missnd

Just because we cruise solo shouldn't mean that we're relegated to only the Solo cabins. With a few exceptions, they are interior and tiny. I've sailed in them, but since I can now afford to pay 200% at times, I prefer to get a normal cabin with more space and a balcony. (I do realize a few of these ships have solo balconies, but that's not my point). I was recently looking at booking a last minute cruise on MSC. They had slashed their rates for this particular cruise for everyone else, but as a solo, I could not book it at all. Is that their stance? They would rather a room go empty than to sell it to a solo traveler? I would get it if they wanted to hold out to try to book 2+, but when they seem to be trying hard to sell more rooms, why not open them up to solo travelers?

The top pinned post has a lot of information on this, including a spreadsheet where people have posted their outcomes. I submitted a status match request a couple of weeks ago with my Hilton Diamond status and received Diamond status with MSC in less than 24 hours. While I could have gone a couple of different routes (I'm also Marriott Lifetime Titanium), based on other people's results, Hilton seemed like the most sure thing for Diamond.

I applied for the status match a few weeks ago and received a response the next day. After that, when I was looking at cruise options and added the Voyagers Club number they sent me in response to my status match, the prices updated right away.

I am on the Virtuosa in two weeks and don't have any options to book Specialty Restaurants either. I called and the guy read off the options and prices to me, but then when I asked why I wasn't seeing those options online, on the website or the app, he told me they were all sold out for my cruise. I don't believe he was telling the truth, as others on the cruise still see options available to book. Probably just wanted to get me off the phone. I'm traveling solo and booked fairly last minute through the US site for a Southampton based cruise. Not sure if any of those factors weigh into why it's not available to me, but, yeah, definitely some issues with the MSC site. 🤨

Thank you so much for the reply! I'm sorry to hear about your credit card hack. That is never any fun. I really appreciate the feedback on the train times and ticket prices. I think I will heed your advice and book something in advance a little later to be safe and save some money.

@Lena11033 I was wondering how it went with your train back to London? What time train did you end up making? How expensive was it to book the day of? Thanks!

I always take my heating pad (with automatic shutoff) and have not had an issue on any cruise line or port. It is always in a carry on (I only do carry on), so not sure if that makes a difference.

I'm on the Bliss now in the Haven. The set up at San Pedro is not great. I arrived around Noon and there was a huge line outside the tent. I asked a couple of people where to go for the Haven and both said just to wait in the line and that there would be a separate area for Haven inside the tent. I spent about 40 minutes in the line and then as we were almost at security, I saw a guy with a Haven sign escort some people to an area on the right side of the tent. Once I got to that point in the line where he took them in, I asked, and he ushered myself and some other people through. Could I have just walked up to that point in the line and cut right through? I'm thinking I probably could had I known and probably would if I were to do it again. If you want to give that a try, there are essentially two white tents, the one on the right is just a line that zig zags through and the bigger one in the left is security. They separate out Haven on the very right side of the bigger tent (but it's all through the same opening in the tent). There was a security guy checking names and passports and then a separate metal detector for Haven. Once through that, we were at the end of the check in desks and they seemed to prioritize people in the Haven line. The waiting area was nothing special, and even though boarding was already well in progress, we had to wait for someone to escort us on by muster stations. They took us past the huge line to get on the ship (forward) and then to our muster station (aft). After that, they wanted us to then go forward again to the Haven lounge to meet our butlers, but since we were all staying in aft Haven cabins, we all bailed and went to our rooms to drop off our carryon items rather then schlep all that forward and then back again. . . Rooms were not yet ready, but I still dropped my stuff. Happy to answer any other questions if you have them.

Price for my upcoming 5 day on the Bliss was recently $229. I'd say $259 for twice as many days is a pretty good deal!

Correct.

Probably depends on what you mean by football. 🙂 Based on my experience on NCL, they will have the World Cup games on, but no College Football. The only times I have seen College Football are the playoff games. They will likely have the national NFL games on TVs somewhere on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday. Where exactly on the Prima? I do not know.

For the 5 day starting on Sunday, I can currently purchase one for $229.

What time was your room ready? I'm on the next cruise in an Aft Haven Penthouse and will be carrying on my one small suitcase. I plan to wait to arrive at the port a little later so hopefully I can go straight to my room.

I once ordered a Captain and Coke in an onshore bar and was served Sailor Jerry. Yuck. I couldn't drink it.

So, no Captain Morgan and did I also hear they no longer have Crown Royal? Maybe I'm just basic, but that cuts out like 80% of my drinks. And right when they've finally switched to Coke!