The main Borealis cabins to avoid are the fully restricted-view ocean view cabins on Deck 3, where lifeboats hang in front of the windows, and porthole cabins low down on Decks 1 and 2 if you want a proper view. Light sleepers should also be careful with cabins directly under the Lido Deck, cabins above or below the lounges and restaurants on Decks 4 and 5, and cabins with connecting doors. For the best cabins on Borealis, look at the aft-facing balcony suites on Decks 6 and 7, the Premier and Owner’s Suites on Deck 7, or one of the ship’s many dedicated single cabins.
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Borealis at a glance
Borealis was built in 1997 as Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2020, alongside her sister ship Bolette. Fred. Olsen lists her at 61,849 gross tons, with 702 cabins and suites, around 1,299 guests at standard (double) occupancy and about 650 crew.
Two recent changes matter when you are choosing a cabin:
- Adults only: From 4 January 2026, every Borealis sailing is adults-only, so the usual worries about cabins near children’s clubs or family-heavy corridors no longer apply. Bolette and Balmoral stay family-friendly.
- Gratuities included: From 27 May 2026, gratuities are included in Borealis fares. That makes it easier to compare cabin grades on price.
Borealis sails mostly from UK ports such as Liverpool and Southampton, with the mix changing by season. That makes her a popular pick for Norwegian fjords cruises from the UK and winter Northern Lights voyages. Check the current programme with Fred. Olsen.
Fred. Olsen Borealis cabins: the main types
Cabins are on Decks 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. The public rooms are grouped on Decks 4 and 5 (restaurants, lounges, shops and the Neptune Lounge theatre) and on Decks 8 and 9 (pool, buffet, spa, gym, sports courts and the Observatory). The sizes below are approximate. Different sources quote slightly different figures, so check the exact cabin when you book.
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Where | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior (incl. superior) | 182 sq ft / 17 m² | Decks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 | Generous for an inside cabin on a ship of this age |
| Ocean view with porthole | from about 140 sq ft | Decks 1 and 2 | Small round window, shower only |
| Ocean view / superior ocean view | 190-215 sq ft / about 20 m² | Decks 1, 2, 3, 7 | Picture window, many with bath and shower |
| Superior ocean view, fully restricted | about 214 sq ft | Deck 3 | Lifeboats block the view |
| Terrace cabin | 218 sq ft | Deck 3 | Sliding doors onto the shared promenade, no private balcony |
| Balcony suite / balcony junior suite | around 245-280 sq ft plus balcony | Decks 6 and 7 | Floor-to-ceiling windows, sitting area |
| Single balcony suite | around 244 sq ft | Deck 6 | Balcony suite designed for one |
| Premier suite | around 390-570 sq ft plus balcony | Deck 7 | King bed, whirlpool bath, dressing area |
| Owner’s suite | up to about 1,180 sq ft | Deck 7 | Separate living and dining areas, very large balcony |
Fewer than a third of cabins on Borealis have a balcony.
Single and accessible cabins
Borealis has more dedicated single cabins than most ships her size, with over 50 spread across interior, ocean view and balcony suite grades. That makes her a strong choice for solo travellers. She also has wheelchair-adapted cabins with roll-in showers in several grades: ocean view, terrace, balcony junior suite and premier suite.
Make sure you know the difference between “wheelchair adapted” and “part adapted”. Part-adapted cabins have grab rails and a shower seat but no extra floor space, so they do not suit wheelchair or scooter users. Fred. Olsen’s access team can confirm the details of a particular cabin before you pay a deposit.
Borealis cabins to avoid (and why)
No cabin on Borealis is truly bad. Most of what follows comes down to personal priorities. But these are the areas where people are most often disappointed.
1. Fully restricted-view cabins on Deck 3
Like other ships of her class, Borealis carries her lifeboats along the Promenade Deck (Deck 3). Several ocean view cabins there look straight onto a lifeboat, so you get daylight but little or no sea view. Fred. Olsen sells these as a separate “fully restricted” grade (CO), so they are clearly labelled and usually cheaper. They are fine if you only need natural light, but avoid them if watching the fjords from your bed matters to you. Other cabins along this stretch may also have partial views, so check the deck plan and ask your agent about the exact cabin.
2. Porthole cabins if you want a view
The porthole ocean view cabins on Decks 1 and 2 sit close to the waterline. The round window is small, the bathroom has a shower only, and in rough weather the view is often just spray. They are good value and steady in a swell, but not for scenery.
3. Cabins under the Lido Deck
Deck 7 sits directly below Deck 8, home to the pool, Lido Bar, the View buffet, Fresco and the spa. Cabins under the busiest parts of that deck can pick up scraping chairs, deck cleaning early in the morning and footsteps late in the day. Some forward Premier Suites are reported to sit under sunbathing areas where loungers get moved early. Before you book a Deck 7 cabin, open the Deck 8 plan and check what is directly above it.
4. Cabins next to the public decks
Deck 3 cabins sit below Deck 4, which holds the Neptune Lounge (forward), the Borealis Restaurant (aft) and the main lobby. Deck 6 cabins sit above Deck 5, with the upper tier of the Neptune Lounge, the Aurora Restaurant, the Morning Light Pub and the Piano Bar. On a traditional ship with steel decks, most sound is muffled. Still, if you go to bed early, a cabin above or below a lounge with late music, or near the restaurant service areas, is the one to avoid.
