Msc divina review with pics

[hockeyguru32]

After the delicious vittles, we waited on dessert which came at 7:38pm

DW had Wild Berry Parfait and yes that is the only wild berry she received.

 

I had the Key Lime pie, heavy on the lime and no keys. It was delish

 

 

Prior to the cruise I ordered online through MSC drink package vouchers. These vouchers can be picked up in the Casino Bar until 6:00pm or you can ask your waiter at supper time to get them as they are available there. So I asked Neil if he would be able to get my vouchers and he did.

This is an 18 voucher package and you can use them at any bar or restaurant, you can use them for any drinks valued at $8.00 or less it also includes milkshakes, non alcoholic drinks, virgin drinks as well as ice cream. I was told they do not expire so if you don't use them all and cruise again on MSC they can be used

[hockeyguru32]

It was a long supper and we left the MDR at 7:55pm. As I was walking out George stopped me, I shook his hand and thanked him for getting our meal out when he came to our table to ask us how we were doing. He said if you need anything you speak to me and I will make it right for you, I was very appreciative. He asked if he would see us tomorrow and I said I think so. I'm will to give anything a second chance especially knowing first night typically is very busy in the kitchens.

We went up top to say bye to Miami.

 

Bye Bye MIA see you in a week.

 

 

 

 

We went to out cabin got changed and went to the Pantheon Theatre Decks 5,6, and 7(Apollo) we saw the last number of the opera. I'm not one for operas but the pipes on the singers were amazing. We then headed over to the sports bar/golden jazz bar on deck 7 and played tv trivia. We got 15 out of 16 right. With trivia finished we headed back up to deck 14 (Afrodite) and watched the last part of Sully on the big screen at the Aqua Park.

 

With using all that brain power with trivia I had a little hunger on so we headed to the buffet and got a night cap pizza. It was good as others say it is.

 

That is it for our first day on the Divina, it was a good day with the exception of dinner service, but I'll write that part off, and so far I am impressed with MSC. We were in the cabin at 11:30pm

[natefish95]

Really enjoying your review so far! I don't have any plans to cruise MSC, but it will be in the back of my head whenever I book my next cruise. Overall, how did it compare to the Escape? I loved the Escape, and I've heard mixed reviews about the Divina and MSC in general. The new Seaside is looking enticing though.

[hockeyguru32]

Really enjoying your review so far! I don't have any plans to cruise MSC, but it will be in the back of my head whenever I book my next cruise. Overall, how did it compare to the Escape? I loved the Escape, and I've heard mixed reviews about the Divina and MSC in general. The new Seaside is looking enticing though.

Thanks for following along Natefish, I will be honest and say the ONLY reason I booked MSC was because of price. I do not pay much attention to reviews because it is that persons opinion and I would like to make my own, what is good for me might not be good for someone else.

We had an inside cabin and it was around $930.00 USD including tax plus gratuities which is $12.50 USD per day per person so IMHO it was a great deal for us.

Personally I like the Carnival product and we typically sail in April when hockey season is over, it gives me time to unwind from my busy winter schedule and the weather in Ontario is hit and miss and I don't have to worry about snow storms as much if I drive to Florida which I have done 4 times for cruises. We flew this time as we have another cruise booked in October on the Vista for our 30th anniversary and flying again.

As for comparison to NCL Escape I liked the ship, I didn't like the food or how you had to book the shows, or dinner theatre etc. I like to plan things but if I want to go to a show, dinner, or comedy club, that the company lists in their events I know what time it is at, I will be there prior to the event. Why do I need to book it on the TV?

MSC and Carnival you can come to the show with ZERO reservations, if there are seats, good, you see the show if not then you missed out. That is my only knock on NCL, I'm on vacation I want to do things when I want to do them I do not want to have to book and plan everything.

[havanadaydreaming]

I thought the food on Escape was fantastic. I also liked the entertainment reservation system, so i was guaranteed to see everything i wanted.

