MSCs Missed Opportunity: Solo Cruisers

[CruisinMaterial]

I'm hoping MSC reads this!

 

When I was on the MSC Seaside back in early October it struck me as odd they didn't have a meet up for solo cruisers on the first day. I did speak with the Hotel Director after mentioning it to the cruise staff and it was eventually scheduled during the cruise. Fast forward to a cruise friend of mine who decided to try out MSC but in Europe and is currently on the Meraviglia. She's not seen one solo gathering meet up listed in their daily publication yet. It almost seems like MSC doesn't want solo cruisers on their ships. If this is a market MSC wants to attract, simply listing a gathering each night at a bar on the ship and having it hosted perhaps the first night would serve them better.

 

As a frequent solo cruiser, it is more important about meeting people and perhaps sharing dinner so it's less awkward than dining alone. I know the MSC Seaside did change their meet up to the first day at least for a few subsequent cruises. I am posting in hopes MSC will institute this fleet-wide and on ships in Europe with multiple embarkation ports to have it hosted on the first night of each embark port and have the other nights be un-hosted. Since the staff are there, it's only a minor adjustment in scheduling but one that could help the cruise line as solos having a good time together could spend more money on the ship!

[sidari]

Some years back MSC used to welcome solo cruisers and gave them good rates, then they brought in a guy called Giles Hawke who changed all that and has now moved on elsewhere leaving behind what you have today.

[CruisinMaterial]

28 minutes ago, sidari said:

Some years back MSC used to welcome solo cruisers and gave them good rates, then they brought in a guy called Giles Hawke who changed all that and has now moved on elsewhere leaving behind what you have today.

While solo rates are not something I was specifically after with the original post, they can help and sometimes MSC does offer them on sailings. However, it seems as a last minute idea to get the rooms filled.

 

What I'm more concerned with is how they handle solos once on the ship. Not all solos are extroverted but don't want to spend the cruise alone. The cruise staff on the Seaside were good at getting solos involved in events on the pool deck so they could mingle with their fellow cruisers. However, it was day 3 before they actually had a meet up for solo cruisers. I just would like to see this changed... feel bad for my cruise friend on the Meraviglia right now who is dining alone. She told us she misses the solos gathering in that one sense the most.

[sidari]

Maybe your friend could approach Guest services and ask ? Or maybe ask someone from the entertainment team to speak to the cruise director.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I cruise solo all the time.  Does MSC not have sharing tables?  That's where I meet people.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

I believe the OP is talking about meeting other cruisers in a more casual setting.   This should be done at the start of the cruise in order for singles to better mingle.  European cruises could simply provide a nightly meeting point since pax are boarding at every port.  I think that this would be a welcomed enhancement to a MSC cruise.

 

Hopefully the MSC management will read this and take action.

[DMH15]

My first solo coming up in May.  I booked double rate in yacht club.  I have a small but very friendly roll call who I hope to spend time with in the top sail lounge. I also meet people in trivia, at the pool, watching sports.   

 

I also enjoy alone time to chill.  

[GUEST080219]

Of course no statistical data but from chats I had I guess most people cruising solo don't even bother to attend those meetings. IMHO there are a lot of things cruise lines can do to be more attractive for solo cruisers but a meeting is none of them. 

[NCTribeFan]

I sail solo frequently and have never attended any of the "organized" solo/single activities on any cruise with any cruiseline.

 

I am active in my Roll Calls and meet people that way, and end up doing independent excursions with them plus meet them at the Meet & Greet/Mingle.

 

Even when I opt to dine solo, I always end up chatting with the folks at neighboring tables.

 

Sailing Sunday on Divina with cruise friends I made several years ago.  And I'm sure I'll meet lots of other interesting people on the ship.

[CruisinMaterial]

MSC assigns tables unless you have the Aurea experience where you can more freely dine. There is table sharing at the breakfast and lunch service which I experienced on Seaside but at dinner you're assigned.

 

I am a former NCL loyalist so I'm accustomed to the way NCL structured their solos programs, even on their ships without studios (sold to solo travelers). They rolled out their solos program fleetwide and its immensely helpful to meet other solos and break the ice. If you're not overly extroverted, it's a good way to meet and mingle and not have to guess if a person is truly solo or not.

 

As for the Cruise Critic roll calls being a source of finding people... yes they're great tool to meet people but not everyone has the time to come on here to do so. Some people work so hard that the only time they have for free time is when they step foot on the ship to sailaway on holiday. Plus, this new CC format is not exactly the greatest. All this to install a like button was a bit over the top.

Edited December 4, 2018 by CruisinMaterial
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[CruisinMaterial]

16 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

I cruise solo all the time.  Does MSC not have sharing tables?  That's where I meet people.

After I made the suggestion to the Hotel Director on the Seaside, they were going to institute a solos gathering on the Seaside starting on embark day. From the sounds of this, the decision was just on the Seaside alone. Hopefully it's still that way when you board.

 

My goal is to have something like that fleetwide established as I liked MSC's product on Seaside overall. Traveling solo can be a real bugger and it's not currently helping a friend to sail them again that I convinced to try them in the Med. I just hope MSC will see this and institute a change. It doesn't cost them anything as the crew is there already.

[bizzy_livin]

I used to be a very avid cruiser on MSC.  They simply do not want solo cruisers.  They have told me this on more than one occasion.  Even though they charge a 100% supplement, they tell me that they miss out on the other revenue that each cruiser provides including casino, excursions, duty free, etc.   In popular markets, they will not book solo passengers.  They generally will book out of Miami since they have a glut of unused cabins.  I moved on from MSC and recommend finding a line who appreciates solo passengers like Norwegian or Holland America.

