Divina extreme reviews, is it the Divina, or the Reviewers!

The food was awful, the food was great!

Worst Italian ever, best Italian ever!

The crew was rude, the crew was great!

The crew was lazy, the crew went out of their way!

The ship layout is awful, the ship is beautiful!

The buffet is limited, the buffet is enormous!

Breakfast was boring no cooked to order eggs, plenty to choose from!

Buffet had Lousy burgers and hot dogs for lunch, smoked salmon yum!

The singers were lip-synching, best shows at sea!

We couldn't buy booze for our cabin, lowest prices on drinks at sea!

Besides offering very entertaining reviews to read, and your point of view, the Divina reviews are either 60% very easy to please people, or 40% very cranky people!

What do you think?

What is going on? Booked on the 10/18 Divina cruise and VERY CONFUSED!

People seem to love it or hate it...can anyone explain? Last three reviews very negative.... But prior to those very good reviews....what is the deal...

Is it an American vs. Europe issue?

Love to have other comments.

I'll be on the Divina October 18. This is my first cruise with a European boat and I am a little concerned with the last comments.

The ones that complain about everything it is the reviewer and not the ship. The ones that like things probably don't let the small little things ruin your trip.

Some people have legitimate complaints, but then it's every facet of the ship and there is no pleasing these people. Sure every ship is not perfect, but to complain about something like there is no egg station and it ruin my trip is just plain crazy.

I did not run into any rude workers at all, but some people seem to find everyone of them. True I didn't meet all 1000 staff members and there will always be a grumpy worker, but generally they were great. 99% being rude! what no mutiny yet? C'mon that's just silly. I wish I had a camera for every time I got service plenty of smiling faces, some singing, one was dancing around behind the bar and the black and white lounge.

Food is subjective, love it or hate it, but it's basically banquet food in the dining room. My choices were all edible, but still good. And if there is not enough food on your plate order another dish, as one reviewer put it not enough food, we had to order dessert. Lol. (Really).

These are not negatives but I wish the had my time dining, and better pillows. :) it would not make me sail this ship again.

So take a little from both review, positive and negative. Go with an open mind and not nit pick about the minor things, because if you do then your going to find everything bad.

Funny you look up the reviews name, no such members on here. Guess they are new or don't want to be known. Hhaha

What is going on? Booked on the 10/18 Divina cruise and VERY CONFUSED!

 

People seem to love it or hate it...can anyone explain? Last three reviews very negative.... But prior to those very good reviews....what is the deal...

 

Is it an American vs. Europe issue?

 

Love to have other comments.

It's the same on European cruises. People tend to love it or hate it. Costa seems to get similar complaints as MSC.

All I can say is when reading the reviews be the dire or glowing, look for explanations of why hey hated or liked it. It may be that the thing the hated is unimportant to you or even a plus. Some complain about the multiple languages, yet that is a huge plus for me. I'm interested in learning other languages and when I leave my country, I want to be surrounded by people of different cultures and nationalities. There are other factors like that which can explain 2 people on the same ship and the same week having completely opposing views of it.

Service is another factor. I'm not criticising the US and their ways so please don't be offended but I personally find the US service style irritating, intrusive and over familiar. I like the European way better. So if you're lying by a pool and wait staff keep stopping by me to ask me if I want a drink, I don't view that as good service but annoying, especially I'd it is the same person interrupting me repeatedly. MSC don't do that, they completely ignore you. If I want a drink, I need to signal or make eye contact with a waiter and they'll come over. The reverse is, if you are used to the other way and see that as good and attentive service and don't understand that they're not wanting to disturb you, they see it as bad service. Same situation, 2 different ways of viewing it.

Guess I am spoiled by Facebook now but I wish we had a like button after comments or poss so we could show approval of a posters comments. I read all reviews - and for some - it seems you won't EVER make them happy. Others are cheerleaders and will only post positive. I try to weed through their comments and take away what I can. I am looking forward to trying the Divina next month. I have never tried MSC but I am looking forward to giving both MSC and the Divina a try. I personally have heard some excellent reports from TA's just returning.

 

Service is another factor. I'm not criticising the US and their ways so please don't be offended but I personally find the US service style irritating, intrusive and over familiar. I like the European way better. So if you're lying by a pool and wait staff keep stopping by me to ask me if I want a drink, I don't view that as good service but annoying, especially I'd it is the same person interrupting me repeatedly. MSC don't do that, they completely ignore you. If I want a drink, I need to signal or make eye contact with a waiter and they'll come over. The reverse is, if you are used to the other way and see that as good and attentive service and don't understand that they're not wanting to disturb you, they see it as bad service. Same situation, 2 different ways of viewing it.

Ohh I so agree with this, I agree make eye contact with them and waive them over. I thought the service by bar staff was impeccable for the amount of people looking for drinks. Actually only had one slow girl, but still brought everything we asked for. RCCL I am quite annoyed with lately with their push down your throats sales. The promenade has turned into a typical mall, someone passing out flyers as you walk by.

