lIVE from Divina :)

Getting ready to head to the port, thought I'd share a pic of Divina in Miami this morning. Hard to believe over 10,000 people will board those 5 ships today. Order of ships in photo: celebrity reflection, Divina, two carnival ships, and NCL escape.

http://www.snapfish.com/library/share?w=snapfish_us&c=snapfish&l=en_US#Ftb2oq8z0EiUscC2WQPPEw/AUS/27938866428070/SNAPFISH

Arrived yesterday. Stayed at YVE downtown. Abby at check-in found a room for me at noon which was very nice. Penthouse floor- city view. Rooms are boutique, translate small :-). Great location right next to bayside which has lots of shopping, tours, and free live music in the evening. Liked the band better when we sailed last August on getaway, but still a nice evening.

Free well drinks for ladies every night from 5 to 6 PM. (Served painfully slow) at the hotel restaurant. Rooms clean and $6.00 transfer to port is handy. I'd stay here again, but let price decide. Basically any downtown hotel I have ever stayed at in Miami has been nice and walking around is very safe as long as you are urban aware.

I plan to purchase the 18 coupon drink special. With all the trouble everyone has had with the Msc website, I elected to wait to purchase it on board. The website also showed reasonable Internet prices, so I hope to post live throughout the week as long as the speed is decent.

I don't want to steal Maxwells question thread because I'm sure they will do a much better job posting live, but if you have any questions let em rip and I'll do my best.

The one question I hope to definitively answer is the elusive 2-for-1 happy hour specials. The only review I have ever seen that mentioned in was Gambee's and that was posted several years ago. I've seen no happy hour mentioned in any dailies that have been posted recently, so I will do my very best to have a happy hour drink in every bar on the ship - someone has to do the painful research :).

Looks like that link goes directly to snapfish :(. Any ideas how to post pictures from snapfish via Apple iPhone?

posting pictures from the snap fish app using the cruise critic app is not working, sorry :(

Trying photobucket:

Getting ready to head to the port, thought I'd share a pic of Divina in Miami this morning. Hard to believe over 10,000 people will board those 5 ships today. Order of ships in photo: celebrity reflection, Divina, two carnival ships, and NCL escape.

 

http://www.snapfish.com/library/share?w=snapfish_us&c=snapfish&l=en_US#Ftb2oq8z0EiUscC2WQPPEw/AUS/27938866428070/SNAPFISH

 

Arrived yesterday. Stayed at YVE downtown. Abby at check-in found a room for me at noon which was very nice. Penthouse floor- city view. Rooms are boutique, translate small :-). Great location right next to bayside which has lots of shopping, tours, and free live music in the evening. Liked the band better when we sailed last August on getaway, but still a nice evening.

 

Free well drinks for ladies every night from 5 to 6 PM. (Served painfully slow) at the hotel restaurant. Rooms clean and $6.00 transfer to port is handy. I'd stay here again, but let price decide. Basically any downtown hotel I have ever stayed at in Miami has been nice and walking around is very safe as long as you are urban aware.

 

I plan to purchase the 18 coupon drink special. With all the trouble everyone has had with the Msc website, I elected to wait to purchase it on board. The website also showed reasonable Internet prices, so I hope to post live throughout the week as long as the speed is decent.

 

I don't want to steal Maxwells question thread because I'm sure they will do a much better job posting live, but if you have any questions let em rip and I'll do my best.

 

The one question I hope to definitively answer is the elusive 2-for-1 happy hour specials. The only review I have ever seen that mentioned in was Gambee's and that was posted several years ago. I've seen no happy hour mentioned in any dailies that have been posted recently, so I will do my very best to have a happy hour drink in every bar on the ship - someone has to do the painful research :).

Very glad you are posting! You are not stealing any thunder from me; I will not have internet on the ship so am soliciting specific questions to help out the forum. I will be following along your review and enjoy your time!

Oh, and can you let us know what "experience" you are booked as and post a room service menu photo? :D

Looking forward to this, we are seriously considering Divina or Seaside for a future cruise.

Can you let us know at what time you were able to board please? And also confirm the times of seatings for dinner? Oh and finally have a wonderful wonderful holiday!

