!!! DIVINA !!! Eastern Caribbean ^_^ The Ultimate Review and Complete Pictorial Guide

[gambee]

We must have stayed there for quite a while. The sun was very intense and bright. I had an idea to try to get some shade for my mom. It worked kind of good. The only problem is that this only works when the sun is at a steep angle, but at the time it did the job. A crew member walked once through there and continued walking without telling us otherwise.

 

 

We relaxed there for sometime and then went to the room to get ready for the show.

 

 

I have been wanting to talk about this since the beginning, but I had to wait for the pictures. So you all know how much I love the navigation channel that shows you the maps. Well on Divina that channel is nowhere near as much fun as all the other cruise lines. The main problem is that in order for them to get to the maps, they show you the entire top officer and managers line up.

 

 

 

This lasts forever! Trust me, and it is the same people over and over again. And then when it finally gets to the maps they only last less than a 1 minute. Every single time I tuned into the channel I landed in the section I did not want to see.

 

 

 

[gambee]

Much like all the other new vessels this one also has the light card slot. The good news is that they all only need something in there. I simply got a piece of carton and placed it in there. But if you want, you can also use the sign behind it.

 

 

We relaxed in my mom’s room for a little while, and enjoyed the views.

 

 

 

I was enjoying my drink and some light music, while they got ready.

 

 

There was a barge being towed in the distance.

 

 

[gambee]

My uncle went out for a walk and brought back one burger. I think each time he went out he brought back something to eat from the buffet. I have a picture later on about what their fridge looked like by the end of the cruise, lol. It was ridiculous!

 

 

While they got ready for the show I decided to head to the buffet and get something to eat. The truth is that I was getting hungry.

 

 

 

I am not a fan of rich sauce, and Divina had lots of them. Most people seem to enjoy them, I am part of the minority here.

 

 

 

The crepes looked nice, not sure why I did not try them.

 

 

[gambee]

They had some nice items that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

 

 

 

 

I ended up getting a couple of slices of pizza, both very good. The pizza aboard Divina is just how love it! Crispy and thin.

 

 

I also grabbed a couple of desserts for my mom and my aunt to take to the theater. That night was Gala night and I was severely underdressed, shorts and a t-shirt at the time. They had already got nice spots and were waiting for me.

 

I really dislike dressing up on vacations.

 

[gambee]

 

 

 

 

One of the things that I absolutely loved about Carnival was that the shows started exactly at the time that they were scheduled for. In MSC, well that is not the case. An introduction to a show can last 20 minutes.

 

First the cruise Director came on and started talking about basic information; silly jokes, weather, activities, sales, movies under the starts, etc. This lasted quite some time.

 

I am not sure If I have spoken about our CD yet.

 

 

[gambee]

Just when you thought that it was finally over, he started introducing a bunch of officers. Each officer walked from the entrance of the theater to the stage. This lasted even more, plus I already knew all the staff from the navigational channel. I know many of you like this kind of thing. But there are times and places to do this. That is why they have the meet the captain events and such. This was nothing more than a brief introduction of each person and then everyone clapped.

 

I could see people getting impatient and some even falling asleep.

 

 

 

Then the captain came on. Oh my….. He said something along the lines of this “Welcome aboard MSC Divina, I hope you’re having a wonderful time and enjoying your cruise. MSC strives to do its best, blah, blah, blah” IN 10 LANGUAGES!!!!!!!!!! So yeah, this took some time to do as well, while I admit that it was very impressive, it was nonetheless boring and not the reason I was there for.

 

 

Finally, after 25 minutes of this spectacle, they said goodbye and left the stage.

 

 

Unfortunately we had missed the show of the night before because we were enjoying sail away. You know I am not a big show kind of person, but I am a big Frank Sinatra fan, so I am sure I would had enjoyed that show.

 

Today’s show was Alice in Wonderland. I have read in several reviews that the shows were like Cirque style and very good. About 3 minutes after the show started I was out of the theater. I told my mom I was going to get a drink and head to the room, to come looking for me there when they were done with the show.

 

[gambee]

Back in the room, I enjoyed the view a little first. Ughhhh that WALL!!!

 

 

 

Then I went to bed and grabbed my computer. I had a few of the harry potter movies and I started watching Half Blood Prince. Which reminds me I never finished the movie.

 

 

It wasn’t long, maybe 5 more minutes and I heard a knock at the door. Apparently none of them had enjoyed the show either. They said it was slow and opera like, I really enjoyed the Alice in wonderland movies. But this show was just boring.

 

My uncle wanted to head to the aft pool to get some pictures of the sunset and I came with him.

 

[gambee]

I will let the pictures do the talking now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

 

 

This is the perfect time to enjoy the pool. Just imagine a pair of jacuzzis there with that view!

 

 

 

LOVE THIS PICTURE!!! It has a lot of elements in it, people, structures, a gorgeous sunset!

