Studio Cabins

I enjoyed the solo cabin because I was traveling alone and we met every night in the studio lounge and had the option to go to dinner with the group instead of alone. Joey, our solo guide, reserved us the best tables also. I had a lot of new friends, it was a great experience. I am booked again in February 2018

I'm in a "large interior" stateroom right now on Oasis, and I have to admit it does feel very spacious compared to my usual solo studios. That said, it's about the only thing I prefer so far, and I wish I'd booked this cruise on NCL instead. :)

(I guess I might consider an inside on NCL next time for the slight extra space, but I'd miss the studio lounge and general quiet of the studios.)

They look like claustrophobic coffins. No thanks.

 

I've been in studio and inside: the studio was laid out much nicer, seemed a little more comfy, and the cool lighting was great. Studio does not compare to outside or balcony but head to head it's studio above inside. This does not even take into account the great espresso machine and proximity to other solo passengers.

I'm going to hide this here so I don't get jumped on in the main RC forums, but I'm on Oasis (usually an NCL studio cruiser) and pretty much hating it. The buffet is absurd--tiny compared to the Away ships and they still close half of it. Opened limited hours, so it's a madhouse when they finally open the doors for dinner at 5:30. (And the food is pretty awful.)

They seem to let people smoke all along both sides of the pool deck? I'm surprised I've never seen that mentioned/argued about before. It bugged me much more than the casino situation on NCL.

I miss the waterfront area (not many ocean views besides the overcrowded buffet or the smoky pool deck) and I miss the thermal suite, and the studio lounge.

I knew going into this that RC might not be for me, but I needed to leave from Orlando for this trip and it was cheap. I lowered my expectations, just not far enough. I feel like I'm trapped in a shopping mall, and I've considered pricing flights home from Jamaica. (Won't really do it, but a thought like that has never crossed my mind on any other cruise.)

Just needed to vent. I might do a longer "NCL cruiser tries RC thread" later. But man, the buffet situation is killing me. (I don't like long dinners and I'm very good at finding the good stuff on the NCL buffets, finding a table, getting out. You can't even get NEAR the stuff that looks vaguely edible on Oasis, and even if you do, it'll be a long walk till you find an empty seat. They don't hustle to clear the tables either.)

REALLY SHORT VERSION: I wish I was in an NCL solo studio *right now*.

I am considering going solo on a cruise and staying in a studio cabin. Can anyone give me some feedback on them? I'm not very outgoing, so thought being able to meet other solo cruisers in the lounge would be helpful. What is the typical age group of the solo cruisers? I am a woman in my 60's, just would like to have other people to dine and do activities with, not looking to hook up!!!

You are going to do great. Ncl

Is a very solid product and they do solo cruising well. My solo sailing had a great mix of people, join if you want, no pressure. I do one solo trip each year and usually choose to cruise. It's a very easy way to glide.

Peritax- super bummer :(. I very much enjoyed my solo on anthem, but that was largely due to the solo balcony (I laid on the balcony drooling most of the week). I totally agree with you about buffets - rc is miles behind ncl away class (including epic which was my personal fav). I am thinking of doing harmony for this years solo- you might just sway me.

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I should have just held out until Epic started its runs from Orlando, but I was itching to do a fall trip sooner. My own fault for being impatient. :)

(Now were also trying to outrun Maria too.)

REALLY SHORT VERSION: I wish I was in an NCL solo studio *right now*.

Hope you can make the best of it. I know you don't have to go to work so that's good. Good luck

Honestly if I compare an standard inside to the studio I would go with the studio. The layout is much more effective. It may be smaller, but due to the position of the bed and fixtures it has a nice feeling to it.

 

The shared common area is also a plus. Around breakfast time, there is coffee, orange juice, yogurt, fruit and pastries. Is it breakfast? For some yes, for other not. However it is still nice to be able to grab a coffee in the morning with no lineups or crowds. That is especially the case for the EPICS on those port intensive routes.

