HardToPort

Im an Anglo, Nunagoras, but married into a Portuguese family from the Azores. Beautiful country, beautiful people. Boa tarde.

Good points, Nunagoras. cheira bem, cheira Lisboa

“The Poseidon Adventure”? LOL, sorry, couldn’t resist and that was the first movie that popped into my head. Welcome to cruising and the Med is a good first choice. I hope you have a blast. Read through the “First Time Cruisers” threads and sign up to the Roll Call for your cruise. Cheers!

Was there last year on a cruise. Just walked off ship, showed my cruise card. Had a photo ID with me. Wasn’t needed. the document you reference might be for long term stays / airport arrivals etc.

No. I’m doing the Miami - Ocean Cay - Roatan - Cozumel - Costa Maya - Miami. I will definitely check out the Black Crab. Thanks for the tip.

Good post Styles. I think if someone has to upgrade to private suites and concierge service to get decent service then shame on the cruise line. Like you, I like NCL and never had a problem. my upcoming Divina cruise in April must be having issues selling out because I’m travelling solo and got a pretty awesome rate. Plus they’ve offered me a fairly cheap upgrade. If the ship is jammed, I’ll survive because I’ll just go read and relax where the people aren’t. I can eat off peak, don’t mind sitting way back in the theatre and can always watch a movie in my room. But if I was travelling with family and wanted a more traditional cruising experience, I’d be disappointed if the ship was inadequately crewed. I have a positive experience with MSC from a pre Covid cruise and I hope they’re recovering. Lots of other options if they don’t.

Never an issue ordering 2 drinks with another cruiser’s card along with my own. The other person doesn’t need to be in sight. Funnily enough I’ve never ordered 2 drinks for myself at one time. I’m guessing it’s a T&C violation and some crew may turn a blind eye. Most cruise lines can and will cancel a drink package for abuse. Over drinking or buying drinks and giving them to someone else are two examples. On MSC, the Easy + package includes specialty coffees and bottled waters. I usually have a couple of Cafe Americanos in the morning, multiple club sodas / waters during the day, along with 2-3 beers, 2 glasses of wine and maybe a nightcap. So generally break even on costs. I recommend it.

A couple of folks have made references to fellow passengers and my response is “This!” I’ve been on upscale cruise lines like Emerald and kid friendly cruises like Carnival, along with NCL, MSC and Celebrity. My fellow passengers have done more to enhance or diminish my cruises than anything the crew or cruise line have done. And neither the cruise line nor I can do anything about who actually buys a ticket. I book based on my needs at the time. For river cruising in Europe, itinerary matters the most. When travelling with my SO it is which cruise line has the best overall offering during the period we’ve chosen to travel. As a solo, it’s usually last minute and price is king. I can just as easily read a book and get some sun on MSC or Carnival as I can on Celebrity. But fellow passengers? Oy vey! On a very expensive river cruise we had an outspoken religious zealot, LGBT hating, extreme right wing leaning, never stop talking couple at our 8 top the first night. Privately, I asked the maitre’d to move us as far from them as possible for the next day. Done. Sadly, by the 3rd day, they sat alone at a 2 top and rarely had anyone socialize with them. How anyone in their 50-60’s could be so lacking in self awareness is shocking. Yet, on a Carnival cruise I met the most delightful, interesting, caring and fun group that had a blast. So, per the original topic, I think MSC compares well with other cruise lines’ onboard experiences though, as has been mentioned, they are still cutting their teeth in some ways. Their website and their customer service lines are two examples. Their pricing is, to my mind, reflective of their overall service. I wouldn’t cruise with them exclusively but I do like them.

You’re inside the 20 day window so cabin allocation likely imminent. I’d call if you don’t hear by Friday.

Yes, you need to clear customs in Miami. I suggest that you do the self assist checkout and walk off at earliest possible time. Uber to airport and drive back. The rest of your crew and luggage may not even be ready by the time you get back depending on debarkation scheduling.

