I Think MSC May Be For Us

[MsTabbyKats]

Here is our profile:

DH and I are from NYC...and always have cruised out of NYC.

However, DH just sold his business....and now we have more time.

So...I've been thinking a multi-week trip to FL, with a cruise in the middle!

 

We eat out all the time...so, "the dining experience" is not of any importance to us. We both prefer the buffet (get what you want, as much as you want, no waiting for service). We are also light packers...so there won't be any suits or ballgowns in our luggage. I'd classify myself as very casual...stylish and in good taste.

 

Entertainment wise....it doesn't need to be B'way quality, but singers should be able to carry a tune...and the music should not hurt your eardrums.

 

Languages are no problem; being from NYC I'm used to other languages being the primary language of a neighborhood. (It's actually weird for us when we travel and everyone speaks English!)

 

I've been reading the reviews....and I think the Divina will be a good fit.

 

Anyone agree? Disagree?

 

My main concern is that MSC won't be too "formal" or "upscale" for our tastes.

[AmoMondo]

Not sure. They ahave adapted the Divina a lot for the US market and on the one close loop cruise I had on MDC out of the US, it was certainly more casual than on all the other sailings I've had with them.

 

They do however have traditional dining with dinner being a drawn out affair as in Continental Europe. Food is better in the MDR than in buffets although lunch is fine. Buffet at dinner can be a bit lacking on the few times I've tried it compared to dinner in the MDR.

 

Musicians are normally good to excellent, only the occasional one who could do better.

[Skier52]

Sounds like candidates for the Yacht Club, where you can choose your own dining time, and really relax on the one deck (you can eat up there from the outdoor bistro). Stylish casual would be a very good dress code for the YC. Some good deals make the YC1 suites (which are AI { in the YC areas only} included in the fare) cheaper than the B3 cabins with the AI package added on.

 

Go on give MSC a Go , you could be pleasantly surprised

 

LINK to my review of a week in Divina's Yacht Club............http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=270&t=4472

 

 

Pete

Edited May 22, 2014 by Skier52

[American Bear]

Here is our profile:

DH and I are from NYC...and always have cruised out of NYC.

However, DH just sold his business....and now we have more time.

So...I've been thinking a multi-week trip to FL, with a cruise in the middle!

 

We eat out all the time...so, "the dining experience" is not of any importance to us. We both prefer the buffet (get what you want, as much as you want, no waiting for service). We are also light packers...so there won't be any suits or ballgowns in our luggage. I'd classify myself as very casual...stylish and in good taste.

 

Entertainment wise....it doesn't need to be B'way quality, but singers should be able to carry a tune...and the music should not hurt your eardrums.

 

Languages are no problem; being from NYC I'm used to other languages being the primary language of a neighborhood. (It's actually weird for us when we travel and everyone speaks English!)

 

I've been reading the reviews....and I think the Divina will be a good fit.

 

Anyone agree? Disagree?

 

My main concern is that MSC won't be too "formal" or "upscale" for our tastes.

 

 

The Divina is a great ship, but as far as how formal it is,,,,we were on the Divina for 2 weeks, the first week in the dining room was certainly more formal then the second, why, it seemed the majority of passengers both weeks were foreign, so we couldn't say! You'll be comfortable wearing slacks (men and women) club casual shirts, (polos) at dinner any night as you would if you wore a dress/suit/tux! The buffet was casual every night!

 

The Divina's entertainment is second only slightly to the RCL Oasis class Broadway shows, they're that good, and yes the 2 main singers are very good!

 

But the food was good, in the restaurant, and in the buffet, so don't let the food snobs fool you!

Want some casual food to spoil yourself, try the sports bar menu for great chicken wings or burgers, or the La Cantina di Bacco for great pizza and beer/wine! Don't forget to leave room for the Gelato/Italian ice cream, or the cheesecake served with berries and whipped cream!

 

The Divina is the 'best entertainment value at sea' right now!

Have a great cruise!

Edited May 22, 2014 by American Bear

[MsTabbyKats]

Thanks....

 

I forgot to mention...besides being "buffet people"....DH and I eat very early...like 3 PM...so we really have no intentions of having dinner in the dining room! (Out of a dozen cruises...we did the MDR once)

 

I was really talking about "walking around the ship". I believe that on Cunard you almost have to hide if you're not dressed appropriately. I just want to avoid that.

 

Chicken wings and pizza....I'm craving already!

[AmoMondo]

Thanks....

 

I forgot to mention...besides being "buffet people"....DH and I eat very early...like 3 PM...so we really have no intentions of having dinner in the dining room! (Out of a dozen cruises...we did the MDR once)

 

I was really talking about "walking around the ship". I believe that on Cunard you almost have to hide if you're not dressed appropriately. I just want to avoid that.

 

Chicken wings and pizza....I'm craving already!