 

During the rest of the day there is coffee and some snacks available.

 

You have some common tables and lounge area that is quite and uncrowded as a retreat.

I totally agree. I'd much rather be in a studio than an inside. Whoever designed it knew what they were dong. If I could change anything I'd make the bed smaller--not as small as a twin, but a little smaller so there's more room to walk next to it in front of the closet. Other than that, I loved my studio. I'm back in a studio on the Epic next week!

Perditax, I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed in RC. I've never sailed them--something about them just hasn't appealed. I hope you find some redeeming qualities and that you're far, far away from Maria!

Sailing on the breakaway, solo, in October. I booked a balcony but might like to meet up with other solo passengers. Is there a way to connect with the "solo" coordinator if you are not in the solo cabins?

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Sailing on the breakaway, solo, in October. I booked a balcony but might like to meet up with other solo passengers. Is there a way to connect with the "solo" coordinator if you are not in the solo cabins?

 

 

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Yes, go to the solo cruisers meeting first night at public room(look in Dailies) and then you can go to nightly solo meeting in studio lounge.

Yes, go to the solo cruisers meeting first night at public room(look in Dailies) and then you can go to nightly solo meeting in studio lounge.

Thank you!

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Just checking in--I'm the one who was feeling sorry for myself that I'm on Oasis and not a NCL studio ship. :) I did consciously try to make some attitude adjustments today. I found that the sofas in the Champagne Bar on the mall, er, promenade deck are very comfy, nice place to chill out. Had dinner at Solarium Bistro, it's a complimentary venue. Service is a little awkward because they put salads, starters, breads, and desserts out buffet-style, but bring you your drinks and entree. But I basically had the place to myself, versus the sheer, unbelievable chaos of the buffet the night before, so I'll probably be eating dinner there the rest of the week.

Also spent some time in the Solarium pool. The Solarium is like an oven compared to the thermal suites, but the pool was nice. That said, it was a port day and I was there before lunch. Later on, I noticed the pool was "people soup", as they say.

(Did try the buffet for lunch. They had a "bread pudding" that had sort of curdled into scrambled eggs, and a "beef stroganoff" that had purple stuff in it. I took a picture and sent it to friends, it was crazy. Finally had a grilled ham & cheese sandwich that was soggy, and it made me miss the kids' section of the NCL buffet.)

Sorry for ongoing thread hijack, and thanks for the kind wishes.

They look like claustrophobic coffins. No thanks.

 

If you have any flexibility with your dates, and you're not sailing at peak time, you can likely score an Inside or better for even cheaper than a studio.

 

It's a much nicer room, and you can still go to the solo meet up events. Unless access to a decent coffee machine and getting a plate of stale cookies leftover from the buffet put out in the afternoon is a "must have" perk for you, then do yourself a favor and avoid these overpriced shoeboxes.

I was on the Breakaway twice this year : a studio in April and an inside in Sept.. I prefer the studio for floor space, storage and overall feel. Yes it is slightly smaller than an inside but has a much better layout in my opinion.

And the comments about the food in the studio lounge are misinformed and from a contributor who has not stayed there. The snacks were great, very fresh and delicious. My only complaint was they were not available at 3-4am when I was returning to my cabin each day. The attendant must clean up at some point before that time.

Absent a price difference, I would choose a studio cabin when traveling solo.

I also enjoyed the studio cabin when traveling alone. They were just big enough for sleeping and changing, which is the only thing I do in my cabin any way. I like being out and about onboard but to each his own,

This will be my 2nd solo cabin on Epic end of Nov. last Nov.i met a very nice friend from Wales ..we had fun together ..so we both booked the same cruise to meet up again..we have been emailing all year...I have read you can ask to have 1 of the beds removed from the cabin and have more floor space..i am going to request this when I am onboard,i never used the other half of the bed anyway,just used it to move the decorative pillows out of my way for sleeping