trekker954

Background; Over 70 cruises across many lines, mostly Royal (D+) and NCL (Plat). Sail solo quite often since 2016. The reason I moved to NCL was they have such a great solo program. Well attended nightly events to meet others, often 75 solos attending led by NCL staff. Very often single supplement waived. But I still have loyalty as well to Royal and who can pass up the perks of free drinks and discounted balconies and with 380 nights with them, I often get single supplement 150%. I wish Royal would take notice there are many solos who like to cruise and do more. Which brings me to my warning and a blatant bias towards single with what happened when I purchased an ocean balcony GTY that did not come with waived single supplement, so it was paid for on Odyssey coming up. As a seasoned cruiser I knew I could be assigned in a crappy location or obstructed view, but imagine my shock when I was assigned that crappiest of crap studio balcony on Deck 6 not only obstructed but with that arm thing on it. But the obstruction wasn't my issue at all. I took that chance. What I bid for was a regular ocean balcony 182 sq feet and a balcony 60 sq ft with a KING bed. What they assigned this single person, okay, we'll just get rid of this horrible cabin to this solo is a studio tiny 116 sq ft with barely a full size bed and 50 ft. cabin. I equate studios to jail cells, they are horrible and yes I've been in one before. It was truly the switch in size that I felt was totally unfair since I had paid for a regular balcony with my supplement. Had I chosen a studio balcony cabin, there are no single supplements plus no double points for being a solo. The customer service I initially received and actually throughout the entire morning was terrible. At one point I was on hold 50 minutes waiting on resolutions being transferred from reservations and when someone did pick up, two beeps and I was disconnected. I can happily report 10 minutes later resolutions called back and apologized, but not before I nearly had a heart attack. Most of the four I spoke with said, they consider a studio balcony acceptable for a balcony gty, however, they would not stick two persons there obviously, so if you are a solo, prepare for probably always getting assigned that, So I guess there are no gtys in our future. Bottom line after lots of upset, I was moved down a few cabins, to a regular balcony, yet obstructed of course, but it is what it is. Somehow, Royal seems to be pushing me future away and that makes me sad, but they are missing the mark with solos. So many of us are retired, no longer with partner, or just lots of girlfriends who like to travel together yet have our own cabins.