoy £50 per person of free credit to spend on board.

• Enjoy autumnal scenery from on board Bolette
• Take a tour to Godoy from Ålesund to see outstanding nature
• Sail the picturesque Nordfjord and UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Cruising by Nordfjord and Innvikfjord, Norway – Olden, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Molde, Norway – Hellesylt, Norway – Cruise by Seven Sisters Waterfall, Norway – Cruising Geirangerfjord, Norway – Cruising Storfjorden, Norway – Cruising by Strandafjellet Mountain, Norway – Liverpool, UK
For more details: Visit T2422 'Scenic Autumnal Norwegian Fjords'

Borealis' 14-night S2424 'Cultures and Cuisines of the Mediterranean' cruise departing from Southampton on 29th October 2024. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Enjoy £100 per person of free credit to spend on board.

• Explore Barcelona and marvel at the Sagrada Familia
• Sample Pasteis de Nata in Lisbon and paella in Valencia
• Learn to flamenco dance with a local bailaora in Cadiz

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Cadiz, Spain – Valencia, Spain – Tarragona, Spain – Cruise Cartagena Bay, Spain – Cartagena, Spain – Malaga, Spain – Leixões, Portugal – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit S2424 'Cultures and Cuisines of the Mediterranean'

Borealis' 14-night S2426 'Winter Warmth in the Canaries' cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 23rd November 2024. Prices start from £1,399 per person. Enjoy £100 per person of free credit to spend on board.

• Visit the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva Forest in Madeira
• Tour a botanical garden with a local orchid expert
• Experience the beauty of La Gomera's Garajonay National Park

Itinerary: Portsmouth, UK – Funchal, Madeira – Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands – San Sebastian de la Gomera, Canary Islands – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands – Arrecife, Canary Islands – Lisbon, Portugal – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Portsmouth, UK

For more details: Visit S2426 'Winter Warmth in the Canaries'

Balmoral's 10-night L2431 'In Search of the Northern Lights' cruise, departing from Newcastle on 10th October 2024. Prices start from £1,199 per person.

• Search for the Northern Lights on an extended stay in Alta
• Enjoy a scenic cruise of the Seven Sisters mountain range
• Spend time with a Sami community to learn about local traditions

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Molde, Norway – Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight port) – Tromsø, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Newcastle, UK

For more details: Visit L2431 'In Search of the Northern Lights'

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines', visit www.fredolsencruises.com
Book online or call Reservations on 0800 0355 215 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.