 

Dress codes are really only for the evening and are "suggestions" not mandatory. You'll be fine staying casual if you're not eating dinner on a gala evening. I've only witnessed someone being turned away once and that was for trying to have lunch in the MDr in his swimming trunks!

[jkgourmet]

We're doing Divina in September so I can't directly comment on that. But reading your posts in this thread, I hear "This couple needs to look at NCL!" They are not our favorite, but what you desire and enjoy describes their Freestyle concept to a T. One of tye things tyat truly surprised us on the Jade in January 2014 was tye entertainment quality - far better than we've experienced on multiple cruises with Celebrity, Princess, carnival, Rccl (many years ago, never again) and HAL.

 

Though try a ship that does NOT sail out of NY.

[MrPatches]

Well I booked a cruise for December.

 

DH thinks it's ridiculous to fly to Miami for a cruise when we can walk to the dock in NY...but our winter choices out of NY are so limited...and it's cold the first 2 days and last 2 days.

 

I was telling DH about buffets all day long, quality entertainment and non-American passengers....and that we can combine this with some time in Florida before and/or after (hey...he doesn't own a business anymore...no time constraints)....so it all made sense to him!

 

BTW....this is MsTabbyKats....but I just realized that I signed in with a different account on the iPad

Edited May 25, 2014 by MrPatches

[American Bear]

Well I booked a cruise for December.

 

DH thinks it's ridiculous to fly to Miami for a cruise when we can walk to the dock in NY...but our winter choices out of NY are so limited...and it's cold the first 2 days and last 2 days.

 

I was telling DH about buffets all day long, quality entertainment and non-American passengers....and that we can combine this with some time in Florida before and/or after (hey...he doesn't own a business anymore...no time constraints)....so it all made sense to him!

 

BTW....this is MsTabbyKats....but I just realized that I signed in with a different account on the iPad

 

Honestly, never understood why people would cruise out of a northern cold port when you can fly to a warm port in a couple hours and enjoy your whole cruise!

I agree with you! On that first day of your cruise, lean over to your husband and tell him how cold it is in the NY port and he'll understand!:D

[Bosjoe]

Well I booked a cruise for December.

 

DH thinks it's ridiculous to fly to Miami for a cruise when we can walk to the dock in NY...but our winter choices out of NY are so limited...and it's cold the first 2 days and last 2 days.

 

I was telling DH about buffets all day long, quality entertainment and non-American passengers....and that we can combine this with some time in Florida before and/or after (hey...he doesn't own a business anymore...no time constraints)....so it all made sense to him!

 

BTW....this is MsTabbyKats....but I just realized that I signed in with a different account on the iPad

 

If you do go, flying to FLL is better then Miami and the prices are lower, unless you can get a awesome fare to Miami, last November I got $210RT/NS to Miami from Boston, lucked out on that one :)

[jkgourmet]

If you do go, flying to FLL is better then Miami and the prices are lower, unless you can get a awesome fare to Miami, last November I got $210RT/NS to Miami from Boston, lucked out on that one :)

 

Not true for every departure airport. From RDU, it's often cheaper to fly to Miami than to FLL.

 

Adding in the cost of shared transport from FLL to POM almost always makes RDU-MIA cheaper.

 

My suggestion is that you check both and don't forget to add for the transportation if you go FLL to POM.

Edited May 27, 2014 by jkgourmet

[MsTabbyKats]

The plan is to spend a few days in Miami before the cruise and a week or so in Fort Lauderdale after....so I'll check all the options.

 

Btw...since I booked a few days ago the price has gone up by 50.per cent (I know this will fluctuate over the next few months) so the additional cost of airfare isn't such a "significant extra".

 

Anyway, DH is looking forward to hot milk available for his coffee, buffets almost all day long, good entertainment and music not breaking his eardrums.

 

Me.....give me unlimited iced tea, a casino, warm weather and fresh ocean air....I'm in heaven!

[Bosjoe]

Not true for every departure airport. From RDU, it's often cheaper to fly to Miami than to FLL.

 

Adding in the cost of shared transport from FLL to POM almost always makes RDU-MIA cheaper.

 

My suggestion is that you check both and don't forget to add for the transportation if you go FLL to POM.

 

That is true, :) I always add up all fees included backage fees(I dislike) to come up with the better price. :) Also Shuttle service from FLL is $15pp to Miami port. Taxi service Miami to port fixed at $24 (better price for 2 or more).

Edited May 27, 2014 by Bosjoe

[jkgourmet]

That is true, :) I always add up all fees included backage fees(I dislike) to come up with the better price. :) Also Shuttle service from FLL is $15pp to Miami port. Taxi service Miami to port fixed at $24 (better price for 2 or more).

 

Thanks for the current transportation pricing!

 

As to checked luggage costs, we just never check luggage anymore. Never. Except, maybe, when it's free abd ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION. Never again will I deal with losing bags at the front end of a vacation.

 

And, yes, we've done 4 week vacations in Asia, Europe, 21 day cruises, etc with carry on only.