Can't Book Solo Balcony on MSC

[southdakotagirl1969]

I have tried on 3 different sites to book a balcony on MSC Armonia with only one guest.

It always throws an error and doesn't let me finish.

If I change it to 2 guests, no problem.

Thoughts?

[electro]

3 minutes ago, southdakotagirl1969 said:

I have tried on 3 different sites to book a balcony on MSC Armonia with only one guest.

It always throws an error and doesn't let me finish.

If I change it to 2 guests, no problem.

Thoughts?

Try calling?

[leaveitallbehind]

It may be that you cannot book a solo on line and need to call MSC directly or a travel agent to do so. For example, I know of several cruise lines that don't allow you to book staterooms that hold more than four on line - you need to call directly or contact a TA for that. Unless a cruise line has dedicated solo staterooms, this may be the same situation, but involving solo bookings.

 

Just FYI, I do know that MSC reserves the right to move solo bookings to different staterooms at their discretion based on double occupancy demand and adjust the fare accordingly.

 

You may also want to post this question on the MSC board to hear from those with cruise experience on that line.  Here is that link:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/49-msc-cruises/

Edited February 14, 2020 by leaveitallbehind

[Nic6318]

38 minutes ago, southdakotagirl1969 said:

I have tried on 3 different sites to book a balcony on MSC Armonia with only one guest.

It always throws an error and doesn't let me finish.

If I change it to 2 guests, no problem.

Thoughts?

 

Hi 

 

I don't know what the problem is but it would seem it is likely something to do with your computer. Try clearing all your cookies.

 

I just tried on two different sites to book a balcony cabin with two different ships (as a solo traveler) and was able to proceed right up to personal details and payment. If calling isn't possible, then just try it on another device.

[navybankerteacher]

Because cruise lines essentially break even (if that) on fares, they really look to onboard spending for their profits.  This means that a single person occupying a cabin will reduce their revenue - even if that single pays 100% single supplement — he simply will not spend as much on board as the line figures two people will.  

[gerryuk]

Not MSC, but Costa site does the same. On their site if you try and book as a solo, on many days you cant, a error message will come up or it will state that all cabins are sold out. This appears, in my experience to happen on all Costa cruises on that day, not just the one I want to book. If I persevere, a couple of days later or even a couple of weeks later you can book solo for all cruises on their website. I once phoned Costa in Italy, as the site would not let me book solo on a cruise I wanted to do, I was informed that the cruise was sold out, however a couple of days later, after persevering I could book solo on their website.

I think that they make it harder for solo travellers to book, so that they can get as many people in their cabins as their cabins allow. If they are not selling well then they open them up, allowing solo travellers to book. Keep persevering, and good luck. 

[Host Kat]

@southdakotagirl1969

 

Howdy!  

 

Thank you for your new thread on the Ask a Cruise Question forum that is for general questions about cruising. 👍 

 

Since your thread concerns a specific cruise line, I have moved your thread to the MSC Cruises forum where it will be on-topic. The majority of your fellow Cruise Critic members that have sailed MSC frequent the forum and will provide you feedback there. Please browse through the thread titles on the new forum looking for threads of interest. You will probably find your fellow Cruise Critic members have already posted questions and received answers that will be of interest to you.  

 

I sincerely hope this will be satisfactory and glad to have you aboard Cruise Critic!

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

[HappyInVan]

I've had the same problem. I've had an error message saying that the stateroom cannot be booked because the number of solo pax had reached the limit.

 

Yes, it will allow you to book a double occupancy.

 

Too bad.

[HappyInVan]

Got it again on Canada site for a April 2021 cruise...

 

"Cannot Book the selected occupancy,Restriction exists (CRU_111)
No staterooms availabe for selected category
In case further support is required do not hesitate to contact us at 1-833-253-9978."

 

 

[Lovtotravel2]

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Because cruise lines essentially break even (if that) on fares, they really look to onboard spending for their profits.  This means that a single person occupying a cabin will reduce their revenue - even if that single pays 100% single supplement — he simply will not spend as much on board as the line figures two people will.  

What facts do you have to back that up?  I have traveled solo for years on many lines,  there are no shortage of couples in cabins who never buy a drink, never hit a upcharge dinning, never go to the casino, etc.   I do all of those things.  And yet, when I pay the price of two in the cabin I don't get the double loyalty points, double perks,   Every cruiser if different, if the programs rewarding spending per person you would see a lot more Solo Customers at the top of the tiers. 

[cublet]

Hello,

 

I have had it direct from a real person at MSC that cabins for solo occupancy are limited and once that limit has been reached and you don't want to try another sailing then, subject to the below, the only possibility is to book for two and have one 'no show'.

 

However, the limit is by cabin grade by sailing so you may be able to book the cruise you want by choosing a different cabin type and/or grade ('experience').

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[blueslily]

I just sailed solo on the MSC Meraviglia in a B2 balcony with fantastica experience. I booked by calling directly. No issues. It was better for me to call than book online, price wise. Plus, the true price I got, was less than what showed up on their website. I did not pay for 2 people. It's about timing and pricing at that time. The regular room was better for me than the "single" room. 

 

Regarding the comments above about the possibility of rooms changing, that is not specific to solos. Its in the T&Cs for MSC.

 

Regarding comments about spending less on the ship and the impact on the cruise line, I often sail solo. Most of the time, in a regular cabin versus one allocated for a solo. I like having more space than the smaller rooms offer. Pricing wise, I do not pay full double occupancy because I watch prices and choose to sail when the single supplement is not 100%. There are options for solo travelers. Calling directly has usually worked out better, even when I saw a good price somewhere online. This has been true with MSC as well as other lines. Yes, I spend less than two people onboard. But, I also filled a room for that ship. I have enjoyed the rooms I have booked, including mini suites. Sometimes, depending on timing, a cabin that sleeps 3 or 4, is cheaper than a studio on NCL. It just all depends on timing and pricing and flexibility. Oh, and I guess I have been lucky that my cabin has not ever been changed by the line after I booked. So, no problem there either. 

 

I love solo sailing! 

Edited February 15, 2020 by blueslily

[navybankerteacher]

6 hours ago, Lovtotravel2 said:

What facts do you have to back that up?  I have traveled solo for years on many lines,  there are no shortage of couples in cabins who never buy a drink, never hit a upcharge dinning, never go to the casino, etc.   I do all of those things.  And yet, when I pay the price of two in the cabin I don't get the double loyalty points, double perks,   Every cruiser if different, if the programs rewarding spending per person you would see a lot more Solo Customers at the top of the tiers. 

The fact that cruise line do not give you double loyalty points even though you pay double fare should be a clue:  they do not want to encourage solo cruisers.  It just might be that they understand their business - not saying it is fair, just saying that it is the way things are.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I've had the same problem with MSC in the Yacht Club.  I don't care about points with them as I am already Black or Diamond or whatever they're calling it today.  There is no higher tier.

 

If you want double points for sailing as a solo, sail with Celebrity.  They've given double points for that for years.

[BucketListFun]

I am new to MSC and just booked solo over phone for March 2nd

[fishin' musician]

If your resources permit it, get creative.  Book a relative or friend or maybe Mick Jagger as the second guest.  Then when you show up at the terminal tell them the second guest has not arrived yet.  Board the ship and enjoy your solitude!

[lakelorain]

Royal Caribbean gives double points for solos in a cabin that is usually for 2 or more people.