Introducing Fresco, the New Open Air Dining Venue from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

In 2025, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines introduced a brand new dining venue to their fleet: ‘Fresco’. This venue was introduced onboard Borealis in 2025, as part of her extensive dry dock upgrade programme. In this post, I’m going to tell you more about this venue, including its’ location, in addition to showing you some of the food on offer.

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You'll find Fresco onboard Borealis, one of the ships from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Let’s get started. First, let’s talk about what Fresco actually is, and what type of food it offers.

Fresco’s an open-air dining venue, and it’s a much more informal affair than any of the other dining options onboard. It offers a menu of items widely inspired by the Mediterranean region, with some surprised thrown in, too. Think pizzas, calzones, salads and tapas, and you’ll probably have a fair idea of what to expect here.

The installation of Fresco isn’t the only dining-related change that’s come as a result of this recent dry dock upgrade. Borealis has also seen a huge renovation of ‘Colours and Tastes’, the very well-known and loved Asian fusion restaurant that’s available on all ships across the fleet. I’ll tell you more about this in another post - let’s focus on Fresco here.

Colours and Tastes has also had a major revamp, but I’ll show you that in another post.

Where can you find Fresco?

Fresco has been installed at the back of Borealis on Deck 8. If you walk to the back of the buffet venue and go through the automated doors, you’ll find Fresco spanning both sides of the back of the ship. On the Starboard (right) side, Fresco offers a bar, with the Port side of the venue offering food. Above the centre of Fresco, you’ll find one of the figureheads that are now famously associated with the line.

You can get a clearer understanding of this descriptive in the below image, which was taken at the very back of the ship facing forward.

Fresco is at the back of the ship on Deck 8.

When is Fresco open?

The Fresco Bar is open from 10am - 11pm, and the dining side is open from 12pm - 6pm. It’s important to note that this is weather permitting, so it’s best to check your ‘Daily Times’ once onboard to be sure.

These opening hours allow you to relax back there with a few drinks either during the day or in the evening if you’re cruising somewhere warmer. Imagine sitting out there in the warm Mediterranean or Caribbean air sipping your favourite cocktail - bliss!

In terms of furniture, you’ve got a great selection out here. There’s the usual ‘tables and chairs’ that you’d expect to find at any dining venue, but then there are also some really premium sofa options, in addition to large cabana-style seating areas. None of this seating is able to be reserved, so it’s a case of ‘first come, first served’. There are also sun loungers out here, too.

If you’re cruising in colder climates, there are some electric heaters out here. That said, I’d recommend you bring a jumper or jacket out here with you if it’s not warm outside!

What’s the food like, and is it any good?

Ok, let’s now move to look at the big question - what’s the food like, and is it any good? As I mentioned earlier, you’re going to want to think ‘lighter snacks’ when picturing what to expect from this place. It’s essentially a pizzeria that also offers a tapas range (both hot and cold).

Let’s start by looking at the pizza menu.

The pizza menu at Fresco offers a combination of ‘always available’ and ‘special’ options.

The pizza menu at Fresco offers you both ‘always available’ and also ‘special’ pizza options. The ‘always available’ section features the usual suspects that you’d expect (photos to follow), and the specials are pretty interesting. On my recent cruise, I’ve seen unusual flavours and also Calzones on offer under the special menu, so the variety seems to be pretty good!

If you’re cruising and limited to a Gluten free or Vegan diet, don’t worry - there are options available for you, too!

So that’s pizza, but remember that there’s a tapas section, too! Fresco operates like a poolside eatery on most cruise ships - there’s a large display case featuring the menu items, but you can’t ‘grab and go’ due to the fact that they need to be heated or prepared fresh for you. Beside the display case, you’ll find the tapas, salad and dessert menu.

Here are two examples from my recent cruise.

The ‘small plates’ menu offers a tapas-style selection, in addition to desserts and salad. (1/2)

The ‘small plates’ menu offers a tapas-style selection, in addition to desserts and salad. (2/2)

This menu also offers a range of Gluten-free, Vegetarian and Vegan options, so you’ve got nothing to worry about if you’re travelling with these restrictions.

In terms of quality, I’ve been incredibly impressed with this place. I often find that ‘on deck’ food options on cruise ships can be fairly primitive in their offering, and also of an unhealthy nature, so it’s really positive to see a real range of options being offered here. Service seems to be quick from this venue too, so it’s not going to take you long to enjoy your meal of choice.

Here are some examples of the food I’ve enjoyed from Fresco so far.

Salad: Beetroot and Goat's Cheese Salad, Endive and Balsamic Glaze (V / GF)

Hot Tapas: Braised Chorizo & Mojo Sauce (GF / DF)

Pizza: Spicy Pepperoni & Chilli

Meal: Pepperoni & Spicy Chilli Pizza, Margherita Pizza and Patatas Bravas (x2)

So, would I recommend Fresco to you on your future cruise?

In a word, yes.

This place offers a casual alternative to the more formal dining options onboard Borealis, and also affords you the luxury of dining outdoors. If you’d like to see more from my time onboard the various cruise ships in the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet, then come and check out my YouTube playlist dedicated to the line. You can go there now by clicking here.