Solo Cruisers I’ve found solo travel to be very refreshing. Now, I spent most of career doing business travel so solo flights, dinners and hotels aren’t intimidating for me. Here’s my thoughts on maintaining my distance or socially interacting depending on mood / preference. Maintaining My Distance 1) at any time of the day or night there are underutilized areas of the ship.That rocking night club is generally a quiet observation deck during the day.for reading, napping, listening to music. 2) the buffet is much more popular during breakfast and lunch than the MDR. Have your early meals in the MDR and dinner at the buffet. 3) carry a book and keep your iPods in when you’re eating or enjoying a drink. It’s a clear signal you don’t wish to engage and people generally respect that. 4) Utilize your cabin. There’s no shame in watching a movie or taking a nap in your cabin. Sure you’re cruising and the sea views are lovely etc. but your cabin is your oasis. 5) Lively bar vs quiet bar. Just like #1, various bars are busier / quieter depending on time of day. 6) Stay on board on port days. Wish you could get a deck chair but frustrated by chair hogs or the noise around the pool area? Use a port day as your pool day. In low-interest ports (in my opinion) like Nassau, I may take a quick look around the market and then chill by the pool while others enjoy their shopping excursions etc. 7) popcorn and movie night on the pool deck. Grab a deck chair, eat some popcorn, enjoy a moving. Sure there’s lots of people around but they’re generally focused on the movie not socializing. 😎 play slots if you’re a casino person. I’ve never had someone strike up a convo at the slots other than a quick “hi, how you doing?” (Obviously, this could get expensive) Interacting (A number of these are opposite of the above) 1) flip #1 above and hang out in the busy areas. If you’re having a drink, sit at the bar not at a table. You’re far more likely to strike up a convo with the folks getting a drink. 2) eat at the buffet during breakfast and lunch. If possible grab a table for 4. If you see another solo or couple looking for a place to sit, catch their eye and offer them a seat at your table. Eat dinner in MDR and if you’re not seated with a large group ask the maitre’d to place you with one. Just remember, never be shy to ask for a change if you don’t vibe with the group. 3) take up smoking. (Just kidding). I’m a smoker and some of my most enjoyable chats take place in the smoking section. You’ll see the same faces every day and you’ll always feel welcome. 4) Solo Meet and Greets - fair warning, I never attend those. But a number of solo cruisers I’ve met enjoy them. They are not dating or hook up meetings, just a way for folks to socialize. 5) excursions. Their very nature makes them ideal for making new friends 6) Senor Frogs / Margaritaville bars exist in a lot of ports and when the cruisers are in town they ROCK! Music, conga lines, silly contests, dancing on tables and bars, bottle shots. Frat house fun and even in my 60’s I enjoy the vibe (from my introvert’s seat away from the action). 7) Casino - play roulette, craps or a slot tourney to make new friends. NOT Hold ‘Em. Poker is not generally a social game. The players aren’t trying to take the casino’s money, they’re trying to take YOU’RE money. 8- Trivia, bingo, dance offs. Find your tribe at the activity that turns your crank. 9) smile. Make eye contact. Say hello. Everyone responds positively to this and you find yourself invited into more conversations, meal invitations and activities. (Warning: There are sketchy folks everywhere. Solo’s should be careful and never reveal your cabin location or personal details to other cruisers. Don’t hand out your cabin key card to someone who offers to get a drink for you. Avoid being alone, especially late or night, with anyone you’ve just met) any other tips for either maintaining distance or looking for new friends.

OP has a recurring theme on his threads. Context needed … Ship, itinerary, dates, port fees, drinks package etc. Without the relevant context, which would allow doubters to verify, I’ve gotta remain sceptical. Feels more like an ego boost thread vs actually helpful. As a good friend of mine regularly says, “Trust, but verify”.

Nassau is a bit boring TBH. But I usually walk to Junkanoo Beach. It’s an easy 10 minute walk from port and there is a beach hut there where the owner sells cold beer and conch fritters. He also has wifi. So I take a walk, enjoy a cold beer and a bite to eat, take a plunge in the water and hike back. I usually wander through the straw market as well and buy something just to leave a little foreign currency behind. You can also take a longer walk up to the fort. It has a nice view and the walk through town is nice. Thee used to be a cute chocolate factory en route but I haven’t been back since pre Covid so it may not still be there. lastly, Senor Frogs is right near the dock and is a lot of fun!

Thanks JT and you’re correct in booking what you really want, which I did. The Ocean View is fine. I just wish they’d stop teasing me!! LOL

oh Morpheus, I feel for you!!! on a solo of 7-10 days I’m using a carry on and a back pack. Learned long ago that I don’t wear half the stuff I used to take. Reading your post reminded me of the scene in “Titanic” of First Class Passengers boarding with hatboxes, wardrobes, safes, vehicles etc.

You can NEVER count on the arrival time, regardless of ship, regardless of port. Weather, parking (Nassau is a busy dock and I’ve seen ships wait while other ships dock or leave. This is exacerbated if it’s windy.) and unexpected delays can impact arrival time. At least in Nassau you don’t have to tender ashore. If you’re meeting friends arrange to meet them between 8-9. FYI, passengers with paid excursions get off first. Everyone else waits.

I’m a solo, in a guarantee ocean view so I don’t know where my cabin is and I’m good with that. My question is, I’ve received multiple upgrade requests but when I pick a number and go to confirm the amount gets doubled. Now, MSC knows I’m a solo traveller. The upgrade invitation clearly states “pp” with the cost applied to the first two cruisers in the cabin. But if there is only little old me in the cabin it seems I’m going to be charged based on double occupancy. Has anyone tried to upgrade as a solo? Is it based on double occupancy? I did try to to confirm this via MSC’s customer service but only received an “I don’t know. I think so. Maybe?” response.

