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After sailing on over 40 cruises and experiencing everything from inside cabins to ocean views and balcony staterooms, I finally had the chance to try something completely different – a studio cabin on board Norwegian Encore.

Before booking, I had heard that these solo cabins were unlike traditional cruise staterooms. With their “cozy” design, exclusive solo lounges, and dedicated meetups, I wasn’t sure if the experience would suit me.

After spending a full week in a studio cabin, I now have a clear idea of who they’re perfect for, who they’re not for and whether I’d choose one again.

With that said, here is my experience staying in a studio cabin onboard Norwegian Cruise Line.

The Studio Cabin

The Studio Cabin onboard Norwegian Encore is 99 square feet, which is the smallest stateroom I’ve ever stayed in. Since this cruise cabin is located in the studio area, it is an interior cabin with no balcony or windows.

Despite the studio cabin being very small, NCL does a great job of making it feel comfortable and providing a good amount of storage space. As an overpacker, I was surprised that there was enough room for all my clothes!

An interesting feature about the studio cabin is that the sink and shower are not separate from the rest of the room like a traditional cruise cabin. Although brushing my teeth next to my bed was a bit strange, it never bothered me.

For those wondering, the toilet is in a separate closet area, and it is not communal.

Since this is an inside cabin, there is no natural light. However, NCL designed the cabin with overhead and ambient lighting so it never felt too dark. There is also a virtual window which provides a live view of the outdoors.

Overall, the cruise cabin was comfortable and functional. Sure, it wasn’t overly spacious. However, it served its purpose, and since the cabin was so small, it motivated me to go out more and spend time around the cruise ship.

Related: Cruising Solo? 12 Things You Need to Know About Cruising Alone

Studio Lounge

One of the highlights of staying in a studio cabin is access to the studio lounge. The studio lounge is an exclusive common area for solo travelers to meet, mingle, and relax.

The studio lounge has a small snack station with complimentary fruit, cookies, and cakes. There’s also an espresso machine where solo travelers can enjoy complimentary coffee.

One of the benefits of staying in a studio cabin is that solo travelers will have a daily meetup (from 5-5:30 PM) in the studio lounge. This event is hosted, and it’s a great opportunity to connect with other solo cruisers.

During the solo meetup events, the host will create dining reservations, show reservations, and organize activities after dinner so solo travelers can connect.

Before this cruise, I always thought solo cruising would be lonely. However, thanks to this event, there are plenty of opportunities for solo travelers to meet.

What surprised me about the lounge was how friendly the crew members were. The crew was always friendly and chatty, which is a great way to make solo cruisers feel less lonely.

Who Is Solo Cruising For?

Solo cruising is perfect for independent travelers, social travelers, and even digital nomads. Throughout my time onboard NCL Encore, I met many solo travelers who enjoyed traveling alone for different reasons.

From cruisers looking to meet new people, to others looking for a break from their family and work, there are so many reasons to book a solo cruise. However, one thing that every solo cruiser I met had in common was that they were very friendly.

One of the main concerns people have about solo cruising is that they will feel lonely. However, when you sail with NCL, you don’t have to worry about that.

Norwegian Cruise Line has done a great job at becoming an attractive option for solo cruisers, making it one of the most popular cruise lines for solo travelers.

After spending a week in the studio cabins on NCL, I would say that it’s not only a cruise line for solo cruisers; it’s the cruise line for solo cruisers.

Who Is Solo Cruising Not For?

Although solo cruising is a great option for solo travelers, the studio cabins are not ideal for those who enjoy spacious accommodations. The reality of staying in a studio cabin is that they are very small.

However, since solo cruising has become so popular, NCL has added additional solo balcony cabins, oceanview, and interior staterooms for solo travelers. Although they may be a bit pricier, these are a great alternative for solo cruisers wanting a more spacious cruise cabin.

Related: Best Cruises For Solo Travelers – Everything You Need To Know

Would I Book a Studio Cabin Again?

After spending a week in a studio cabin, I would definitely book it again! Despite the room being small, I still found it served my needs.

The studio lounge was certainly a highlight as I got to meet so many other solo cruisers. I also enjoyed connecting with the crew members, and the included espresso machine!

Would you try a studio cabin or have you in the past? Please let me know your tips and questions in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

Ethan

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Ethan Schattauer, a seasoned cruiser since the age of four, has gone on over 40 cruises with his family. Drawing from his extensive travel experiences, Ethan offers a fresh and youthful perspective on the world of cruising. He also writes about cruise cuisine, onboard experiences, and practical tips, providing valuable insights for cruise travelers worldwide.