tbone77

I enjoy a good Bloody Mary from time to time.  The last few I had on a Carnival ship were not good at all.  I like mine spicy but this had more of a cocktail sauce flavor to it.  I found it undrinkable.  

I cruise on Carnival mostly and do all my check in's in advance, print all my docs and have them in hand when I get there. 

I have a coworker that was boarding a Royal Caribbean ship today.  He only filled out the health documents for himself, didn't complete anything else.  And there were three others in his room with no docs at all completed.  Didn't print anything,  not even luggage tags.  I tired to help but he wouldn't listen.  I feel sorry for the people in line behind him.

Thanks everyone for your information. 

Does it take a lot longer for check in by not having them done before hand?

What happens if you don't complete all your on line check in documents prior to arriving at the port.

Hello all,

Have any of you solo cruiser dined in the steakhouse?  Were you seated with a group on anyone else? Were you seated by yourself?  I've been cruising solo for the last 9 years after my divorce and am used to dining alone, but I don't want to get the awkward stares from other diners.  

Thanks in advance

Robin D

I was on an MSC cruise this past December 2018 as a solo traveler. There was a solo meet and greet scheduled one time that I can remember.  It was by the champagne bar about 10am.  The bar wasn't open, no signage if this was the correct location and no representative from MSC.  The ship was beautiful, but for me, that's as far as it went.  The balcony cabin was small, MDR seating was very "class" driven. I was seated at a table for two with a much older retired male.  I went two nights and didn't care for the looks we were getting from the near by tables.  I felt they were assuming we were a couple.   I'll never go on a MSC cruise again.

I'll be there.  I signed up for the meet and mingle a few weeks ago just before they started reworking the Cruise Critic website.  There were 125 people signed up then, I'm sure a few more have signed up since.  You should receive an invitation in your stateroom with the time and location. 

Hope to see  you there.

Robin 

Thank you for the information. I've only cruised on Carnival and they would post a singles Meet and Mingle in the daily fun time, but no one was there to promote it.

Hello all. I am not new to cruising, but this is my first time with MSC. I will be on the MSC Seaside in October of 2018 and I was wondering if they hosted a Singles Meet and Mingle. I have asked this question on our roll call and all I have gotten so far was an offer to be fixed up with a friend. Thank you in advance.

Robin

I was on the Sunshine February of this year (2017), At check in the lady asked me for a form in my check in package stating if I was pregnant or not. She could look at me and tell I wasn't. She said she had to ask and make sure the form was filled out. I'M A 57 YEAR OLD MALE.

Ok, I'm a little confused on cruiser levels and discounts. If we have to cruise so many nights to go to gold, platinum, silver. How can getting a discount at 25, 50, 75 or more cruises get you a discount.

If one person cruises 25-3 night cruises for a total of 75 nights.

and another cruises 25-7 night cruises for a total of 175 nights.

How can getting the same 25% discount be far?

Don't wait too long to book especially if you find excursions you are really interested in. I went on an 8 day cruise the end of February with 4 ports. I found excursions at each on that I wanted. But I procrastinated and was only able to get 1 of the 4.

Not only is the pour timed, but it is also measuring how much is going out through the tap. You can see this as you pour. If you go over the 16 ozs I would assume you would be charged for the additional beer.

I tried this on the Sunshine in February. There was no 15% gratuity added. The pour is timed and you are charged for how much you pour. So if you try to pour two, you will likely be charged for two. There were only two selections. Also, I didn't think the beer was as cold as it should be.

I divorced about 5 years ago and have cruised solo 3 time. It is different when you are alone but you don't have to make plans around anyone else, do your own thing. Chefs table was a very fun experience even though every one else were couples. Just talk to the ones around you. I have done fixed seating and have generally been seated with other singles and had a great time. I'm not sure what to expect from your time dining. Don't expect to have the same experience you did when you were with your spouse. I did on my first cruise after the divorce and was a bit overwhelmed. I'm not very outgoing so it was a little more difficult for me to meet new people. But it will be what you make of it. Enjoy your cruise.

I was on the Sunshine the end of February for an 8 night cruise. On Elegant nights everyone I noticed was dressed up. Ladies in nice dresses or pant suits. Men in suits or at least sports coat and ties. There were 5 men at the table where I sat age ranging from 25 to 65 and all were dressed well on elegant nights and on the other nights it was no less that a collared shirt and dress pants. I didn't go looking all over the dining room but in the general area I sat, everyone dressed to the suggested dress code.

I was on the Sunshine the end of February. I met my room steward shortly after getting to the room. He had a card on his clipboard and asked if I wanted 2x or 1x a day service. I told him 1x in the evening was fine since I travel alone and keep my room pretty well picked up. My room was always cleaned as expected and I received a towel animal every day. He even would speak to me in the hallway and call me by name. Fantastic service.

I have been gold for my last three cruises and have never been given a ticket for a free drink. I didn't know that was a perk until I read it on here. They were 7 day or longer cruises. Should I ask the room steward about it next trip if I don't get one?

I was on a cruise about 5 years ago where someone from our roll call put together a meet and greet. He contacted Carnival to reserve a room, the Piano Bar and have finger foods and drinks available. We each paid $20 and had unlimited food and drinks for 2 hours. This was just after sail away. We had about 30 or so attend.

Be comfortable, you spend a few minutes in the kitchen and it gets pretty warm in there. If I remember correctly they do require that you wear close toed shoes for safety purposes.

I usually park at the port. My last cruise (November 2015) I used Park Port Canaveral. It was $6.95 per day for a 7 day cruise. This was about half the price to park at the port. The good part was the price and ease of reservations on line. When you get there you have to go inside to check in. Then stand in line for a bus/shuttle to show up, no matter the weather you are outside. They load the bus/shuttle with X number of people, not taking in consideration their sizes. This made for a very packed and uncomfortable ride to the pier. I checked the pricing again yesterday day and it is now $10.95 per day, $105 for an 8 day cruise. The port fee is $144. I am willing to spend the extra $40 not to have to wait in line for a shuttle, both ways.

I made Chefs Table reservations for my cruise this past November on the Valor. Actually my T/A made the reservations. All he could tell me was that my request had been received. I didn't get actual confirmation until about a week before sailing and didn't know what night until I got in my cabin and found the invitation.

I did the chefs table this past November. If you look at it like and excursion, its well worth the price. It was a 7 course meal, noting at all like you will get in the MDR. Even though the portions are smaller, you get a lot of food. I'm a good sized man and couldn't eat all that was offered. Besides the 7 courses, there are a few things you get in the galley before being seated at the table. They don't just bring out the food, the chef tells you about every dish and its origin. He will also answer any questions you may have.

I am traveling solo and have made reservations for the Chef's Table one night.