[naxer]

I frequently cruise solo and will be doing my first solo MSC in February.  It's good when cruise lines offer solo and single meet-ups and events, but they don't have to do it for me.  I find whether it's at a singles meet-up, a couple at a bar, or a family, the conversations are generally the same. 

[scorpio123456]

I am on Meraviglia in January travelling solo.  

Think all MSC need to do is in program state a time venue and all solo, or people who want a chat can meet up.. 

[SeaShark]

10 hours ago, bizzy_livin said:

 They simply do not want solo cruisers.  They have told me this on more than one occasion. 

 

That is a very odd statement given that MSC is including solo cabins on their new ships. If they don't want solo cruisers who do they expect will book these cabins???

[bizzy_livin]

1 hour ago, SeaShark said:

 

That is a very odd statement given that MSC is including solo cabins on their new ships. If they don't want solo cruisers who do they expect will book these cabins???

I am glad to hear they are changing their philosophy.  All I know is what they told me a few years back and I continued to have trouble booking as a solo even though they would book for two or more.  As I say, I moved on and am happy elsewhere.  

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I don't think MSC quite knows what its philosophy regarding solos is.  I have a cruise booked next November for which they waived the single supplement in the YC--in a balcony suite.  We have a group of 7 women going--we each have our own suite, all with no single supplement.  This fall I tried to book a last-minute cruise.  No YC availability until I acquired a roommate--then suddenly 3 cabins were available.  I've never yet attended a solo event on a ship, so I really don't care whether or not they're on offer.  I can meet people anywhere.

[SeaShark]

6 hours ago, bizzy_livin said:

I am glad to hear they are changing their philosophy.  All I know is what they told me a few years back and I continued to have trouble booking as a solo even though they would book for two or more.  As I say, I moved on and am happy elsewhere.  

 

 

It is certainly a confusing situation. MSC says they don't want solo cruisers, yet they build solo cabins on their ships. You say you have moved on and are happy elsewhere, yet you are posting here.

 

In cruising, as in life, sometimes words and actions don't match.

[bizzy_livin]

8 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

That is a very odd statement given that MSC is including solo cabins on their new ships. If they don't want solo cruisers who do they expect will book these cabins???

Thanks for reminding me about what I don't like about Cruise Critic.  Why criticize me for adding what I know to the conversation and giving my viewpoint?  I think Cruise Critic should allow people to speak without fear of being flamed by someone.

[graphicguy]

I've sailed solo a lot recently.....including on the MSC Divina.  Never had any problems finding other solo cruisers.

 

The people I wanted to hang out with (and feeling they wanted to hang out with me) became pretty evident, pretty quickly.

 

I attended a solo meet and greet on one of my NCL cruises.  Not sure what I was expecting, but it seemed no one could agree on where or even when to meet up for things like dinner or lunches, or even clubbing.  So, I just went on my own to find others.  It's proven to work for me.

 

But, if you're looking for a solo gathering, I would imagine you can certainly ask the CD to steer you to those folks.

 

 

[SeaShark]

16 minutes ago, bizzy_livin said:

Thanks for reminding me about what I don't like about Cruise Critic.  Why criticize me for adding what I know to the conversation and giving my viewpoint?  I think Cruise Critic should allow people to speak without fear of being flamed by someone.

 

Odd...in the post of mine that you quoted (for the 2nd time today), I was speaking about MSC and what they do on their ships. How is that critical of you?  I wasn't being critical of anyone actually...just observing the difference between stated words and actions. I should be free to share my observations without getting flamed, right? You mentioned that MSC made claims to you about their position on solo cruisers...I believe you 100%, I have no doubt you were being truthful...I was only pointing out that MSC's actions did not match what they told you.  

 

I do agree with you, though. People can (and should) add to the conversation and share their viewpoint...and so can people who hold a different viewpoint. Not everyone is going to agree with everyone else, and not every reply is going to be supportive. Everyone holding any opinion is free to speak their mind. No requirement to agree or to only post responses that people will like.

 

That is what I like about Cruise Critic.

[bizzy_livin]

7 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Odd...in the post of mine that you quoted (for the 2nd time today), I was speaking about MSC and what they do on their ships. How is that critical of you?  I wasn't being critical of anyone actually...just observing the difference between stated words and actions. I should be free to share my observations without getting flamed, right? You mentioned that MSC made claims to you about their position on solo cruisers...I believe you 100%, I have no doubt you were being truthful...I was only pointing out that MSC's actions did not match what they told you.  

 

I do agree with you, though. People can (and should) add to the conversation and share their viewpoint...and so can people who hold a different viewpoint. Not everyone is going to agree with everyone else, and not every reply is going to be supportive. Everyone holding any opinion is free to speak their mind. No requirement to agree or to only post responses that people will like.

 

That is what I like about Cruise Critic.

Sorry, I touched the wrong post.  It was your post that said, "You say you have moved on and are happy elsewhere, yet you are posting here."  That is a personal criticism of me and was not necessary to make your point.  I am sure you have a lot to offer folks here and can do it without criticism of individuals.  

[SeaShark]

3 minutes ago, bizzy_livin said:

Sorry, I touched the wrong post.  It was your post that said, "You say you have moved on and are happy elsewhere, yet you are posting here."  That is a personal criticism of me and was not necessary to make your point.  I am sure you have a lot to offer folks here and can do it without criticism of individuals.  

 

No need to apologize...it happens...it was just confusing, thats all. 

 

Again, not a criticism, just an observation of what I see and read. You did say that you moved on and were happy elsewhere, and you are posting here. I think we can agree that both statements are true, yes?  I never said you did anything wrong that needed criticized, corrected, or anything else. Lots of varied opinions on a public message board. Take it for what it is worth. Different viewpoints or similar viewpoints, they're all only somebody's opinion....everyone has one (or more). It doesn't (IMHO) do anyone any good to look for negativity or negative intent.