Divina Dining Questions

[Safe77]

My lovely wife and I are 15--yes, just fifteen!!!--days away from our first MSC and Yacht Club adventure! I'm like a kid who can't wait for Christmas! We need this break and she deserves all of the pampering I can find for her. We're hoping for an even more elegant and special time than we've had in Princess' suites.

 

I've searched the boards and haven't found exactly the answer I'm looking for regarding dress in Le Muse. I understand that during the day, dressier shorts and a polo are good for men, even in Le Muse for breakfast and the Noon meal ("lunch" or "dinner," depending on where you hail from). Naturally, at least a sport coat, dress slacks, dress shirt and tie for the evening meal on formal nights. On the other evenings, would I be underdressed if I wore Dockers and a nice polo or golf shirt in Le Muse? What about a button-down dress shirt in place of the polo? Or, will I see most gentlemen in shirts and ties at Le Muse?

 

What do ladies typically wear to the Le Muse evening meal?

 

We'd like to try one of the specialty restaurants one night. I know one selection on the daily Le Muse dinner menu comes from one of the specialty restaurants, but we'd like to have the whole experience. My very dear wife likes fish, fowl, beef and pasta. I'm primarily beef or shellfish, definitely not scaled fish. Which restaurant would you recommend and, if you'd be so kind, why?

 

Thanks so much. This is the most wonderful community for people who love cruising!

 

-- Steve and Diane --

[faze41]

Dockers and a polo shirt are just fine for non-gala nights. For women, slacks and a nice top or a simple dress (your preference) are perfectly acceptable. Think "country club casual" and you'll be just fine. No need to stress over wardrobe! You will see a bit of everything.

 

We went to Galaxy the last time on board, and actually ended up preferring staying in LeMuse. Eately is a steakhouse, and I think Galaxy is more Mediterranean oriented food. If we weren't in Yacht Club, we would probably avail ourselves of the specialty restaurants, but we really have found no need to do so. Just our opinion.

 

Have a great cruise, we'll be getting on as you are getting off!

[JasonGalterio]

My wife and I were just on the Divina in the Yacht Club for two weeks and I can honestly agree with the previous poster; you don't really need to eat anywhere else other than Le Muse.

 

The food was excellent. The servers were top notch. The Maitre D' will bend over backwards to make sure that you are happy with everything. I would highly suggest going there for lunch; a few days of the week he will cook pasta in the dining area on demand.

 

As for attire, as the previous poster stated, it is pretty relaxed. Most guys wore slacks and polos on the regular nights, and a few were in suits on the gala nights, but not too many. A few guys were in jeans as well, no one seemed to be turned away.

 

The only no nos seemed to be shorts for dinner and bathing suits / tank tops for lunch.

[JasonGalterio]

Didn't see the secondary question until after I posted...

 

In Le Muse the rotating menu each night usually included one fish and at least one alternate protein (beef, lamb, chicken, etc.)

 

They also had a standard menu that was consistent each night (steak, pasta, etc.).

 

If I had to have one complaint, I would say that some of the portions were a little on the small side. But they didn't frown if we ordered an extra plate to share.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Hi Safe77,

 

You have good reason to be excited about your first foray into the YC. We were onboard a few weeks ago.

From the moment you pull up to the YC tent and are escorted onto the gorgeous Divina you will be treated to an experience like no other. Champagne in hand you enter into the inner sanctum of the YC.

 

Your ideas for dress in Le Muse are right on. It is basically "Country Club Casual"most of the time. You will see everything on formal nights from tuxes and dinner jackets to polos and dockers. A shirt and tie with a jacket on formal night is fine. I know the staff enjoys seeing the pax dress up on formal nights. They really appreciate the effort as they are trying to create a formal atmosphere themselves.

Tell your wife she will be fine with a fancy top and pants if she doesn't want to put on a dress.

Be sure to say HI to Javier, Joe Vaz, Albino the Maitre'D and Lindsay. They are super and the service you will receive will be the best you have ever had. Forget about the other restaurants...just ask Albino for whatever you want and he will get it for you or even make it for you.