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Have a wonderful time.

Keith

Quick post while I still have Internet:).

Embarkation was a solid A+. Arrived at pier at 12:07- onboard ship at 12:32 (seriously- I timed it). And that was even with having to reprint my cabin card. The only time the line stopped was at port authority (first line when you enter)- and I was only 3 families back. Very smooth.

I boarded at the aft elevator, so I hopped on an elevator to deck 12 and my room was ready. Since I only travel with a carry-on it is now 1:15 and I am already completely unpacked and settled into my room. Deck 12 has the more muted color scheme of orangish/yellow and brown. Very pleasant on the eyes. Cabin is bigger than NCL breakaway and getaway. I had a b6 on the breakaway and i would say my aft facing balcony is slightly smaller, but it will positively hold a lounge chair so that is my next quest.

Maxwell: I am booked in the fantastica experience- aft facing balcony on deck 12. I don't see a room service menu, but I will find one and post a photo for you. This info has been missing too so I promise not to forget.

Dining times are 5:45 and 8:30.

I might also mention that I am traveling solo because I need some "me" time to just unwind. It is doubtful I will be taking my meals in the mdr. It's not that I'm anti-social, as my work is very social, but that sort of defeats the "me" time concepT. Not to mention, The waterfront on the"Away" class ships have me spoiled because I prefer to dine outside anyway.

The hunt is on for a lounge chair- and a drink package :)

Loving your reviews. I am currently booked on the Divina for May 28th. Looking forward to it!!

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The hunt is on for a lounge chair- and a drink package :)

Can't wait to read more! We are sailing next week and are also on deck 12. Enjoy your cruise!

we did this cruise last year, hope you have an awesome time and looking forward to your review.

Can't wait for more!

Subscribing.

Enjoy your me time vacation!

Some random observations: I've been noting as I've gone along so forgive the grammar errors. I want to post this while I still have free internet. My posts won't be as regular once we sail.

1- No health cards- anywhere. First cruise in 10 years where I haven't had to sign that I am not symptomatic.

2- drink package purchased in Miami is not put on card until we are at sea to avoid Miami taxes. The single diet coke I purchased at the same time came with gratuity (15%) and did have state sales tax of 18 cents added.

3- First impression of the staff is that they are indeed aloof - except for Ana a waitress in buffet that sold me the package. Not much smiling, but they smile when you say hello first. I suppose time will tell with the service.

4. First impression of the buffet is that I will like the traditional main-stream lines I have sailed (NCL, rccl, Hal, celebrity, princess, and even carnival) better. Again, it's too early to judge entirely and this is based only on embarkation lunch. The salad bar was fine (which is mostly what I will eat)- and they slice the cucumbers really thin making for a really easy cucumber, onion, beet, and feta salad with a splash of vinegar. Yum! Oh- and it's not a lie- the pizza was delish. I will not go hungry.

5. Drink coupons size is dinky! Not sure how I'll keep track. The tickets are sightly smaller than the room key. There must be a better way.

6. Whoopsie- they called rooms ready at 2:45 :(. Guess I wasn't supposed to go directly to my room. For what it's worth- it was entirely cleaned and there wasn't even any stewards out in my hallway.

7. The crystal stairs are so bright, you almost need shades

8. I can not imagine how anyone can gain weight on this ship- the entire thing is mirrors! Seriously, don't come onboard needing to lose ten pounds and make sure your roots are touched up.

9. The floor in the solarium is significantly more slippery than the rest of the pool decks. I checked due to of Gambee's video. I've been known to fall- with and without alcohol. They have placed brown AstroTurf type rugs on the main path but caution is still required.

10. What were they thinking? A solarium without lounge chairs is riot worthy. Seriously, what WERE they thinking? This is a perfect adult only area backing up to only the spa/gym. If not adults only here then the infinity pool is another nice venue. American DINK's like me like our adult only spaces. MSC is missing a marketing strategy with this one.

