travelberlin

Thank you so much for this information! I have booked Giovannis for lunch 😎

Apparently they do not offer the Key on all sailings. I wonder why…

Could you please kindly explain what is the DP340?

As a diamond member do we get a bottle of wine delivered to our room as part of the benefits?

Amazing the lack of empathy of many posters…For those posters who believe travel insurance covers everything, you better read the terms and conditions of your insurance. The OP seems to be unable to fly due to a war situation in his country. From internet: ”Most travel insurance policies exclude war, acts of war, and political unrest from trip cancellation coverage, meaning most claims related to those events are denied. However, trip insurance policies are vague regarding the definition of war, resulting in each claim being handled individually.”

And here we are again at the tipping subject…to tip or not to tip…to use tips as a reward for good service or as an incentive for performing outside the rules (like giving you 2-3 bottles of water, reserving you tables on the diamond lounge, and probably not even charging you for additional drinks). And if you do not tip what will happen? Your luggage might not show up if you do not tip the porters at the port, we have read somewhere… If you do not tip each time you get your free diamond drink (“free” meaning including gratuities because if it would not include them, Royal would have written that under terms and conditions of this benefit) what might happen?

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?

This behavior could apply also for families

Not a good comparison. Safety has priority.

Time will tell… Ivi

You travel also solo?

Yes. Beautiful experience. It is worth it if you want to avoid crowds. But it comes at a price. And the larger the ship the larger the yacht club, meaning not that exclusive. Try it on the fantasia class ships.

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.

Look at the Grand Voyages…

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 😎

Where?

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

For me it is definitely discrimination.

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

Maybe this subject has been discussed before. I was interested in a cruise with MSC as a solo traveler. I have searched first for two people and there were plenty of cabins available, in all categories. But after I have searched just for one passenger, all cabins disappeared. Suddenly there was no availability anymore on that cruise. The cruise is many months from now and it is definitely not sold out. What are your experiences about this? Will cabins be released for solo travelers in case the cruise ends up not selling well?

Not in my case. It is not only a higher deposit but a higher cruise price if I wish the deposit to be fully refundable. I would have to pay US 200 more in order to have a refundable deposit up to 90 days before the sailing date.

When the price drops how do you benefit from the new price after booking? Are those price drops not for new bookings only?

The advertised prices for some cruises make you believe that there are good deals. By the the time you finalize your booking with the taxes, fees and gratuities, you realize that you are not getting a low price. Iff you want to upgrade your experience to a better cabin, drinks and better dining, then you notice that you might us well start comparing with premium cruise lines, where those additions are already included in the cruise price from the beginning.

I agree with most of what you have said. However Explora has done a lot to disappoint future guests like me. I was very excited to sail with Explora but cruise cancellations, unreliability and shorter itineraries have made me move on. On the other hand, the new Crystal has done something that has impressed me. This is the Crystal initiative. From what I see, this was a very nice move to attract again Crystal cruisers which were so dissatisfied like I was. So the new Crystal has now my trust and my money for future bookings 😊. As long as there are no cancellations and unreliability, I will keep booking with NC. Ivi

Is any body else worried about the current load on the ships? I have just read, the Symphony is sailing currently with less than 200 passengers. How about the Serenity? I really want this company to be successful. Ivi