JimInFla

2 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

yes, i was on the joy in october and they had a full solo program. i only went to the meetups twice, to find somebody who wanted to join me when i used lattitudes specialty dining coupons, but they met every day.

 

 

Great News! I love that NCL is getting behind this market... it's growing, for sure. 

2 hours ago, BJ223 said:

Sailed on Joy in November 23 solo. Solo meet up was daily in Mattings whiskey bar and had a co-ordinator. It wasn't well attended. 

It always varies by voyage, of course. I'm excited it's in the Whiskey Bar, but that's just me. LOL

3 hours ago, Asawi said:

I travel solo, but I don't go to solo meets. I have however noticed that there has been daily solo meets every day around 5-6 pm on the ships I've been to. They seem to go to dinner in MDR together (for those that want to, of course!).

I've been on Spirit, Star and Gem. None of them have Studios.

Great info! Thanks!

On 2/5/2024 at 1:13 PM, phillygwm said:

You raised a good point:  The studio (singles) cabins now cost about the same as a single supplement inside, which will be considerably larger.  I've found NCL to be more "single friendly" than many other lines, even starting to reserve some balcony cabins for singles.  There are singles mixers as well.

 

If you got a studio, you'd have access to the studio lounge.  Only did that once and found it underwhelming but that was on the Epic, the first ship with studios, when it was new.

 

Personally, I would opt for the additional space if it were about the same price as a studio.  Or if you can splurge for a balcony, that's often worthwhile.

 

 

 

Here's my question... I just booked on the Joy yesterday for a cruise in March. Since Joy doesn't have Studios, are they still going to have the Solo Coordinator doing a daily Solo meeting, and arranging activities like on the other ships that do have Studios. My Cruise Coordinator wasn't sure. He asked and his answer was "yes, they have solo events that are planned". His answer didn't inspire confidence, though. It was almost like he'd never heard about the solo program before. Anyone have any intel on this, or even the Dailys from a ship that doesn't have studios?

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

I have not seen a formal night on even a 14 night cruise. 

The white night is always there, and they even had a Gatsby night??

 

On my 4 night there was a White Night, but no formal night.

2 hours ago, cruiseguyinorl said:

MSC can't do table size requests pre-boarding. No place in their system for it. Well, there is...but it's just a note that no one will probably see. The agent was just "yes"ing you to get off the phone. The automated dining assignment system onboard typically assigns a table that matches the number of people in the cross-reference. Hence your table for 4. Those kind of requests have to be done once onboard. Maybe one day MSC will be come more advanced.

Bret

Thanks Bret, I wish they would have just told me that.... 🙄

On 12/18/2022 at 10:37 PM, dexddd said:

Last couple days trying to check prices on a couple trips for add on guests.  Put in dates, port, ship, get category options, then it goes right to personnel info and not able to pick sub category.  Anyone else?

I called MSC 4 times for my last voyage with friends (3 cabins) and every single thing I asked for was ignored or wrong on our 12/11 voyage. EX: I asked for a large table for our group of 4.... got a table for 4. 

On 12/14/2022 at 5:47 PM, Morgsmom said:

Ok, to preface this, I am a big MSC cheerleader despite understanding the company's many weaknesses.  I will give a lot of leeway for service issues and errors given the enormity of running a small city with 3500 needy souls at any time on it, however, if I have paid for a service I certainly expect to receive it.  And if that service/item is unavailable then I would fully expect the make good to be at least at that level, or better.

 

Background:  Sailing solo as my yearly "me" trip, YIN (first YIN, but not first YC), Diamond level

 

So on the plus side:  ship looks gorgeous all decked out for the Christmas season with trimmings and trees and festive wreaths on cabin doors.  Absolutely charming.  The ship and common areas are clean, well maintained, etc etc.    Random public bathrooms are clean and well stocked.  So that's all good.   A 5 for decor and cleanliness.  

 

Embarkation:  a hot mess. Since the ship got in after 8am on Sunday everything was backed up.  There was a lack of staff in the YC waiting area with 3 bottles of warm (I am not kidding) prosecco, no OJ, some bottled water, no snacks other than chocolates, and no butler to pour a welcome drink.  We waited for a good 80 plus minutes to get onboard.  Let's give that a 1.  Then escorted to Top Sail where I sat for 2 hours waiting for cabin to be ready.   Butler later said  that there were a LOT of last minute bookings/upgrades and changes that sent them into a tizzy.  Escorted to YIN cabin and won't do it again.  Frankly while I enjoy alone time the space really was too claustrophobic.  Lesson learned.