11) room service menu (pic coming when I get home) has the "normal" cruise ship room service menu items (soup, salad, sandwiches). There are no prices posted next to the entries, so it looks like the fantastica experience pays a set $3.50 delivery fee only. Continental breakfast delivery is free with fantastica. There were clearly marked prices next to the eataly pizza delivery (ranging from $8.00-13.00) and no clear prices next to the regular room service choices so I think $3.50 is total for US sailings. I know I have seen aka carte euro prices posted online for room service.

12. I got my lounge chair. I inquired before sailing and Msc online said it would be ok since I have a larger than normal balcony. At first the pool attendant said no, but I explained what Msc said I could on aft, and he said no again. Then I showed him pics from my phone of lounge chairs on deck 10 and 11 along with what I hope we're cute pleas. All that coupled with a heafty tip changed his mind. In the end, We were both very grateful and I think we are officially buddies. Ps- I don't use the lounge chairs at the pool and try to specifically book cabins based on their ability to house a lounger. Me and my book gonna live out there.

13) huge line at guest services but the person attending took my card and punched it without me waiting. Yep, I'm a lanyard wearer- did I mention i also pack only a carryon? Function junction.

14) you have to scan your credit card onboard (they don't do it in the terminal). Several kiosks located in the main area- no line- easy peasy.

15) there was a line in the casino for those pre-purchasing drink packages. You pick them up in the casino before dinner or at your table at dinner.

16) the only real line I stood in today was to see the restaurant manager. I requested late dining table for one. Was given early dining large table. The dude was stereotype flustered Italian-in a huff- talking with his hands and heavy sighs-I mean that in the nicest way possible because I love Italy and will be returning there in August. I was willing to accept any dining room, any time but in the end the resolution was for me to show up tonight and he would find me a small table. By the looks of black crab small two tops I told him it was fine but I will pass. I don't want to take a two top up for just one or two meals. The small tables are scarce and There is a whole 3 inches between tables. Awkward- Plus the 2 hour meal just isn't for me. I'm sticking with my original plan, main meal lunch with a lighter dinner.

17) I sat on my balcony this afternoon drinking a decent margarita, watching 3 ships set sail. Always such a fun part of cruising. We don't sail until 7 and the forecast is for a clear sunset over Miami. Serious potential for a beautiful sail away.

18) They called "Johnny alpha" three times. I've heard alpha called but never "Johnny alpha." Johnny must be very important- maybe the El-presidente', or someone is sick in the Jon? Sorry- bad joke(s). Totally hope everyone is ok.

19) I'm sitting in black and white lounge (really beautiful) for the muster drill. Called at 5:15. I hope this ship doesn't sink, because no one is taking this drill seriously. We all HAD to put our jackets on. For some reason Me and my straps are morta enemies. People on the phone, guy with a Yankees hat has a beer, apparently "quiet please" isn't a universal language. People actually left before they rang the freedom bell. Hell, I'm surprised the bar isn't serving (kidding........kinda).

Last but not least, everything you've read about the Divina being stunning is true. This is probably the most beautiful ship I've sailed on ascetically. The radiance class ships on RCCL have been my favorite due to the walk around promenade, adults only solarium, and excessive use of glass throughout. Decks 5-7 on Divina do not have nearly the same amount of natural light, but the decor and attention to detail is really lovely. I suppose the only thing that would make me love the looks of the Divina more is if I had lost the ten pounds and dyed my roots - did I mention the mirrors? EVERYWHERE?? This is like a narcissist dream come true.

Reflection leaving- my aft view just got significantly better.

Since I still have internet, this one is for you Maxwell :)

Bermuda,,,,,would love to know if MSC has introduced a comedy show onboard,,,Andre ,,the cruise director,,,who happens to be on vacation until May 21st,,tweeted a pic of a new show so I wasn't sure if it was only for one sailing,,or if it will run on every sailing,,,,have a great trip,,,soooooo jealous!!!

Great review so far. Keep it coming.

Since I still have internet, this one is for you Maxwell :)

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I see it says a fee from 11pm to 6am. Maybe mid day orders have no fee? I will have to gamble on it. Menu looks great and I thank you for sharing

Sailing- I'm officially Unconnecting until tomorrow :)

One last post- too beautiful not to share!