MSC Divina YC Experience Summer 2017

[CruisingFox27]

At last our long-awaited return to Divina had arrived. We previously sailed transatlantic with an Aurea package, Genoa to Miami and found everything to be excellent, far excelled previous sailings with other lines. So we booked YC for this year. I’ve been reading reviews on here which were mixed and often didn’t correspond with our previous experience.

 

 

I’ll start by saying for the most part it was fantastic, however, it wasn’t without issues.

 

 

Embarkation in Miami was a bit chaotic, after initially fighting our way through from the YC tent to security we arrived in the lounge to check in and a much welcome drink. Although this process seemed to work relatively quickly for some we were there for quite a while. Priority check in in Genoa had been much quicker but without the Prosecco!

 

 

We were then taken to the YC area, which is simply stunning. We didn’t have an escort around but were not particular bothered by this, we did see people being escorted around, I’m sure we could’ve asked.

 

 

Next, we went to our cabin, which was absolutely lovely. The separate wardrobe was great and there was sufficient storage. Obviously, this is dependent on how much stuff you have, we were away for 3 weeks so didn’t travel lightly…We Europeans aren’t as expecting when it comes to room sizes (I don’t think?) so we were quite happy with the space.

 

 

One of the things we loved on Divina with the Aurea package was the anytime dining, so were confused that we had to select a dining time in Le Muse. We were advised we didn’t need to be exactly on time but it would be helpful. I’d read negative comments regarding the walk from YC to Le Muse and didn’t understand the concerns, we’d previously enjoyed our pre-dinner walk from our cabin at the front to the MDR on 5, stopping for an aperitif etc. However, I now fully understand. Probably because the ship was full but it wasn’t a pleasant experience in parts. Navigating through the Golden Jazz bar and Photo Gallery was challenging to say the least.

 

 

 

Le Muse itself was certainly a ‘game of two halves’ for us. We’d previously had exceptional service, food and experience so upgrading to YC expectations were high. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. We were surprised to find the menu choices and courses reduced and only 2 or 3 of the menu items changed each day. We didn’t find the service to be very attentive either. No explanation or recommendations of dishes. Waiting 20 minutes with an empty water/wine glasses rather than it being refilled before you’d even emptied it. After 4 nights we asked if we could change tables, a flat no from the, we think Manager/Supervisor. We never actually worked out what or who she was, just stood there every evening with a clip board. We mentioned our disappointment to the Butler, who did speak to them and things did improve slightly.

 

 

Speaking to a fellow passenger just before they disembarked, who couldn’t speak highly enough of Le Muse, attentive service, special dishes. All unknown to us. We insisted to move tables to where they’d been located.

 

 

 

Le Muse week 2 was an absolute delight, attentive staff, wine and food recommendations. Everything we’d been expecting.

 

 

All of the staff in YC area were truly excellent, concierge, bar team, butlers and team. After a few days of consistently ordering the same drinks, when we walked in the TSL of an evening we didn’t even order, our drinks arrived. Likewise, with our morning breakfast order. The cabin was attended to several times daily and every day we received fresh fruit, cheese plates, chocolate, cakes etc. On the day of our anniversary the Butler decorated the room and yet another bottle of prosecco. Without being intrusive he’d come and check if there was anything we needed, could he bring us any food or drinks. I actually started to feel guilty saying no. Priority escort on and off the ship was just a joy.

 

 

The One Pool area was equally fabulous, the buffet selection isn’t vast but is adequate and you can order hot food. It was never crowded and totally relaxing, a few days there were some unruly loud children but thankfully this was minimal. Someone on here recommended clips for your towels, thank you to whoever that was. I purchased a few, what brilliant and effective idea. The only downside of the area, as always mentioned, there is no shade.

 

 

The pool areas on the main part of the ship did look busy but generally I think loungers looked available most of the time.

 

 

The main part of the ship was very, very busy. We didn’t find this on our last trip, the bars and even the buffet always had plenty of seats available. It certainly wasn’t the case on this sailing. We always travel outside of school holidays, and weren’t aware that holidays in the USA start in June and coupled with the deals MSC have been offering to expand in the market, unfortunately it did feel a bit like a holiday camp. Something we’d be very mindful of in future. It’s difficult to explain without sounding awful and snobby, we’re not I promise. The best I can do is if you are going to a nice restaurant you don’t expect it to be like McDonalds. It certainly felt less refined than last time.

