MSC Divina exceeded our expectations

[skivoodoo]

We are just getting back from our cruise in the Yacht Club on the Divina and had a fabulous trip!

 

The crew was wonderful. Our butler Vishnu provide elegant and friendly service. We had sparking wine waiting daily, including a special anniversary pink indulgence romance package. Everyone on the ship greeted us with warmth and pride in MSC.

 

Our dining experience was something we looked forward to daily. Arthur, our server was engaging and service was quick but never felt rushed. Dechen our sommelier always took great care in helping us with our wine choices. Antonino the Assistant Maitre'd created exciting pasta dishes and taught us some Italian history for some of them. Bishma the assistant waiter always made sure my husband had gluten free bread available and worked well with Arthur.

 

Captain Massa was everywhere. He attended the CC meet and greet and answered all questions with pride. Andre the cruise director was engaging and approachable.

 

They are working hard to create a product for our American market and we loved it. Yes, there are some differences, but we enjoyed the changes.

 

This ship may be a few years old but felt brand new. It was spotless and didn't show much wear and tear.

 

We booked the Seaside while on board and hope to see familiar crew faces!

 

We will try to answer questions if you have any.

[EMc&DrS]

We are just getting back from our cruise in the Yacht Club on the Divina and had a fabulous trip!

 

 

 

The crew was wonderful. Our butler Vishnu provide elegant and friendly service. We had sparking wine waiting daily, including a special anniversary pink indulgence romance package. Everyone on the ship greeted us with warmth and pride in MSC.

 

 

 

Our dining experience was something we looked forward to daily. Arthur, our server was engaging and service was quick but never felt rushed. Dechen our sommelier always took great care in helping us with our wine choices. Antonino the Assistant Maitre'd created exciting pasta dishes and taught us some Italian history for some of them. Bishma the assistant waiter always made sure my husband had gluten free bread available and worked well with Arthur.

 

 

 

Captain Massa was everywhere. He attended the CC meet and greet and answered all questions with pride. Andre the cruise director was engaging and approachable.

 

 

 

They are working hard to create a product for our American market and we loved it. Yes, there are some differences, but we enjoyed the changes.

 

 

 

This ship may be a few years old but felt brand new. It was spotless and didn't show much wear and tear.

 

 

 

We booked the Seaside while on board and hope to see familiar crew faces!

 

 

 

We will try to answer questions if you have any.

 

 

 

We are onboard right now and second your comments. Vishnu and Arthur are fantastic!

 

 

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[skivoodoo]

We are onboard right now and second your comments. Vishnu and Arthur are fantastic!

 

 

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Please tell them hello from Wayne and Stacia! Enjoy!!!

[thegraminator]

Thanks for sharing your experience ! That is exactly what I want to hear and to experience ourselves in a few short weeks . We are so anxious to try this new cruise line (well , new to us ) and we want to embrace the difference . We are not going to experience the Yacht Club level, but we just know we can enjoy ourselves just as much if we go with the correct attitude and anticipation .

 

Glad to hear you had a great time and thank you for sharing your experience !

[skivoodoo]

The ship really embraces the sea! We've cruised the other mega ships and have felt like we were at a resort instead of on the water. You never forget you're at sea on the Divina!

[sfaaa]

Not only is Divina beautiful, MSC cruise fares are extremely competitive. Very pleased with MSC.

[newcruisers04]

thanks for the review! If I may ask a couple questions...were there a lot of fish dishes for dinner? Is there a lot of smokers on board this cruise line? We are looking for options for anniversary celebration in 2019.

thanks so much, Lori

 

The ship really embraces the sea! We've cruised the other mega ships and have felt like we were at a resort instead of on the water. You never forget you're at sea on the Divina!

[skivoodoo]

thanks for the review! If I may ask a couple questions...were there a lot of fish dishes for dinner? Is there a lot of smokers on board this cruise line? We are looking for options for anniversary celebration in 2019.

thanks so much, Lori

 

Fish dinners were always available as well as many other options. There was always something to try both new and traditional offerings.

 

The smokers weren't a problem. The casino was nonsmoking which was nice. There were a couple of smoking areas but it never intruded.

[Shippy]

thanks for the review! If I may ask a couple questions...were there a lot of fish dishes for dinner? Is there a lot of smokers on board this cruise line? We are looking for options for anniversary celebration in 2019.

thanks so much, Lori

 

Cruise ships seem to be changing menus and smoking rules all the time. I think 2019 is a bit to far out for any accurate advice now.

I do hope you are able to opt for a Yacht Club cabin, especially for an anniversary trip. It is about the whole experience, not just the cabin.

