I was looking for a last minute cruise traveling solo. I knew that some of the newer NCL ships have studio cabins which appeal to solo travelers given that the pricing is better than those cruise lines that require a solo traveler to pay double occupancy in a room. I learned through research that NCL often offers really great deals for solo travelers in all staterooms, especially within 30 days or so of travel. I ended up getting a balcony room for $499 total (less taxes, port fees and the daily service charge). I found this deal to be too good to pass up.
I was assigned balcony room # 9628 and I was really pleased with it. I had quiet neighbors and the location was great. I never take the elevators - ever - when on a ship. It helps me to justify, in some small way, eating all of the fattening food cruising offers. This ship size and cabin location made it easy to skip the elevators.
The ship is 11 years old and there are signs of wear but they do a great job of keeping it clean and shiny.
This cabin was in a great quiet location. I have been in cabins before where there are strange noises from crew doors, crew activities, noises from foot traffic or music from venues above or below, or the ship itself but this cabin was quiet. I did hear a bit of wind as described below.
The cabin has an adjoining door to the next door cabin but the doors were locked since I was not traveling with my neighbors. The door frame protrudes a little and I though it was annoying at first since cabins are usually tight on space but I got used to it quick. I did hear some wind running between the doors (must be a hollow space) which I thought might bother me as I'm a very light sleeper but I sleep with the balcony door open and the the sound of the water prevailed over any possible wind noise.
The carpet color in this room is primarily orange and hot pink. Many cabin rooms have a more neutral blue tone color which I would have preferred but not a big deal. The drapes have some wear in that light shines through more prominently through some of the blackout fabric like the fabric inside is beginning to disintegrate but it's minimal.
I think the bathrooms are well designed in these cabins if only there was a bit more room in the toilet and shower compartments.
There is some ad hoc moveable furniture (a small table, a stool and a chair). These items really clutter the room so I put them in my closet. I saw others moved one or more of these items to the balcony.
Medano Beach and a walk around the marina. This port has the best swimming and beaches in my opinion because of the beautiful Sea of Cortez. It's also the warmest of the waters. Very nice free bathrooms in the mall on the marina.
Old town Mazatlan (following the painted blue line), the cathedral and up to the Malecon to check out the statues and cliff divers.
Check out all of the cool statues on the Malecon, walked over the bridge of the Rio Cuale and found two iguanas soaking up the sun in the trees, checked out zona romantica too.