Fred. Olsen Italian Menu: Colours & Tastes Specialty Dining
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has expanded its specialty dining at Colours & Tastes with a rotating selection of themed menus, including Traditional Italian, Asian Fusion and Gourmet Grill. The Italian menu brings together seafood, pasta, risotto, Italian-inspired starters and desserts, with several vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.
The photographed menu shows the current Italian selection, including lobster, king prawn and crab cannelloni, chicken Milanese, spaghetti carbonara with chorizo, pistachio cannoli and a signature tiramisu. Colours & Tastes carries an additional dining charge and can be reserved before the cruise or onboard, subject to availability.
For more information before sailing, CruisePrism readers can also explore the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines dining menus, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines onboard guides for more details about dining, onboard activities, entertainment and daily schedules.
Fred. Olsen Colours & Tastes Italian Restaurant
Colours & Tastes is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ specialty dining restaurant.
From 2026, the concept features different menus on a rotating basis:
- Traditional Italian
- Asian Fusion
- Gourmet Grill
This means the Italian menu is one of several specialty dining experiences that may be offered during a cruise rather than the restaurant serving Italian food exclusively every evening.
The Italian menu is inspired by regional Italian cooking while incorporating some contemporary interpretations, particularly in dishes such as beetroot “ravioli,” lobster and crab cannelloni, and the Bomba di Tiramisù.
How Much Does Colours & Tastes Cost?
Fred. Olsen currently charges a specialty dining supplement for Colours & Tastes.
The current price is:
- £20 per person when booked before the cruise
- £25 per person when booked onboard
For new cruises booked after January 5, 2027, Fred. Olsen states that the price will increase to:
- £25 per person when booked in advance
- £30 per person when booked onboard
Specialty dining can currently be pre-booked through My Cruises beginning approximately 13 weeks before departure and until 24 hours before sailing.
Fred. Olsen recommends booking specialty dining in advance because availability can be limited.
Fred. Olsen Italian Menu Wine Recommendations
The menu begins with two wines recommended by the sommelier.
Fondo Antico Grillo Parlante, Sicily – £33.00
Described as fresh with balanced fruit and acidity.
Barbera d’Alba Fratelli Antonio e Raimondo, Piedmont – £36.00
Described as having forest fruits, oak and a hint of spice.
These wines are separately priced and are not part of the specialty dining supplement unless covered by any applicable beverage arrangement.
Italian Starters
The photographed menu offers four starters, ranging from beef carpaccio and scallops to two vegetarian selections.
Carpaccio di Manzo con Spuma di Pecorino e Perle di Balsamico
Beef carpaccio served with Pecorino whip, cashew nuts, caper and parsley salsa, and balsamic pearls.
The menu identifies this dish as gluten-free.
Capesante Selvagge del Pacifico alla Hasselback, Risotto di Cozze e Pomodoro
Hasselback seared scallops served with a mussel and tomato risotto.
The dish is identified as both dairy-free and gluten-free.
Ravioli di Barbabietola Sott’Aceto con Feta Montata
This vegetarian starter uses chilled beetroot to create “ravioli” filled with honey-whipped feta and caramelised onion.
It is finished with basil dressing and sugared almonds.
The menu identifies the dish as vegetarian and gluten-free.
Crostini Croccanti con Burrata
Crispy coated burrata is served with cherry tomato chutney, balsamic glaze, ciabatta and basil.
Fred. Olsen specifically notes on the menu that this is a large starter and is suitable for sharing.
The dish is marked vegetarian.
Fred. Olsen Italian Main Courses
The main course section contains four dishes, including seafood, chicken, risotto and pasta.
Cannelloni di Mare “Astice e Crostacei”
One of the most premium-looking selections on the menu combines:
- Lobster
- King prawn
- Crab cannelloni
- Gavi cream
- Caviar
The combination makes this the menu’s primary seafood pasta dish.
Pollo Milanese con Parmigiano & Peperone
Chicken Milanese is served with:
- Balsamic cherry tomatoes
- Leaves
- Parmesan
- Lemon
- Pickled red onion
- Fennel
- Red pepper purée
It is Fred. Olsen’s interpretation of the classic breaded Italian chicken dish.
Risotto di Primavera con Asparagi, Piselli e Crostacei di Fungo
The plant-based main course is an asparagus and pea risotto served with oyster mushroom “scallops,” pistachio pesto and garlic crisps.
