MSC Divina Questions (as well as MSC in general)

We're thinking of booking on the Divina for Christmas and New Years this year (12 Days/11 Nights sailing Decmber 23rd, 2017). :D It will be both or 1st Christmas cruise (we have done New Years cruises before) and our 1st MSC cruise and I have a few questions.

1. What do the different "experiences" when booking a cabin mean? We will want a balcony cabin and late seating dinner if that matters

2. How does dinner work with assigned seating? Do you have a specific dining room, table mates, and waiters like on other cruise lines or is it something different (which we're great with)?

3. What is the age demographic onboard? Not that it matters, I'm just curious, haha

4. What sorts of activities/events/parties do they have onboard? Again, just curious

5. What's the dress code for both day time and evening? I just need to know what I'll need to pack so I'm ready for anything!!

6. What is the smoking policy on the Divina (or MSC in general) and where are the smoking areass on Divina? Please no arguments, if you don't have anything useful to say for this question, don't say anything. I know how touchy smoking questions can be here on CC

7. Does anyone have copies of the daily newspaper delivered to all the cabins (the one with dining info for the day and all the stuff going on onboard, not sure what MSC calls it) for the Divina?

8. Is there anything else I should know about the Divina or MSC in general?

Sorry for all the questions!! I just thought of them all at once for some reason, haha!! :o

We really appreciate you writing! A search on these topics in this forum will provide the answers you seek. Cheers!

We're thinking of booking on the Divina for Christmas and New Years this year (12 Days/11 Nights sailing Decmber 23rd, 2017). :D It will be both or 1st Christmas cruise (we have done New Years cruises before) and our 1st MSC cruise and I have a few questions.

1. What do the different "experiences" when booking a cabin mean?

Best look at this link

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/en-gb/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx

 

We will want a balcony cabin and late seating dinner if that matters

You need a FANTASTICA BALCONY

2. How does dinner work with assigned seating? Do you have a specific dining room yes, table mates yes, and waiters yes

 

3. What is the age demographic onboard? Not that it matters, I'm just curious, haha don't know that one

 

4. What sorts of activities/events/parties do they have onboard? Again, just curious

There are daily programs on the forum somewhere , maybe some one will post you a link

5. What's the dress code for both day time and evening?

Day time:- no dress code except no tanktops; swimwear or bare feet in dining areas

 

Evening is SUGGESTED, not obligatory, and published in the daily information planner:- 1 from the 4 dress codes shown below

 

6. What is the smoking policy on the Divina (or MSC in general) and where are the smoking areass on Divina? Please no arguments, if you don't have anything useful to say for this question, don't say anything. I know how touchy smoking questions can be here on CC

Smoking is banned in cabins and on balconies an permitted in a few designated areas: usually the port side of open decks and the cigar lounge. IO'm not sure about the casino

 

7. Does anyone have copies of the daily newspaper delivered to all the cabins (the one with dining info for the day and all the stuff going on onboard, not sure what MSC calls it) for the Divina? YES it's called Daily Program

 

8. Is there anything else I should know about the Divina or MSC in general?

Have you looked at status matching any other loyalty scheme you have

Sorry for all the questions!! I just thought of them all at once for some reason, haha!! :o

Pete

We're thinking of booking on the Divina for Christmas and New Years this year (12 Days/11 Nights sailing Decmber 23rd, 2017). :D It will be both or 1st Christmas cruise (we have done New Years cruises before) and our 1st MSC cruise and I have a few questions.

1. What do the different "experiences" when booking a cabin mean? We will want a balcony cabin and late seating dinner if that matters

2. How does dinner work with assigned seating? Do you have a specific dining room, table mates, and waiters like on other cruise lines or is it something different (which we're great with)?

3. What is the age demographic onboard? Not that it matters, I'm just curious, haha

4. What sorts of activities/events/parties do they have onboard? Again, just curious

5. What's the dress code for both day time and evening? I just need to know what I'll need to pack so I'm ready for anything!!

6. What is the smoking policy on the Divina (or MSC in general) and where are the smoking areass on Divina? Please no arguments, if you don't have anything useful to say for this question, don't say anything. I know how touchy smoking questions can be here on CC

7. Does anyone have copies of the daily newspaper delivered to all the cabins (the one with dining info for the day and all the stuff going on onboard, not sure what MSC calls it) for the Divina?

8. Is there anything else I should know about the Divina or MSC in general?

Sorry for all the questions!! I just thought of them all at once for some reason, haha!! :o

A little research will provide you those answers.