 

I,too, like the Carnival product. We just aug MSC cruise, mainly to itinerary and cost. But we had a fellow cruiser rave about MSC last fall. That word of mouth didnt hurt!

 

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[TNcrzr4life]

Thanks for this review. DD and I are looking at a Mother/Daughter getaway in August and Divina is one of our choice basically because of price. I've sailed on several different lines over the years. Did you feel like the minority as far as speaking English goes? Also, was your inside cabin adequate? Can't wait for the rest of your review [emoji3]

 

 

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[hockeyguru32]

I thought the food on Escape was fantastic. I also liked the entertainment reservation system, so i was guaranteed to see everything i wanted.

 

I,too, like the Carnival product. We just aug MSC cruise, mainly to itinerary and cost. But we had a fellow cruiser rave about MSC last fall. That word of mouth didnt hurt!

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks for your input havanadreaming the thing with reservations is good don't get me wrong but people booked the shows and did not attend and we were told it was full when clearly it wasn't hence my beef with reserving and people not showing up on NCL.

[hockeyguru32]

Thanks for this review. DD and I are looking at a Mother/Daughter getaway in August and Divina is one of our choice basically because of price. I've sailed on several different lines over the years. Did you feel like the minority as far as speaking English goes? Also, was your inside cabin adequate? Can't wait for the rest of your review [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

I felt fine with people on the ship and yes there are a lot of different languages floating around but you get that on any ship I think. The staff that I came across all spoke and understood English very well in my opinion if you spoke to them. When I get into Day 2 I will explain a little more about that.

[MustSailNOW]

Great review so far! Thank you!

[hockeyguru32]

Great review so far! Thank you!

 

Thank you for reading

[hockeyguru32]

Day 2 April 30th 2017 1st Sea Day

 

My apologies, I should tell you our Itinerary. We were on an Eastern Caribbean 7 day cruise. We had 2 sea days, Philipsburg St. Maarten, San Juan Puerto Rico, sea day, then Nassau, Bahamas, and back to Miami boooooooo.

 

My day started out at 6:00am I walked around the ship a bit to explore, and went to Deck 14 to get some pictures, it was a very windy day.

In my opinion the BEST part of the ship. I love hearing the wake the ship makes.

 

 

Went back to the cabin to see if DW was up and she was and left for breakfast at the buffet. I had scrambled eggs not so good, sausage they were good, croissants good, fruit loops from the kids section shhhhhhhhhhhh and our view from our breakfast table. TIP ALERT if the buffet tables are crowded head back to the AFT we always found tables here empty

 

 

After breakfast we headed up to the Aqua park to relax it was tough finding deck loungers at 10:00am and this was constant the entire cruise. We watch loungers being used as book cases, shoe rack, sun tan lotion shelves and no body in them for hours and yes some loungers were not sat in for 2 hours. A pet peeve of mine. We finally found 2 on Deck 15 and relaxed there a bit until lunch.

 

We ate lunch at 12:35pm and went back to the cabin for a nap. After our nap we watched a movie in the room and got ready for supper in the MDR. We got to the MDR at 5:55pm and our table mates Larry and Margo were there. We ordered at 6:08pm

 

 

DW ordered Turkey Waldorf Salad

 

 

I ordered New Orleans Seafood Gumbo apps arrived at 6:25pm.

DW ordered the strip loin Medium and I had the prime rib sorry I lost the picture. Mains arrived at 7:00pm

Edited May 15, 2017 by hockeyguru32

[hockeyguru32]

Dessert arrived at 7:23pm.

 

 

DW had the Blueberry Cheesecake

 

 

I had the Warm Chocolate Brownie. We were out of the MDR at 7:30pm. George stopped us and ask how everything went tonight and I gave the wait and kitchen staff a 5 star. I said it was perfect George thank you so much. He said my pleasure and I said see you tomorrow and shook his hand.

