GRANNYOFSIX

Hi Nikki...........following along because I love your lives and I'm your friend!!!  I often think about the first time we met on the Divina............Have a wonderful cruise!!

Thinking about booking the Carnival Legend.  I have been told the buffet is NOT self serve.  Can anyone confirm this?  Hoping Carnival has changed protocol and now has crew serving at the buffet.  Thanks in advance for your responses.

So happy for you and your Dad!!  Have a fabulous time!  Looking so very forward to your live posts!!  Thanks for doing this Nikki 🙂

Thank you Miaminice for taking the time to share your cruise experience with us all.  The ship looks so very beautiful!  Will keep the crew and guests in my thoughts and prayers.  Praying your cruise continues safely and that the crew's covid tests all come back negative!!! 

11 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

 

We sailed on the Divina in 2012 or 2013, its maiden season in the Caribbean.  Enjoyed it very much.

 

If it matters, we are very price driven, often taking an inside GTY (not YC).  We prefer to sail with as few kids as possible.  We have never sailed on a mega ship, but have sailed 25+ times experiencing all mass market lines except costa.  Our last 5-6 cruises have been on Celebrity,  almost entirely because the included perks made the pricing nearly unbeatable on a low end cabin.

 

We are looking at another MSC cruise for February in the Caribbean.   The ships that are in our required dates are the Divina, Seaside, Meraviglia and Armonia.  I've pretty much ruled out Armonia.  I assumed the Mera would have 'advantages' over the other somewhat older ships.  May I inquire why you (or anybody else) preferred the Divina over the others?  

Hi......we have been cruising since 1993.  We have cruised Carnival, Royal, Celebrity and MSC.  We have been cruising on MSC and Celebrity exclusively since January 2017.  We continue to check rates on other lines but MSC and Celebrity in our opinion have had the best rates with the best perks (I love perks)......

My husband and I enjoy dancing (Cha Cha, Shag, East Coast Swing etc) so dancing venues are very important to us.  We did not care for the dancing venues on Mera very much, but that is just my opinion.  We did not care for the dancing venues on Seaside at all (just our opinion) We liked the dancing venues the best on Divina because the venues were used for dancing and not so much games (like Mera) UNLESS it has changed since our last time on Divina in January 2019.   So Divina wins for us in that respect.

Also, walking outdoors (not on the walking track - to many people in the way and to much sun for us) is important to us.  On Divina we could walk on the lifeboat deck out of the sun and not so many people which we liked.  On Seaside there was no walking on the lifeboat deck because the lifeboats were tucked in.  This was a huge disappointment as we thought there may be some other place to walk outdoors, but there wasn't or we just didn't find it.  We could on the Mera on the lifeboat deck - it was a short walk but it was doable. So Divina wins for us in that respect.

We loved the Edge bar on the Mera.  Spent a lot of time there and got to know the bartenders and they truly made or repo cruise memorable!!!  The Promenade was spectacular as well.  The LED dome was awesome also. 

As for Celebrity, we have only cruised on the Equinox (6 times) and we love that ship.  Lots of walking available on the lifeboat deck and great dancing in the Sky Lounge.  So the Equinox does have what we enjoy also.

All the MSC ships that I have been on are gorgeous.  Crew has been amazing on all of them.  We enjoy the food in the buffet and the main dining room.  For me, the only ship I wouldn't go on again is the Seaside and that is ONLY because of the walking issue and the dancing issue.  We had a great time on all our MSC cruises and we are looking forward to our next Divina cruise which is booked for 2021.

Good luck with your decision!!!  Happy cruising! 🙂

12 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Not sure if any medical impact from sea bands, think like wearing a cooper bracelet.  If  real problem, check with your physician.  Otherwise, I guess you were lucky! 

