MSC discriminating solo cruisers?

[Capitan Obvious]

49 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Can yo explain the reasons why you understand? Solo cruisers pay at MSC double prices. Where is the lost for MSC? 
 

 

 

Isn't the answer (ahem) obvious? A solo cruiser only pays double for the fare. They don't take double the excursions, order double the drinks, eat double the specialty dinners, buy double the items from the stores, buy double the photos, gamble twice as much, etc. Cruise lines make their money from ONBOARD spending. Two people, on average, will spend more onboard than a solo.

[Mark_T]

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

If solo passengers pay for two, why are they putting a ban? 

This has been answered several times in this thread already, it is not just about the cruise fare, it is about all the other spending for drinks, speciality restaurants, excursions, casino, retail etc.

 

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

For me it is definitely discrimination.

Wanting to book a double cabin for single use is not a protected class...

 

This is about revenue protection, not discrimination.

 

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by Mark_T

[JT1962]

1 hour ago, Capitan Obvious said:

 

Isn't the answer (ahem) obvious? A solo cruiser only pays double for the fare. They don't take double the excursions, order double the drinks, eat double the specialty dinners, buy double the items from the stores, buy double the photos, gamble twice as much, etc. Cruise lines make their money from ONBOARD spending. Two people, on average, will spend more onboard than a solo.

I have noticed recently when looking at solo rates that they are now charging a substantial supplement for the solo rates that include drinks & wifi vs the cruise only rates and double occupancy rates with Drinks & WiFi.  The Feb 1 Seashore 3 day cruise booked double occupancy as cruise only is $ 169 pp and with Drinks / WiFi is $ 379 pp. When the same cruise is booked solo, the price is $ 278 cruise only, but jumps to $ 698 with the Drinks / WiFi package. 

[JamieLogical]

3 hours ago, travelberlin said:

Can yo explain the reasons why you understand? Solo cruisers pay at MSC double prices. Where is the lost for MSC? 
 

 

 

They pay double fare, but a lot of the revenue for MSC is generated by onboard spending. A solo cruiser is likely to buy less in the shops, buy fewer drinks (if they don't have a drink package), order fewer specialty dining meals, attend fewer ticketed shows, take fewer excursions, and spend less in the casino than multiple passengers. Sure you are going to have entire families of four who never spend a dime onboard and you are going to have solo cruisers who spend thousands buying jewelry or gambling onboard, but on average, more people means more onboard spending.

[travelberlin]

28 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

They pay double fare, but a lot of the revenue for MSC is generated by onboard spending. A solo cruiser is likely to buy less in the shops, buy fewer drinks (if they don't have a drink package), order fewer specialty dining meals, attend fewer ticketed shows, take fewer excursions, and spend less in the casino than multiple passengers. Sure you are going to have entire families of four who never spend a dime onboard and you are going to have solo cruisers who spend thousands buying jewelry or gambling onboard, but on average, more people means more onboard spending.

I understand but a solo cruiser is probably going to take more ships excursions because of traveling solo. Will probably use the hair salon or spa services more. And I do not believe that the whole family gamble on the casino. But Ok … it is an unfortunate policy. Me as a solo cruiser sometimes, I am looking and finding better alternatives for cruising and taking my business somewhere else. Maybe the Italians at MSC that are extremely family friendly, will one day realize that there are others who want to cruise solo and not with the mama, the papa, and the extended family 😎

[travelberlin]

3 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

Poesia in October. 

Look at the Grand Voyages…

[travelberlin]

2 hours ago, Mark_T said:

This has been answered several times in this thread already, it is not just about the cruise fare, it is about all the other spending for drinks, speciality restaurants, excursions, casino, retail etc.

 

Wanting to book a double cabin for single use is not a protected class...

 

This is about revenue protection, not discrimination.

 

 

If you pay the double price why it should not be possible? It is discrimination. They do not allow solo cruisers even though the solo cruisers will pay for two. 
 

Is discrimination on the name of maximizing revenue acceptable to you? It is not to many of us.
 

 

[Stocksy82]

Now where is that 'banging your head against a brick wall emoji'?

[broberts]

On 9/3/2023 at 11:24 PM, goldrusher said:

MSC REFUSES TO BOOK SINGLE CABINS- OUTRAGEOUS!

 

Alternate title: MSC REFUSES TO TAKE LESS MONEY - OUTRAGEOUS!

[travelberlin]

6 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

Alternate title: MSC REFUSES TO TAKE LESS MONEY - OUTRAGEOUS!

You travel also solo?

[JT1962]

21 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

I understand but a solo cruiser is probably going to take more ships excursions because of traveling solo. Will probably use the hair salon or spa services more. And I do not believe that the whole family gamble on the casino. But Ok … it is an unfortunate policy. Me as a solo cruiser sometimes, I am looking and finding better alternatives for cruising and taking my business somewhere else. Maybe the Italians at MSC that are extremely family friendly, will one day realize that there are others who want to cruise solo and not with the mama, the papa, and the extended family 😎

As a solo cruiser, I can relate. I only cruised with MSC post-Covid, so I don’t know what their solo rates were previously. They definitely offered the best solo rates since Covid, but may just be going back to their previous policies. 

 

Norwegian Cruise Lines may be a good alternative since they are adding almost 1,000 solo cabins fleet wide. 
 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/10/07/norwegian-cruise-line-solo-cabins/71057035007/

[RD64]

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

I understand but a solo cruiser is probably going to take more ships excursions because of traveling solo. Will probably use the hair salon or spa services more. And I do not believe that the whole family gamble on the casino. But Ok … it is an unfortunate policy. Me as a solo cruiser sometimes, I am looking and finding better alternatives for cruising and taking my business somewhere else. Maybe the Italians at MSC that are extremely family friendly, will one day realize that there are others who want to cruise solo and not with the mama, the papa, and the extended family 😎

And you will also have the solo cruisers who choose not to spend a dime, and pride themselves on it.

