Tourism

What is the Borealis cruise ship and when does it visit Gibraltar?

The cruise ship Borealis
Photo: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

Borealis is an adults-only Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship for 1,299 guests, built in 1997 as Holland America Line's Rotterdam. Its upcoming visits to Gibraltar, with times and expected passengers, are listed on this page.

Upcoming visits to Gibraltar

  • Friday 27 November 2026, in port 08:00–16:30, about 1,404 passengers expected

    Also in port: Marella Explorer. Combined: about 3,328 passengers where known.

  • Saturday 12 December 2026, in port 09:00–22:30, about 1,404 passengers expected

    Also in port: Sirena. Combined: about 2,088 passengers where known.

  • Wednesday 16 June 2027, in port 08:30–17:30, about 1,404 passengers expected

  • Friday 1 October 2027, in port 09:00–17:00, about 1,404 passengers expected

  • Wednesday 27 October 2027, in port 09:00–21:30, about 1,404 passengers expected

    Also in port: Sea Cloud II. Combined: about 1,498 passengers where known.

  • Sunday 12 December 2027, in port 08:30–22:30, about 1,404 passengers expected

From the Port of Gibraltar schedule, last checked 15 October 2026.

Detailed answer

Borealis was built by Fincantieri in Italy and entered service in 1997 as Rotterdam, the Holland America Line flagship. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines bought the ship in 2020, renamed it Borealis and began sailing it in July 2021, so it is operated by Fred. Olsen and no longer by Holland America. Fred. Olsen gives a gross tonnage of 61,849, a length of 237.9 metres, 1,299 guests at standard occupancy in 702 cabins and a crew of 650. The line sells it from UK ports as an adults-only ship for couples, friends and solo travellers. Features include the Observatory Lounge, the two-tier Aurora and Borealis restaurants, the Colours & Tastes speciality restaurant and the Atlantis Spa with a thermal suite. The ship had interior and exterior upgrades in a drydock in Rotterdam in October 2025.

How busy will town be?

The upcoming visits listed on this page show the passengers expected on each call and any other ships in port the same day. Town is busiest when several ships are in at once or a large ship arrives at a weekend. A ship carrying a few hundred passengers makes little difference on its own.

Can you sail on it from nearby?

Yes, from Southampton. Fred. Olsen lists 2027 round trips from Southampton including a 14-night Spain and Portugal cruise from Friday 3 December 2027 that calls at Gibraltar, Cadiz and Lisbon, as well as short cruises in January, April, May, November and December 2027. In summer 2027 the ship sails from Liverpool, including an 11-night Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar cruise from Saturday 23 October 2027. Round trips from Southampton are also listed in autumn and winter 2026.