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My "Finally getting around to it" Divina Review!

SteelCruisin

By SteelCruisin,
in MSC Cruises

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Shippy Great Review Rare

Shippy

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You are not suppose to mention by name any cruise booking agencies.It is against CruiseCritic rules. They can give you a 'ding' for that.......I did the same thing by mistake years ago & got a 'ding'. I think if you get 3, you are banned from Cruisecritc.

Sorry you had gotten one not to your liking before. that can really ruin your cruise experience.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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We were excited about dining aboard MSC although we did hear mixed reviews in regards to quality, we enjoy a longer dinner, so being that there were multiple courses that were served over 2+ hours, it didn't bother us.The 1st nights menu was as follows:

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131123_175322_761_zps8f5d7b53.jpg

I had the shrimp cocktail (largest shrimp I have ever seen served on a ship)

the Zucchini Mille Feuille Au Gratin, San Marzano Tomato Soup, Fettuchini Alfredo and for my entrée the Blackened Lime Flounder. Now this might sound weird or contrary to what you have heard but everything was exceptional except the pasta....we found the Alfredo o taste nothing more than cream sauce, we wrote it off as a mistake in the kitchen and did not complain.

Blackened Lime Flounder:http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/dfa996eb-c766-466d-9172-6c66cdb34e84_zpse4a23173.jpg?t=1388890650

Stuffed Portobella Mushroom:http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131124_182006_764_zpsb8ce6094.jpg

Zucchini Mille Feuille Au Gratin:http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131123_183443_372_zpse8cdd934.jpg

The desserts were SOOOOO Good , we left dinner completely satisfied and looking forward to the new dining choices the rest of the week. We walked around the ship and enjoyed the LIVE MUSIC being played in all the lounges, we so missed live music on some of our past cruises and found there to be an abundance on MSC.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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Just wanted to say thanks for all the nice comments, and also wanted to cuss out photobucket for taking so long to upload photos....that being said since I am at the end of day one in my notes , I am gonna call it an end for today for me...tomorrow I will let you know my experience in the dining room for breakfast,I will take on some complaints that other reviewers had head to head, and have some ****Observations**** good night all !

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MR. MATT

MR. MATT

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Just wanted to say thanks for all the nice comments, and also wanted to cuss out photobucket for taking so long to upload photos....that being said since I am at the end of day one in my notes , I am gonna call it an end for today for me...tomorrow I will let you know my experience in the dining room for breakfast,I will take on some complaints that other reviewers had head to head, and have some ****Observations**** good night all !

 

 

! WOW ! your review is GREAT, I feel like I'm with you on the boat ;)

 

I am sailing on Divina next Saturday!!!!! and can't wait to get out of my -15 degree weather here in Wisconsin! With much of the Divina reviews being all over the place, I have been reading all the info I can get...

 

When we get off the boat on the 18th we have until 9pm before our flight leaves, any ideas on what we could do around that area? I was thinking of just renting a car and driving around all day, but who knows...

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legion3

legion3

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Miami has a great and well priced zoo but its a bit of a drive from the port. South Beach during the day is a cool drive and area to look around, shop and eat. Miami has a more expensive Marine Sea life park on Virginia key not far from the port.

 

Great cuban and latin food abounds.

 

Plenty of beaches.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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So I have uploaded some pics ....it takes awhile... and am ready to start up again, so hear we go.....

 

 

We watched the 1st nights show which was called The wiches of Paris, all I could think was why would they put their best show the first night, that is how good it was ...and then found out that the shows get better....we went to bed after a long day in one of the most comfortable beds we have ever had on a ship, and we weren't even a little disappointed that there were no towel animals or chocolates to be found. We woke up after a sound night sleep and headed to the buffet....I think everyone know by now to "Head to the BACK" this is where it will be less crowded and in my opinion you will have better views.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131123_131558_071_zps2edb5a29.jpg

We always seemed to find the 2nd table from the bottom available, which was great for us.

Now a quick correction on another reviewer who stated that there are only 3 drink stations, there are actually 6.... 3 per side, and if you pay attention to where you sit, you will find easy access to them. Breakfast was standard fare, with a few things I have never seen such as over easy eggs served in a casserole dish, they were medium cooked and I found if you took one of the fresh baked rolls and a couple of strips of bacon you could make a very good sandwich,,,yum! Oh BTW....no bacon policia to be found. Of note, the buffet gets real crowded between 9:30 and 10 so plan accordingly.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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After breakfast I wanted to try to de-bunk any MSC myths that I read ,or see If I could confirm....kinda like looking for Bigfoot or The Lochness Monster , I need to see if I could get photographic evidence of these myths.

