If you’re a solo traveler, you know the drill. You’re prepared to pay the single supplement, often a hefty 150-200% of the cruise fare, for the luxury of having a cabin to yourself. You know it’s part of the deal when cruising solo. But what if I told you there’s a cruise line that, in addition to the standard single supplement, has a policy so restrictive it practically blocks single travelers from booking certain sailings altogether? Welcome to MSC Cruises’ puzzling policy for solo travelers.
MSC Cruises Not-So-Welcome Policy for Solo Travelers
MSC Cruises, a line I have sailed with since they first began operations from the United States, has a baffling approach when it comes to solo travelers. It isn’t about the number of solo cabins available; it’s about some mysterious number that MSC has cooked up—likely with the help of someone with a deep love for spreadsheets. They have decided that only a set number of single passengers are allowed to book per sailing, regardless of how many cabins are still available. And this isn’t just for sailings with solo cabins; it’s for any cabin on the ship. This means that, even if you’re willing to pay the standard single supplement to occupy a double or higher cabin category, you might still be out of luck.
My Attempt to Book with MSC: A Frustrating Experience
Recently, my group of friends and I decided to switch our plans after our Carnival Vista cruise was abruptly canceled due to its ongoing propulsion issues. Having achieved diamond status with MSC after many years of loyalty and countless cruises, I suggested to my friends that we book with MSC. While they had never sailed with MSC before, they trusted my recommendation, given my positive experiences with the line in the past. Little did we know, we were about to encounter a roadblock.
My friends had no issues finding staterooms to book. With two people in each cabin, they were quickly given quotes online for all available stateroom categories. I, however, was left stranded in the booking process when I tried to book a cabin for myself alone. Despite being a loyal customer with a significant history of cruising with MSC, the system wouldn’t allow me to book a stateroom for myself. It wasn’t a matter of availability—there were cabins available. It was all down to that restrictive policy limiting the number of single-passenger bookings on a given sailing.
Here’s what happens if you choose two people on this particular sailing from Miami, on MSC Seascape:
Success! Two people can book a stateroom, starting at $523 per person.
Now, let’s change the number of adults in the room, to a single party of one:
Instantly, the same cruise that can be booked for two people can not be booked by a solo traveler.
Other Cruise Lines vs. MSC: The Norm for Solo Travelers
To put this in perspective, every other major cruise line allows solo travelers to book a cabin, as long as they pay the single supplement. This means if I want to book a balcony cabin for myself, I just need to pay 150-200% of the standard cruise fare, which covers the cost of the empty spot in the room. I do this every time I book a cruise, MONTHLY, on different cruise lines without issue. I’ve even done it on MSC, presumably when the spreadsheet algorithm someone in revenue planning came up with wasn’t maxed out yet. While it’s not the most budget-friendly option, it’s the price solo travelers are accustomed to paying for the freedom and privacy of sailing alone.
MSC’s policy, however, throws a wrench into this well-established norm. Despite being willing to pay the double rate for the cabin, their system’s restrictions prevent single passengers from booking on some sailings if their quota for solo travelers has been met. It is completely unheard of in the cruise industry, and it leaves solo travelers like myself scrambling for solutions.
Now, how many cruises are subject to this solo booking restriction? No clue! A quick search around the Internet reveals many have experienced it on cruises from Miami, New York, and Orlando. While others have not when sailing overseas.
A Loophole that’s More Trouble Than It’s Worth
I thought I could find a workaround and turned to my travel agent friend, who also happens to be a cruise expert. I asked her to help me book three staterooms: two for my friends and one for myself as a solo traveler. Surely, she could pull some strings or navigate the system in a way I couldn’t. But even she was unable to book a solo cabin for me after several frustrating calls with MSC representatives. Instead, she was advised, by her agency’s MSC business development rep, to book my cabin with a “phantom” second passenger—essentially putting down a fake name like “John Doe” for the second spot in my cabin.
But this solution came with its own set of ridiculous requirements. While I would be paying the double rate for the cabin, I would also be on the hook for double the port fees, double the taxes, and if I chose to pre-purchase a beverage package to save 15%, I’d be paying double for that as well. No other cruise line charges twice for port fees, taxes, or drink packages when a solo passenger is paying the single supplement rate. It’s an absurd policy that penalizes solo travelers simply for wanting to cruise alone.
To add insult to injury, MSC’s suggested workaround requires me to show up at the port on embarkation day and inform them that my second passenger, “John Doe,” is a no-show. Instead of receiving an immediate refund for the extra port fees, taxes, and unused beverage package, I would have to go through the hassle of contacting MSC after the cruise, requesting the refund, and then waiting 2 to 4 weeks for it to process. The idea of jumping through all these hoops just to book a cruise is beyond frustrating. It’s unprofessional, inconvenient, and frankly, a slap in the face to loyal customers who have supported MSC over the years.
A Disservice to Loyal Customers
I even reached out to MSC via social media, hoping for a reasonable explanation or perhaps a bit of flexibility. Their response? “Solo cabins are in limited supply, and it’s possible that there may not be any available for this sailing. If that’s the case, we wouldn’t be able to book a solo cabin, even at double the rate.” As a diamond-status guest this lack of flexibility and understanding is disheartening. It’s no way to treat loyal customers, especially those willing to pay a premium to cruise alone.
Lost Business and a Lesson for MSC
Unfortunately, due to this restrictive policy, MSC lost our booking for three staterooms for five people today. My friends, who were ready to give MSC a chance, have decided to book elsewhere. After seeing how they treat solo travelers—who are willing to pay double for the privilege of cruising alone—they were not impressed. In a competitive industry where cruise lines are always looking to fill their ships, blocking solo travelers from booking, even at a premium rate, seems not only shortsighted but downright foolish.
I hope Rick Sasso, the president of MSC Cruises North America, who happens to live just a few blocks from me in Delray Beach, is listening to his customers, travel agent partners, and even his employees who undoubtedly recognize how crazy this policy is. As someone who has advocated for MSC and encouraged friends and family to sail with them, I can not understand why this policy exists. Unless changes are made, MSC will continue to alienate a loyal and growing segment of travelers who simply want the freedom to cruise on their terms.
MSC, it’s time to wake up and smell the sea air. Solo travelers are here to stay, and we deserve better.