[newcruisers04]

I am just trying to dispel several apparently one sided comments from folks that had previously cruised MSC...."too much fish for dinners and too many smokers". Glad to see things have changed, and I am sure everyone has different opinions. We love cruising in inside cabins for the quiet and darkness for sound sleep, providing I select the correct cabin..hahaha..and not under a theatre or lounge.

thanks for your input. The itinerary we are looking at has several ports in the 20 day crossing, and not too many sea days which we prefer.

 

Cruise ships seem to be changing menus and smoking rules all the time. I think 2019 is a bit to far out for any accurate advice now.

I do hope you are able to opt for a Yacht Club cabin, especially for an anniversary trip. It is about the whole experience, not just the cabin.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[CarrieAP]

Trying MSC/ The Divina in Dec so appreciate the review and comments!! Also splurging on Yacht Club so looking forward to that experience.

 

 

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[TrinaLC]

Arthur (waiter) in the YC restaurant is a gem! Make sure to ask for his section when you first give your dining preferences (they will be taken by the Maitre D who sets up a desk in the YC lounge on check in afternoon).

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

We are onboard right now and second your comments. Vishnu and Arthur are fantastic!

 

 

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Arthur and Dechen gave each other a high-five when we told them "hello" from you and about your glowing review. Of course, they remembered you immediately. Apparently, we are in your exact suite and sitting at your table.

 

 

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[EMc&DrS]

Please tell them hello from Wayne and Stacia! Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

A giant smile from Vishnu this morning when I showed him your review!

 

 

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[Clarea]

Thanks for the feedback.

[agnesd]

What type of activities are there during the day?

 

 

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[skivoodoo]

A giant smile from Vishnu this morning when I showed him your review!

 

 

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How marvelous! The team is the best we've had! Glad you got the sand one! Thank you for letting them know how much we enjoyed our cruise. They worked hard to make it a nice one for us.

 

Location of 15011 is the best too!

[skivoodoo]

What type of activities are there during the day?

 

 

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We did trivia a couple days. There were all types of trivia. We played Bingo. There were the typical pool party events but we really relaxed in the Yacht Club. There were wine tastings and dance classes. We loved exploring the ship.

[superrach]

What discount was currently being offered to booking onboard? Thanks!!

[havanadaydreaming]

We did trivia a couple days. There were all types of trivia. We played Bingo. There were the typical pool party events but we really relaxed in the Yacht Club. There were wine tastings and dance classes. We loved exploring the ship.

 

I'm looking forward to the trivia contests next month. I keep waiting for a cruiseline to have Jimmy Buffett trivia contest but so far no dice.

[skivoodoo]

What discount was currently being offered to booking onboard? Thanks!!

 

We received a $350 OBC for booking the Seaside YC! And it was only $99 pp deposit...no discount for the cabin but there are no cabins available on the week we picked

[skivoodoo]

I'm looking forward to the trivia contests next month. I keep waiting for a cruiseline to have Jimmy Buffett trivia contest but so far no dice.

 

They did have a musical trivia which was fun! There was a group of the same people at the trivia sessions so it was nice to see familiar faces!

[SNJCruisers]

thanks for the review! If I may ask a couple questions...were there a lot of fish dishes for dinner? Is there a lot of smokers on board this cruise line? We are looking for options for anniversary celebration in 2019.

thanks so much, Lori

 

From what I can infer, the Seaside should be your better choice compared to the Divina. Besides being newer, it is specifically built to cruise the Caribbean and should be more Americanized than the Divina. Depending on your point of view, this could be a good or bad thing, but I feel it would make the transition to a European line easier.

EDIT...a subsequent post states you're looking at a 20 day crossing, so I guess that eliminates the Seaside. You could do the Meraviglia though in the fall of 2019 when she comes over. 😀

 

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Edited July 6, 2017 by SNJCruisers

[newcruisers04]

thanks! I do not see the fall of 2019 for MSC cruises posted as yet. I love the March crossing from Miami to Genoa with the overnight stays, but still on the fence about booking. Is there a "perk" for booking a future MSC cruise while being on one , ie..doing Caribbean this winter and booking the TA for March 2019?

 

 

From what I can infer, the Seaside should be your better choice compared to the Divina. Besides being newer, it is specifically built to cruise the Caribbean and should be more Americanized than the Divina. Depending on your point of view, this could be a good or bad thing, but I feel it would make the transition to a European line easier.

EDIT...a subsequent post states you're looking at a 20 day crossing, so I guess that eliminates the Seaside. You could do the Meraviglia though in the fall of 2019 when she comes over. 😀

 

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