 

 

If we’d booked the same package as previously I think we’d have been very disappointed but YC was absolutely superb. As predicted by many on here once you have experienced YC, I confirm we are now ruined when it comes to cruising. Fortunately, I found a brilliant offer for next year on another transatlantic in YC, although not Divina this time. It’s booked.

 

 

Apologies, I’ve gone on quite a bit there. Overall, brilliant and already looking forward to the next one :cool:

Edited July 25, 2017 by CruisingFox27

[Beamafar]

Thanks for your review - such a strange difference in experience in Le Muse between the 2 weeks! You were right to insist on changing tables.

 

Glad to hear you had a great cruise, overall.

 

We were looking to do the Divina crossing from Miami next March, but the cabin category we wanted was booked out, too.

[Clarea]

Very interesting report, thanks.

[GRANNYOFSIX]

Thank you for your review CruisingFox27. I enjoyed reading it and learning.

[helen haywood]

Did the Maitre D change from the first cruise to the second? I can't imagine what else could explain such vastly different experiences.

 

 

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[Cruisergal1208]

I think some of the wait staff in Le Muse are more outgoing than others and I would never wait very long without refills without speaking to someone. We've never had poor service there and looked forward to all our meals.

[CruisingFox27]

Did the Maitre D change from the first cruise to the second? I can't imagine what else could explain such vastly different experiences.

 

All of the same staff for both weeks, just some were obviously more proficient at service than others.

 

We requested drinks refills from more than one waiter but were still kept waiting @cruisergal. Same issues requesting anything the first week.

[js]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review. I appreciate it.

 

 

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[Cruisergal1208]

Did the Maitre D change from the first cruise to the second? I can't imagine what else could explain such vastly different experiences.

 

All of the same staff for both weeks, just some were obviously more proficient at service than others.

 

We requested drinks refills from more than one waiter but were still kept waiting @cruisergal. Same issues requesting anything the first week.

 

Wow, maybe they were new to YC and still learning what was expected of them regarding service. Will be there again in a few weeks and will definitely be on the lookout for that kind of service.

[lmcgrail]

Who were your servers the second week? We are going in about 5 weeks and will ask for them.

[helen haywood]

CruisingFox27, I'm so sorry you had that experience! I hope it doesn't deter you from sailing YC again.

 

 

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[Sunshine2U]

...a flat no from the, we think Manager/Supervisor. We never actually worked out what or who she was, just stood there every evening with a clip board.

 

We never figured it out either but that clipboard is not very flexible. :')

 

And we agree about the awkward walk from one end of the ship to the other. But not sure I would have seen as much as we did if not for that walk. Looking forward to Seaside. So far we have four cabins in the YC and I'm still recruiting!

[Lou2204]

Thanks very much for that interesting review. So I'm wondering, if you're not happy with Le Muse, is it ok to change to another restaurant for one evening? I'm sailing on the YC with two teenagers. They may like to opt for pizza one night or something. Is that included? Thanks again, glad to hear the second week was so much better!!

[CruisingFox27]

CruisingFox27, I'm so sorry you had that experience! I hope it doesn't deter you from sailing YC again.

 

 

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Who were your servers the second week? We are going in about 5 weeks and will ask for them.

 

 

 

Absolutely not, we've already booked again, another transatlantic next year.

We had Arthur the second week.

[CruisingFox27]

Thanks very much for that interesting review. So I'm wondering, if you're not happy with Le Muse, is it ok to change to another restaurant for one evening? I'm sailing on the YC with two teenagers. They may like to opt for pizza one night or something. Is that included? Thanks again, glad to hear the second week was so much better!!

 

I'm not sure if you can go to the MDR, you can certainly opt to book the specialty restaurants or go to the buffet. Room service will deliver pizza from Eaterly to your cabin, which is included.

[lmcgrail]

Absolutely not, we've already booked again, another transatlantic next year.

We had Arthur the second week.

 

 

 

Thanks so much. We'll definitely ask for one of his tables.

 

 

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[CruisingFox27]

We never figured it out either but that clipboard is not very flexible. :')

 

And we agree about the awkward walk from one end of the ship to the other. But not sure I would have seen as much as we did if not for that walk. Looking forward to Seaside. So far we have four cabins in the YC and I'm still recruiting!

