Divina Review, Sept 27-Oct 4 - Very pleasantly surprised!

We are experienced cruisers (16+ since 1991) on various cruise lines (HAL, RCCL, Carnival, Celebrity, NCL, Princess - in no particular order). This was our first experience with MSC, and we booked this cruise only because it was so inexpensive that we just couldn't resist.

 

We nearly always book inside guarantee, but we paid slightly more to book under a Balcony Bingo promotion. We were pleased to find that our cabin assignment was 9146, one of four cabins on the ship that is a sideways balcony, which means it's nearly double the width of a standard balcony. We were very pleased with the cabin, and it was large and roomy. Loved the inside layout which offered two tv's and a nearly separated room with a couch. Great midship location. I will note that if we had been placed in a deck 8 balcony, we would have been unhappy with the view of the lifeboats, and the pillows are lousy.

 

Bathroom was great, especially the super hot water and great water pressure. Cabin steward (Alexandre) was great, probably the best we've ever had on any ship. Ordered room service for breakfast once, which never showed up, but he offered to get it rushed to us. We declined and headed to the buffet.

 

The ship itself is gorgeous and modern. Glass, glitz and chrome everywhere. We did not always find the seating comfortable in the bars, but they all were aesthetically beautiful. Without question, the ship is impeccably clean. Just spotless.

 

We were very, very happy with the buffet on the Divina, though the offerings are quite different than what we have experienced on other lines. Terrifically tasty breakfast sausage, though I admit I missed the made to order omelets that we usually get on other ships. The prosciutto and other Italian meats and cheeses were delightful. Lunch was also very good in the buffet, particularly the carved meat selections. The porchetta was the best porchetta I've EVER had (and yes, I've had it in Italy the country, Little Italy in NYC and Philly and elsewhere). Beef was available at least medium rare instead of the usual medium to well done. Hamburgers were pre-prepared, but tasty. Still, we did miss the made to order fresh burgers, especially because I prefer to select certain condiments that I like rather than what somebody thinks I like. On most cruise buffets, I tend to eat a lot from the ethnic area. On the Divina, this was their weakest buffet area (seriously needs improvement or change it to something else). Pizza was outstanding, especially with the addition of some of the spicy salami available in the Mediterranean section. Pasta selections were not what American tastes expect, but were usually good. Salad bar needs an overhaul to suit American tastes - the offerings are skimpy. Contrary to other reviews, we never had problems finding a seat, but the area around certain food items could get a little crazy.

 

We ate breakfast in the MDR once, and found service to be slow and confused. We never ate lunch in the MDR as the offerings at the buffet always were more appealing than the lunch menu in the MDR. Dinner in the MDR was a delightful surprise - MUCH better than expected. The quality of the meat was quite good (husband is an ex butcher), and attempts were made to deliver beef cooked as ordered (my request for rare at least got me medium rare). On lobster night, I ordered the duck, and was told my our waiter that it was dry. He suggested the lobster instead. I'm glad I took his advice, as these were real lobster tails, not those tiny slipper tails. They were a decent size, not larger, and tasty. Without anyone asking, our waiter delivered second lobster tails to those that wanted, and brought me an entire second entree of the duck. It was a little dry, but I've had much worse. I'm not a bread or desert person, but the others at our table were pleased with the bread and deserts. Salads also need improvement and be sure to get the dressing on the side unless you want it drenched. The pasta's were ordered in the MDR were very good - I enjoyed a small order instead of the mediocre soup or salad. Cooked vegetables looked great, but were utterly tasteless. No matter what the vegie was, it had no taste. - very odd.

 

After a bad first night with our waiters in the MDR, things improved drastically. (I believe someone at our table spoke to the maitre de.) On the following nights, service was excellent. Dinner companions were great, and we appreciated that the late seating allowed us to linger. The pre ordered dinner wine package gave us 7 bottles of wine for $72 - a great bargain, but admittedly a low end wine. If you are at all fussy, the reds will not be acceptable, but for us they were fine. (We do not drink white wine, so I cannot comment on those selections).

 

Service was a mixed bag, ranging from fair to excellent. Service in the bars was usually fine, sometimes on the slow side (especially at the pools). Not being constantly bothered to buy a drink was a relief, and the mixed drinks were well prepared. The bartenders at The Divina Bar were excellent and fun. Entertainment in the bars and clubs was above average, but I do wish they actually had a piano player in the Piano Bar. The shows were very professional, albeit with a recorded band instead of a live band. In our view, this improved the show as most cruise line bands are pretty bad. Singers, dancers, jugglers, contortionists, etc. were all top notch and work their butts off, performing every single night of the cruise. One hint: If you don't like opera, skip the afternoon show on the last sea day and attend the show on the last night of the cruise. Both offer opera, but the evening show is familiar aria's, which will appeal to a more general population.