I tell you pool bar service on Divina was far superior to my last cruise on Celebrity.

Thank you all for your insight, and I agree with the comment about facebook...It would be so nice to be able to "Like" or "Comment" on reviews/post. I am looking forward to my first cruise with MSC, and I will be going on it with an open mind. This will be my 11th cruise, on 5 different cruise lines, so I will have something to compare it with.

My question is; Why is there not a roll call for MSC on Cruise Critic, and is anyone sailing on them the week of March 15th?

This is supposed to be a forum where you give your opinion of your cruise. Unfortunately, there are some bullies (maybe employees of the line) that ridicule everything you say. I was on a Feb. 2 cruise and posted about the food. I was "attcked" by several members. One told my I must have an ax to grind, so do it under a rock!!!

Then there was a thread about tipping. Members were so mean that several of them later said they were sorry. I don't get it.

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

This is supposed to be a forum where you give your opinion of your cruise. Unfortunately, there are some bullies (maybe employees of the line) that ridicule everything you say. I was on a Feb. 2 cruise and posted about the food. I was "attcked" by several members. One told my I must have an ax to grind, so do it under a rock!!!

 

Then there was a thread about tipping. Members were so mean that several of them later said they were sorry. I don't get it.

 

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

We are just going to have to agree to disagree with your coments regarding your cruise. :D but the people who have replied back are not workers for the cruise line. Not when some of these people have been here many years such as my self.

Everyone will have opinions. I will post mine in a review after we return from Divina March 15. It's so easy to say this cruise line is not like that cruise line and nitpick every little thing you don't like. Just let me say this ahead of time: Cruising has come down in price so much over the last 30 years it will knock your socks off. How much does $100 per person per day in 1980 dollars compare to today? And how much will it cost you to stay on land somewhere now with 3 meals a day? It's amazing how little will irritate me when I don't have to cook, clean or do dishes for a week. Doug

Some people need a place to dump all their negativity.

Please go and review my review.

I will give more insight.

Thank you all for your insight, and I agree with the comment about facebook...It would be so nice to be able to "Like" or "Comment" on reviews/post. I am looking forward to my first cruise with MSC, and I will be going on it with an open mind. This will be my 11th cruise, on 5 different cruise lines, so I will have something to compare it with.

 

My question is; Why is there not a roll call for MSC on Cruise Critic, and is anyone sailing on them the week of March 15th?

There is a roll call forum for MSC on CC. And there is a roll call for March 15 - Divina. Come over and meet some of your fellow cruisers. Look for this to connect with roll calls.

Sticky: New Roll Call Forum for MSC

We are looking to book our first MSC cruise for November 2014. Had some of the same concerns. I also read LOTS of reviews and feel I can discern enough to get a "feel" for everything. In recent years we've done Holland America (7-day MX Riviera) and Carnival (4-day Ensenada, MX). Found something to like on each. We were looking for something different this time....

European clientele....looking forward to the experience!

Foreign language announcements....OK, so what??

No egg station....OK, we know that ahead of time, not a big deal.

Italian slanted cuisine.....good! We have been wanting to go to Italy.

"Banquet" food....our experience is that MDR food is mostly just fine by us!

Looking forward to the comparisons. But....going into these with an open mind has worked well for us. We are not complainers by nature. Of cruises we have taken, Holland America was more "our taste" than Carnival, but our reason for taking Carnival's short cruise (18th B-day present for daughter, and fun) met our bill as well.

Just my opinion....

Please go and review my review.

I will give more insight.

Two Saturdays ago MSC had a great sale, and I emailed your review to my partner at work. Little did he know that I had already booked the cruise for Mar 8-15. Your mentioning cabin 10080 made me reserve cabin 11224 for the bigger balcony. He called about 30 minutes after I sent your review had the reservation and said "Book it!"

It's sad to admit that people who are seasoned cruisers like me often complain the most and loudest. What ever happened to the excitement of going on the ocean and being treated so well? I still think just what my cruise card says: The sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean, the people we meet-these make a cruise great. Doug

We are just going to have to agree to disagree with your coments regarding your cruise. :D but the people who have replied back are not workers for the cruise line. Not when some of these people have been here many years such as my self.

Why would I care if you agree with me. You were not there when I got raw bacon when I asked for well done or when I constantly had to turn completley around to select bread from a assistant waiter who didn't have a clue about waiting on passangers.

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

We just completed our first MSC cruise on the Divina last weekend, Being veteran cruisers for the last twenty years. Would I cruise MSC again? No way. I was hoping all the negarive reviews were just the opinion of of a few compllaners. They were all pretty factual.

Lousy food, a staff that could care less

Did we enjoy ourselves? Yes. Maybe it's just the European way of doing things. The staff could have cared less.

You can buy a lot better for your cruise dollar.

The Divina is beautiful. Food just average. Service poor. Upon completion of my onboard survey, I called it "adequate". Nothing more, nothing less.

