lisamarieh

I am fresh off of the Divina yesterday after a 10 day cruise. We spent numerous days in the spa. They massage therapists will try to sell you creams and serums at the end of each massage. I said no thank you and that was it. Other than that, the rest of the experience/ sales were initiated by me. The therapist do hand out flyers in various areas of the ship but that is it.

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Just got off the Divina today. Loved the white chocolate cheesecake!!! I thought the soups were all much improved from last year. My favorites were the French onion and minestrone. I enjoyed the risotto, which is on the menu in different forms almost every night. The cannelloni on the lunch menu was amazing!! We had 4 at sea days and there were 2 lunch menus that were rotated. The MDR is only open for lunch on the sea days. The food on Divina is amazing!

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We were supposed to be off by 715am and it was about 15 minutes later for us. We are US citizens so we went through customs quick but the line for non citizens was LONG!! I would definitely agree, expect delays.

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For anyone that is still interested about whether you can board a cruise use ship in Miami that goes to Colombia with a birth certificate and drivers license and no passport, you can. My husband and I just went through the entire check in process and were given our room keys. We are waiting now to get on the ship!!!!

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Last night, I pre- purchased the package for 20 items for $30. They will wash and iron for that price. Dry cleaning is not included. Last year, we didn't pre- purchase and it cost us double!!

I am curious if Mario (the new maitre' d in Le Muse) is the same Mario that was in Villa Rosa dining room last year. He was a very nice man and we enjoyed him!! We will find out in 9 days!!

Is the MDR open for lunch on Embarkation Day on Divina? If so, what are the hours?

On our last cruise in December 2015, it was not.

My husband and I have an Aurea Suite this time around since it includes a drink package and other perks but last year we bought the coupons and as already stated, you just have to pay attention to the actual cost of the item you want to use a coupon for as some of them are actually cheaper than the value of the coupon.

To add to the above suggestion: If your "annoyed" cruiser decides to go with a drink package because they find it more easy and convenient for them, everyone in their room must also purchase that same drink package.

I agree with all that but I can see lots of post here about "should I have one or should't I have one" . Is in it better to have one and not to worry? How much passport could cost after all :rolleyes:

With all due respect and without going into too much personal information, I could pay for a passport many times over! My husband has an extremely vindictive ex wife that keeps hauling him into court for more child support. He already supports his child and pays a boatload every week but owes back payments that come out of his paycheck every week. Due to that reason, the Department of Revenue will not allow him to have a passport. Once the arrearages are paid, we can get him a passport. So, to answer your question of "how much could a passport cost after all?" It could be free or a million dollars and my husband still would not be issued one.

This is the email I received earlier from the US Customs and Border Protection:

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) INFO Center.

U.S. Citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country on the cruise with proof of citizenship, such as an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) and, if 16 or older, a government issued photo ID.

You should always check with your cruise ship, travel agent and or destination country to confirm the requirements for entry into the foreign countries you will be visiting.

I spoke to a supervisor today that explained to me that the December 6, 2016 cruise is a Southern Caribbean cruise not a South American cruise. Being classified as such, I will not need to a passport to get off of the ship. However, if I chose to do excursions on my own or with a third party company, I will not be covered under the same rules in Colombia. I would have to have the appropriate documentation required by the laws in Colombia.

As far as why I never obtained a passport, why would I have one? I have never left the country except on closed loop cruises. The first question I asked last December when I called about this cruise was do I need a passport. I was told no. If I would have needed one, I would have chosen a different itinerary. I don"t care where I go, as long as I have an ocean surrounding me and a drink in my hand.

I am not doubting you. I called MSC again this afternoon and I was again told I only needed a birth certificate and a photo ID. I will be calling tomorrow to the state department. After all the times I have called MSC and my travel agent, if my husband and I can't board the ship on December 6th, I better get my money back. I asked about a passport when I booked this cruise and again was told a birth certificate and photo ID was acceptable. Are we still able to go on the rest of the cruise if I find out we need a passport for Colombia? I truly don't care about that port, I will stay on the ship.

I checked my MSC confirmation for an upcoming cruise. The only caveat about a close loop cruise leaving from a US port and visiting ports in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and select ports in Central America is that the birth certificate and ID is good only for Central American ports in Belize, Honduras and Panama. Any port stop in any other country in Central or South American requires a passport for all travelers, including those under 16 years of age.

We are going on the Divina on 12/6/2016. The first stop is in Columbia which is in South America. I have spoken to my travel agent and 3 different MSC agents and they have all told me that we don't need a passport for Columbia because it is a closed loop cruise. The said all we need is an original birth certificate and a photo ID. Sure hope this true!!

As was said upgrade once you are on board

 

 

I was on the same cruise as 1fifthavenue, and actually spoke to him.

 

he upgraded his package and I've copied the flyer that was on board ship at the time 5 - 12 Oct 2016

ie. just 2 weeks ago. It's a very new service offered by MSC and not all their land based staff will know about it yet

I hope they do allow the upgrade. We are booked into an Aurea balcony and would like to upgrade the drink package since it appears we will not be able to upgrade to the Yacht Club!! We are waiting for a cancellation!!!

Just a thought. The Aurea experience already includes the Classic drink package so it is not considered "purchasing a drink package." That could be the reason for them not allowing the upgrade to the premium drink package.

I answered the way I did because the OP stated that they weren't carrying their own bags off the ship and depending on the group they are assigned to for disembarkation, they may not get off the ship until (like us) 9:30am. Finding luggage, going through customs and hailing a cab all take time too so I would not chance it unless I was carrying my luggage off the ship.

So I am assuming with the Aurea experience we still need to pay for use of the sunbeds?

I wouldn't chance it. Last December we didn't carry our own bags and we didn't get called to get off of the ship until 9:30. Then you have to find your luggage, go through customs, get a cab and prayer for no Miami traffic to the airport. I wouldn't do it much before 12:30pm or 1pm.

We are sailing in January 2018. No email as of yet but I did check and itinerary has been changed. We were looking forward to the private island but I am content with the changes.

We stored our luggage under the bed in our room last year. We had 2 huge suitcases on wheels, 1 giant duffel bag on wheels and a carry on type bag. They all fit with room to spare!!

Yes. A little over 2 weeks ago there was a Yacht Club room that came available along with an Aurea Balcony. I upgraded to the Aurea because the Yacht Club room at the time was too expensive. Yesterday, when I checked prices again, the Yacht Club Deluxe Suite had come down by $400 a person. I guess it would be a good deal if they weren't sold out now!! a little over a month ago there was also 1 Yacht club room available. They don't last long though, someone always purchases them!!!

One room came available a couple of weeks ago and one came available a couple of weeks before that. They sold very quickly!! I guess you just have to check the site at exactly the right time.

I check quite a few times a day to see if a Yacht Club room comes available but thank you Cruiseguy! Definitely let me know if you find out about a cancellation!!

Every few weeks one will come available but the price was not in our range. The price has now come down by $400 a person.