Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has recorded the strongest single trading day in its history following the launch of an ambitious 87-night Amazon and Antarctica Grand Voyage.
The sailing went on sale on 22 July 2026 and attracted three times as many guests during its first six days as the cruise line's South America Grand Voyage launch in 2024. Fred. Olsen described it as the company's most successful Grand Voyage launch to date.
Although the record sales were achieved in 2026, the cruise itself will take place in 2028. Borealis is scheduled to leave Southampton on 5 January 2028 for an 87-night round-trip voyage spanning five continents.
From the Amazon to Antarctica
The extensive itinerary combines two very different regions in one voyage from the UK. Fred. Olsen says it is the only cruise line offering the opportunity to experience both the Amazon and Antarctica on a round-trip sailing from Britain.
Borealis is due to explore the Amazon for the first time in nine years, with calls including Santarém, Parintins and Alter do Chão, plus an overnight stay in Manaus. The itinerary also features scenic cruising at the Meeting of the Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and sandy-coloured Solimões flow alongside one another before forming the Amazon River.
The South American section includes Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn and Punta Arenas. Borealis is also scheduled to sail past Cape Horn, cross the Drake Passage and spend three days scenic cruising around the Antarctic Peninsula. The published itinerary includes a call at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands before the ship begins its return journey.
Calls in Costa Rica and the Caribbean add further variety to a voyage promoted as visiting 28 ports in 17 countries across five continents.
Strong demand beyond the Grand Voyage
The record launch formed part of a wider period of growth for Fred. Olsen. Reports published after the trading milestone said passenger numbers were running 10% ahead of the previous year, while bookings for 2027 were more than 40% higher year on year.
More than a quarter of the cruise line's remaining 2026 sailings had sold out, while Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral had each achieved their highest recorded Net Promoter Scores during the year.
Chief executive Samantha Stimpson described the response to the new Grand Voyage as phenomenal. Its early success suggests there remains substantial demand for long, distinctive itineraries that allow British guests to begin and end an expedition-style journey without flying.
Sources: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines voyage announcement, official Amazon & Antarctic Adventure itinerary.