[RD64]

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

If you pay the double price why it should not be possible? It is discrimination. They do not allow solo cruisers even though the solo cruisers will pay for two. 
 

Is discrimination on the name of maximizing revenue acceptable to you? It is not to many of us.
 

 

It is not that they do not allow solo cruisers. They bay limit the amount of solo cruisers based on how well the ship is selling.

 

Look at it this way - from a different perspective. You want to book a cruise for a family of three (or four). Although there are cabins available for three (or four people) you are unable to book the cabin because this will exceed the lifeboat capacity. Does this mean that the cruise lines are discriminating against families with three or four members?

[travelberlin]

16 minutes ago, RD64 said:

It is not that they do not allow solo cruisers. They bay limit the amount of solo cruisers based on how well the ship is selling.

 

Look at it this way - from a different perspective. You want to book a cruise for a family of three (or four). Although there are cabins available for three (or four people) you are unable to book the cabin because this will exceed the lifeboat capacity. Does this mean that the cruise lines are discriminating against families with three or four members?

Not a good comparison. Safety has priority.

[travelberlin]

23 minutes ago, RD64 said:

And you will also have the solo cruisers who choose not to spend a dime, and pride themselves on it.

This behavior could apply also for families 

[RD64]

2 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Not a good comparison. Safety has priority.

A very good comparison actually - they are being denied the oppty to cruise - same as the solo traveller.
 

If MSC is giving you a hard time, there are half a dozen (at least) other cruise lines which may be more willing to take your booking. Have you not thought of trying elsewhere? Why are you determined to sail with MSC?

[travelberlin]

1 hour ago, RD64 said:

A very good comparison actually - they are being denied the oppty to cruise - same as the solo traveller.
 

If MSC is giving you a hard time, there are half a dozen (at least) other cruise lines which may be more willing to take your booking. Have you not thought of trying elsewhere? Why are you determined to sail with MSC?

Who told you I am determined to sail only with MSC? I am Diamond with MSC and not as a status match, but it is not the only cruise line I sail with. It  is not possible to raise a complaint without being told to go somewhere else? 

[RD64]

52 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Who told you I am determined to sail only with MSC? I am Diamond with MSC and not as a status match, but it is not the only cruise line I sail with. It  is not possible to raise a complaint without being told to go somewhere else? 

But why is it the only line you choose to sail with? It has been explained to you why you may / may not be allowed to sail solo, and you do not like the responses. Grand voyages - probably a good chance. A three day booze cruise from Canaveral not so much
 

Given that you may not be allowed to book as a solo - depending on the voyage, you have two options. 1. No cruise 2. Cruise with another line. MSC - and no court in the land is going to change their policy because it does not support your specific situation. If you choose not to cruise with MSC they will fill that cabin with the next dozen people in line. FYI - I am a solo traveller as well - do not view it as discrimination - but view it more as the early bird gets the worm.

Edited October 15, 2023 by RD64
Additional

[Essiesmom]

2 hours ago, RD64 said:

A very good comparison actually - they are being denied the oppty to cruise - same as the solo traveller.
 

If MSC is giving you a hard time, there are half a dozen (at least) other cruise lines which may be more willing to take your booking. Have you not thought of trying elsewhere? Why are you determined to sail with MSC?

I have been denied the opportunity to book as a solo on Carnival and Celebrity, especially on relatively short notice.  EM

[RD64]

Just now, Essiesmom said:

I have been denied the opportunity to book as a solo on Carnival and Celebrity, especially on relatively short notice.  EM

Yes I have had the same experience with Celebrity as well. 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I would also add that one passenger only has to pay gratuities x 1 while the typical double occupancy cabin is paying gratuities x 2. Your room steward relies on tips as part of his/her wages so he/she will earn less on that cruise if you're alone. Restaurant staff pool tips and then get their share and the total is less if there are a lot of solo cruisers onboard.

 

NCL is the leader in offering Single studio cabins that are priced at around 150% of the double occupancy per person rate.

[awatt]

I find solo bookings are available but not always. I'm guessing they have a cap on number of solo bookings available for each sailing, or if a sailing is well booked, they don't allow solo bookings.

 

if you can be flexible re dates, you may be able to book solo.

 

i just made 2 solo bookings for next year this weekend, so maybe the more in advance yo7 book the better.your chances.

 

i should add the supplement for the basic fare is about 50% for the  two new bookings. Could be worse.

[Mark_T]

5 hours ago, awatt said:

if you can be flexible re dates, you may be able to book solo.

 

i just made 2 solo bookings for next year this weekend, so maybe the more in advance yo7 book the better.your chances.

 

i should add the supplement for the basic fare is about 50% for the  two new bookings. Could be worse.

All great advice for solo cruisers.

 

As you have found there is no ban on solo bookings but just like all other categories there are limits on each cruise so booking far in advance will give you the best chance of getting a specific cruise, or just being flexible will give you more choices if you can't book so far out, and of course last minute booking can also offer a pleasant surprise as the category may open up again...

[Mark_T]

It really is just like any other category, the earlier you book the more choices you will have, or if you miss that and can book last minute, something may open up again.

[jimmyvh]

It's a cruise line, not a charity. I don't think anything productive can come out of this thread.