Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been forced to make last-minute changes to its highly anticipated Grand Voyage after severe weather swept across the Bay of Biscay.
The 76-night journey to South America and Antarctica, sailing onboard Borealis, was originally scheduled to depart Southampton on January 28, 2026.
While guests were able to board the ship as planned, worsening sea conditions meant the vessel could not safely leave port.
Instead, Borealis remained docked in Southampton as the cruise line closely monitored the evolving weather forecast.
According to Fred. Olsen, strong winds and heavy swells made it unsafe to begin the voyage on schedule. The decision, while disappointing for guests eager to set sail, was made with safety as the top priority.
Safety Comes First as Departure Is Delayed
In a message shared onboard, Fred. Olsen explained that forecasts for the Bay of Biscay included force eight winds, gusts reaching force ten, and wave heights of up to nine meters.
Under these conditions, navigating the busy stretch of water would have been uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.
As a result, the ship’s departure has been pushed back to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. The cruise line noted that if conditions improve sooner than expected, an earlier departure could still be considered.
Fred. Olsen emphasized that both guest comfort and crew wellbeing were central to the decision. While delays are never ideal, the company said caution was necessary given the severity of the forecast.
Early Itinerary Changes Announced for the Voyage
The delayed departure has led to adjustments in the opening section of the Grand Voyage itinerary. The planned stop in La Coruña, Spain, scheduled for January 30, has been cancelled entirely.
Additionally, the call to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been pushed back by two days and is now set for February 4. The scheduled visit to Praia, Cape Verde, on February 5 has also been removed from the itinerary.
From Gran Canaria, Borealis will begin its transatlantic crossing toward South America. The cruise is expected to return to its original schedule when it arrives in Salvador, Brazil, on February 11.
Despite the early changes, the overall journey remains largely intact. The voyage will still include extensive cruising across Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru, along with scenic sailing in Antarctica.
The itinerary also features Caribbean ports before the ship returns to the UK in mid-April. Fred. Olsen thanked guests for their patience, noting that weather-related changes are sometimes unavoidable on long, adventurous voyages like this one.
Situations like this highlight how cruise itineraries can change at short notice, much like the recent rerouting of Freedom of the Seas following a medical emergency that required the ship to return to Miami.