 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2014 by gambee

[gambee]

 

 

 

Then I we headed to our rooms, I continued watching my movie and they relaxed for a little while. I was exhausted. It had been a very stressful day for me. So I made the decision to head to bed early and I think I went to sleep around 9pm, crazy right?

 

They went to dinner in the main dining room. They told me that day was by far the longest wait to get the food. Over 2 hours, I am thankful that I did not go. I cannot imagine waiting so long for that food.

 

The pictures coming up, are from my uncle’s camera. I still wish to share some of what they ate that night.

 

 

This is a portobello mushroom that they all raved about!

 

 

[gambee]

My uncle loved the escargot, I think it was the first time he had it. I would have loved to try it, but honestly, I don’t think it was worth the wait.

 

 

 

 

That is pretty much it, that night I was so tired that I did not even transfer my pictures to the computer. That actually ended up being a good thing, more on that on the next set.

 

After dinner they went to the casino for a little while. That was also the night that my uncle went to the disco and he said it was loaded with teenagers. He said he was the only adult there.

 

 

Have a great Friday everyone :)

 

 

 

Day 2, ending.

 

 

 

[mzliza3]

Loving your review! Glad to see your Mom is doing better. Did the staff eventually mop up the area where she slipped? Hopefully, management will address this issue. The ship looks amazing & the prices look pretty good too!

[IJustWantToGo36]

Love your pics. Any shots of the dance floors (not disco)?

 

THNAKS

[maryann2]

I am sorry to hear that your mother had a fall and dismayed at the way it was treated by MSC. This was an accident on board and when you went to the Medical Centre and reported it they should have filled in an Incident report. Telling you just to come back later is not acceptable. There should have been no charge for an accident on board and they should have told you that.

I had a trip on Celebrity a few years ago and all treatment, Xrays, antibiotics, dressings were free.

[modes]

Hi Gambee i love your reviews and your photos are fantastic. I just wonder what is it that you enjoy about cruising, you dont like the shows or the pool or having a nice sit down dinner with your family because it takes too long or going dancing. So besides drinking yourself silly at times and taking pictures what is it that you enjoy??? Just wondering.

[modes]

I am sorry to hear that your mother had a fall and dismayed at the way it was treated by MSC. This was an accident on board and when you went to the Medical Centre and reported it they should have filled in an Incident report. Telling you just to come back later is not acceptable. There should have been no charge for an accident on board and they should have told you that.

I had a trip on Celebrity a few years ago and all treatment, Xrays, antibiotics, dressings were free.

Very true!!!

[cruisetrail]

Sorry to know about the incident with your mom!

Hope she is getting better.

 

The Divina has a lot of "little" things to be fixed - safety wise.

I'll post some examples in my review.

 

My mother passed away several years ago. We bring her picture with us in the cabin. So she is like still cruising with us...

[JSnow789]

Thanks for the great photos and review! Sorry to hear about your moms fall. They are very scary! Looking forward to the rest of your review! And where are the selfies?? :)

[barbc61719]

Gambee, I always enjoy you reviews. Love, love your pics especially the illustration mode pics. Looked at getting a camera that does this but still pricey. The building you commented on is the Miami Children's Museum.

 

I also love your relationship with your mom. I am the mother of boys. :)

 

Can't wait to read the rest.

[BugsyCruiser]

Really enjoying the pictures my friend. Sorry to hear about your mom's fall. I agree with others, I don't like the way the medical center handled it... totally unprofessional IMHO.

[CeleBrat]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh my gosh! This picture is an optical illusion with the water, and almost makes it look like the ship is sinking!

 

CeleBrat

[gambee]

Loving your review! Glad to see your Mom is doing better. Did the staff eventually mop up the area where she slipped? Hopefully, management will address this issue. The ship looks amazing & the prices look pretty good too!

 

 

The thing with that area is that is in-between the two pools. It is a constantly wet area, no matter how much you mop it, it will be wet. The main problem is that the surface is very slippery. I did notice wet-floor signs later on, but trust me they don't help. I saw two kids land flat on their backs, and hit their head. I was rarely in that area.

 

This is a major problem. My mom walks very slowly and carefully. She should not have fallen.

[gambee]

Love your pics. Any shots of the dance floors (not disco)?

 

THNAKS

 

Yeah, I think I get a few on day 3. That should be posted tomorrow or Sunday :)

 

Thank you for following me :)

[gambee]

I am sorry to hear that your mother had a fall and dismayed at the way it was treated by MSC. This was an accident on board and when you went to the Medical Centre and reported it they should have filled in an Incident report. Telling you just to come back later is not acceptable. There should have been no charge for an accident on board and they should have told you that.

I had a trip on Celebrity a few years ago and all treatment, Xrays, antibiotics, dressings were free.

 

To be honest with you, I was overwhelmed with this. I did think that MSC had some liability, but I had no idea how to approach. I was really upset over this. Thank you for the info, it will never happen again. Then again, I hope we never have another accident again :)