My "Finally getting around to it" Divina Review!

[cruisecluestoo]

Thanks so much for the great pictures. I have really enjoyed them. :D

[SteelCruisin]

I've decided that I am not going to go over every meal , but I will post some menu pics I have here, I will comment on some food items that I thought transcended the dining experience.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131130_102440_290_zps1b91b0aa.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_180643_871_zpsa411e00e.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131130_102450_625_zpsca3511a8.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131126_192919_096_zpsc3ac1e5f.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131127_164543_310_zps2b0a2ecc.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_170005_878_zpsa9dfb4e2.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131124_192641_280_zps0aa5373b.jpg

That's a sample of the menus hope that whets your appetites.

[SteelCruisin]

The 1st night at sea they had the Gala Dinner, Free drinks in ALL the bars they had champagne, rum punch , martinis, juice and a few other things I also noticed that they put chips and snack mixes out at the bars....nice touch.

Fra Diavolo http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131126_185244_908_zps07a2e560.jpg

Something delicious ....the best tiramisu I have ever tasted hands down...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_183039_424_zps48508da8.jpg

[SteelCruisin]

Tonights show was called "Wonderland" it was based on the Alice in Wonderland story, and

it was spectacular! Here is the marquee they put out today

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1991_zps5f3e69da.jpg

I will see if I can dig up any photos from that show that are worth posting...if you go on a MSC cruise , don't miss the shows , they are like none you have seen at sea before.

[riclop]

I've decided that I am not going to go over every meal , but I will post some menu pics I have here, I will comment on some food items that I thought transcended the dining experience.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131130_102440_290_zps1b91b0aa.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_180643_871_zpsa411e00e.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131130_102450_625_zpsca3511a8.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131126_192919_096_zpsc3ac1e5f.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131127_164543_310_zps2b0a2ecc.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_170005_878_zpsa9dfb4e2.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131124_192641_280_zps0aa5373b.jpg

That's a sample of the menus hope that whets your appetites.

Thanks so much for posting some menus its something that MSC CRUISES USA couldnt do for people who requested it. Thanks again.

[mitchleitman]

Nice to see a properly shaped croissant.

 

I don't recall who it was , but somebody requested a picture of a croissant ...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_080552_457_zpsd4749d86.jpg

another satisfied customer...

[kevsue]

What a great "on going" review! I keep looking forward to the next instalment. Thank you for making me laugh so much (loved the toilet signs!!)

[moomoocow]

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!

 

Steel I am enjoying this review immensely. It's good to know you soldiered on in the face of adversity. I doubt I could have stayed calm faced with the lack of deck as described above.

 

Why, when I was on the Preziosa in October I broke down when I realised I couldn't promenade around the entire ship. The only way I could recover was to go to a bar and drink a cocktail. The feeling passed soon. :D

[Bosjoe]

Good review. Do you have pictures of any of the bar menus or coffee bar menu?

 

Thanks

[SteelCruisin]

Ask and ye shall receive....menus from the bar and coffee/chocolate bar....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144620_507_zps39e7de4c.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144644_904_zps19fb7fd4.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144725_240_zpsf45dfb84.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144733_906_zps2e5f727a.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144745_284_zps04bb2f00.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144750_905_zps36f09188.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122521_030_zps1c35aef8.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122607_149_zps2ffd25a5.jpg

[SteelCruisin]

And more...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122615_541_zpsd63764f3.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122648_878_zps3e40de7f.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122702_187_zpsb30730ae.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122719_179_zpsd46f6892.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122727_779_zpse134d0fa.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122744_126_zps46bbd7e2.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122753_987_zps7afa00aa.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122811_446_zps01512568.jpg

[SteelCruisin]

And more...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122811_446_zps01512568.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122821_714_zpsda38eb7f.jpg

And beers...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/Beers_zpsd62328e2.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/Drinks_zpsb7472748.jpg

We didn't get any of the drink plans as we aren't big drinkers and felt if we wanted to we could pay as we go....we thought the prices were not outrageous compared to other lines and the drinks we did have were a healthy pour....just saying.

[SteelCruisin]

During the week the only place I ever noticed any smell of smoke was the starboard side of the ship on the pool deck under the overhang....it was horrible , just noticeable....There are tons of lounge chairs and the prime real estate fills up pretty quickly, that being said, you can always find a lounger somewhere...we found the decks above the indoor pool to have plenty of loungers. http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/DSCF1956_zps917f74e5.jpg

[Bosjoe]

Ask and ye shall receive....menus from the bar and coffee/chocolate bar....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144620_507_zps39e7de4c.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144644_904_zps19fb7fd4.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144725_240_zpsf45dfb84.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144733_906_zps2e5f727a.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144745_284_zps04bb2f00.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144750_905_zps36f09188.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122521_030_zps1c35aef8.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122607_149_zps2ffd25a5.jpg

 

