Curaçao recently welcomed the maiden call of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis. Offering a 76-night itinerary to South America and the Caribbean, the vessel arrived at the Port of Willemstad on March 30, 2026.

According to the Curaçao Ports Authority, a plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard to mark the occasion.

In addition to ship officers, the event was attended by the Government of Curaçao, represented by the Minister of Traffic, Transportation & Urban Planning, Charles Cooper, and the Minister of Economic Development, Roderick Middelhof.

Representatives of the Curaçao Ports Authority were also present, as well as staff members of the ship’s local agent, Maduro Shipping.

Sailing from Southampton, the Borealis kicked off Fred. Olsen’s “Exploration of South America and the Antarctic” in late January 2026.

Now in its final leg, the two-and-a-half-month-long cruise is scheduled to return to the British port on April 14, 2026.

During the sailing, the ship visited a series of destinations in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.

The itinerary was highlighted by a three-day visit to Rio de Janeiro during Carnival in mid-February, in addition to scenic cruising in Antarctica.

The Borealis also sailed to a range of ports in the Caribbean, including Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, St. John’s in Antigua and Philipsburg in St. Maarten.

Before arriving in Southampton, the ship is still scheduled to visit Ponta Delgada in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

Originally built for Holland America Line as the Rotterdam, the Borealis joined Fred. Olsen’s fleet in late 2020.

The adults-only ship was sold to the British company along with its sister ship, the Amsterdam, which became Fred. Olsen’s flagship, the Bolette.

Before kicking off its current cruise, the Borealis underwent a refurbishment project in the United Kingdom.