 

Back up to the cabin to get comfy and walk around the ship for a bit as we had time to kill before going to the theatre to see the production show THE MASK. We got to the theater around 8:45pm show started at 9:15. I didn't take any pictures of the show but the theatre is gorgeous. I'll get better pictures at the end when I do my Deck Review.

 

 

Show was ok but there was a lot of lip syncing for my liking. Maybe it's hard for some to sing and dance, kind of like rubbing your tummy and patting your head (FYI I can do that lol). We were out of the show at 10:00pm and off for a pizza run and in our by 11:15pm.

[hockeyguru32]

Day 3 May 1st Sea Day 2

 

The brain alarm went off up and out the door at 6:00am for my walking and exploring the ship. I had a bit of hunger going so I strolled over to the Buffet and grabbed a donut and a tea as I patiently waited for DW to wake up. I went back to the cabin around 7:15 and DW was ready to go for breakfast.

 

 

We said let's try out the MDR Black Crab we always forget you can go there for meals other than supper. We got there around 7:30am and had our pick of seats so we sat at a table for two. Waiters gave us an extensive menu with all your standard fare and then some. Bread basket was passed around it had Danishes, muffins, croissants and bread. Lots of jellies and marmalades on the table. We ordered eggs over easy, bacon, and hashbrown.

 

 

 

We left the MDR at 8:10 and headed up to the Aqua Deck and to my not so surprised eyes the plethora of orange towels littered the lounge chairs with again no one in them. I don't get it I really don't. It was very windy and around 9:00am the skies opened up and it started pouring. We sat at a table undercover of the rain. We saw a couple people wipe out on the deck hard. Please be very careful when wearing sandals on the deck its like ice. The squeegees were out in full force.

 

 

 

 

I talked to a couple of the young men that were doing all the hard squeegee work. They were Filipino. One was there for 10 weeks and the other 3 weeks. They told me they work 10-12 hours shifts everyday with zero days off. I thanked them for their hard work and we chatted about their lives and country. So in the pouring rain the orange towels were still out and we were tired of seeing them lifeless wet and no owners to take care of them we decided to leave at noon and go for some lunch at the Sports Bar.

 

 

 

[hockeyguru32]

At the Sports Bar they have 2 bowling lanes and it's a 6 frame game, not sure how much the cost is. One lane didn't work at all and the other worked sporadically.

 

Terrible pic I think I have better ones in my Deck Review.

 

I'll take my Harley over this any day. They had standard fare finger foods at the Sports Bar

 

DW got the Artichoke Dip and Nachos. The dip was served cold

 

 

I had Nachos and Salsa with a peeking Bud Lite on the side

[hockeyguru32]

We both ordered wings I had sauce on mine DW didn't and an order of Mozza Sticks with marinara sauce.

 

With

 

Without

 

Mozza Sticks with DW's Strawberry Daiquiri and his and her thighs. After that back to the cabin for a movie complete with a siesta por favor.

[hockeyguru32]

After Siesta time we got ready for supper to the MDR we were seated at 6:00pm the wait staff ha da big pow wow going on that's why we didn't get in earlier. Orders were taken at 6:22pm and apps arrived at 6:41.

DW French Onion Soup

 

 

My S car go

 

Mains arrived at 7:15 this is my filet and shrimp DW had the same. Dessert arrived at 7:35

 

DW Apple Crumble

 

 

I had the 2 Cherry Jubilee

 

Back to the cabin to get comfy. The show tonight was a rock show it was called The Show Must Go On. It started at 9:15pm. Show in my opinion was ok a few Queen tunes, an opera song still miffed on why they tossed that in as it was touted as a rock show, but hey it's an Italian ship right.

After the show Captain Pier Paolo Scala came on stage and introduced the Heads of the Departments and Senior Officers of the ship to the crowd. This Captain was very personable and loved his job and crew. He also welcomed the people on board I believe there was 18 different Nationalities he greeted people in their own language.

