alli

Yeah I just re read it. You say thanks to friends you had a chance to experience the yc.

 

Yet in the dining section you never mention eating at le muse but you do talk about menu choices that could only be from the MDR. Le Muse has two choices but you mention menus with 4 choices.

 

If you sailed Yacht Club then how did you eat dinner in the MDR.

 

Others have long posted its impossible or really really hard to do.

 

Since you were able to do this I know some people would like the inside scoop.

 

One of the reasons we choose the YC was specifically to not dine in the MDR.

 

And please no offense meant to those who don't sail in the YC at all.

 

But really this review has to be fixed as its impossible to follow the plot.

 

I hope the film of the dinner buffet is more, whats the words, edited better.

I'm a tad confused as well...In the first post it is stated that:

"Buffet food – a boring, repetitive, tasteless, cheap interpretation of what is called “regular buffet fare on a cruise ship” with the omission of omelets cooked to order, eggs benedict, smoked salmon, berries of any kind, mango, kiwi, sea food, anything freshly prepared in your presence.

This buffet forced us to go to MDR for breakfast several times – something we never do on cruise"

If one sailed the YC, don't they serve breakfast up there? I'm sure this will all be explained

The only thing that determins someone's status is what he/she has posted on the subject.

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughtful, factual, critical.

 

Critical - those that ecourage critical thinking.

I think I'm in agreement with Mrs. Squirrel here on the definition of critic/critical in this situation.

From Websters:

One who finds fault.

Tending to find fault.

On our May 10th cruise it was not free. There were several options for entry:

They sell a weekly pass for $49.00 single $79.00 couple

They sell hourly passes for ?? I would like to say $12.00

They include a 'cruise pass' included in several of their spa packages available online.

We opted to purchase a spa package through the website several weeks prior to the cruise. For $50 a person we each received an 1/2 Bali massage and a pass for the thermal suite ( sauna/steam) for the duration of the cruise. It was well worth the money and the massage was dreamy.

Did we ever come to a conclusion here about " Is it Divina or the reviewers?"

Having spent a delightful week on Divina...it is the reviewers!!

My, that does look like horrible storage. Luckily we found our balcony cabin ( deck 8 ) to have a different configuration and the storage was adequate. Our frig was not in our closet!

We were on Divina on the 4/26 sailing and I must say, it's cheap for a reason. For the savings, we had fun, but all prices equal, no way would we go MSC again. I'll do a full review soon, and I'll tell you both sides because there are some good things and the main parts of the ship are indeed gorgeous. I'm a firm believer that part of every vacation is what you make of it, but I will warn those of you that are normally Celebrity or Princess travelers, there is no comparison (except maybe in yacht club, which I can't speak for), and the few other travelers we encountered that spoke English fluently all said the exact same things, and would say it first, or completely agree.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Raises hand...normally Celebrity or Princess travelers...it is comparable. Very. Well at least the Celebrity and Princess we used to know a decade ago.

Our last two cruises on Princess were lacking in food quality, service and entertainment. Anytime Dining on Princess is an absolute nightmare and the maitre'd s are a breed of rude I have never encountered before at sea ( or ahore for that matter). Celebrity has made changes recently that have me leery of booking with them in the near future.

MSC provided us with a great alternative to the current American market!

 

Also... Special Shout Out To The Couple I Met The Cruise Critic Meet&Greet, And We Had Our Martini Drinks Together, And Kept Running Into Each Others At Shows, Pool Deck etc.... It Was A Plessure Chatting, And Talking To You Guys, You're, The Type Of Cruisers I Like To Sail With!!! Forgive Me... I'm Not Good With Names!!!

That was me and my husband!!

We were next to NCL Getaway in Nassau and the music BLASTING from that ship was obnoxious! Something I would expect from Carnival. They also had some dressed characters by the gangway...reminded me of FunFreddy...

The rules state that you can't bring sodas/water/wine/alcohol onboard. Those are the rules. It is interesting that they told you it is for health reasons. MSC is a business first and foremost and while their 'business' is to provide you with a great travel experience, it is also their business to make $$. They make money by selling you drinks ( photos, excursions, bingo tickets, etc.). I respect that.

Having said that, I packed a case of Perrier and carried it right onboard in my carryon. The girl at security stopped the machine and I thought " oh, here's were my case of Perrier ends up in the Port of Miami while I cruise around the Caribbean for a week." Nope, she asked what it was, we told her and off we went with the case.

Disclaimer: That was our experience...your results may vary.

Hey Silly,

I enjoyed those paper vouchers! I wish more cruiselines would do that. It was a whole lot better drinking a Stella Artois or Peroni at $3.50 a bottle and not pay $350 for an all you can drink package. I think that you will find that the cost of a premium imported beer on other cruiselines is around $6.

We liked the vouchers as well. Not only did it give a discount on certain drinks, it also allowed us to know what we had spent on drinks from the get go. We are no longer the type of drinkers who would enjoy an all you can drink package so it was a great option!

Now I hope MSC is reading along...perhaps a 'coffee card' ( much like Princess offers) would be a nice option as well. The coffee bars made fantastic concoctions and we found ourselves enjoying them twice a day!