Like I mentioned in my post, after 40+ cruises and ALWAYS feeling DIZZY AND FIND IT HARD TO CONCENTRATE AFTER THE CRUISE, this time not only did I do the Bonine, but decided to try the sea bands...............like you said, probably didn't help me to not feel dizzy, BUT something helped and since that was the NEW thing, I'm giving the sea bands credit......who knows........but it was wonderful NOT FEELING HORRIBLE AFTER THE CRUISE.......  I will try the sea bands again in April on our next cruise..........then I will know for sure if they work.........crazy too, because I did not wear them on the cruise............just to the cruise and then when we disembarked I wore them during the day for about a week..........wish I knew what helped me to feel NORMAL..........

Bonine for me......I take it morning and night the day before we get on the cruise.....then again morning and night the day we embark.........then once a day at night the entire cruise............then two again the day before disembarking and two the day of disembarking...........then because I do get MORE DIZZY AFTER THE CRUISE, I take one or two bonine every day/evening until those feelings subside..........sometimes in a day or two........my longest lasted 13 days..........whew.........  Just got off a 13 night cruise - used Bonine as above but also used sea bands.............NO DIZZINESS after cruise...............not questioning WHY....but will always wear the sea bands.....................

We are seasoned cruisers.  We decided to try MSC in 2017 when Divina first came to Miami.  The rates were enticing and the itinerary was fantastic.  We have since been on the Divina twice (fantastica experience both times) Seaside once (YC) and recently on the repo Meraviglia (fantastica)October 28th.  Lots of pros and cons...... but we enjoyed each cruise.  Divina being our favorite of the MSC ships......we have another Divina cruise booked for 2021. 

Since you like the casino (we do too) be sure to check out the 30% savings (we always get it) on your next cruise by getting a certain amount of points in the casino......well worth it!!

Do you have status with another cruise line?  MSC does a good job with status matching although I believe they are a bit more strict than we status matched in 2017.

If you do decide to give MSC a try, go with an open mind.  We did and ended up enjoying each MSC cruise we have taken so far.....some more than others, but all enjoyable.....:)

PS  Easy drinks being offered now......we decided to upgrade to premium at a very reasonable cost to upgrade since the easy package is already being offered......please let me know if you have questions.

Hi Nikki..........I FINALLY felt well enough today (November 23rd) to read your entire thread!!!  You are amazing!!  It was a fabulous read and I felt like I was on the ship again!!!!  It was wonderful seeing you and Matt and spending a few evenings before dinner catching up and enjoying drinks.  Hope we can do this again soon!!!

Thank you again Nikki......

PS  Thank you for the pen.....very thoughtful!!! 🙂

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

 

You could have had my pen, too, Laura, but I only just gave it to my sister-in-law earlier this week!!!  Perhaps if I get one on Seaview in August I can give you that one.

43 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

I have a spare you can have on Meraviglia 

Liz

Thank you so much Beamafar and Liz.....sure would be awesome and I definitely appreciate you giving me a pen!!!  Hoping they still give them out on the Meraviglia!!  I went to the store on Divina in January and they had pens but not the same ones that we received as a gift..........:(      Thanks again 🙂   Laura

32 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

Hope you are ok to travel and will save you one! I will leave it in our suitcase so I won’t forget!

Thanks for saving a pen for us!!!  Hopefully we will get 2 more on the Meraviglia cruise - with yours that will be a total of five.....I will need only one more............thanks!!!  Just got back from the doc.  He gave me an antibiotic in case the bite gets infected.  Can't decide if I should start taking it now since I know we will be drinking and there might be an interaction????  Anyway, safe travels!!  Sounds like you had an amazing time in the YC...........so happy for you and Matt!!!

2 hours ago, nikkiw60 said:

The ultimate black card gift... a floating ship pen!!! And another tote bag!

Morning Nikki and Matt.......Sounds like you had an amazing cruise!!!  Safe travels to your next destination!!!  Enjoyed your thread so very much!  Going to the doc today.........got bit by a spider or SOMETHING on Tuesday and it's still pretty swollen and itchy.  Thought I better get it checked out before we leave tomorrow.  PS  I'm trying to collect these pens for my 6 grandchildren - I have two pens so far..........  Have a fantastic day!!!!

