Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cabins to Avoid (and the Best Cabins to Book)

The Balmoral cabins to avoid are mainly the restricted-view cabins on Lido Deck 8 (lifeboats block part or all of the window), cabins directly below busy public spaces such as the pool deck, restaurants and the Neptune Lounge, and low, forward cabins on Marina and Coral decks if you are prone to seasickness. For most passengers, the safest choice is a midship cabin on Bridge Deck 9, which has cabins above and below it and no restricted views on the official deck plan.

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Below, we go through the ship deck by deck using Fred. Olsen’s current deck plan, explain each cabin type, and flag the specific cabin numbers that the cruise line itself marks as restricted view.

Is Balmoral still sailing with Fred. Olsen?

Yes. As of November 2026, Balmoral is very much part of the fleet alongside Bolette and Borealis. She left Southampton on 30 September 2026 on a 71-night Mediterranean voyage returning on 10 December, then switches to no-fly round trips from Southampton to Northern Europe and the Canaries through to late April. Fred. Olsen has also scheduled her for Mediterranean and Canary Islands sailings in 2027 and for voyages in early 2028, including a 36-night Bermuda, Bahamas and Puerto Rico round trip from Portsmouth. There has been no announcement of a sale or retirement, though at almost 40 years old she is the oldest ship in the fleet, so it is worth keeping an eye on news if you are booking far ahead.

Balmoral at a glance

Balmoral is Fred. Olsen’s smallest ship, and that is a large part of her appeal. Many of her passengers are retired, and you can see why in our guide to the best cruises for over 50s. The age of the ship does matter when choosing a cabin, though. Some guests report creaking panels in older cabin blocks, and the layout has quirks that a newer ship would not.

Fred. Olsen Balmoral cabin types explained

Every cabin has a safe, smart TV, a drinks cooler, tea and coffee making facilities and an en-suite shower room, and some include a bathtub. Sizes below come from Fred. Olsen’s 2026 deck plan.

Single cabins

Balmoral is one of the better ships at sea for solo travellers, with single interiors, porthole and picture window singles, single balcony cabins and single balcony suites. Singles are spread across most cabin decks, so you can choose a location as carefully as a couple would rather than taking whatever is left.

Owner’s Suites and other suites

The two Owner’s Suites sit aft on Highland Deck 10, with the Premier, Marquee and Superior Suites running along the same deck. Suite guests are high up and close to the Spey and Avon restaurants, but read the noise notes below before choosing one at the aft end of the deck.

Balmoral cabins to avoid, deck by deck

1. Restricted-view cabins on Lido Deck 8

This is the big one. Fred. Olsen’s own deck plan marks most of the forward and aft cabin blocks on Lido Deck 8 as restricted view, because lifeboats and rescue equipment hang outside the windows. A number are marked fully restricted, meaning you will see very little of the sea at all:

• Fully restricted: 8022, 8023, 8024, 8025, 8038, 8039, 8040, 8041, 8042, 8043, 8073, 8074, 8075, 8076, 8084 and 8086.
• Partly restricted: most of the remaining forward cabins between 8007 and 8045, plus the aft block from 8061 to 8082.

These cabins are usually priced as ocean view, so they can be good value if you mainly sleep in your cabin, but do not book one expecting a sunrise view from bed. The midship section of Deck 8 (8046 to 8070) is not marked as restricted.

2. Cabins under the pool deck and sun loungers

On Highland Deck 10, the suites roughly from 1016 aft to 1030 sit beneath Marquee Deck 11’s swimming pool, jacuzzis and sun deck. Loungers being dragged around early in the morning and deck activity during the day can carry through the ceiling. Light sleepers paying suite prices may prefer the forward end of Deck 10.

3. Cabins below or beside restaurants

• Bridge Deck 9 aft (about 9078 to 9098): these sit below the Spey and Avon restaurants on Deck 10, where tables are set up for breakfast early and cleared late.
• Main Deck 6 aft (about 6095 to 6112): these are next to the Ballindalloch Restaurant, so expect more passing foot traffic around meal times.

4. Cabins below the theatre and bars

The forward Lido Deck 8 cabins sit above the Neptune Lounge on Lounge Deck 7, where the evening shows and late entertainment take place. On Main Deck 6, the cabins around the central atrium and lobby (roughly 6048 to 6063) are below the Lounge Deck 7 shops, the Bookmark Café and the Morning Light Pub, which can stay lively into the night.

