RedgeToo

Directly to MSC

Thanks

Fair point, but 10-16 weeks for a response and then they'll decide who's right (me) and who's wrong (MSC) is a bit much

MSC invoiced me directly. I paid MSC directly. MSC has not refunded the overcharge as promised. I would call that stealing. Good point about the CEO, although I'm dealing with the German branch of MSC.

Interestingly, I've just cancelled a train ticket, airport lounge, and fast track through security, and received the refund to my credit card in 24 hours. In todays electronic world, it can be done

It's bordering on criminal!

Nah, they're not good enough. I'd prefer to pay more, and cruise less, if I get a better experience

To clarify - it's 10-16 weeks for a response to my TAs email, not the refund itself

I've just returned from a solo Christmas cruise on MSC Bellissima. When I received my invoice from MSC last November, I paid it immediately. On checking the invoice, I realised MSC hadn't deducted a discount voucher given to me by MSC because of major changes to the itinerary of my first cruise with MSC (transatlantic in March 2022) I contacted my travel agent and they received an email from MSC accepting the error. MSC asked if I wanted OBS or the €100 refunded to my credit card. I opted for a refund to my credit card and they promised it would be completed by the time I boarded the ship. To date, 9th January 2023, I have not received my refund. I emailed my TA and MSC on 1st January 2023 asking where my money was. My TA confirmed they had asked MSC and said they normally get a response from MSC in 10-16 weeks! MSC has not responded to my email Has this happened to anyone else? I'll probably cancel my October cruise with MSC due to their lack of customer service.

I'm just back from an MSC cruise Their solo meet-up was one day and that was it For passengers joining in Naples, you embarked too late for the meetup, and for those boarding elsewhere, you had to wait until Naples - 4 days in my case MSC need to up their game for solos, it doesn't take much, just a note in the daily calendar would do

Since posting this, I've found a company, Passion for Cruising, who do have a lot of solo cruises. My issue with them is all the best deals are posted on Farcebook, so I've had to create a fracking Farcebook account just to view their deals. First time I've ever been on Farcebook or any of the other social media sites, and it will the last Funny how they call themselves "social media" when all they seem to do is an unsocial division of ordinary people. Rant over, as you were

There's an in-cabin TV? 🤣🤣🤣

I'm with you. I did my first transatlantic (solo) last March from Rio to Marseilles. The moment I boarded, I turned off my phone and locked it in the safe. My time was spent reading and meeting new people. The highlights for me were crossing the Equator, crossing the Atlantic, crossing the Prime Meridian, standing on deck at 6 am seeing the twinkly lights of Africa, Spain and Gibraltar all at the same time, seeing dolphins an a large whale around 1 km (0.5 mile) away. I do my next transatlantic from Barbados to Southampton in March 2023. Can't wait :)

I'm not sure if I understand this. Are you saying if you cancel, RC will keep the £300 deposit and also charge you £50 for cancelling? When do you sail? Anyway, according to the UK Government website: " If you cancel the contract, the business is generally only entitled to keep or receive an amount sufficient to cover their actual losses that directly result from your cancellation (eg costs already incurred or loss of profit). Businesses must take reasonable steps to reduce their losses (eg by re-selling the goods or services). Non-refundable deposits should only be a small percentage of the total price. Cancellation charges must be a genuine estimate of the business’ direct loss." I'm no expert but it seems to me you could challenge RC on the basis the deposit is more than their actual losses and assuming the cruise is more than 90 days away, they still have sufficient time to sell your cabin. JMHO, but please let us know how you get on.

Hi Mary, I ask to be seated on the "Happy to Share" tables and if there are none, I ask to be seated close other singles or if the ship is multi-lingual, I ask to be seated with English speakers. The restaurant staff are always happy to help. Enjoy your cruise :)

Should have said - to/from Manchester, but yes, fingers crossed

I'm due out on 23rd December, back in 31st December. I've already cancelled my train tickets, due to possible train strikes, in favour of driving - I'd better book fast track I think I wonder if we can sue PCS for any losses - I'll not hold my breath

I've tried asking this question on the solo cruisers forum without any luck, so I thought I'd try here: Does anyone know any good solo cruisers web sites or feeds for people based in the UK. Most of the ones I find are for North American based people. TIA (Next solo cruises: 24th Dec 2022, Bellissima out of Barcelona, 25th March, Britannia transatlantic)

I've been cruising solo for the last few years. Prior to this I cruised with ex-gf's and my ex-wife. I'm 62 and have been cruising for over 30 years. Cruising solo allows you to do anything you want. Want alone time? Find a quiet spot, crank up the Kindle and read with a beverage of your choice. Feel like a show? Just go. Fancy a chat but don't know where to start? Go the solo meet-ups (they're not just for singles), or find a busy venue, spot a couple of people with a spare chair, and just ask if they minded sharing the table, or sit at a bar - people and bar tenders will talk to you. Spot me on a cruise? Say hello, I'll talk to anyone - even you 🤣🤣🤣

My heart goes out to you, IslandTime. Clearly, it's not for me to tell you how to live your life but if you can pluck up the courage to go to a singles meet up, if available, I think you will find at least one person who you "get" and who "gets" you. Or join a "happy to share" table. I will also sit at a bar or, if a venue is full, I will ask people if the chair next to them is taken - it's a good conversation starter

Great post The truth is most people are too caught up in their own world to give anyone else a second glance

I haven't cruised with NCL but when I've looked at the solo cabins my research tells me your cabin key card gives you access to the solo lounge, so I would say yes there is a locked door, but I'm guessing you don't need to pass through the lounge to get to your cabin HTH

As others have said if I find a cruise I really want to do then I just book it if the price is right. If I haven't made up my mind, I'll wait until the last minute but then flight prices may be higher, so it's trying to get the right balance. I did get a €200 7 day solo cruise out of Barcelona a few years back which was a steel Next Autumn, I'm considering booking flights to Barcelona as early as possible and then seeing what cruises are available a few weeks before I fly.

I'm on Bellissima over Christmas - no one else going as far as I can see 🤣🤣 Then onto Britannia for a TA from Barbados to Southampton

My first transatlantic was in March 2022. The ocean was incredibly calm. We sailed from Rio so I suspect we sailed across the Atlantic in the doldrums, which would have helped. When sailing from Southampton several years ago in August, the Bay of Biscay had a 6m (18ft) swell, so many people were seasick. For you, I think it will be pot luck on the waves, but life's an adventure. As other have said, ginger helps - try a few ginger based cocktails!