trevor432990

Well AmoMondo I'm glad you had a different experience to mine because there seemed to be little flexibility in their stance towards solo cruisers when my TA contacted them. The mere fact they have removed all reference to solo passengers on their website seems sufficient evidence to me.

I did not attend their webinar but have subsequently listened to it and I may say was not impressed by their responses. They dodged the questions being posed by solo clients.

For some reason MSC have decided that solo passengers are, to all intents and purposes, 'unclean' in their eyes, and we should ring a bell before approaching them which is such a complete departure from their previous position I can only think new management are trying to influence peoples opinions.

I hate to say this because they used to be very good to us but they have completely reversed their attitude and in the circumstances I think we should do the same !! Don't you??

Yours truly has been a champion of this line ever since I restarted cruising 3 years ago after a 10 year sabbatical and have been on MSC Splendida and MSC Divina and written good reviews about them. Back then the MSC website had some very tempting offers for solo passengers with 0% single supplements on most of it's off-season cruise fares and it even had a separate section within its 'Cruise Deals' for solo passengers to find the offers quickly.

So what has happened to change my mind?

Since MSC UK has come under new management recently their website has removed any reference to solo passengers and has withdrawn all direct special offers to us.

When approached to quote for a solo price on any of the five repositioning cruises from South America to Europe this March/April my courageous agent was told that ALL five ships were FULL apart from MSC Poesia which they were willing to free off one inside cabin for a solo traveller. The sting in the tail was, you guessed it, the price of £2289 (incl. flights) on a cruise previously advertised at £713 p.p. (cruise only).

By my reckoning MSC UK were trying to impose a 100% single supplement on the true fare and those of you who have travelled on repositioning cruises before will know they are usually half empty because of the duration of the voyage and the number of sea days involved.

Can MSC miraculously fill five ships with a total passenger carrying capability of 16,397 for their repositioning voyages where others can't or do you think MSC could be trying to tell solo passengers where to go in two words ??

I have been searching for three days for a description of the spa services. I would like to know the difference between massages, facials etc. On Friday I decided to try the live chat, although it says on line after waiting 15 minutes for someone to speak to I got a message that the service was "offline!" I emailed them instead, no response. I hesitate to call because last time I did I spoke with the rudest person I have ever encountered from the cruise industry. Wish I had not booked, too late to cancel with out substantial penalty.

I don't see what your problem is. Have you tried using the Site Search box (top righthand corner) then type 'Spa Treatment'. I got 33 results including this page http://www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/An-MSC-Cruise/Spa-and-Fitness.aspx which if you click on the pictures you get more info on the massage, facial, etc. admittedly not especially descriptive but should be enough to make up your mind? If it's still no good then wait until you're onboard and go and see the spa staff yourself.

I am searching for our next Christmas cruise & even though I haven't been on my Monsters of Rock cruise yet I decided to do some pricing with MSC and possibly do them instead of the same ole cruise I do with Carnival.

 

I hate their site so much that I refuse to book with them even if it would be cheaper. Every minute or so a pop up comes up asking you to join their mailing list. If I didn't want to join it the first time it popped up why do they think 10 times later would have me eagerly signing up for it now?

 

I'm hoping that someone from their cruise line reads this site & see how horrible it is for someone who was 80% ready to go with them but there is no way I will go back over there ever again.

Smokey .... Don't give up on MSC just because it's website is annoying as that would be a waste. I really like the line and they have some beautiful ships and a different approach to the others. You have to appreciate the Italian temperament a bit and like the food as well but all things considered I think you would have a great time. So persevere with the website and give them a try. ;)

My Cabin is 9162 - can someone show me on above pic where abouts that is? I hope it isn't in the shade :(

As Pete said no shade problems at all I was in 9133 in January and it was great. Enjoy your trip.

I see you are being kept busy here Pete, well done ;)