 

Our dining time possibly didn't help as 1st seating in the MDR would've been out and 2nd not yet seated. The primary problem was the photo gallery, you can only walk one side of the ship there and everyone is looking at photos & queuing in that section. We often preferred to walk direct across 15, although this can be a bit breezy (depends how vain about your hair you are ;))

 

The return walk wasn't as crowded and it is nice to see other areas of the ship.

[Lou2204]

I'm not sure if you can go to the MDR, you can certainly opt to book the specialty restaurants or go to the buffet. Room service will deliver pizza from Eaterly to your cabin, which is included.

What is the MDR? Main Dining Room?

[CruisingFox27]

What is the MDR? Main Dining Room?

 

Yes, there are two, Black Crab and Villa Rosa.

[shukapaw]

We recently spent two weeks on the Divina. The first week we were in a Fantastica Balcony cabin and the second week in YC.

 

During the first week, our waiter in MDR was overwhelmed by a very large group and service for us was so-so. I made a casual mention of this and the next night the Maitre d approached us and told us he had a new table for us. WOW! the waiter and assistant in new section were fantastic. They were honestly some of the best we've encountered in our years of cruising.

 

During week 2, we dined at Le Muse (obviously ;p) Although we were not unhappy with the service there, it was not all I expected. I remember telling my wife that I would have thought that those serving in Le Muse would have been hand-picked from the ship's giant pool of servers so that the better waiters were in the dining room associated with the YC. Apparently this is not the case. They seemed to be a bit disorganized and, personality-wise, not the cream of the crop.

 

As always, this is just my opinion based on my observations/experience.

 

Brian

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Sunshine2U]

Thanks very much for that interesting review. So I'm wondering, if you're not happy with Le Muse, is it ok to change to another restaurant for one evening? I'm sailing on the YC with two teenagers. They may like to opt for pizza one night or something. Is that included? Thanks again, glad to hear the second week was so much better!!

 

Lou, it depends on your teens. As teens, my daughter would have enjoyed Le Muse. My son would prefer to grab something from the main buffet. I think y'all will figure it out quickly but eating in the MDRs is both not an option or not what most would advise. Your options are still good. The One Pool Bar can fix burgers and pizzas throughout the afternoon and usually has a small salad at their buffet. The Top Sail lounge will have petite sandwiches, fruits and sweets (among other things). The main buffet that serves the entire ship has a wide assortment, including pizza.

 

The room service menu is not extensive but I heard it is being expanded. And you can order a pizza delivered to the cabin, but be sure to check service hours for that. We wanted one for lunch one day and were told that since Eataly was not open, no pizza until dinner hours.

 

Finally, if those options do not suit and you are not happy with LeMuse, you can ask concierge to make reservations for you at one of the fee-based restaurants. By the way, for what it's worth, this is the first thread I have seen where several people have not been happy with LeMuse. Most of the time everyone is very complimentary.

 

Hope this helps!

[Lou2204]

AH, burgers and pizza options sound like sound alternatives, should they want a change from Le Muse. It all sounds lovely, so I'm sure we won't be disappointed! Can't wait!!

 

Thanks again, warm regards,

Marlou

[EMc&DrS]

We were just in the Divina YC for 10 days ( 7-day cruise followed by the short 3-day cruise) and were lucky to have Arthur as our server every night. He is exceptional, but stays very busy because once people sit in his section, they want to be seated there every night. Some nights we would have to wait a few minutes before he could arrive at our table, but it was always worth the wait. Best waiter we've ever had on a cruise, and the sommelier, Dechen, is outstanding as well. We were so lucky to enjoy their hospitality for 10 fantastic days! Once they learned our preferences, we were treated to appetizers followed by a pasta course followed by delicious entrees (two entrees each some nights--especially on both "lobster nights"), cheese plates and desserts. These were accompanied by sparkling wine and bread at the start of every meal and then recommended whites and reds to pair with our different courses, and occasional dessert wines or after-dinner drinks. On one evening we enjoyed a particular wine so much that Dechen surprised us with another bottle which she slipped to our incredible butler, Vishnu, who snuck up to Le Muse while we were eating, got the wine, and had it chilling in our stateroom when we returned. Such incredible service and attention to detail--can't wait for our cruise next year in the Seaside YC.