The menu identifies this dish as both vegan and gluten-free.
Spaghetti alla Carbonara con Chorizo
Fred. Olsen gives carbonara a twist by adding chorizo.
The pasta is served with:
- Chorizo
- Pecorino
- Red pepper
- Parsley
Rather than presenting a strictly traditional Roman carbonara, this is clearly a contemporary interpretation created for the Colours & Tastes Italian menu.
Italian Side Dishes
Four side dishes are available.
Polenta Croccante con Pecorino, Marmellata di Funghi Selvatici
Crispy polenta served with Pecorino, wild mushroom and truffle marmalade.
This selection is marked gluten-free.
Insalata di Arance
A Sicilian-style salad made with:
- Orange
- Fennel
- Red onion
It is both vegan and gluten-free.
Panino Burroso all’Aglio e Formaggio
Baked buttery garlic and parsley bread.
This side is identified as vegetarian.
Zucchine e Piselli Saltati con Pesto di Pistacchi
A vegetable side consisting of sautéed courgetti, asparagus, fine beans and spring onion with pistachio pesto.
It is both vegan and gluten-free.
Fred. Olsen Italian Desserts
Three plated desserts appear on the photographed menu, followed by an additional sweet finish.
Cannoli al Pistacchio e Ricotta
Pistachio cannoli filled with ricotta and orange cream and served with salted caramel sauce.
The dessert is vegetarian.
Bomba di Tiramisù
Fred. Olsen describes its Bomba di Tiramisù as a refined signature twist on classic Italian tiramisu.
It is served with coffee caramel sauce and is marked vegetarian.
Affogato di Sicilia
The Sicilian-style affogato is considerably different from a basic espresso-and-gelato combination.
It includes:
- Lemon gelato
- A shot of limoncello
- Marzipan biscotti
A Sweet Finish
The meal concludes with:
Dolce Finale: Salame di Cioccolato e Digestivo su Ordinazione
This consists of homemade chocolate salami.
The menu suggests pairing the final sweet treat with a digestif selected from the drinks menu.
Drinks are an additional charge.
Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Choices
The Italian menu clearly labels dishes suitable for different dietary requirements.
GF indicates gluten-free, V indicates suitable for vegetarians, VE indicates suitable for vegans and DF indicates dairy-free.
Vegetarian choices shown on the photographed menu include:
- Beetroot “ravioli” with whipped feta
- Crispy coated burrata
- Buttery garlic and parsley bread
- Pistachio and ricotta cannoli
- Bomba di Tiramisù
The vegan choices shown include:
- Asparagus and pea risotto
- Sicilian-style orange salad
- Sautéed courgetti and vegetables with pistachio pesto
Several dishes are also marked gluten-free.
Fred. Olsen states that its restaurant teams will try to accommodate dietary requests and recommends speaking with the Maître D or restaurant team before the reservation for the best choice of suitable dishes.
Which Fred. Olsen Ships Have Colours & Tastes?
Colours & Tastes is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ specialty dining concept across its current three-ship fleet:
- Bolette
- Borealis
- Balmoral
The Italian, Asian and Gourmet Grill concepts operate as rotating menus.
Passengers should therefore check The Daily Times onboard to determine which menu is being served and when Colours & Tastes is available during their particular itinerary.
Colours & Tastes on Borealis
Borealis received an updated Colours & Tastes restaurant as part of the ship’s refurbishment.
The venue’s interiors were refreshed, and the rotating menu concept featuring Italian, Asian Fusion and Gourmet Grill dining was introduced from 2026.
Borealis also offers several other dining options, including its main Borealis and Aurora restaurants, The View for casual dining and the newer Mediterranean-inspired Fresco venue.
Colours & Tastes on Bolette
Bolette also offers Colours & Tastes as its specialty dining venue.
Its regular dining options include the Bloomsbury and Terrace main restaurants along with The View for casual self-service dining.
Colours & Tastes provides an alternative for passengers who want a specialty dinner during the cruise.
Colours & Tastes on Balmoral
Balmoral is also part of Fred. Olsen’s current Colours & Tastes program.
The ship’s main restaurants are Ballindalloch, Avon and Spey, while The Thistle provides casual self-service dining.
Colours & Tastes gives Balmoral passengers access to the rotating specialty menus for an additional charge.
