I had booked a handicap cabin, on the very back of the boat. I did the research and based on the pictures; it was large enough that there was enough room for all my assistance stuff. I checked cabin dimensions, I scoured the internet for photos, I choose cabin 8271 because it had more square footage than the other wheelchair accessible cabins, both in the cabin and the deck. It also, according to the photos I found, had more space in the bathroom so I could bring safety rails for the commode area.

Because my email was deluged with "upgrade your cabin" offers, I called MSC almost daily to make sure the cabin had not been changed. The day before we sailed, I checked and was assured no changes had been made to our reservation. I was looking forward to the cruise. So, May 22, 2022. Get to Port Canaveral @ 11am, the assigned boarding time. Passports, ID, vaccination cards, negative Covid 19 test results in hand. Had all the required paperwork. Check in, no problems, board the ship, I'm greeted and told "oh, we have given you a cabin upgrade! NO! I don't want an upgrade! I want the cabin I booked and paid for! I want cabin 8271!

"Oh, well, the new cabin is 12153. It is a wheelchair accessible cabin on a higher deck. It is the same category as the cabin you booked. Read more