Awsome, I need to work that drink package. :)

[SteelCruisin]

This is a picture of our corner booth in the Black Crab restaurant

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131123_175840_997_zps15478036.jpg

Our wait team was really good and very attentive, on the second night though, an incident happened that almost collapsed the economy of the far away country from which they came...how's that for a cliff hanger....the incident....my wife started to stack plates as we finished our dinners to make the wait staffs job easier....well, after doing this for a couple of minutes the assistant waiter came over and apologized profusely saying he would get right to it...now he wasn't behind and we didn't feel rushed but the Asst. Maitre D saw what my wife was doing and had him get to clearing the table. I told my wife that she may have just punched his ticket home... well a little later the AMD came by and we assured him that my wife has tourettes of the hands and she can't help herself, as a matter of fact she'd be happy to help clear tables later if he needed the help. The AMD assured us that no one was in any trouble and as much as they appreciate the help please let them do their jobs which is making sure we have the best dining experience possible. We joked with my wife the rest of the week that when she was done eating ,she had to sit on her hands.

[SteelCruisin]

Here are some pics of well attended nothing to do during the day activities...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_102107_086_zpse906abf2.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131125_101933_404_zpsba06b0e6.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131124_094712_426_zps41a2ac9b.jpg

The 1st picture was a Salsa dance class, 2nd a fast pitch contest held for by the baseball greats cruisers....no fee open to all, and the 3rd was the Aqua Cycling class that there was a fee for. A quick word on the Aqua Cycling.... it seems that because it is held in the aft pool, they never fill it above the level in the picture , so it never seemed like the Infinity pool that it is advertised to be.

[kevsue]

I feel like I am on my cruise already. This has to be the best review ever!!!can't wait for more

[mstove]

Ask and ye shall receive....menus from the bar and coffee/chocolate bar....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144620_507_zps39e7de4c.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144644_904_zps19fb7fd4.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144725_240_zpsf45dfb84.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144733_906_zps2e5f727a.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144745_284_zps04bb2f00.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144750_905_zps36f09188.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122521_030_zps1c35aef8.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122607_149_zps2ffd25a5.jpg

 

Thanks for the delightful review and all the photos!

[moomoocow]

Ask and ye shall receive....menus from the bar and coffee/chocolate bar....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144620_507_zps39e7de4c.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144644_904_zps19fb7fd4.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144725_240_zpsf45dfb84.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144733_906_zps2e5f727a.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144745_284_zps04bb2f00.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_144750_905_zps36f09188.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122521_030_zps1c35aef8.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122607_149_zps2ffd25a5.jpg

 

Holy moly that's some potent additions to the European beverage menus. Loving the liberal use of Absolut which is outside the Allegrisimo in Europe.

 

Ima gonna get so drunk during those three weeks from Rio to Miami. :D

 

Thank you very much for these Steel. This is rapidly turning into one of the best reviews ever!

[AmoMondo]

Can't wait for thenext instalment and I'm not even sailing on the Divina!

 

Brilliant effort.

[TravelRocker]

Those chocolate coffee drinks look absolutely delicious, can you please tell us where this coffee/chocolate bar is located, which Deck and next to what? Thanks so much, cheers.

[mstove]

If there is a single malt list, would you mind taking a photo of it? If not, thanks for all the other ones anyway.

 

Less than three months...less than three months...

[big al]

And more...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122811_446_zps01512568.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/IMG_20131128_122821_714_zpsda38eb7f.jpg

And beers...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/Beers_zpsd62328e2.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad159/steelersn01/Drinks_zpsb7472748.jpg

We didn't get any of the drink plans as we aren't big drinkers and felt if we wanted to we could pay as we go....we thought the prices were not outrageous compared to other lines and the drinks we did have were a healthy pour....just saying.

 

 

Great review...it is true that MSC gets some mixed reviews, but I feel too, that it's because Americans are used to certain perqs ( like the cold water), and I was going to ask you about draft beers, so glad you posted this...prices ARE a bit $$ for beers, which are usually $3.75- 5.00 on most ships, but at least they also have a good selection of bottled beers,too..glad you also liked the shows- we found the best shows were on Disney & Oasis/ Allure...I spoke with a couple of cruise agents who told me they LOVED touring the Divina, and I may cruise her in 2015...overall, did you like the cabin? Balcony a bit small, or OK?

 

Big Al

Edited January 8, 2014 by big al
grammar on my name

[judyzoo]

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.

 

Oh yes, real cheese! You're making me hungry.

[njcate]

I just booked The Divina yesterday and we are leaving next Saturday. I already love this line.... booked an inside guarantee and were upgraded to a superior balcony!!! I am really enjoying your review. I almost went for a HAL after reading so many negative reviews but your review totally changed my mind. I have cruised all the major lines and was getting a little bored.... I am really looking forward to a little variety! Hope I get to finish your review before I leave!!!!! Thanks again