Princess has mini suites...that are nice but you will find your YC suite to be extra special. It's the service and the extras that make it so. If you need anything at all...just call the Concierge and it will appear instantly. If you are really lucky you will get a great butler to take care of you. We had Mevin and he was fantastic!

So...make sure you get to the pier by 11:30 and have your lunch in Le Muse...you can always go to the Buffet on port days when it is not crowded.

Don't forget to check your fridge in your cabin to make sure you have your favorite goodies. ENJOY!!

[JasonGalterio]

We might be an anomaly but...

 

Our cruise started on Sept. 30. The first time we left the ship was October 5th. It was just more relaxing to spend the day in the Top Sail Lounge or up at the pool. Didn't feel the need to go off and do anything else.

[riclop]

My lovely wife and I are 15--yes, just fifteen!!!--days away from our first MSC and Yacht Club adventure! I'm like a kid who can't wait for Christmas! We need this break and she deserves all of the pampering I can find for her. We're hoping for an even more elegant and special time than we've had in Princess' suites.

 

I've searched the boards and haven't found exactly the answer I'm looking for regarding dress in Le Muse. I understand that during the day, dressier shorts and a polo are good for men, even in Le Muse for breakfast and the Noon meal ("lunch" or "dinner," depending on where you hail from). Naturally, at least a sport coat, dress slacks, dress shirt and tie for the evening meal on formal nights. On the other evenings, would I be underdressed if I wore Dockers and a nice polo or golf shirt in Le Muse? What about a button-down dress shirt in place of the polo? Or, will I see most gentlemen in shirts and ties at Le Muse?

 

What do ladies typically wear to the Le Muse evening meal?

 

We'd like to try one of the specialty restaurants one night. I know one selection on the daily Le Muse dinner menu comes from one of the specialty restaurants, but we'd like to have the whole experience. My very dear wife likes fish, fowl, beef and pasta. I'm primarily beef or shellfish, definitely not scaled fish. Which restaurant would you recommend and, if you'd be so kind, why?

 

Thanks so much. This is the most wonderful community for people who love cruising!

 

-- Steve and Diane --

You will be fine.

[cbelc]

MSC does seafood best. The beef is not prepared as well, but a table mate ordered the beef every night. The pasta itself is good, but the ravioli with veal reduction was, well, pasta with gravy. The pasta with egg sauce was very salty. I don’t remember the chicken. For sure there was no fried chicken. If you are from the South, there are no grits and semolina is cooked pasta flour. We were not in the Yacht Club and did no specialty restaurants. I actually preferred the buffet because many dining room options were sparse and devoid of veggies. The pizza was authentic Italian and the gelato is really good. I used a drink coupon every day on that. One of my favorite spots was the piano bar above the casino between dinner and the show. Enjoy and embrace the multiculturalism and tell your wife not to wear heels on the crystal staircase. It was a happy cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[CGTNORMANDIE]

We might be an anomaly but...

 

Our cruise started on Sept. 30. The first time we left the ship was October 5th. It was just more relaxing to spend the day in the Top Sail Lounge or up at the pool. Didn't feel the need to go off and do anything else.

 

Same dates for us. We left the ship several times and wished we hadn’t...LOL! The Yacht Club is the place to be...it just does not get any better than that!

[Proseccoandsun]

Dress really varied in YC when we were onboard in August, but all that you mentioned will be just fine. We preferred to dress up a little more each evening, but that was because we wanted to not because we had to. I definitely wore my highest most sparkly heels to blend with the Swarovski staircases! :-) Some men did wear dressier shorts in the evenings with polo shirts - so it all really goes. Most wear pants and a collar shirt on casual nights. Country club casual is exactly right.

 

We thought the food in Le Muse was wonderful! I disagree with the above about the beef - it was top-notch quality. We live near some excellent steakhouses in the NY/NJ area and those served in Le Muse were better than any I've ever had. And the Italian food...risottos were excellent and creamy, pasta was authentic and delicious! Their desserts were also excellent. We never ate in a speciality restaurant during our week onboard, but did have the Eataly pizza at La Cantina di Bacco as a late night snack with friends. It's delicious!