We just completed our first MSC cruise on the Divina last weekend, Being veteran cruisers for the last twenty years. Would I cruise MSC again? No way. I was hoping all the negarive reviews were just the opinion of of a few compllaners. They were all pretty factual.

 

Lousy food, a staff that could care less

 

Did we enjoy ourselves? Yes. Maybe it's just the European way of doing things. The staff could have cared less.

 

You can buy a lot better for your cruise dollar.

 

The Divina is beautiful. Food just average. Service poor. Upon completion of my onboard survey, I called it "adequate". Nothing more, nothing less.

Well maybe factual for you and some others. You also were on a gay charter. Not every cruise personal believe in our lifestyle, were most of these workers come from would have issues, and unfortunately you probably got some back lash because of that. I knew that before you even went on, some workers were not looking forward to your cruise. I can't and you can't pursuade them what to think about our lifestyle, but I saw it coming with some people I talked to, but then there was one worker who couldn't wait where she has worked other lines and enjoyed it.

As for food. food is subjective. SO what are the reviewers who say everything is great. Are they not factual also?

Service was so great for me and my tablemates where they would get what the ladies wanted at our table. The waiter in the casino would bring out drinks to us or make us 10 yeager bombs and no issues but smiling faces. I had one who tried to make me a Brain tumor shot. He was more willing to learn how to make it then passing me off.

So the moral here is pass a smile off to them they will smile back get to know thier names, treat them like crap and be demanding your not going to get good service.

Not that I am saying you did this. I'm just saying in general, treat people with respect, get the same back.

And this is no HAL cruise line.

Why would I care if you agree with me. You were not there when I got raw bacon when I asked for well done or when I constantly had to turn completley around to select bread from a assistant waiter who didn't have a clue about waiting on passangers.

 

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

The bacon was cooked and not raw everytime I was there. Yes it was soft and not stiff like well done bacon, I looked trough the pans for the over cooked bacon, and I am assuming thats how you like it too.

Wow have you salied Rccl or Celebrity lately, Where I would ask for more water or bread, Its no big deal. One server, not the whole ship. Its not the servers fault its inproper training and alot of newbies on the ship because of the american side they brought on so much new crew.

As with this thread we can be on the same cruise and have totally difference experiences. Where I would look at you and say man are you off your rocker, and you would look at me and say the same thing.

It's sad to admit that people who are seasoned cruisers like me often complain the most and loudest. What ever happened to the excitement of going on the ocean and being treated so well? I still think just what my cruise card says: The sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean, the people we meet-these make a cruise great. Doug

This is so true, going into the diamond lounge on RCCL or even the suites lounge its the biggest complainers room. All cruise lines are different and you have to treat them that way, they are not all the same as Cunard or Carnival.

The bacon was cooked and not raw everytime I was there. Yes it was soft and not stiff like well done bacon, I looked trough the pans for the over cooked bacon, and I am assuming thats how you like it too.

 

Wow have you salied Rccl or Celebrity lately, Where I would ask for more water or bread, Its no big deal. One server, not the whole ship. Its not the servers fault its inproper training and alot of newbies on the ship because of the american side they brought on so much new crew.

 

As with this thread we can be on the same cruise and have totally difference experiences. Where I would look at you and say man are you off your rocker, and you would look at me and say the same thing.

You hit the nail on the head. We could be at the same table and have a different experience. My point is, who are you to challange everything I post as if I am making it up?

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

The one thing I notice in the cruiseline of the 3 that I have sailed on recently, RCCL, Celebrity and MSC, service is not the same it was 10 years ago. Cutbacks have killed service and food quality.

They use to leave bread at the table, not anymore, you have to ask for it after they serve it the first time. Water is hit or miss, sometimes I had to ask sometimes I didn't on Divina a couple of nights I did, but others he kept it filled.

Ice in your room no on RCCL you have to ask for it. They do not automatically bring it. All these things are to save money, the penny pinchers know where to cut, and the customers don't like it. But we are still paying the same price of a cruise that I paid 10 years ago. Where are those chocolates, the towel animals. cutbacks.

I am a seasoned cruiser. I would not pass on ANY opportunity to cruise on ANY of the major cruise lines. Why? Because I decide on, shop for and prepare dinner for my family at least 6 days a week and often 2-3 meals on Saturday and Sunday; I don't see my husband and son as much as I would like to because of their work and school and although we live less than a 15 minute drive from one of the most beautiful beaches in the US (Clearwater Beach) I'm too busy to make time to go. They can serve semi cold grilled cheese sandwiches for every meal and I will return with a smile on my face. (And I'm a foodie!)

That said, I was a manager for customer service based hospitality businesses for most of my career. I'm hyper sensitive to customer service issues. You WILL hear from me about things that I don't like. They are my opinions. That's what reviews are for. No two people in the same family, let alone the general public can be expected to agree 100%. So, please, feel free to comment on the review I will post upon my return. We sail on March 15th, and this Mom will be SMILING each time my "banquet meal" is delivered to the table!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

You know what they say opinions are like -- and we all have them.