Bear...you summed it up well!!

BTW, where were you week2 of your b2b? Missed you at both the Garden Bar before departure and the meet and mingle on the second day!

Just got off Divina this morning and while I'm too beat to attempt a coherent review just wanted to let people know that we had a great time! We have cruised numerous times on a variety of cruiselines and became apprehensive prior to the cruise after reading some very damning reviews...I wish I had ignored all the Debbie Downers!

For those of you sailing her in the future you are in for a treat!

I did research right here on Cruise Critic and found very mixed reviews. As I had sailed on the MSC Poesia and had wonderful food and service, I ignored the negative reviews and comments posted here. Feel free to do the same :D

Sounds like you are back pedaling. I believe the poster above me who stated that you probably took advantage of good prices coupled with your 'credit' from MSC from your previous letter to them to book an extremely cheap vacation. Anyone who has read your previous review of the Poesia would wonder why you ever bothered to rebook with MSC.

BTW, I'll make your day and up you a week...I board Divina on Saturday and am looking forward to a great week! I don't eat bacon or ride the elevators, so that's two problems I know I won't experience.

Give DIVINA a try. If you like Celebrity I think you will like DIVINA. Just choose your date wisely if you don't want to be inundated with kids. Remember MSC lets kids sail free year round, so during the summer months and holidays you can expect tons onboard.

We always book cruises in January, May or November just for that reason!

I am making a mental list of things to check when onboard. Having read a recently published review, I am determined to get a photo of the infamous ashtrays/soap dishes that has given some poor cruiser cause for much righteous indignation. Are they or aren't they a soap dish? I find myself consumed by curiosity! :D

 

I will also be taking note of the state of the bacon and will report back as to whether kiwis count as Americans or as Europeans when it comes to dinner time water.

Please check how many of bar attenders sing and dance in shows :p

Also, please check the wait time in line to use a hot tub! Do they hand out tickets for this or do people just form an orderly line?

It's amazing how many negative MSC reviews are by new cruise critic members who have "cruised several times"

I know, seems to be a trend on this board.

I have a few questions for the OP. What did you mean by the crew members being "cruel"? And did you reprt this behavior? Also, did you really wait an hour to get into a hot tub?

I just booked the same package for both my DH and I for $100 total just so we could access the thermal spa. I am also taking a print-out of what that package includes, as my confirmation statement does not have that info. Don't want any hassles since the price I paid is 1/2 what the full week access fee for two would be. I cruise in a couple weeks, so will let you know how it goes.

I booked the same package with the same mind set. Good idea to print out the details!

Looks like a fantastic deal!! Thanks for posting the information.

Another option is to look at the spa packages which include use of the thermal spa for the week. Spa treatments are normally over priced on cruiseships, but the packages that are available for pre-booking on Divina seem quite reasonable.

Wow, this thread is almost nine months old. That's a lot of time to be researching and discussing! I've booked 5 cruises in that time period and sailed four. Woman have produced full term babies in that length of time!

Cruisetail, may I suggest you step away from your computer and actually go book a cruise? I think you'd be a happier human if you did so. I know a lot of us would be happy as well.

Enjoy your cruise!!

Looking forward to the full review!

Since I haven't been on the Divina yet ( counting down the days!!!) I'll have to rely on information from the Internet ( which we know really isn't the best way to get real information):

"Top 18 Exclusive Solarium

On the top decks of the MSC Divina, you will be able to soak up the sun in style at the TOP 18 EXCLUSIVE SOLARIUM, and adult-only sanctuary of serenity, boasting premium deck space and stunning sea views. With its own dedicated spa service, bar menu and complimentary delicious fruit skewers, you are greeted at a private entrance on DECK 18 by dedicated staff with a refreshing chilled towel and escorted to your own personal sun bed (full sun or shaded) where you can while away the day in perfect peace and harmony. For those who believe that a day of relaxation is not complete without a massage, there’s no need to interrupt precious tanning time for a trip to the spa. With a specially tailored menu of express spa treatments available in the solarium itself, guests can receive those spa services right on the deck. This EXCLUSIVE solarium is unique on any cruise ship sailing in North America."

Now I have been on Princess several times and can tell you the charge for their sanctuary ranges from $20 to $40 a day ( it is ship specific). There aren't any 'butlers'...there is staff to assist you. Food and massages are extra. It seems like the major difference is the padded chairs.

"The norms" that don't cost extra on cruise ships:

1. Pastry shop. Food in pastry shops is free on cruise ships (except MSC). Specialty coffee is extra.

2. "Private sun deck". MSC is the only cruise line that charges for sun deck.

 

Princess has the solarium which they charge for. Seems like the private sundeck on Divina is the same kind of thing.

OMG, wait, hold the presses....YIKES...there was a cruise on HAL last year when there where no limes!!!

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=40489256&postcount=13

We know through our research that the Nieuw Amsterdam ALWAYS have limes. In this extensive research, we see one lounging on the proper promenade deck, ready to assist for all our lime needs.

 

What we learn from this research is that if there is a proper promenade, limes will come.

 

Mattingly,

Thank-you for your extensive research on this!