Enjoy!!

[dexddd]

Right, the Le Muse food was great. The beef that was on the non-rotating section of the menu was great. Lobster night everyone enjoyed as well.

[markf]

Leaving on Divina very soon --yacht club

curious if Rack of lamb and Veal chop are on the menu in Yacht Club, or do I need to ask for it or go to specialty rest. for it..?

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Rack of lamb and veal chop are on the menu. It’s the little things that surprise you when and where you least expect it. I thought the croissants were excellent in the morning...as good as any we have ever had. One night they served us snails which were superb. You rarely ever get snails done right. The baked breads were excellent. The breakfast served up at the One Pool was so enjoyable...outside. Every time I turned around there was another surprise.

[Safe77]

Thank each of you for your kind responses. I guess we'll play it by ear and will visit a specialty restaurant only if we're less than completely thrilled with Le Muse.

[thecruisers6]

This is what we had in Galaxy last month.... the best meal we’ve ever had...

Lobster pasta to start

 

 

Lamb chops [emoji3]

 

 

And melting middle chocolate cake

 

Very very good

[Proseccoandsun]

I was on in August and don't recall either lamb or veal ever on the menu. Chicken, beef, duck, all types of seafood...I just looked back at 4-5 menus from our week, and didn't see it. But just about everything we had was delicious! (We didn't love their ceaser salad, French Onion soup, or timbale of polenta- that's it)

Leaving on Divina very soon --yacht club

curious if Rack of lamb and Veal chop are on the menu in Yacht Club, or do I need to ask for it or go to specialty rest. for it..?

[Safe77]

Uh-oh. Caeser salad is a virtual staple in my diet because I have such a craving for it. What was wrong with it on the Divina, Proseccoandsun? And can anyone enlighten me as to why everyone says the French onion soup isn't like anything we Americans are used to?

[Proseccoandsun]

Lol, the soup was tasty enough but not the real rich dark broth with a covering of cheese that you practically need a knife to get through. ;) It was more a small piece of bread with a little cheese on top. Even in Paris it was served the "American" way.

The dressing on the ceaser was a little bland for me but I only had it once. It could have been me or an off night. Nothing wrong with it, just plain to me. I haven't heard other complaints about it. There was always something else I wanted to try so never ordered it again. I could easily have spent two weeks onboard trying all the different food. We loved it!

 

 

 

 

Uh-oh. Caeser salad is a virtual staple in my diet because I have such a craving for it. What was wrong with it on the Divina, Proseccoandsun? And can anyone enlighten me as to why everyone says the French onion soup isn't like anything we Americans are used to?

[BertG4]

I really enjoy reading thru these threads... Driving gf crazy as our YC cruise is still 10 months away and I can't stop talking about it... happy to hear people enjoy dressing up for formal nights as plan to bring the tux

[thecruisers6]

I really enjoy reading thru these threads... Driving gf crazy as our YC cruise is still 10 months away and I can't stop talking about it... happy to hear people enjoy dressing up for formal nights as plan to bring the tux

 

 

 

Tell your gf to count herself as lucky, I’m driving my wife mad about Bellissima YC only 490 days to go. Anndddd she is driving me mad about wanting an MSC world cruise in 2023 [emoji33]

[Reyyn]

First let me say, You are going to LOVE the YC. My Husband and I are sailing Dec 9th as well ( 15001 ) :) This will be our 2nd time on Divina and in the YC. Le Muse is wonderful, and we actually we were able to order food from Eataly one night and they brought it to us in Le Muse.

The posters above are correct on attire. Wearing dockers and a shirt on a normal cruise day is fine. I know that for me as a woman, I would wear a sundress most days just because it was cool out and being in Le Muse just makes you feel like you are in a beautiful intimate setting.

 

 

here are a few links to some of the Le Muse menus we had back in June.

 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10aqQE-ui9RpYXkUFxNrOKzhLqN1pU6kDGA/view?usp=sharing

 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qLgTgNLIWlKNmo89_uAsDfkjvKEWy4Yw2g/view?usp=sharing