Is the Fred Olsen Balmoral Premier Suite Worth the Upgrade?
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 06 November 2026
Enjoying scenic cruising along the River Seine from the private deck of our Balmoral Premier Suite
Hosted by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. All opinions are 100% our own.
Can an older, classic cruise ship still deliver genuine suite luxury in an era of ultra-modern mega-vessels?
When we booked cabin 1019 on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, we knew we were stepping onto a traditional ship with genuine heritage. What we did not expect was a cabin layout so vast and uniquely shaped that it felt more like an apartment with its own private promenade deck.
After dozens of cruises across multiple lines, we have learned that glossy brochure photos rarely tell the whole story. Having tested suite life aboard Balmoral, we are sharing our honest verdict on what works brilliantly, what felt slightly dated, and whether this high-grade suite is worth your holiday budget.
Premier Suite 1019 on Fred. Olsen Balmoral offers roughly 600 square feet of living space on Highland Deck 10, complete with a separate lounge, dual-sink bathroom with a full-size bath, and an enormous private balcony. While missing modern bedside USB sockets, its exceptional space and quiet position make it a cracking choice for longer voyages.
First Impressions & The Unique Highland Deck Layout
Walking into cabin 1019 on Highland Deck 10, the immediate sense of scale is hard to ignore. This is not your standard rectangular cruise cabin.
Because the suite wraps around an internal ship stairway, it has an elongated footprint that creates distinct, well-defined living zones. Immediately inside the entrance, you find practical touches: four sturdy wall hooks for coats, keycard-controlled lighting, and a neat entry wardrobe housing pool towels, complimentary brollies, and laundry bags.
Moving into the entrance hallway, there is a dedicated vanity and drinks station featuring:
A mini fridge stocked with chargeable drinks and snacks.
A proper kettle with Fred. Olsen cups, tea, and coffee supplies.
Dedicated glassware and an ice bucket.
Wall artwork that gives the corridor a homely feel.
Directly opposite the vanity sits the first of two independently controlled air conditioning units, allowing you to regulate the temperature in the living room independently from the sleeping quarters.
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Fred Olsen Balmoral Premier Suite Tour: Cabin 1019 Has A BIG Secret!
If you are researching a Fred Olsen cruise holiday or deciding whether upgrading to a Premier Suite is worth the investment, this in-depth walkthrough covers every single detail. From the moment you step inside Cabin 1019, the sheer amount of living space is incredible, but this suite also features one of the most unusual layouts at sea.
The separate lounge area in cabin 1019 offers plenty of room to unwind and watch the wake through the balcony doors
Living Room Space & Suite Dreams Perks
The central living room is designed entirely around relaxation. It features a full-size sofa bed, two comfortable armchairs positioned near the glass doors, and a secondary writing desk equipped with a large flat-screen television.
Fred. Olsen includes their signature "Suite Dreams" benefits when you book this grade. Across the desk and living area, you will find:
A heavy-duty pair of binoculars and a world atlas for tracking sea day navigation.
Welcome fresh flowers and an onboard fruit bowl.
Evening canapés delivered straight to your door.
A complimentary pressing service for formal wear.
A ship stationery set complete with Fred. Olsen pens and postcards.
One vintage detail that shows the ship’s character is the retro bedside/desk radio panel, complete with built-in channels and illuminated indicators for shipboard announcements and rough weather warnings.
The separate bedroom in cabin 1019 can be configured as twin single beds or a double, offering a quiet night's sleep
Bedroom Comfort, Storage & The Plug Socket Situation
Passing through the internal door takes you into a completely separate bedroom suite. The centrepiece is a versatile bed configuration that can be arranged as two singles or joined into a double.
The bedroom features its own television, a second vanity desk with a stool, and an expansive bank of floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. Inside the wardrobes, you will find:
Heavy bathrobes and bedroom slippers.
The digital cabin safe.
Plentiful shelving, pull-out drawers, and full-length hanging space.
A standard handheld hairdryer (far better than the wall-mounted unit in the bathroom).