Good Morning Nikki and Matt...........have a wonderful day!!!  I look forward to your posts........fun thread 🙂

2 hours ago, sidari said:

They were onboard over Xmas and New Year, the guy was sometimes there on his own. There were a number of Gospel Singers on the cruise who joined in one night when the singer was doing Mustang Sally, it was really good, sure Kerry has a video somewhere of it.

Thinking it was probably the same duo........I specifically remember them singing Mustang Sally.........it was soooo good!!!  Joe and I like to dance and although there wasn't a dance floor, we danced anyway........lol 🙂

3 hours ago, nikkiw60 said:

Be very wary of these 2 items which appear in the lounge late in the evening...

I remember them..................tooooooooooo good...........yummy!!  I overindulged for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 hours ago, sidari said:

Is the guitar guy still there with the woman singer? They were really good.

I wonder if it's the same duo that we saw on Divina the end of January........ohhhh they were awesome!!!!!

27 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

We couldn’t just walk past! Note the name of the bar...

Ohhhh wow........that looks sooooo good!!!!  Of course you couldn't pass up BAR NICOLAS 🙂

20 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

Just putting this out there and off topic but...for those of us on the 28th October Matt thinks we will get diverted to Bermuda...

Time will tell for sure.......... 

Sushi platter looked really delish.........nice you were invited to the CC dinner.  I wonder why you were invited to dinner??  Has it ever happened to you before?  Never happened to us.......interesting !!  Have a great day!

Have a wonderful day Nikki and Matt!!!  Enjoying your live thread so very much!!!  Thank you! 🙂

3 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

Have just called by the Black Card Party 1st one I have been to! About 10 people there. Got the chocolate ship... The hotel director remembered me which is a bit worrying!

Also met the assistant purser who will also be on our Meraviglia cruise in October.

Can't believe there were only 10 people there!!!!  Crazy!!  How many chocolate ships did you receive?  We did not go to the Black Party in January.  Two ships were delivered to our cabin 🙂  Ut Oh.....remembered by the hotel director......just kidding......You do make an awesome impression on people Nikki ............your Miami Vice looks so refreshing!!!

27 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

I need a social secretary...all these invites waiting for us when we returned to the ship!

Wow......looks amazing!!

34 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

I am just thinking that when I do a live from in October we will have to make it a joint one...

Would be fun, but I don't post pictures or even write on any social media when we are away.  I don't want anyone except family and friends to know that we aren't home.......just a silly fear I have..........but I LOVE your LIVES!!!  You do an amazing job!!!!  Have a great day Nikki!  I hope Matt feels good when he wakes up........been there, done that........not fun........  Last time we were in Key West I totally ruined our excursion as I "didn't feel well"................whew, the bumpy roads did me in..........what a shame.......have a great day!!!!! 🙂

30 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

No! But I like to smell the peaty ones!

I'm not a whiskey drinker at all.....don't even like to smell it......my Mom used to enjoy a shot of whiskey every night around 6:00pm........she said it would kill germs.........ha ha ha......

4 hours ago, nikkiw60 said:

Re the upgrade, another thought is that last year when we were booked to sail on the infamous Vegan cruise, we were contacted by MSC asking if we would be willing to cancel and book for another time. 

Which as you all know we did even though it was at the last minute and this could be on our passenger records?  

Also we had an issue with a tour being rubbish which we mentioned at the desk and as a gesture they sent wine and canapés to our cabin. After we went to thank them for the gesture and they made a note of who we were etc?

i am just thinking of reasons.

All really good reasons!!!  Just glad they chose you and Matt 🙂

4 hours ago, nikkiw60 said:

Now the whiskey tasting! It wasn’t top shelf or malt  but it was a lovely gesture! And we were both bemused by the measures!

Wow!!!!!  Huge pours!!!  Looks lovely!!!!  Do you like whiskey Nikki??