Fred. Olsen Launches First Dance Cruise on Borealis — Cruise Industry News
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is launching its first dance-themed cruise on Borealis, a cruise industry news move that puts a themed sailing at the center of its onboard entertainment line-up. The five-night trip departs Southampton on 13 December 2026 and starts from £499 per person, giving guests a new option built around dance rather than a standard port-focused itinerary.
Borealis leaves Southampton on 13 December
13 December 2026 is the key departure date for Borealis, which will sail from Southampton on a five-night A Celebration of Dance at Sea voyage. The itinerary includes two ports of call, Amsterdam and Honfleur, so the sailing combines shipboard programming with short shore visits instead of a long list of stops.
£499 per person is the entry price Fred. Olsen is putting on the sailing, a figure that places the event within reach of passengers who want the themed experience without a long cruise commitment. The shorter duration also means the onboard schedule has to do more of the work: guests will spend much of the trip in dance sessions, performances and social events rather than on extended days in port.
Dame Arlene Phillips and Ian Waite headline
Dame Arlene Phillips and Ian Waite will headline the cruise, giving the line a pair of names with strong dance credentials. Phillips is an Olivier award-winning choreographer, while Waite is a professional dancer and television personality, and both will host An Audience With sessions and meet-and-greet events with guests.
Ian Waite will also host a dance masterclass during the cruise, while the line says the programme will include ballroom, Latin and sequence dancing, tap, line-dancing and more. That mix suggests the sailing is aimed at a broad audience, not just experienced dancers, with sessions designed for different levels of confidence.
RWS Global builds the programme
RWS Global is delivering the onboard programme with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, adding live production shows, visiting entertainers from the world of dance, interactive workshops, social dance events, iconic dance film screenings and themed entertainment. The cruise will end with a festive twist on a Gatsby-inspired party, giving the five-night sailing a defined close rather than a loose entertainment schedule.
Doug Glenwright, guest experience director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “This is set to be a very special cruise as it’s a first for us at Fred. Olsen – our inaugural dance-themed cruise.” He added: “Dance has always been an important part of our on-board experience, and this cruise will really shine a spotlight on this – at a time of year when we know the nation will be putting on their dancing shoes. It will be a vibrant, feel-good celebration of dance in all its forms, with a touch of festive sparkle throughout.”
“Whether you’re a seasoned professional, taking your first steps on the dancefloor, or prefer to sit back and enjoy the performances, there will be something for every level of confidence as we dance our way into the festive season,” Glenwright said. “I can promise is that it will be a themed cruise done in our own unique way, with guests at the heart of it all.”
Amsterdam and Honfleur on board
Amsterdam and Honfleur give the sailing two distinct shore stops. In Amsterdam, guests can see illuminated canals as part of the annual Light Festival, while Honfleur offers cobbled streets, colourful timber-framed houses and a picturesque harbour.
That combination makes the itinerary more specific than a generic themed cruise: the entertainment is the main product, but the ports still shape the trip’s rhythm. For passengers deciding whether to book, the practical takeaway is simple — this is a five-night December sailing from Southampton with two named hosts, two ports and a price starting at £499 per person.
