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I can only give you my experience but it may answer at least 2 of your questions which I quoted above. I booked a 7 night Med cruise on MSC Opera for 5/12/24. I was able to make the "one time change" to a 5/12/24 MSC Seashore 7 night Caribbean cruise. The Seashore cruise was about $100 less than the Opera cruise (the going price at the time of the change). So my balance due is the lower amount. At the time of the change, I had only paid the deposit. Hope this helps. When you get some answers, I hope you'll get back to us and share your experience.

I've rarely had a problem finding (inexpensive, reasonable, relatively cheap) solo fares on MSC, even close in. On 12/8/23, I booked a solo 9 night on Opera from Genoa to Athens in May '24 for $767/inside. Due to high cost of airfare, I decided (a week ago) to switch to a 7 night, still May '24, out of Port Canaveral for $670/inside. Both of those fares were about half of what I would pay for RCCL or Celebrity for a similar itinerary sailing Solo. Two of my 3 previous MSC cruises have been solo. Both of those were on Seaside with an Inside Guarantee and I was assigned a Balcony. Hoping I might get that upgrade again, but IMHO any cruise is a good cruise.

In my (very) limited experience and knowledge of Casino offers --- My understanding is that the person who received the offer must be one of the passengers included in the reservation. My experience was several years ago. It was a cruise offer which went to my son but sent to my email. In my attempt to book the cruise for myself solo using his offer, I was advised (after a call to Customer Service) that he needed to be part of the reservation. This was a different cruise line, but I would guess that most operate with the same rules. Therefore --- since you can only occupy one room, you can only use one offer per cruise. IF one of the offers is in your wife's name, that could give you the outcome you're hoping for - wife/child in one cabin, husband/child in second cabin.

I can understand your wish/goal... especially if it's within easy reach. The 4 drinks and the lounge are nice perks. I sailed solo on a 16 night Transatlantic before they started double points for Solos (2012 maybe?). So lacking 7 points to reach Diamond before sailing a 5 day last December out of New Orleans, I booked a 4 night solo for the 8 points and reached Diamond. That gave both my husband and I Diamond status and we enjoyed the peace and quiet of the Lounge and the 4 drinks around the ship. As it was a benefit to both of us, it was a win win. (And I did enjoy those Relaxing 4 days at sea solo!)

LOVE your eye for composition... and timing! Truly fascinating to see

My understanding of MSC status match is that it changed several years after their initial foray into the US market (MSC Seaside in 2017). Originally they would match higher status levels to Diamond. After a year or 2, the highest status that could/can be attained through a status match is now Gold.... no matter how high the status in other programs. (Just my understanding. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong) Just found this chart. Apparently match to Diamond is possible: https://frequentfloaters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/B2B_TA_Status-Match_Conversion-Table.pdf

New Orleans and Grand Cayman. Easy decision.

Very good point and probably much simpler.

I redeemed 5,000 points for $50 of OBC on 9/26/23 for our 10/30 cruise. It showed on my "Cruise Manager" under "Booking and Order Details" under "View Order Details" within 3 days. I printed that page as soon as I saw it. I also printed the page from the barclaycardus website to show the redemption. And I printed the "Carnival FunPoints Mastercard" email which shows the redemption. (As you can tell, I'm not taking any chances 🙂

Be aware that the Junior Suites on Valor are not significantly larger than a regular Balcony room (IMHO). There is a larger bathroom with bathtub/shower combo and a small hallway with closets leading to the bathroom. But the "bed" for the 3rd person is a convertible couch that's almost immediately at the end of the bed. A coffee table and small space separates the 2. For a "suite", I was not impressed.

.... in the Main Dining Room (Seaside 9/10-9/14)(Gold level). I have no experience with Yacht Club, but did receive a Very nice birthday cake in the MDR (without asking). It was big enough to share with others. In fact I shared with other tables that had kids and we all enjoyed it! (I did sign a form the next evening to note that I had received it)

Smart move. And a fun city to explore after a cruise.

Spirit is going to Mobile. Is she stopping in NOLA?

Seaside 9/10-9/14/23 out of Canaveral --- early dining in the MDR was 5:15

I sailed a Solo Balcony on Odyssey OTS in April of 2022. Great cabin (7650), BIG balcony, Fabulous shows, wonderful trip. Only drawback... no double points for sailing Solo.

Agree. Which is why I haven't sailed Celebrity solo! I had also heard that cruise lines are cracking down on the 'book double, sail solo' scheme. I've never tried it. There's not a cruise that's been worth it to me to chance it. With enough patience, I can usually come up with a solo rate on an interesting cruise that fits my budget and schedule. Lately MSC seems to be the most solo friendly rate-wise.

There was an MSC special for Solos back last fall. I didn't book and regretted it because I was running into the dilemma you mention. Then suddenly, just about a 6 weeks ago, I came across the ability to book a solo with less than 100% upcharge for an Inside Guarantee ($250/pp double - $350/solo) for a cruise less than 2 months out for MSC Seaside Sept. 10, 2023. Since then I've been assigned a balcony (!!) and have had 2 offers to upgrade to YC. I realize this doesn't solve your group problem, but Solo offers may come up again. The alternative is to book a double and have a "no show". Good luck and happy sailing. (BTW - RCCL often does the same thing and I have not seen them charge less than double for a Solo in a Very long time)

Thank you for this insight. I'd forgotten.... yes it does have the muster station which will definitely be different (14th floor last time, 9th floor this time). I'll take it with me and find out the answer in a week.

I"m hoping you might know the answer to the OP's original question. Will my wristband from a previous Seaside sailing work for my Seaside sailing coming up Sept. 10th? I did buy it (for $5) the first time. I don't recall them asking for it back. Just curious. Thanks, Ann

I know.... Not a major question and probably not important to most, but it's what I drink with my coffee. When I was on Divina, Fall 2022, the only "chocolate milk" was hot cocoa mix. Does anyone know if Seaside has chocolate milk? And if not, would I be allowed to bring chocolate syrup in my carry-on? Any info much appreciated, Ann

Not an upgrade offer... but just assigned a Balcony after booking an Inside Guarantee. Cruise on Seaside Sept. 10th. Yea!!

Just an FYI - (too late for the OP but...) to get from Hattiesburg to NOLA you do not cross the I-10 Pearl River Bridge. I-59 joins I-10 west of the Pearl River.

We sailed out of NOLA on RCCL Radiance of the Seas in both November and December 2022. Yes, there was Priority boarding for Diamond at the port. Just be aware that the parking for RCCL is an open lot and not very secure. We saw evidence (and have heard since then) of broken car windows and theft. (BTW -- We're scheduled to be back with RCCL out of NOLA in November 2024. Can't wait)

Two quick questions... What's the book? and did announce it was your birthday? I'll be on Seaside September 10 and my birthday is during the cruise. Just curious if they know it from your account info or if you specified somewhere in the check-in. I'm not big on surprises. BTW --- Happy Birthday!!

Thank you for this. I went right back in and changed my No to Yes. On my first MSC (Seaside) cruise I had an Inside guarantee and was assigned to a Balcony. Fingers crossed that happens again. If not, at least with this I might have a chance at an upgrade offer