Msc divina review with pics

[hockeyguru32]

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

 

Agreed and he admits he is very modest, I liked him.

[hockeyguru32]

Day 3 May 2 2017 DW BDAY and St Maarten

 

Yes up at 6:00am wandered around and waited to BDAY girl to get up. Today we were going off the ship and book a sightseeing and Maho Beach Tour with Bernard's Tours. I highly recommend this tour company professional, knowledgeable, and personable.

 

 

Bday girl was up I wished her a happy 29th I've ben doing this for several consecutive years in a row. I was hoping she liked her bday present today.

 

 

 

 

la petite dejeuner getting my French ready for Marigot

 

 

Coming into Philipsburg, St Maarten

 

 

 

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[hockeyguru32]

The Bday Girl

 

 

 

We went back to the room for a bit Annalisa met my DW and gave her a hug and wished her a happy birthday, that was very sweet of her. We got off the ship at 9:10am our tour was for 9:30am.

 

We walked down the pier through the shops to the white tents on the left and we were there.

 

 

Bernard's Tours White Tent. We booked on line and paid a $5.00 deposit per person. The balance was due when we got there so this is where you pay the balance of the tour fee. They take cash or credit card.

 

 

Rear View of the tent this area and parking lot is all blocked off. Also remember when you get back from your tour to get back into the cruise property past this fence they will want to see ID and your sign and sail card and they will want to see your ID and sign and said card prior to going onto the pier to get to the ship.

[hockeyguru32]

Tour started promptly at 9:30am. Our van seated 13 people including the driver. Our tour guide/driver was named Sexy. Huh......... yes his name is Sexy. He explained to us it was the last day of Carnivale and we needed to start the tour because of a parade later on in the afternoon and we could get delayed and miss the ship so he took us to Maho Beach first on the Dutch side. St. Maarten is the Dutch side and Saint Martin is the French side. Each side has their own government and own laws.

 

Bye Divina hopefully see you in a few hours

 

 

 

An interesting fact, they use to share services the Dutch side provided the water and the French Side provided the electricity, now they provide their own water and electricity on each side.

 

Simpson Bay above

 

[hockeyguru32]

 

Here you can have your own paradise for 1 one bedroom villa for the low low price starting at 180,000 or if you need more room a 3 bedroom goes for a cool half a million. Let me know if you want one.

 

The national bird of St Maarten

 

SXM Airport there are plans to make this airport bigger to accommodate more private jets.

 

 

 

[hockeyguru32]

The famous Maho Beach we spent 45 minutes here

 

 

 

 

Excuse me Elwood can you tell me the way to the airport. He says Listen kid I have a full tank of gas a half a pack a smokes it's hot I'm in a suit someone stole my sunglasses now BEAT IT AND LOOK FOR YOURSELF.

 

Thanks I found it.

 

 

Gorgeous sand so soft

Edited May 18, 2017 by hockeyguru32

[#55worktoplay]

Guru, this is good, I like your writing style and your pics are good too.

 

You were like my husband there was no way he was going on a cruise until there was a Dale Jr (NASCAR) cruise he was all in and loved it. It didn't hurt there was 1300 people for the junior group and more than two thirds were 20 something females with store bought biguns😀 He has been on many more after that one.

 

Can't wait for more.

 

P.S Seeing as your team is out I hope you would join me in cheering for our Sens.

 

Thanks for sharing you trip.

[WYTinman]

hockeyguru32, Keep up the good work.

 

We are enjoying your review. Hanging on every word and picture.

 

 

Can't wait for more.

 

P.S Seeing as your team is out I hope you would join me in cheering for our Sens.

 

Thanks for sharing you trip.

 

Hey we have a team down here that has plenty of room on their Bandwagon. Join in on the fun.

 

 

Mark & Lori

[hockeyguru32]

Guru, this is good, I like your writing style and your pics are good too.

 

You were like my husband there was no way he was going on a cruise until there was a Dale Jr (NASCAR) cruise he was all in and loved it. It didn't hurt there was 1300 people for the junior group and more than two thirds were 20 something females with store bought biguns😀 He has been on many more after that one.

 

Can't wait for more.

 

P.S Seeing as your team is out I hope you would join me in cheering for our Sens.

 

Thanks for sharing you trip.

 

Thank you #55 for following, I like to know who is reading so comments or even an "I'm following" is nice to see. Would that 55 be in reference to Michael Waltrip or is it a reference to David Ragan?

 

I went on a cruise because I knew it was on DW's bucket list so being the good hubby, I put my fears aside grabbed my gun (small BB gun I may add but it's cute) and pulled the trigger. She also wants to go to Hawaii so I made her a deal if we go on a cruise to Alaska (my bucket list) Hawaii is next.

 

Don't tell anyone but I hope Pittsburgh gets beat that's all I'll say about that.

[hockeyguru32]

hockeyguru32, Keep up the good work.

