Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) pioneered the solo studio cabin with lounge inside their ships more than a decade ago and continue to recognize the solo traveler and cater to their needs much more so than other cruise ships and lines in my experience. The studio cabin is generally 100 sq ft give or take which for some may be too small and for others it’s just right. In 2024, Norwegian introduced “solo pricing” to inside, ocean view and balcony cabins categories which prices the cabins at less than the normal 200% single supplement. This is in addition to the popular studio cabin for solos. This is good news to solo travelers long penalized for being alone when the pricing is based on double occupancy. That said, the studio cabins are often in demand and therefore priced higher than the larger inside cabin so make sure you compare pricing before booking.
Cruise Solo – Who is Sailing Solo?
Solo DOES NOT always equal single. I’ve met many folks who are solo (aunts, uncle, grandparent) traveling with their larger family and want their own room. I’ve met college kids traveling with their parents who wanted their own room and not to share with a sibling. I’ve met married people who get connecting studio cabins so they can be together and yet sleep separately. I’ve also met married people who take separate vacations. I’ve met retired people, widows/widowers and of course then I’ve met the single people, some never married, others divorced. As for ages in the lounge, I’ve met college students up to a woman in her 80’s. Everyone had a story to share, was open to laughing and all loved to travel. I’ve met outgoing solo travelers and introverts. The best part of solo travel is that you can choose to be a social butterfly or stay inside your cocoon – a cruise gives you that option, however, NCL tries their best to offer programming for you to meet others if you want.
NCL Prima Studio Cabin Tour
What does a tiny cruise cabin for one look like? It’s actually very nice on the NCL Prima, one of the newer ships at NCL. The cabin has space under the bed for your luggage, storage space across from your bed as well as an open bathroom area which makes the room feel bigger. The bathroom has good storage as well. The double bed (surprise right you thought there’d be a twin bed for one?) is comfortable alongside a window to the hallway. The studios are inside and generally located forward on the ship. There are multiple entrances from either hallway as well as from the cross hallway by the elevators.
The solo cabin bathroom space has a walk in shower, large sink area and lots of storage above and below.
NCL Prima Inside Cabin Video
When booking my Southampton to Norway/Iceland cruise, I was late to the game and the solo studios, inside and balcony cabins were all sold out so I booked a Sailaway Inside Cabin (no Free at Sea amenities – cruise only fare) and was subject to a single supplement. I was keen to be on the sailing last minute so its on my that I paid more than I would have with an advanced booking. That said, to compare the size of cabins. This is the standard inside cabin on Norwegian Prima (and likely similar to NCL Viva, the sister ship in the line).
NCL Prima Studio Lounge
For those staying in the studio cabins, the solo lounge is a place for folks to gather to meet other travelers or to enjoy a larger lounge area. It also includes a refreshment area for coffee and tea (both free) as well as access with card swipe and beverage package to beer, wine and soda. Snacks are added throughout the day such as breakfast muffins and croissants, lunch items and afternoon/evening cookies and desserts. The cookies are delicious and not found elsewhere on the ship in my experience (did you doubt I’d find the cookies? long time readers know better).
If you are not staying in the studio cabins and are sailing solo, you can access the lounge to take advantage of the offerings. The solo cabin categories are spread between floors 12 and 14 (there is no 13th floor per se) so you are close to the lounge which is forward on the ship.
Solo Meet Up on NCL
The solo travelers are assigned their own daily meetup and their own activities director. For the entirety of the sailing this staff member will host daily (generally 5pm) meetup, plan activities and outings and depending on the sailing and the ship, arrange dinner. The host would usually ask icebreaker questions or play games to get the group (ages 19-74 on my last sailing to Iceland) to laugh and share stories.
Cruise Solo – Dinner Options NCL
When I’ve sailed on the NCL Epic transatlantic, dinner tables were reserved for solos to show up at 6pm each night after the daily 5pm meetup. There could be anywhere from 30-60 people across multiple tables of 4,6 and 8 in the main dining room corner. On the NCL Prima Norway/Iceland sailing, dinner was arranged with folks directly with an easy “who wants to eat at 5:30? Or I have 7pm reservation at this restaurant”. Most nights on the Prima, I ate with four or five people in different restaurants.
Solo Cruise Excursions
A cruise visits many ports and offers many excursions to discover the destination. The cruise ship tours are pricey but add a level of comfort and security that you won’t miss the boat if there are delays or unforeseen issues during your tour. As a solo traveler you can sign up in advance via the NCL app, online or onboard. You can also join a waitlist onboard if there is a tour of interest that might be sold out in advance.
You can also find people via the Facebook group for your sailing or the cruise critic roll call group. Many offer space on their private tours. Viator and Get Your Guide are other options to book tours in port.
Solo Cruise Options
There are many ships that offer solo cabins and each cruise line treats solo travelers a bit differently. Norwegian has continued to follow through on its acknowledgement that solo travelers exist (many cruise lines ignore solo travelers) and to build not only a passionate following but has created many new friendships along the way. I’ve enjoyed the solo cruise program and have met the most incredible people with stories of joy and sadness. Deciding to travel solo can be daunting (read my solo travel tips) but so rewarding in both experiences and stories. NCL Prima being a newer ship definitely makes going solo a lot of fun and relaxing. If you need to find me, I’ll be living my best life in the thermal spa relaxation lounge (for a fee of course!). Traveling solo has no limits as you create the vacation you want and need.