djiles52

Sounds like a great offer. How much deposit was required.

200.00 per person. I also booked the Divina and may change it. I really was thrilled with the fact that I could change the names, the dates, etc., or get a full refund!!! I have not looked into the Seaside yet but will shortly. I was really happy with MSC.

That's not a bad deal at all!!! I take it you booked a Yacht Club stateroom? Would you happen to know the OBC for booking lesser categories?:)

Nope, not a Yacht club.

Sailing on Divina in Feb. Those that have booked while onboard what have been the best deals or extras that you've been able to score? Being a mostly

Loyal Royal cruiser I have seen 50 pp deposits to large OBC, etc.

Not knowing a lot about MSC and any extra marketing that they do, any insight would be appreciated.

I just got off the Divina and booked another while onboard. I received 100.00 each OBC with a 15% discount. You can do any changes up to 90 days before sail date with even a full refund

A few notes and I will do a review soon.

 

First time on MSC

 

Likes

Shows in theater

Buffet food

Room had ocean view

Social media pricing

 

 

Dislike

Ship seems chopped up. No open plan like promenade with Windows.

 

Dinner in dining room.

 

Galaxy is way overated. Kids actually running through dining area during my 830 seating. Which we were the only ones in the restaurant. Very odd.

 

Steak house is like a diner. Very casual.

 

Service in sports bar.

Funny how different people are. I just got off too. Loved it! Drink prices are low I thought. When you signed for your drinks with the coupons no place for tips like the other lines. Staff in dining room were super both for dinner and lunch. Food was different but good. Smaller portions which I liked. I used the buffet once only because the people were rude, not the staff. The entertainment was amazing!!!! The best of any line I have been on. We went to the piano bar one night before the show and ordered one drink. The next night we went in and the waiter remembered us and brought us the same drinks from the night before! Of course the kids were not the greatest and the pools were so busy! But get your towel on your pool chair early!

Hey you sound like me. I will be there on the 4th. Booked inside guarantee and got a oceanview. Looking forward to trying something different.

Great!!! Have you checked in to the Roll call? Some who are on the forums are meeting at 3PM deck 15 AFT Garden bar. See you there!

All I ever see are YC reviews. Doesn't anyone go cheap?

Well I am going cheap on June 4th. I booked an inside room (which I usually do because I go to relax and sleep) but got upgraded to a balcony. No frills for me. Just give me my bed and food!!!!

Last Minute Changes

 

Well, as you all read my cousin bailed out on us, that meant that either he had to pay for that empty spot or we had to find someone to cover his spot. I tried my best to get one of my friends to go, but finding someone at the last minute was kind of hard. None of my friends could make it and I also needed someone who would not throw the group dynamic out of balance. In the end, we decided to just leave the spot open and my cousin would pay for his portion.

 

A few days passed and my mom realized that we had completely ignored one person, my aunt. Well, technically she is not my aunt, but you know how Spanish families go, we are all related to each other one way or another, lol. OMG that sounded racist, anyway… So yeah, that actually interests me, why you ask? Well, we knew she could not pay for the cruise fare, but she could pay for the air ticket from her home country. That meant that someone had to cover her cruise ticket to make it happen. The main reason why this interested me was because she is just PLAIN FUN! She makes fun out of boring situations; I have to admit that there are scarce people that carry this kind of personality trait. I knew she would be an excellent addition to the cruise. In addition to that, mom clicks with her very well, and I could see it in my mother's eyes, she really wanted her to come.

 

After all that had happened to our family this year, and more specifically to my mom, adding my aunt to this cruise would make this trip so much better. That night I sat down and went over my finances. It would not be particularly easy to make it happen. I not only had to pay for her cruise fare, but add to that shore excursions, drinks (she does not drink much), and extra expenses, it all added up. Plus August was a heavy month for me, as I had to pay for the fall college semester. Ummm, you do the math; Gambee would have to go into his savings to make this happen.

 

Long story short, there was no question about it. SHE HAD TO COME! Once I told my mom, you could hear it in her voice. It was just what we all needed; my aunt was the perfect person to fill in the vacant spot of the cruise. Mom proceeded to call her and inform her. She could not be happier! I think the entire cruise changed that day; it would be an entirely different experience. Now you had a loud and obnoxious Spanish family boarding a very luxurious Italian vessel.

 

For those who have followed me since the beginning, you might actually know my aunt. Do you remember that my mom took a second cruise on the Norwegian Sky without me? Well, that cruise she took with my aunt. And from the pictures that I got back, I can only tell you that the cruise is among my moms favorite ones. So yes, all in all, I did this for my mom.

 

 

A few days passed and my mom realized that we had completely ignored one person, my aunt. Well, technically she is not my aunt, but you know how Spanish families go, we are all related to each other one way or another, lol. OMG that sounded racist, anyway…

I am reading this at 5AM and laughing outloud!!!Hope I dont wake the family. I'm from the south and everyone in my small town is related to my husband!!! So true!!!

This is so true,,,I'm originally from Upstate New York, but after living in Florida for the past 25+ years and then moving up to Rhode Island last year,,we've noticed a difference in the taste of many things,,,for the better I might add. Must be the water!!!:D

Have you tried Chowder and clamcakes yet? How about Coffee milk?

I moved to Florida when I was 18 then Atlanta now back in Florida. You just cant get good bread down here. And no good fish and chips!!!! Have fun in RI. Its great! I miss it at times but I do love the south

Haaaaaa!!!! Boca,,,You'll have to travel to South Kingston, Rhode Island to a little place called Pasquale's,,,that's where the pizza that I posted came from. The pizza onboard MSC Divina is exactly the same though.:D You can get a fresh pizza onboard MSC Divina from La Cantina Di Bacco on deck 7.:)

 

Gosh, how I miss good Rhode Island pizza!! Can't get good pizza in the south!

Well, I did it! We are going to try MSC, and booked the Yacht Club for May of 2017, on the Divina! We are really looking forward to trying a new cruise line.

 

I sure would appreciate any feedback on anything MSC. What are your favorite meals? What kind of entertainment do they offer? Is MSC typically more formal than other lines? Etc. etc. I want to hear it all! The good, the bad, the ugly.

 

Thanks!

Kat

I too am just like you Kat!!! I am booked for June 4th 2016 and its my first MSC but have been on many many others. First time on Cruise Critic looking for MSC info. Believe me, I am excited about it. The Forums are super and just look at them. I found one with pictures that gave me all the info I needed. Seems more formal than others but I am looking forward to wearing things I haven't worn in a while!! Have a great time and have fun reading all the reviews. I will let you know my thoughts when I return!

Denise

WOW!!! Thanks for the time you took to do these! Super!

I am so very thankful for these posts. I am cruising on this ship 6/4 and will be on the 10th floor. With these wonderful pictures I just cant wait to go now!

Thank you so much for all the posting. This is my first time on MSC and my first time on cruise critic. I have sailed on RCCL, NCL and Carnival too.

OH and I have Samatha brown luggage too (work for HSN) but its pink. Should I ask to change my room?:):):):):):)

I'll be right there with you. Are you packed yet?:D MSC is my favorite line as well and I've been through trial by fire with the website issues.:D

Wow! Great info about this cruise and I can't wait! Not packed yet but looking forward to it. We live in Florida so try to cruise often. Hope to see you there

I am going on the Divina June 4th for the first time. I love that MSC will match other cruise lines royalty programs. But I do have a question.

I was told that the food was "European style". What the heck is that?

Thanks!!!