 

We are enjoying your review. Hanging on every word and picture.

 

 

 

 

Hey we have a team down here that has plenty of room on their Bandwagon. Join in on the fun.

 

 

Mark & Lori

 

Thank you so much Tinman much appreciated. I believe 55 would have to go for Nashville in the Western Conference. You see Mr. Underwood I mean Mr. Fisher is an ex Senator. I know who wears the pants in that family and she wears them well I may add and I'm no country fan.:hearteyes:

[SMSACE6]

Im still following and enjoying your review and photos very much. Thank you for the information on the MSC line. I just know I am going to love it. As for the Hockey; All I can say is, "GO SENS GO" Love those guys even if they were not my home town team.:)

[CruisnDeb]

I'm following along hockeyguru32 and enjoying your review.

 

We will cruise the MSC Divina for the first time in November and I'm really excited to try this line. Glad to hear you had a good experience with Bernards--we are thinking of booking a tour with them. I have a feeling I will feel the same about Maho Beach as you do, but feel I have to experience it at least once :)

[#55worktoplay]

Thank you #55 for following, I like to know who is reading so comments or even an "I'm following" is nice to see. Would that 55 be in reference to Michael Waltrip or is it a reference to David Ragan?

 

I went on a cruise because I knew it was on DW's bucket list so being the good hubby, I put my fears aside grabbed my gun (small BB gun I may add but it's cute) and pulled the trigger. She also wants to go to Hawaii so I made her a deal if we go on a cruise to Alaska (my bucket list) Hawaii is next.

 

Don't tell anyone but I hope Pittsburgh gets beat that's all I'll say about that.

 

Definitely Mikey. I was the biggest fan I'm sure-until I met him😀😀😀. Nah I feel a little sorry him he got a short stick but we will not go there.

 

I also have Hawaii on my bucket list and perhaps it will be our 30th anniversary trip in a few more yrs.

 

I would love to go to Nashville to watch them play the Senators, so will cheer for Nashville this round but can't promise for the final! Nashville is also on my bucket list.

 

Enjoy!

[hockeyguru32]

Definitely Mikey. I was the biggest fan I'm sure-until I met him😀😀😀. Nah I feel a little sorry him he got a short stick but we will not go there.

 

I also have Hawaii on my bucket list and perhaps it will be our 30th anniversary trip in a few more yrs.

 

I would love to go to Nashville to watch them play the Senators, so will cheer for Nashville this round but can't promise for the final! Nashville is also on my bucket list.

 

Enjoy!

 

Very nice our 30th is in October and we will be on the Vista, I went to Nashville when I was a kid I remember the old Ryman auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry and my first roller coaster I ever road was there called the Cannon Ball Run. I don't like roller coasters peer pressure got to me.

[hockeyguru32]

Im still following and enjoying your review and photos very much. Thank you for the information on the MSC line. I just know I am going to love it. As for the Hockey; All I can say is, "GO SENS GO" Love those guys even if they were not my home town team.:)

Awwww thank you so much SMSACE6

[hockeyguru32]

I'm following along hockeyguru32 and enjoying your review.

 

We will cruise the MSC Divina for the first time in November and I'm really excited to try this line. Glad to hear you had a good experience with Bernards--we are thinking of booking a tour with them. I have a feeling I will feel the same about Maho Beach as you do, but feel I have to experience it at least once :)

 

 

Thanks a lot CrusinDeb much appreciated eh!!!!! I liked the Bernard's Tour I learnt a bit about their island and I was so impressed, there was so much information I know I missed some as I was busy with pictures and doing videos (which I will put on youtube after this review is done) so we are doing a family and friends cruise next April on the Conquest and we have already booked Bernard. Well not him personally but his company

[shukapaw]

...I like to know who is reading so comments or even an "I'm following" is nice to see.

 

Hey hockeyguru32 (if that is your real name)

 

We are following and loving the review. We board the Divina in under a month for a B2B trip. Learning a lot from you

 

~Brian

[Moobaby214]

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.

 

This was the show we walked out on. It was supposed to start at 9:15, but the Captain was still talking at 9:40...

[hockeyguru32]

This was the show we walked out on. It was supposed to start at 9:15, but the Captain was still talking at 9:40...

 

Welcome Moobaby and you're probably right but I guess when you have the microphone and you run the ship you can do whatever you want lol. One of the comments from The Captain was the Executive Chef got more of an applause when introduced than he did and he cautioned us that he would turn the ship around and go back to Miami. I got a good laugh out of that one.

[hockeyguru32]

Hey hockeyguru32 (if that is your real name)

 

We are following and loving the review. We board the Divina in under a month for a B2B trip. Learning a lot from you

 

~Brian

 

Hi ~Brian I'm sure that is your real name lol. Mine is my ghost writers name but I answer to Hockey, Guru, and Scott as well. Glad you are learning lots. I have only mentioned a bit in my opinion, I will get into it more when I do the Deck Review. If you have any questions please ask, I will do my best to give you the answer.