5. Terrace cabins if you value privacy
The terrace cabins on Deck 3 have sliding doors straight onto the walk-around promenade, with reserved loungers outside. Some guests love the fresh air; others dislike walkers passing their door. Treat them as a halfway house, not a true balcony.
6. Connecting cabins
Borealis has a good number of connecting cabins. Great for friends travelling together, but the connecting door lets through more sound than a solid wall. Light sleepers travelling as a couple should ask whether a cabin has a connecting door before confirming.
7. Far forward, high up or far aft if you get seasick
Movement is felt most at the front and top of the ship. If you are prone to seasickness, especially on North Sea or Bay of Biscay crossings, a midships cabin on a lower or middle deck is the safest choice. Cabins at the very ends of Deck 1 are also a long walk from the lifts, which may matter if you have limited mobility.
A note on smoking and balconies
Fred. Olsen was once known for allowing smoking on cabin balconies, and older reviews still mention it. The line’s current guest conduct policy is clear: smoking and vaping, including e-cigarettes, are not allowed in any indoor area or on cabin balconies. They are only allowed in designated open-deck smoking areas. So you no longer need to worry about smoke drifting from a neighbour’s balcony.
The best cabins on Borealis
Aft-facing balcony suites
The aft-facing balcony junior suites on Decks 6 and 7 are among the most sought-after cabins on board. Their balconies look out over the wake, are more sheltered from the wind than side balconies, and on many routes catch the sunset. There are only a handful (Cruise Critic counts 16), so they go early. The trade-off is that you may feel a little more vibration from the engines and propellers than you would midships.
Premier and Owner’s Suites
For space, the Premier Suites on Deck 7 are a real step up. You get a king bed, a large sitting area, a whirlpool bath and a big balcony. At the top end, the Owner’s Suites (also called Olsen Suites) on Deck 7, behind the bridge, have separate living and dining areas, a dressing room and a guest toilet. Suite guests also get Fred. Olsen’s Suite Dreams package, which includes priority check-in, sparkling wine, canapés and laundry discounts. Check the current inclusions when you book.
Dedicated single cabins
Solo travellers on Borealis don’t have to pay a full double-occupancy fare for a twin cabin. The single interior, ocean view and single balcony suite grades are well designed, and the single balcony suites in particular are rare on other lines. If you are travelling alone, these are often the best value on board.
What is the best deck on Borealis?
For most guests, Deck 6 is the best all-rounder. It has a good mix of balcony suites, singles and interiors, it is one deck above the main lounges and restaurants, and it has the Lookout, a forward-facing observation area. Deck 7 is the premium choice for suite space, but it sits under the Lido Deck, so choose your cabin carefully. For a budget cabin with minimal motion, the midships sections of Decks 2 and 3 are hard to beat.
How to choose your Borealis cabin: a quick checklist
- Match the cabin to the itinerary. On a fjords or Arctic cruise a balcony or a large picture window adds real value. On a short Northern Lights voyage, much of the action happens on the open deck at night, so an interior can make sense. Our guide to Northern Lights cruises from the UK explains what to expect.
- Check above and below. Open the official deck plan on fredolsencruises.com and look at the decks above and below your cabin, not just the cabin itself.
- Read the grade code. “CO” means fully restricted, “F” means porthole, and a “D” in the code usually means wheelchair adapted.
- Ask about connecting doors and bathrooms. Some cabins have a bath and shower, others a shower only. Ask if it matters to you.
- Think about walking distances. The ends of Decks 1 and 2 can be a long walk from the lifts. Ask for a cabin near the lifts if mobility is a concern.
- Compare the price gap. With gratuities now included, look at the difference per night between grades. A small step up from a restricted-view cabin to a full view is often worth it.
- Book early for the favourites. Aft suites, singles and adapted cabins are limited and sell first.
Borealis, with her traditional style and adults-only sailings, suits plenty of experienced cruisers. See our pick of the best cruises for over 50s from the UK for how she compares with other ships.
Once you have picked your cabin on Borealis, our guide to the Fred. Olsen drinks package explains what is already included in your fare and when an upgrade pays off.
Considering her sister ship? Our guide to Fred. Olsen Bolette cabins to avoid covers obstructed Promenade Deck cabins and the best grades to book.
If you are weighing up another Fred. Olsen ship, our guide to Fred. Olsen Balmoral cabins to avoid covers the restricted-view and potentially noisy cabins on the older Balmoral.
FAQs
Which cabins on Borealis have restricted views?
The ocean view cabins sold as ‘fully restricted’ (grade CO) on Deck 3, the Promenade Deck, look onto the lifeboats. Some other cabins along that deck may have partial views, so check the deck plan for your cabin before you book.
Can you smoke on your balcony on Fred. Olsen’s Borealis?
No. Fred. Olsen’s current guest conduct policy bans smoking and vaping, including e-cigarettes, inside the ship and on cabin balconies. They are only allowed in designated open-deck smoking areas.
Does Borealis have single cabins?
Yes. Borealis has more than 50 dedicated single cabins, including interior, ocean view and single balcony suite grades, which makes her a good choice for solo travellers.
Is Borealis adults only?
Yes. All Borealis sailings from 4 January 2026 are adults-only. Fred. Olsen’s Bolette and Balmoral remain family-friendly.
What is the best deck on Borealis for seasickness?
Choose a midships cabin on a lower or middle deck, such as Deck 2 or 3. Avoid cabins far forward and high up, where the ship’s movement is felt most.