 

We used and loved ALL the pool areas but did wish there were more shade areas for lounging. And the photo sales area needs to be moved - on the last two nights of the cruise, it clogged up the hallway like a bad traffic accident.

 

Overall, we enjoyed our first MSC experience more than we expected. We would absolutely sail MSC again, and would chose them before returning to NCL or RCCL again (assuming comparable prices and itinerary).

 

Happy to answer any specific questions.

Thanks for your well balanced review and glad you had a good time. Yes the pillows are the worst.

Edited October 16, 2014 by riclop

Thanks! Enjoyed your review!:)

thank you for your review.Glad you had a good one.

Thanks for sharing. Two questions: 1. Where did you sit at the buffet that wasn't crowded and 2. Which was your favorite pool?

Thanks for sharing. Two questions: 1. Where did you sit at the buffet that wasn't crowded and 2. Which was your favorite pool?

 

Regarding the buffet: seating was NEVER a problem towards the back of the ship. The tables on the sides with water views were usually filled, but people came and left, and staff cleared off the dishes very quickly, so even those tables were often available.

 

Favorite pool: hmm, really we liked them all, but i guess our least favorite was the one with the kiddy pool around on one side. The Infinity pool was ingenious, but we loved the water features in the middle pool (forget the name of that one). Can't pick a bad pool on that ship. They were all spectacular.

Regarding the buffet: seating was NEVER a problem towards the back of the ship. The tables on the sides with water views were usually filled, but people came and left, and staff cleared off the dishes very quickly, so even those tables were often available.

 

Favorite pool: hmm, really we liked them all, but i guess our least favorite was the one with the kiddy pool around on one side. The Infinity pool was ingenious, but we loved the water features in the middle pool (forget the name of that one). Can't pick a bad pool on that ship. They were all spectacular.

Thanks, I thought of one more question. Did you have early or late seating for dinner and how did that work out for you? Was there plenty of time for the shows? Bob

I'll jump in here.

 

Early seating 6, show at 9.

Late seating 8:45 show @ 7.

I'll jump in here.

 

Early seating 6, show at 9.

Late seating 8:45 show @ 7.

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

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!

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!

Thanks, much appreciated. Bob

Thanks, I thought of one more question. Did you have early or late seating for dinner and how did that work out for you? Was there plenty of time for the shows? Bob

 

We did late seating and joybaby posted correct times. We nearly ALWAYS had a full 45 minute break between the end of the show and start of dinner at 8:45pm. Which we thought was great. Time to stop for a cocktail or two in the lounge(s).

 

We always do late seating (we enjoy our afternoon nap on cruise ships), but we were concerned about the unusually late time for late seating on the Divina. Worked perfectly for us as we are not late night disco people. Others at our table were equally pleased as the disco doesn't get rocking until 10:30pm or so.

 

For us, early seating would have meant watching terrific shows with full bellies and lolling heads after eating a (surprisingly good) big meal.

Go with late seating.

Edited October 18, 2014 by jkgourmet

We did late seating and joybaby posted correct times. We nearly ALWAYS had a full 45 minute break between the end of the show and start of dinner at 8:45pm. Which we thought was great. Time to stop for a cocktail or two in the lounge(s).

 

We always do late seating (we enjoy our afternoon nap on cruise ships), but we were concerned about the unusually late time for late seating on the Divina. Worked perfectly for us as we are not late night disco people. Others at our table were equally pleased as the disco doesn't get rocking until 10:30pm or so.

 

For us, early seating would have meant watching terrific shows with full bellies and lolling heads after eating a (surprisingly good) big meal.

Go with late seating.

Thanks for your recommendation. Now I'm right back where I was before but I think I'm leaning toward the later seating. Bob

Thanks for the well balance review. Surprised about the piano bar, they have had them in the past.

Thanks for the well balance review. Surprised about the piano bar, they have had them in the past.

 

They had a duo in the Piano Bar - male and female singer - who played an electric piano. Wide variety of music, but not what I would call Piano Bar. They were pretty good, but VERY similar to the duo that was playing in the Golden Lounge.

 

The lovely piano in the lounge remained untouched the entire cruise.

Thank you for the review.

Thanks for your review.