joybaby

Thanks for the info. I will pre-order it when the cruise get closer.

Prior to cruising - You have to order at least 4 days out. If you order on the ship it will include a 15% gratuity and is only available the first 2 days.

Looking forward to more pictures and review. I am trying to convince the wife to go on the Divina.

It's a great line, lots of walking though, so if someone is not a good hoofer, that needs to be considered.

I love the Divina, am in 11101 to Bermuda! Whoopee!

Great photos, keep them coming.

The buffet is casual, but the dining room the folks dress up a bit for dinner.

I agree, it was a great cruise for us in Sept. We have also done the Opera and the Poesia when they were in the Carib.

When is the Divina going to Bermuda? That would be awesome! :)

April 11 ( I am booked on that one) and the 18th. I understand the 18th will have motorcycle clubs on it.

It is 2 days in King's Wharf. You can get public transportation, boat and bus for the price of a one or two day ticket. I have done this in the past. No car rentals in Bermuda.

Where did you get your e-ticket? If I fill in the web check-in on the MSC website I get a form to hand in but it doesn't give me any boarding instructions, and my travel agency can't help!

The same happened to me. I read to go to Facebook and ask for them and luggage tags, and I got them within 15 min. Everything else failed. Hope this works for you.

Hello, I have a couple of questions about MSC cruise line...I live in Vancouver Canada.. and this cruise line is not common over here, but it looks beautiful. We have sailed Princess NCL and Carnival...is the standard the same with this cruise line? What is the food menus, and the buffets like? I love the drink package, very reasonably priced..does the drink package include fancy cocktails and highballs (Rum and Coke) or only beer and wine? Is the on board casino and dress codes (resort casual and a formal nite) the same? I know its a lot of questions...cant wait to hear all the responses :p

It's a wonderful line, lots of live music, food is subjective, dress code is about the same as Princess. It is impeccably clean, small casino, non smoking!

There are several drink packages. We did the 15 for $72. No tips if pre paid. It was any kind of drink, just no high end spirits. There are other choices if you drink more. You can also order the drink package the first 2 days of sailing but with the 15% gratuities. Good day time activities when at sea.

It is a huge ship and there is lots of walking, so consider that if that is an issue with you or anyone in your party. They have lots of lounges with dancing and music, but not a party ship in a Carnival Sense. Several pools, one with a retractable dome.

I have also been on the sister ships out of Fl ( now elsewhere) the Poesia and the Opera, also delightful.

I am sure you will get more input from others.

I have cruised many times and this is a cut above for me.

I recently sailed on the Divina and loved it. I am an easy traveler, I don't need everything! I go for R and R. If anyone in your party has walking issues, I would say this is not a good choice as the ship is huge.

The buffet is very crowded during lunch, go to the aft for better seating.

Thanks it looks like there should not be a problem with either sitting. What sitting did you have and why did you like it better with reference to ship's activities? We are going with another couple and one of us likes to eat earlier and the other later so I'm looking for a reason we should choose one over the other. Bob

We did early which was a bit early for us, but the late seating is sooo late, doesn't get out until after 10.

So our show was 9 - 9:45 and that gave us time to go to the lounges and our friends to the casinos.

The late seating would have sent me to bed after eating!

I'll jump in here.

Early seating 6, show at 9.

Late seating 8:45 show @ 7.

Not sure about taking it on, but you can self debark and not be on the early schedule, but you MUST be out of your cabin by 7 A.M. They are definite about that, you can go and eat. You can probably leave your luggage at your assigned room while eating. I left mine w/ permission at the casino while I went to the buffet to pick up a cup of coffee.

The Divina is much larger than the Poesia. They are both beautiful and we loved sailing on them, but for us Poesia is our personal favorite.

However, any MSC ship is great for me!

I have cruised over 30 times, many lines.

Enjoy whatever you choose.

There are many lounges w/ diff. venues of live music. I saw people dancing every night. You will love the Divina. It is a beautiful ship.

There are 3 numbers for self assist. Go to customer service and get one for the first debark. Tell them the time your plane is leaving. I got off on the second no. and breezed right through customs, they were waiting for px. - 7 a.m. There were soooo many taxis as you exit, they were hawking people. You should be fine.

Definitely do self assist. I recently got off the Divina and sched. to get off at 6:45. I was called then and customs had no one there, I was in my car at 7. I don't think it will be a problem. Go to guest relations and ask to be on the first call list, I think there are 3 for self assist.

My husband and I are looking at an MSC cruise for next September(2015). We have only cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past. We are new to the different grades etc. Are any drinks supplied without a charge--lemonade, ice tea. We would take the lowest grade as we don't usually get room service or spa treatments. We would only consider if the vouchers are necessary for any drink? The ports in the Mediterranean are the reason we are looking at MSC. :confused:

It is a huge ship 4400 px. so consider that when looking at your ports.

A question for the seasoned MSC cruisers ..... Can I up grade on check in from inside to balcony stateroom,?we sail on October 18th.

Thanks in anticipation

I recently tried on the Divina, they said they were full, but they weren't. Our friends asked and they offered them a balcony at a hefty price. There was no upgrade fairy at time of boarding. I really can understand, they are handling so many people. You might get lucky and be changed prior to arriving. That did happen to me on the Poesia, only from inside to OV though.

jzx, in my opinion you had not missed a lot by not being able to visit El Yungue.

It is OK "rainforest" if you have never seen the "real one",but I,personally, was disappointed when I had been there. It seemed to me too much touristy....if you know what I mean.

 

If you are interested in nature and rainforests,I would recommend you to take a cruise with stops in Central America (Costa Rica,Panama,Guatemala...). You would enjoy a real piece of nature:D.

Agreed, long bus ride and over rated.

no, no and no.

i called David and he was wonderful. I certainly will book through him next time.

 

He assured me that cabins 9066 & 9062 were "regular" balcony type cabins.

 

Boy do I feel better! Thank you again and again....

 

I have been on over 50 cruises but this was the first time I did the research and booking and our friends are new to cruising and this is their first balcony. So when I read how bad these cabins were I truly was upset. Anyway all is well that ends well.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling note and answering.

I booked with a local TA who was not familiar with the ship for my Sept cruise, just like you did. Not the best room, but any cruise is fine to me.

For my forthcoming cruise, I used David. He knows the ship and I am delighted that I found him.

Wonderful review and photography, thanks so much.

We also love MSC, having sailed on three of them, Divina, Poesia and Opera, the Poesia is my personal favorite.

I loved the size and décor of the ship, but our table mates made that sailing something special.

Hoping you have another voyage very soon.

Joyce - Ormond by the Sea, FL

Well, I love MSC, but disagree about "is not pushy" after sailing on Divina and Poesia. They set up tables with items right by the pool. Numerous tables.

I agree with that, we didn't see that on the Poesia a few yrs. ago. But they are not pushy with the drinks.

PU at the casino.

What does that actually mean?

 

Am trying my first MSC cruise and keep reading about it being more "European style" vs "American style".

Some of the food, talent, music in many lounges, all live and wonderful,

conservative staff - not intrusive pushing drinks, lovely décor, Balinese spa.

Many non Americans sail on the Divina in America.

Great experience and a change of pace from the American Lines.