 

So, sitting in Top Sail YC maitre d' introduces himself and asks me if I am sailing solo.  I say I am. He then invites me to dine at SIX --or-- NINE pm.  Not anytime between the two, but at 6 OR 9.    To which I say, um, no thank you.  I'll be there at 7.  What the ever loving is that about?  Not my first rodeo cowboy.

 

YC - so many "no's no's no's" it's hard to count.  First night:  "May I have a glass of Oberon?" Answer: no.  The last cruise drank it all.  They say: "How about a La Terre?"  (Um, NOPE).  So let's just add up the no's:  Newspaper, no (after the 2nd day I managed to get one).  Welcome Prosecco for either YC or Diamond.  No.  Cutbacks.  750ml bottle of spirts - asked for Ketel One, given Absolut because the 3/4 night cruises don't warrant Ketel (reserved for 7 night).  Little MSC trinket (string backpack? pen?)? No.  Chocolate boat? Oh, heck no, but not even a chocolate BAR which we had last month on the Divina.

 

Houdini show (that I pre-booked and paid for) - cancelled for the week for reasons unknown. Ok, I say, rather than fighting for a $12 refund (which I might see next spring) I ask if I can be reaccommodated in the "Rock Show."  Was told no but finally had that overturned.  Um, hello, you have my money and the show certainly has one empty seat so what's the big deal?

 

Today:  Ocean Cay was super rocky with high surf.  I was told that officially my kayak tour was not going to happen, but they would not officially cancel it so I couldn't get a refund.  Rather I could take a kayak out in a restricted area in the lagoon and do figure 8's or something.  So $39 down the drain since I wasn't going to toodle around like that.

 

Oh, wait, forgot the BEST.  Went to Ocean Cay restaurant for Diamond Club meal today.  Ok, cool.  May I have this champagne that is listed on your menu?  No.  Ok, may I have this chardonnay that is clearly listed on your menu?  NO.  We don't have it.  Great, what can you offer me.  Drumrolllll please:  a glass of Woodbridge Chardonnay.  I literally hate making waves but I know that I can have a glass up to $15 with my package.  They would not offer anything to substitute for what they were out of.  I asked if I could go upstairs to yacht club and get a kinda-ok glass of wine and bring it back with me.  They told me that it was out of policy.  Shaking head, left restaurant, wondering what alternate universe I was in.

 

I could go on and one, but the big thing I noticed is that last night I went out about 10pm out of the YC "bubble" to get a slice of pizza.  Yes, I could have ordered a whole pie but didn't want all that waste.  So I walked through the pool deck (15) and it was like entering a whole new world.  The smell/fragrance/aroma of the , um, wacky weed was out of control.  Like I don't care what you do AT HOME if you have a medical card, but open flames and mary jane on a ship make me go "uh, ,no".  To note, the ship has admitted that there are issues with this (as I also experienced on Ocean Cay where a family openly pulled out a couple of fatties and lit up on the pathway.)  

 

So, the long story is, buyer beware.  The ridiculously low starter fares with beverage packages are bringing in a whole group of folks that are new to cruising in not the best way.  And the very tight margins as a result are leaving the cruiseline to cut corners literally everywhere.  

 

Happy to answer questions.

 

Myself and 3 friends were not in YC, but we did notice the smell of weed at the aft "adult" pool a couple times. We also noticed that crew members were smoking cigarettes right outside the outdoor area of the buffet restaurant one morning, which, of course, was blowing right back in on us. 

Agree with everything you said about bar experiences. What Vodka I drank varied by the bar. One gave me Ketel One, one wasn't even sure is Absolute Citron was included with Easy +. It was a total cluster. 

And yes, MSC is apparently trying to be the new Carnival. As a solo cruiser, MSC is appealing... but not if I am going to have to deal with awful service, and people who don't know how to act on a cruise ship... Including the men who made the aft pool look like a mosh pit one night. 

This was my 3rd on MSC and the last two I have had to fight to get my Voyagers Club.... well, anything. If you are going to offer me status match, you better be ready to match it. 
 

On 12/15/2022 at 1:25 PM, travelwide said:

And who is the ship Hotel Director?

IDK - but based on my experience from the 12/11 voyage, he must be either new in role, a tyrant, or incompetent. Perhaps all three. 

Hi All,

Sailing on 12/11 for 4 nights out of Port Canaveral. I did the same Itinerary in May '22 on Divina. When I cruised Divina, I was told by customer service "yes, 1 formal night". Got on the ship.... no formal night, just White Night. 

Booked Meraviglia, called customer service and they said "Formal Night and White Night". Divina just doesn't do formal night on short cruises. My gut tells me that <7 days = no formal night. 

Has anyone done a 4 day lately on this ship and can you tell me if you did have a formal night?

Thanks!