OP The entire hospitality industry was decimated during Covid. Hotels, resorts, airlines, cruises, tourist experiences. They lost money, staff, momentum. The industry is working hard to recover and MSC is no exception, especially when it comes to staffing. So I expect the occasional hiccup. Yes, MSC has a wonky website. For less experienced travellers a TA might be a good option. The site rejected my post booking web check in on Tuesday and Wednesday yet yesterday (Thursday) I completed my web check in just fine. with most cruise lines I prepay my gratuities which are currently $14.50 daily on MSC (slightly higher in YC). There was no mention of this during my MSC booking / check in process. I’ve since found out these are added to your bill about midway through the cruise. You can still give your room steward or favourite waiter or serving staff a bit extra. Anyone who tells you additional grats are discouraged is uninformed. MSC management might discourage extra tipping but the $30 I give my room steward and the $10 or $20 I tip a serving staff is gratefully accepted. I do these tips early in the cruise, not the last day. I will generally have a “favourite” bar and staff are assigned to one location. An early tip and a polite manner usually results in my favourite drink getting prepared when they see me come in even if there is a line up. Know the names of your favourite servers and greet them with a smile. I’ve never dealt with MSC’s customer service but complaints about them are many. My only suggestion is, do your best to resolve any issues while still on board. It seems the process becomes more difficult once you’re off the ship. Per your cabin question, any midship cabin feels the front to back ocean movement less than forward and aft cabins. However, the higher up you are the more pronounced the roll is. Having said this, modern ships are very stable unless you run into extreme weather in which case all bets are off and hold on to the guard rails!

what do you mean, “You’ve never heard of Flamingo Guitarists”?

Hi DDLB, You have probably chosen a dining time during booking. Solo’s are generally seated with a group at a larger table. You likely won’t have to do anything. If you’re seated alone (highly unlikely) just ask the maitre’d for a seating change. One note … don’t ever put up with dinner companions you don’t feel comfortable with. If the group vibe isn’t for you request a seating change. This is a common occurrence for cruise staff and they’ll switch. Just make your request during a quieter time, not during the dinner rush. Most cruises have solo meet and greets as well. Don’t be afraid to stick your nose in, have a drink and mingle. Cruisers are generally very welcoming. I often have the opposite issue. When I travel alone I’m really looking to catch up on reading, relaxing and “me time”. However, people see a solo traveller and with good intentions will try to invite me into their group. It can be a delicate balancing act to keep to myself without offending very kind people. Solo travel isn’t for everyone, but travelling alone doesn’t mean being lonely if you put yourself out there. cheers!

SaxMan, I take an annual solo vacay, usually a cruise. Regardless of the size of the ship or number of passengers I can always find a quiet space. That loud night club at the front of the ship is a quiet library during the day? The MDR’s are great places for breakfast and lunch while the crowds are chowing down at the buffet. Stay on board during a port day and soak in the hot tub. Many cruise line websites have a “Solo” section. I rarely pay much more for solos that the dual pp rate. Having said that I’m very flexible. Cruising out of Miami to some boring ports (Nassau and Freeport for example) at a deep discount? Sign me up!! I’ve been to most Caribbean ports so I’m just looking for a good price on a decent ship.

I like a solo trip once a year. I need the alone time. Last year I did a week on NCL who have anytime dining so I would dress for dinner (shirt and sports jacket) and wander down. On the first night I advised the maitre’d I wished for a two top and had no location preferences. She’d seat me immediately or ask me to go have a drink and free up a table for me later. MSC has assigned dining times and if the early seating is busy, I’ll ask to flip to late. If you work with them, they’ll work with you. Every night there are people who don’t come to the MDR to eat. 10-15 minutes after the assigned time they’ll seat you at an unused table. Now, I’m not a complete curmudgeon and enjoy the company of others occasionally. When I do I ask the maître’d if I can be seated with a group. It’s rarely a problem. Be flexible (and slide the maitre’d a $20 early in the cruise) and they’ll bend over backwards to accommodate you. A tip to other solo’s who like to dine alone. Breakfast and lunch are great times to enjoy a nice meal in the MDR. Linen tablecloth and napkins, proper cutlery, a drink (mimosa in the AM and a cold beer at lunch), personal service and generally a great table by the window. I’ve never understood why people line up at the noisy, crowded buffet when a quiet oasis is only steps away.

Just booked April 14th on Divina. I always try to do everything as early as possible. Yes, the MSC site is problematic. However, I also booked a “pay a cheap fare and we’ll advise you what cabin we’re giving you” deal. So I just assumed since I didn’t have an assigned cabin that was the reason I couldn’t complete boarding. Also, I’ve changed phone # and address since last MSC cruise. I repeatedly tried to Edit both but every time I hit Save, the old info remained. <sigh> I’m just going to wait until I’m 20 days out and my cabin is confirmed and try again. I’m a little OCD and I do like to complete my web check in early, but I’ll use this a lesson in patience and just do my deep breathing exercises. 8^}

I was solo on NCL in March. I wasn’t looking for company but there was a daily Solo Traveler meeting on the itinerary. Also, if you want to be booked at a table with company ask the maitre’d. They will be happy to arrange it. enjoy!