When I sailed Divina, there was no smoking in casino nor any inside areas....only outside in specific designated area

The only place to smoke inside is the Cigar lounge outside of the casino. It's open 24 hrs a day, and after 6PM there is a bar in there. Even before 6, the wait staff from the casino bar will stick there noses in to see if anyone wants a drink.

Have a look at my thread Random Photos it answers a lot of questions I will bump it back up!

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A little research will provide you those answers.

If that were to be the case, everyone can just stop posting now. Virtually every question that comes up has been asked and answered dozens of times.

Glad we were able to help.

Glad we were able to help.

:D

One wonders if the answers are read by some OPs! 😏

:D

 

One wonders if the answers are read by some OPs! 😏

A little Thank you post would by nice to get from the OP

I've noticed that some people don't have the courtesy to do that

Pete

Pete

Thanks a lot Pete!! :D

You can't wear tank tops or shorts in the buffet even at lunch time? I'm ok with that is just a bit surprising, I've never been on any cruise line that doesn't allow t-shirt, tank tops, shorts, coverups, etc in the buffet at lunch. It doesn't matter to me what they do or don't allow in the buffet at dinner since I always to go either the main dining room or the buffet.

I'm going to have to look for copies of the Daily Program to see what kinds of activities/events/parties they have. I like to be prepared, haha.

Do they allow smoking traditional (for lack of a better word) cigarettes in the Cigar Bar? I know some cruise lines only allow Cigars there (which makes sense to me). However, it is a nice place to go if it's bad weather outside and you can't smoke in the casino!!

Yes, I have done Status Match and I'm Gold on MSC. It's going to feel really weird (and awkward) to be so high up in a cruise lines Loyalty Program when I've never sailed with them before!! :o

:D

 

One wonders if the answers are read by some OPs! 😏

Sure they are read!! :D When the OP in question gets back from a few days away that is, haha. I was away for the last few days or else I would have replied sooner. I have this same reply once before when I asked a question then went away. Do people not understand that people leave home for days at a time sometimes or for some other reason are not glued to their computers? ;)

A little Thank you post would by nice to get from the OP

I've noticed that some people don't have the courtesy to do that

 

Pete

I've been away Pete, I don't check or go on CC while I'm away. I always come back and reply and say thank you either not to long after I post the question and get some answers or after I get back from vacation. I've been in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and up at our cottage. I think I will log in to CC and check on things while I'm away next time I post a question then go away, this isn't the 1st time I've been accused of being rude.

But yes, there are some people who post questions, comments, etc and then never come back to reply and/or say thank you. Those people annoy me as well. :mad: It is common courtesy to do so and you're right, some people don't have it.

I've been away Pete, I don't check or go on CC while I'm away. I always come back and reply and say thank you either not to long after I post the question and get some answers or after I get back from vacation. I've been in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and up at our cottage. I think I will log in to CC and check on things while I'm away next time I post a question then go away, this isn't the 1st time I've been accused of being rude.

But yes, there are some people who post questions, comments, etc and then never come back to reply and/or say thank you. Those people annoy me as well. :mad: It is common courtesy to do so and you're right, some people don't have it.

Thanks a lot Pete!! :D

You can't wear tank tops or shorts in the buffet even at lunch time? I'm ok with that is just a bit surprising, I've never been on any cruise line that doesn't allow t-shirt, tank tops, shorts, coverups, etc in the buffet at lunch. It doesn't matter to me what they do or don't allow in the buffet at dinner since I always to go either the main dining room or the buffet.

I'm going to have to look for copies of the Daily Program to see what kinds of activities/events/parties they have. I like to be prepared, haha.

Do they allow smoking traditional (for lack of a better word) cigarettes in the Cigar Bar? I know some cruise lines only allow Cigars there (which makes sense to me). However, it is a nice place to go if it's bad weather outside and you can't smoke in the casino!! As a non smoker I avoid the Cigar Bar and am sorry I can't throw any light on the specific nuance of the smoking pr non-smoking of cigarettes in said facility.

Yes, I have done Status Match and I'm Gold on MSC. It's going to feel really weird (and awkward) to be so high up in a cruise lines Loyalty Program when I've never sailed with them before!! :o

 

 

 

Sure they are read!! :D When the OP in question gets back from a few days away that is, haha. I was away for the last few days or else I would have replied sooner. I have this same reply once before when I asked a question then went away. Do people not understand that people leave home for days at a time sometimes or for some other reason are not glued to their computers? ;)

I hope you had a pleasant few days away and please forgive the mild rebuke I made. I too leave electronic gizmos alone when I take a break and fully understand where you are coming from

Pete

Yes, you can wear tank tops and shorts in the buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

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Yes, you can wear tank tops and shorts in the buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

 

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I don't think you are correct

It is quite clear in the information in the bottom of the image of a part of the daily planner

Tank tops are not permitted at any time in any indoor restaurant or the buffet

also No shorts in dinner

These are not "suggested " dress codes but a rules

Pete

On my Divina cruise, I didn't see any bikinis, robes or bare feet in the buffet, but countless tank tops for breakfast and lunch.