5. Forward cabins on Bridge Deck 9

The cabins at the front of Bridge Deck 9 (about 9006 to 9023) sit beneath the Atlantis Spa and Fitness Centre. Early risers on treadmills are not usually loud, but dropped weights can be heard. These are also forward, so they move more in a swell.

6. Low and forward cabins on Marina and Coral decks

Marina Deck 3 and Coral Deck 4 are the lowest cabin decks. The porthole cabins at the bow (3002 to 3016 on Deck 3, 4001 to 4017 on Deck 4) feel the pitch of the ship most in rough water. That matters on Balmoral more than on a mega-ship, because she is small and many itineraries cross the Bay of Biscay or the North Sea. Low decks can also pick up engine and thruster noise, especially towards the stern, and Deck 3 is home to the medical centre.

7. Connecting cabins

The official deck plan marks connecting cabins with a separate symbol. They are handy for families or friends travelling together, but the connecting door lets more sound through than a solid wall. If you are not using the connection, ask your agent to avoid one.

Best cabins on Balmoral

1. Midship on Bridge Deck 9. The central stretch of Deck 9 (about 9024 to 9070) has cabins above and below, no restricted views on the official plan, and sits close to the lifts. This is where we would point most first-time Balmoral guests.
2. Midship balcony junior suites on Lido Deck 8. The block from 8046 to 8070 avoids the restricted-view sections either side, with good space at 279 sq ft for the balcony junior suites.
3. Picture window cabins on Main Deck 6. None of the Deck 6 outside cabins is marked as restricted, and they are a deck below the main public rooms, which keeps you close to everything. Choose away from the atrium and the aft restaurant end for the quietest nights.
4. Atlantic Deck 5 midship. Low and central is the most stable place on any ship. The picture window and porthole cabins in the middle of Deck 5 suit anyone worried about seasickness.
5. Single cabins midship. Solo travellers should pick a single in the central section of Deck 5, 6 or 9 rather than taking a forward Deck 3 porthole single simply because it is cheapest.

Aft-facing cabins on Bridge Deck 9 (around 9078 to 9098) have their fans thanks to the wake views and bathtubs in many of them, but you trade that for the restaurants overhead.

Which is the best deck on Balmoral?

For most people, Bridge Deck 9 is the best deck on Balmoral. It is all cabins, it sits between Lido Deck 8 and Highland Deck 10 rather than under a pool or theatre, and none of its cabins is marked as restricted view. Atlantic Deck 5 is the runner-up for anyone who puts stability first. For a wider look at how deck choice affects motion, noise and convenience, see our guide to the best deck on a cruise ship for every type of cruiser.

Tips for using the Balmoral deck plan

• Check the symbols. On Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral deck plan, a plus sign means restricted view and a filled square means fully restricted. These are easy to miss on a small screen.
• Look up and down. Compare your cabin with the deck above and below. The deck plan shows public rooms clearly, and that is where most noise complaints come from.
• Ask about guarantee fares. A cheaper guarantee cabin can land you in a restricted-view Deck 8 cabin. If a view matters to you, pay for a named cabin.
• Look at the sister ships too. If Balmoral’s layout does not suit you, compare our guides to Borealis cabins to avoid and Bolette, which are newer and slightly larger.

FAQs

Which Balmoral cabins have restricted views?

Fred. Olsen’s deck plan marks most forward and aft cabins on Lido Deck 8 as restricted view because of lifeboats. Cabins 8022 to 8025, 8038 to 8043, 8073 to 8076, 8084 and 8086 are marked fully restricted.

Is Balmoral being retired by Fred. Olsen?

No retirement or sale has been announced. As of November 2026 Balmoral is sailing, and she has cruises scheduled through 2027 and into early 2028.

What is the best deck on Balmoral for seasickness?

A midship cabin on Atlantic Deck 5 or Main Deck 6 is the most stable choice. Avoid forward cabins on Marina Deck 3 and Coral Deck 4 if you are prone to seasickness.

Does Balmoral have single cabins?

Yes. Balmoral has more than 60 single cabins, from single interiors and porthole cabins to single balcony cabins and single balcony suites.

Where are the Owner’s Suites on Balmoral?

The two Owner’s Suites, 1023 and 1026, are on Highland Deck 10. Fred. Olsen’s 2026 deck plan lists them at 1,181 sq ft.