I remember reading a review where someone had stated that you couldn't tell the difference between the mens and womens rooms because the signs look too similar ...you be the judge..

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/Ladiesroom_zpse8ed1956.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/Mensroom_zps2c66f51c.jpg

now the funny thing is , that while I was taking this picture, one of the cleaning crew was nearby and I had to explain exactly why I was taking a picture of not 1 but 2 bathroom doors....oh the adventurous life of a mythbuster.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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Now I didn't take a picture so you'll need to take me at my word on this one....Complaint***there is nothing to do during the day***While there is no hairy chest contest or belly flop contest, I counted in my daily the first sea day 44 different activities and events, some may be an extra charge, but most are free and there was at least 2 trivia sessions going on ....so for those who say there is nothing to do...TRY SOMETHING NEW!

Indoor pool anyone?http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1956_zps917f74e5.jpg

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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So I try to take pictures that others don't take, an example would be if you have ever had a wedding and left those little disposable cameras on the tables for people to take pics....I'm the guy who will take a picture of the urinal in the mens room or a picture of everyones feet under the table....to me it's just as interesting if not more than the 30 or so pictures that you get of your wedding cake not to mention the fun you have explain it years later to your kids when they go thru your wedding album.... here are some of my favorite pictures from a slightly different angle...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1981_zps18db0665.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1978_zps21fbf2b7.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1976_zpscf321782.jpg

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judyzoo

judyzoo

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So I try to take pictures that others don't take, an example would be if you have ever had a wedding and left those little disposable cameras on the tables for people to take pics....I'm the guy who will take a picture of the urinal in the mens room or a picture of everyones feet under the table....to me it's just as interesting if not more than the 30 or so pictures that you get of your wedding cake not to mention the fun you have explain it years later to your kids when they go thru your wedding album.... here are some of my favorite pictures from a slightly different angle...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1981_zps18db0665.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1978_zps21fbf2b7.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1976_zpscf321782.jpg

 

Nicely done. I'm really enjoying your unusual review!

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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*****Observation***** Passenger mix Seems to be 30% non-N American 30%Seniors and 40%Mix families , most of the complaints I have heard have come from seniors, things like "other cruise lines have shrimp on the breakfast buffet" I am not sure which cruise line offers that but I may have missed it all the same.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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Wandered around a bit and came upon Piazza del Doge, we absolutely loved the feel of this room, here is where you can score some great cappuchino http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSC_0837_zps293c804b.jpg

or gelato http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131130_170559_607_zpsa5caab83.jpg

both were very affordable and so worth it.... the next to last day of our cruise, they even had free gelato for an hour.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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I also made it out to what has become known as something of pock mark on the beauty of MSC ... the now infamous "improper Promenade Deck"

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_094323_555_zpsc34ec424.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_094337_361_zps781a066e.jpg

While it almost ruined my cruise, I decided that I would overcome this design flaw and persevere, Stay strong and live to cruise another day!

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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We did lunch up in the buffet again , and it was really good. I knew I wanted to see if the MYTH of the "same thing served for Lunch Everyday" was true so I set my eyes upon finding out....and this where I was able to de-bunk 2 myths at the same time, the lunch myth and the juice being watered down myth, To end the confusion on the lunch myth,yes the signage above the buffet sections stay the same in that they will say pasta , meat, daily specials... but it's whats under the signs that changes, also MSC does serve real juice from concentrate during the breakfast hours then they switch over to flavored water so this may be where the watered down thoughts come from.... the grab and go section of the buffet was always changing with wrapped burgers ,hot dogs, sandwiches, sweet potato fries , waffle fries, everyday they switched it up. They also had a fresh cut meat and cheese Italian deli that had some of the best Italian meats not to mention the cheeses http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_124930_686_zpsf61e90d8.jpg

The buffet was so good that we actually only ate in the dining room for lunch 1 day and that's because I wanted to try it out. We all agreed that MSC had the best buffet of any of the lines we have sailed.

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SteelCruisin

SteelCruisin

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****Observation**** Le Muse restaurant would be better suited to be placed where the Galaxy bar and disco is, this way the diners would not be in such a fishbowl, Also the Divina sails with very little motion felt. Random picture...angry Smurf!

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131130_115847_931_zps4e7d192a.jpg

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