piper45maru

Thanks for the additional insight! I appreciate it.

That said ... OP should check again, I bet a studio will open back up.

I've been checking daily since I booked, just in case, but no such luck so far. When I booked, I asked if I could be on a waiting list, but NCL doesn't do that. I was also told that because we're already in the penalty phase for cancellations, it was unlikely anyway.

Thanks again, everyone!

Thank you both for your prompt responses! I appreciate it.

I do agree that the Studio Lounge should be a perk for Studio guests, but when I saw several people on these boards indicate that solo travelers could have unlimited access as well, I got cautiously hopeful that one of the perks I was kicking myself most for missing out on by taking too long to decide might still be available to me!

I'm sure I'm going to love my sailing. I'm very excited as she does seem like a superb ship. Thank you! :)

Hi all! I had been hoping to book a Studio cabin, and I waited literally just an hour too long to decide, and the last Studio cabin got booked! I am now in a balcony cabin, and I am excited about that, too.

I've been reading a lot of reviews, and some people say that solo travelers have 24/7 access to the Studio Lounge no matter what class they're sailing in. Others say it's only during the nightly solo-traveler meet and greets. I called NCL to check on this, and the PCC said that according to his information, solo access (other than those booked in Studio) is *only* during the nightly solo meet and greet. He added that it's possible that I could get onboard and be allowed different access, as the onboard people would know better than him.

I am in a balcony guarantee right now, but I am thinking of upgrading (if they'll let me, and it's not an outrageous cost, but the online price looks like only a $30 difference, and I booked in July so I shouldn't lose my July promo) so that I can choose a cabin on 11 or 12 to be near the Studio area. If I can't have 24/7 access, then going through the hassle of upgrading is less worth it for me (and there's always that pipe dream of scoring an aft balcony if I take my chances with my guarantee :p).

Can anyone who's traveled solo on the Epic outside Studio class weigh in with what their experience was with access to the Studio Lounge?

Thank you so much in advance!

I am an admitted spa aft balcony lounge chair hog!

I got one every day I was up there and I sat on that thing and read and napped for at least 4 hours every day. If at first you don't get one, get comfy on one of the inside ones and keep watching, they do open up.

Oooh, thanks for the tip and the hope! Although, my wallet is cursing you right now! :)

My pleasure.

 

You will love it, just go prepared (towel, drink and snacks). :D

Ahhh, that pic has me wanting to leave today instead of 4 weeks from today! I promise to arrive prepared to spend a day loafing in the sun. :p

Posh or the aft balcony in the spa.

I'm still considering doing a spa pass, and the aft balcony was a drawing point to some extent, but with only six loungers, I told myself to stop considering it a plus since I'd probably never actually get one. I know all cruises are different, and the number of port days, cruise location, etc. play into it (based on my research anyway), but in your experience, what are the chances of getting one? Or is a spa aft balcony lounger the unicorn of the sailing? :p

There's a quiet area on deck 18 which we used lot on our recent cruise.

Exit the garden cafe, and whilst facing the pool area there are two lifts - the one on the right is for Haven guests, whilst the one on the left takes you to the public quiet zone on deck 18. We found there were always plenty empty sun beds here, and if you keep walking towards the front of the ship (near the Posh sundeck), you are away from the noise generated by the pool area.

There's showers to cool you down rather than having to go down to the pool, and although there's no food/drinks, you can bring up your own or order from the waiter who comes by regularly.

Plus it has the daybeds, the round beds with a canopy (there might be one or two intact..). Great place but indeed a bit of a walk, great advantage is getting quick snacks from the buffet.

I'm heading on the Epic 4 weeks from today, and I was considering purchasing a Posh pass (if still available when I boarded), but I think you've convinced me that this might be my spot! I value the privacy over the food/beverage options, and I won't be using a daytime bar at all. I take a long morning walk each day as part of my normal routine, so a long walk to the sundeck sounds perfect--much better than using the track by the lifeboats. Thank you both!

I was periodically getting that message as well. I was eventually able to pay online. I just figured it was some kind of glitch. Glad you got it taken care of!

Great job on making a topic that's filled with positivity - it makes all the difference to new (and old too) members of CC.

Yes, adding my thanks, too!

I am beyond excited about my cruise and looking forward to so many things! These are just a few:

Being on a ship like the Epic

Being lucky enough to return to Europe once again

Seeing Italy, Monaco, the south of France, and Spain for the first time

Getting four new countries (if you count Vatican City) to color in on my "countries visited" map

Spending my birthday in Monte Carlo

Sipping wine on my balcony on the open sea

Meeting my SIL in Naples, where's she's been living for the last year, and having her show me her favorite spots

Meeting new people (I'm traveling alone) and trying new things (trying a bicycle excursion for the first time!)

Having a ton of different cuisines available that are not easily available to me (I live in the middle of nowhere--closest steakhouse is more than 2 hours away!)

The next month cannot pass by fast enough until it's embarkation day! :)

Odd that you are just getting that email now.

I still haven't gotten the email. The only way I knew was from these boards (thanks, CC!) so I prepaid a couple of days ago.

Request an Amenity Invoice from NCL, they will email it to you.

Thanks for the tip! I'm a very savvy domestic air traveler who knows all the rules and tips and tricks in that arena backward and forward, but this cruising stuff is new to me, and having been unexpectedly plunged into it a week ago and not knowing all the rules/tips/tricks is throwing me for a loop! I appreciate all the advice you experienced cruisers are throwing my way (not to mention that I've been devouring reviews of the Epic and the Western Med route on this site!).

Thanks again!

Very good point. I got an email receipt from NCL when I booked with the prices I was expecting. Will be sure to print that out before I travel. Thanks for the reminder since things are changing so much lately!

I prepaid my DSC last night, and now I have a section called "Amenity Details" that lists the prepay, but there is still no mention of the shore excursion credit. Glad I when I called the other day that they had record of it there!

I booked my cruise on 7/17 and paid in full. Nothing on the NCL website indicates I have a shore excursion credit (or any other type of credit). Under "Itinerary and Planned Activities", I don't have anything called "Amenity Details", either.

But I called NCL today to book my shore excursions, and the CSA verified I had the credit and booked my excursions with no problem.