I think this is a translation issue. The print at the bottom says no shorts in "restaurants.". The previous sentence mentioned "restaurants or buffet". I think MSC only means no shorts in the restaurants, OK in the buffet. And regarding "tank tops" maybe they mean tankini swim suits. I have certainly seen shorts and tank tops in the buffet at all meals.

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December 23rd will cost you about $1,326 for an inside cabin for 11 days while December 16 is a 7 day cruise for just $383. Judging by your questions you haven't tried MSC yet but are considering jumping in at a premium time and rate. I love Divina and would sail on her anytime.... but for you I'm tempted to say, "Don't do it without trying a 7 day cruise on her first".

I think this is a translation issue. The print at the bottom says no shorts in "restaurants" for dinner The previous sentence mentioned "restaurants or buffet". I think MSC only means no shorts in the restaurants, OK in the buffet. And regarding "tank tops" maybe they mean tankini swim suits. I have certainly seen shorts and tank tops in the buffet at all meals.

 

 

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The 1st sentence (rule) refers to tank tops, bikinis, bathrobes and bare feet in restaurants and INDOOR buffet areas , NO mention of shorts.

The 2nd sentence is a stand alone rule, and in no way connected with the first sentence (rule) except by being in the same box of the image., and relating to dress.

So shorts are OK in restaurants at breakfast and lunch but not dinner, and buffet at all meals.

Tank tops are, in theory , only OK at open deck food outlets.

NO translation issues

Pete

I must have expressed myself poorly. I meant that MSC allows shorts for dinner only in the buffet.

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Don't forget that a tank top is different in Europe, UK and the States.

For women a dressy tank top can be worn as it is just a sleeveless top (or vest) and can be very elegant.

But men can't wear one, think men's hairy arm pits at a dinner table! Sorry chaps!

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That's what I meant about lost in "translation." Another example is some of the cakes we saw had a description card that said "Dry Cake." MSC meant that the cake was not frosted. But to describe a cake as "dry cake" certainly did a disservice to the delicious cakes on Divina!

Ok, I'm really confused now about the dress code. I love that they have one and that they follow it but I really don't understand what we can and can't wear in the various places onboard and at what time of day. :confused: I think I understand the evening dress code and I highly approve of it but I'm not sure about the daytime.

I hope you had a pleasant few days away and please forgive the mild rebuke I made. I too leave electronic gizmos alone when I take a break and fully understand where you are coming from

 

 

Pete

We sure did Pete!! :D We went on a 7 day cruise on the Norwegian Jade, came home for a few days (which is when I originally posted this), then went away for the weekend up to our cottage. Both trips were tons of fun!! :D It's ok, no worries. I think everyone forgets sometimes that we're not glued to our computers/phones 24/7. I don't totally disconnect when I go away but I usually just go onto FB while I'm away (normally just to post and share pictures of my trip with family and friends) and I check my email occasionally. I do stay off of CC while I'm away though. Maybe that's a bad idea right after I post a question though so I apologize for my bad timing, haha.

December 23rd will cost you about $1,326 for an inside cabin for 11 days while December 16 is a 7 day cruise for just $383. Judging by your questions you haven't tried MSC yet but are considering jumping in at a premium time and rate. I love Divina and would sail on her anytime.... but for you I'm tempted to say, "Don't do it without trying a 7 day cruise on her first".

Yes, we know that. It'll cost us just over $2000/person for a balcony (we always get a balcony). And that's before you add the taxes/port fees, gratuities, drink packages, etc. We love cruising over the holidays (we've done several New Years cruises and have always wanted to try a Christmas cruise so this one works perfectly:D) so the Dec. 16th sailing doesn't work unfortunately. We always jump into new things with both feet, haha. You're right, we've never sailed with MSC but have heard great things about the line in general and about the Divina. We've been taking longer cruises lately (11-14 days, a couple of which have been 2 7 day cruises B2B and 1 6 day/8 day B2B) so 7 days seems way too short, haha. We just got back a week and a half ago from a 7 day and it was defiantly too short (we still had a blast though)!! It doesn't bother me to go on a line and ship I've never been on for 11 days, I've never been on a cruise I didn't like!! :D

The only thing I'll add is "have a great cruise".