What Time Does Colours & Tastes Open?
Fred. Olsen currently states that its specialty dining venues open from 6 p.m. on the days they are advertised in The Daily Times.
Because the restaurant and menu availability can vary during a voyage, passengers should check the daily program for the schedule aboard their specific sailing.
Do You Need a Reservation?
Advance reservations are recommended.
Fred. Olsen allows specialty dining to be booked through My Cruises before departure, and reservations can also be made onboard if space remains available.
Since Colours & Tastes is a smaller specialty experience than the ship’s main dining rooms, booking before departure can be worthwhile for passengers who particularly want to try the Italian menu.
Is the Italian Menu Served Every Night?
Not necessarily.
Colours & Tastes now operates with a rotating menu concept.
Depending on the schedule during the cruise, the restaurant can feature:
- Italian
- Asian Fusion
- Gourmet Grill
Passengers interested specifically in the Italian dinner should therefore check which menu is scheduled before making their reservation.
Is Colours & Tastes Included in the Cruise Fare?
No.
Fred. Olsen’s main dining and casual dining options are included as part of the regular cruise dining experience, but Colours & Tastes is specialty dining and carries an additional supplement.
The current advance reservation price of £20 per person makes it relatively inexpensive compared with specialty restaurants on many cruise lines, particularly considering dishes such as lobster, king prawn and crab cannelloni with caviar are included on the photographed Italian menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fred. Olsen Italian restaurant?
Italian dining is offered as one of the rotating menus at Colours & Tastes, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ specialty dining venue.
Which Fred. Olsen ships have the Italian menu?
Colours & Tastes is available across Fred. Olsen’s current fleet of Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. The restaurant rotates between Italian, Asian and Gourmet Grill menus.
How much is the Fred. Olsen Italian restaurant?
Colours & Tastes currently costs £20 per person when booked before sailing or £25 per person when booked onboard. Fred. Olsen has announced higher pricing for new cruises booked after January 5, 2027.
Is Colours & Tastes included in the cruise fare?
No. It is a specialty dining experience with an additional charge.
What Italian main courses are available?
The photographed menu includes lobster, king prawn and crab cannelloni; chicken Milanese; asparagus and pea risotto with oyster mushroom “scallops”; and spaghetti carbonara with chorizo.
Does the menu have lobster?
Yes. The Cannelloni di Mare combines lobster, king prawn and crab cannelloni with Gavi cream and caviar.
Are there vegetarian choices?
Yes. The menu includes several vegetarian dishes, including beetroot “ravioli,” crispy coated burrata, pistachio and ricotta cannoli and Bomba di Tiramisù.
Are there vegan choices?
Yes. The photographed menu identifies the asparagus and pea risotto, Sicilian orange salad and sautéed courgetti and vegetables with pistachio pesto as vegan.
Are gluten-free dishes available?
Yes. Several dishes on the photographed menu are marked gluten-free. Fred. Olsen also advises passengers with dietary requirements to speak with the restaurant team.
What desserts are on the Italian menu?
The photographed dessert menu includes pistachio and ricotta cannoli, Bomba di Tiramisù and Sicilian-style affogato with lemon gelato, limoncello and marzipan biscotti.
Is the Italian menu available every night?
Not necessarily. Colours & Tastes rotates between Italian, Asian Fusion and Gourmet Grill menus, so passengers should check The Daily Times for the schedule during their cruise.
Can you book Colours & Tastes before the cruise?
Yes. Fred. Olsen currently allows specialty dining reservations through My Cruises beginning approximately 13 weeks before departure and up to 24 hours before sailing.
Conclusion
Fred. Olsen’s Italian menu at Colours & Tastes provides a specialty dining alternative to the cruise line’s included main restaurants, combining familiar Italian dishes with several more contemporary interpretations.
The photographed menu ranges from beef carpaccio, Hasselback scallops and crispy burrata to lobster, king prawn and crab cannelloni, chicken Milanese, risotto and chorizo carbonara. Desserts continue the Italian theme with pistachio cannoli, tiramisu and a limoncello affogato.
Colours & Tastes is available across Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, with Italian dining offered as part of a rotating program alongside Asian Fusion and Gourmet Grill menus.
For passengers particularly interested in the Italian menu, checking The Daily Times and reserving early is the safest approach, since the menu offered at Colours & Tastes can change during the cruise.