Edited May 17, 2017 by hockeyguru32

[hockeyguru32]

Our Captain Pier Paolo Scala

 

[OceansOfTravels]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write out this photo review! I am very excited for my first ever MSC Cruise in August, and I am glad to live it through your pictures. Thank you! :D

[OceansOfTravels]

At the Sports Bar they have 2 bowling lanes and it's a 6 frame game, not sure how much the cost is. One lane didn't work at all and the other worked sporadically.

 

Terrible pic I think I have better ones in my Deck Review.

 

I'll take my Harley over this any day. They had standard fare finger foods at the Sports Bar

 

DW got the Artichoke Dip and Nachos. The dip was served cold

 

 

I had Nachos and Salsa with a peeking Bud Lite on the side

 

We both ordered wings I had sauce on mine DW didn't and an order of Mozza Sticks with marinara sauce.

 

With

 

Without

 

Mozza Sticks with DW's Strawberry Daiquiri and his and her thighs. After that back to the cabin for a movie complete with a siesta por favor.

 

Does the bar food, such as the chips and salsa and wings, cost extra? If so, how much?

[E@syPe@zy]

After Siesta time we got ready for supper to the MDR we were seated at 6:00pm the wait staff ha da big pow wow going on that's why we didn't get in earlier. Orders were taken at 6:22pm and apps arrived at 6:41.

DW French Onion Soup

 

 

My S car go

 

Mains arrived at 7:15 this is my filet and shrimp DW had the same. Dessert arrived at 7:35

 

DW Apple Crumble

 

 

I had the 2 Cherry Jubilee

So, how was the dinner, as far as taste? I've had the "S Car Go" (cute!) on Carnival and yours looked a little sad. Hopefully it tasted better than it looked. The F Onion Soup looked a little weak also. And of course the "2" cherry jubilee. Sounds like they're rationing the cherries and berries!?!

[Beamafar]

Does the bar food, such as the chips and salsa and wings, cost extra? If so, how much?

 

There is no charge for Sports Bar food on Divina (while she's stateside!!)

[hockeyguru32]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write out this photo review! I am very excited for my first ever MSC Cruise in August, and I am glad to live it through your pictures. Thank you! :D

 

Thanks for looking in Oceans, I have read so many reviews over time on here, and I figured why not give back, so this is my first review and happy to provide feedback and answer any questions anyone has. I hope you have a great cruise MSC is an up and coming cruise company. In my opinion a good bang for your buck and the Divina as I said many times is gorgeous and well kept up.

[hockeyguru32]

So, how was the dinner, as far as taste? I've had the "S Car Go" (cute!) on Carnival and yours looked a little sad. Hopefully it tasted better than it looked. The F Onion Soup looked a little weak also. And of course the "2" cherry jubilee. Sounds like they're rationing the cherries and berries!?!

 

Taste was just ok on all our meals, I will give the edge to Carnival still. People love NCL food and I detest it. It is only my opinion though and no one should take ones opinion unless they have experienced their own so that's why I can say I do not like NCL food or how you have to book shows to me that's not my thing to others it is and that's cool.

 

S Car Go truly needed to be converted to monster truck. The F soup was just that F'ed up no cheese no flavour. And we won't talk about the Cherries obviously someone was there before me and took her cherries from me.

[hockeyguru32]

Does the bar food, such as the chips and salsa and wings, cost extra? If so, how much?

 

There is no charge at all except for drinks sans water. I, however, tried to go there on embarkation day, I asked one of the staff where it was and got denied. I was told it wasn't open and needed to go to the buffet, I did read on one review they did go there on embarkation day as it was empty, So all I can say from what my experience was it is not open on embarkation or debarkation days and the rest it is available.

[sfaaa]

Our Captain Pier Paolo Scala

 

 

Captain has a sense of humor and would crack a few jokes here and there.