 

I still have this to go

More of St Maarten and St Martin

San Juan

Sea Day

Nassau

Getting Kicked Off

Deck review

Final Thoughts

The End

[Beamafar]

Hi ~Brian I'm sure that is your real name lol. Mine is my ghost writers name but I answer to Hockey, Guru, and Scott as well. Glad you are learning lots. I have only mentioned a bit in my opinion, I will get into it more when I do the Deck Review. If you have any questions please ask, I will do my best to give you the answer.

 

I still have this to go

More of St Maarten and St Martin

San Juan

Sea Day

Nassau

Getting Kicked Off

Deck review

Final Thoughts

The End

 

I'll be staying tuned for that one! :evilsmile:

[hockeyguru32]

Ok first intermission is over the Prophet Mr. Donald S. Cherry has finished up with Coaches Corner ( you might have to be Canadian to figure that out or Uncle Google) and it's time to drop the puck for this next installment.

 

Back in the van we are after Maho Beach and heading over to the French side oui oui sil vous plait. I was surprised to see all the Casino's there I think he said 7 on the Dutch side and 4 on the French side.

 

Yes they have Rotten Ronnies here

 

And not to be outdone they have Burger King see their chicken sandwiches are 2 for 7 ours are 2 for 5 in Ontario. Sexy also said they have Subway, KFC, but Taco Bell didn't survive. Oh and no Tim Hortons anyone want to put a Tim Hortons in the Dutch and French side we can live at those new Indigo houses. Anyone, Anyone Bueller anyone?

 

Going across one of their new bridges do not know the name

 

 

Not sure if I told you or not but when we were leaving the port Sexy had a cooler full of goodies, Water, pop, ok ok soda for some of you consisted of Sprite, Coke, Fanta, Heineken, and Bernard's own special punch. I had a Heineken when we left don't judge me I'm on Vacation. I had to take a picture of this below I thought it was cool.

 

Carnival coke can with the year, wonder if that will be a collectors item one day? Look Ma I'm hung like a coke can.

 

Au revoir mes amis et le cote de neerlandais

 

 

The sign says it all in French and English. So Oui we are on the French side now time for some French toast, French fries and the wonderful meal in itself poutine.

 

The harbour at Marigot. Sexy was telling us that they are planning to build a cruiseport on the French side here. It will take 5 years to build and they are also going to put an international airport in as well and that is going on right now. I think I have pictures of that later when I get to that point.

[Beamafar]

..........................Not sure if I told you or not but when we were leaving the port Sexy had a cooler full of goodies, Water, pop, ok ok soda for some of you

 

Known as 'minerals' this side of the pond! Or even 'soft drinks'!

 

You're bringing back great memories of our time visiting St Maarten/St Martin, H! Our guide provided the most fantastic homemade rum punch (as well as beer, wine, water, "minerals") plus snacks. When we arrived back to the port, there was a band singing - due to the rum effect, moi decided to become a member of the band for one of the numbers.

[hockeyguru32]

 

 

Monument to the Market Women

 

We got to spend an hour here in Marigot and I had one thing in mind and only one. My mission if I chose to accept it was to find a French pastrie shop. This review will self destruct if I do not find it....(cue music) Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum da nah nah dah nah nah dah nah nah....What is that I see could it be?

 

OH YES the review will not self destruct I have found the mother of all mother's of pastrie shops (or so I read in reviews) or was it? It was Sarafina's and as I stated read many of reviews it was across the street from the harbour and a 2 minute walk. I could hardly contain myself and I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed.

 

We walked in to this open area with a HUGE menu board over head and glass casings of scrumptious morsels of goodness looking at me saying eat me eat me. Oh yes my pretty I'll eat you and your little macaroon too.

 

 

 

Like seriously how can you NOT resist. Even a diabetic like me had a cheat day (no I'm not insulin dependant) There was so much to choose from and what is what they all looked so good. A lady from behind the counter looks at me and I looked at her like deer in headlights. She greets me bonjour I respond bonjour comment ca vas, she replies ca vas, and that's where my French ends. I start speaking in English. I'll have a chocolate macaroon, one of those strawberry eclaires ...OMG that thing spoke to DW like heroine to an addict. Is that everything sir. No Ill have a raspberry beignet is that all no ill have that tart with the strawberries on it please and a large bottle of water. Is that all sir, oui madame merci beaucoup ...........

 

Our plate from Iowa, no heaven, no Sarafina's in Marigot St. Martin cost of this lovliness $15.00 USD. Everything was so good words cannot describe all I can say is I'LL BE BACK!!!!!!

[thegraminator]

Oh my, my! Sarafina's is now a definite stop for me! Is there a taxi totally dedicated to an excursion there? I could spend a few hrs. In this shop !