Managing Power Outlets Onboard
If there is one area where Balmoral reveals her classic age, it is in electrical convenience.
Living Room: Well equipped with two-pin continental European sockets and a single US outlet.
Bedside Tables: There are no plug sockets, USB ports, or USB-C slots beside the bed.
If you charge mobile phones overnight or use bedside medical equipment, you will need to run leads from the desk or bring two-pin European adapters with extra-long charging cables.
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Stretching the width of the suite, this massive terrace feels more like a private promenade deck than a standard cruise balcony
The Balcony: Your Own Private Promenade Deck
The private balcony attached to cabin 1019 is nothing short of vast. Thanks to the suite's wide layout, the outdoor space stretches out so far that it genuinely rivals the ship's public promenade.
Rather than the standard pair of upright chairs and a drinks table, this terrace comes fully furnished with:
A four-seater outdoor dining table.
A secondary bistro table with two chairs.
Two full-length sun loungers.
Eight outdoor chairs in total, leaving ample deck space to walk around without squeezing past furniture.
For scenic cruising days, having this amount of unobstructed private outdoor space makes watching sail-aways and coastal scenery exceptionally comfortable.
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Tom checking out the generous twin-sink bathroom and deep bathtub inside Balmoral’s cabin 1019
Was It Worth It?
Premier Suite 1019 on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral is a cracking option if personal living space and quiet comfort are your top priorities.
While the cabin decor carries a slightly older aesthetic and the lack of bedside charging requires some planning, the sheer physical footprint compensates for it. The separate sitting room gives you space to spread out, and the terrace feels like a private sun deck.
Who It Suits Best:
Cruisers embarking on longer voyages who value distinct living and sleeping quarters.
Anyone sailing warm-weather or scenic itineraries where an oversized balcony gets constant use.
Guests who appreciate traditional cruise line perks, including nightly turndown service, bathrobes, and fresh fruit deliveries.
Who May Want to Look Elsewhere:
Tech-focused travellers who get frustrated by a lack of bedside USB ports.
Guests who strongly prefer step-in walk-in glass shower cubicles over climbing into a deep bathtub.
We reckon for special anniversary trips or multi-week itineraries, this premier suite offers good value and genuine breathing room compared to modern cruise ship cabin dimensions.
Tom & Dom’s Top Tip for Balmoral Suite Guests
Our single best piece of advice for booking cabin 1019 is to pack a multi-port European plug adapter and an extra-long charging cable.
Because the bedside cabinets lack power points, charging your devices across the room at the desk is the only option unless you run an extended lead. With your charging setup sorted, you can sit back, relax on that massive balcony, and enjoy classic British cruising at its most comfortable.
If you are weighing up your cabin options and want to see how this space compares to a mid-tier category, take a look at our honest Fred. Olsen Balmoral Junior Suite review where we toured cabin 9023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plug sockets are provided in a Fred Olsen Balmoral Premier Suite?
The cabin features standard European two-pin (220V) sockets and a US socket at the living room desk. There are no UK three-pin sockets and no bedside USB or USB-C ports, so you will need to bring continental travel adapters.
What is included in the Fred Olsen Suite Dreams package?
Guests booking suite accommodation on Balmoral receive complimentary bathrobes, slippers, a daily fruit basket, fresh flowers, an atlas and binoculars in the cabin, canapés, and a free garment pressing service.
Is there a separate shower in Balmoral cabin 1019?
No, the shower is mounted over the full-size bathtub and uses a fabric shower curtain rather than a glass screen. There is, however, a separate enclosed WC with its own hand basin.
How big is the balcony on Premier Suite 1019?
The balcony is one of the largest on Balmoral, wrapping the width of the extended suite. It comes furnished with eight chairs, two separate dining/drinks tables, and two full-length sun loungers with room to spare.
Does Balmoral cabin 1019 have a fridge and kettle?
Yes, the entrance corridor features a hospitality unit with a kettle, cups, and complimentary tea and coffee, alongside a stocked mini fridge (drinks incur an additional charge).
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
