Do you have any MSC Divina questions?

I've been to Puerto Rico many times.

We've rented a car. Drove to where they have the roasted pig.

 

Taken a bus to isla Verde.

Gone to the forts.

Gone to the Bacardi Factory.

Spent $ in the casino (when it was there).

 

But I've never been to the Coach store. Where is it?

Getting off the ship and facing the Sheraton, how far is it, do you walk left or right?

Oh Dear... I fear I have unleashed the beast :). You've missed the Miracle Mile of San Juan. They have tons of designer outlet in one stretch (Coach, Ralph Lauren, Polo, etc..). The deals are hit and miss, but when you hit, you hit big :).

Here is what I do every time I stop in San Juan via cruise ship

1) Exit ship go left.

2) Follow the water walkway all the way to the famous red city gate. You can see the gate on sail in. You can also see the walkway. It's been much improved over the last 20 years. Lots of joggers,etc... Very safe. I personally walk past the red gate all the way to the fort (along the sea) and make my cat donation, but you don't have to do that :).

3) Enter the city at the red gate and walk straight up the hill.

4) At the top of the hill turn right (it will be a T- you must choose left/right).

5) At the next corner on your right is the coach outlet. It's a pale yellow building right on the corner.

GOOD LUCK! I've left empty handed more than once, but there are times like last June that make me return again and again :)

My husband is now quaking in his boots! I NEED A NEW BAG....

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How good is this! According to our itinerary we will be in Puerto Rico from 7am to 11pm!

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Those downtown uphill streets and fort tour in PR are kind of steep and a real workout. Great way to burn off some calories but can be a challenge at my age. Do try to bargain if you see something you like. Some shopkeepers are quite motivated to make a sale and earn your tourist dollars.

Those downtown uphill streets and fort tour in PR are kind of steep and a real workout. Great way to burn off some calories but can be a challenge at my age. Do try to bargain if you see something you like. Some shopkeepers are quite motivated to make a sale and earn your tourist dollars.

Yes, indeed. I remember walking to/from the fort and then walking up the stairs to the butterfly gallery and practically dying! And this was years ago!:eek:

Rot roh... Another purse lover :). The prices were what you would expect for designer bags. However; if you are stopping in San Juan I highly recommend the coach outlet. They always have better prices than the coach outlets near me and I've been going there for well over 10 years. This year I picked up not one but FIVE (plus two wallets) for close to 300.00. Every girl has a vice I suppose :)

 

 

 

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So you got a deal on knock-offs.

So you got a deal on knock-offs.

These are not knock offs- this is an actual coach store with the actual certificates. Doubt a knock off retails for $359.00 a bag lol

These are not knock offs- this is an actual coach store with the actual certificates. Doubt a knock off retails for $359.00 a bag lol

Indeed, they are not knock-offs if they come from the Coach Outlet. One thing I did find out is that the Coach purses in the Outlet stores are a line made specifically for the outlets. They are not purses that used to sell in the Coach Retail store that are now reduced and put in the outlet.

You may on very rare occasions find a bag that was returned to the outlet from the retail store and you can usually get a good price but it's not going to be as low as the outlet prices.

I got a beautiful large brown leather Coach bag that truly retailed for over $1000 in the regular store and DH bought it for me at the outlet store for a little over $300 but it was the only one available because it was returned from the flagship store. (The bag is gorgeous!) ;)

Indeed, they are not knock-offs if they come from the Coach Outlet. One thing I did find out is that the Coach purses in the Outlet stores are a line made specifically for the outlets. They are not purses that used to sell in the Coach Retail store that are now reduced and put in the outlet.

You may on very rare occasions find a bag that was returned to the outlet from the retail store and you can usually get a good price but it's not going to be as low as the outlet prices.

I got a beautiful large brown leather Coach bag that truly retailed for over $1000 in the regular store and DH bought it for me at the outlet store for a little over $300 but it was the only one available because it was returned from the flagship store. (The bag is gorgeous!) ;)

Nice Score!!! Congrats and happy 'bagging' :) :) :)

I have shopped that Coach Store many times and have enjoyed a numberof handbbags I purchased there. :)

Ok- time to delete more photos off my phone. Next set is food In The YC. I felt the choices in one pool are very limited and as a result we often went to regular buffet. Here is lunch from one of the days- meatloaf, rice, boiled potatoes, and a pasta.

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There was also a small salad bar in one pool. The main buffet has lots more choices. In fact, I thought the main buffet salad bar was excellent. Here is the entire lunch salad bar in one pool -

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Top sail offered tapas during dinner hours which were my favorite thing besides the yogurt station in the morning (and the pistachios) :)

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My favorite were these veggies and basalmic-

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I am not a fan of Msc food overall. For me, the quality just isn't there. hOawEVER- every once in awhile they hit a grand slam home run. The cold water lobster tail on the second formal night was simply the best lobster I have ever had on a ship. One of the rare items that was cooked to perfection. Note- we deliberately ate early this evening for fear the lobster would get mushy as the night progressed.

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My favorite dessert was cherries jubilee. They also had a different type of gelato each evening and cheesecake wAs on the everyday menu and I liked it very much (but once was enough as it is super rich)

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Breakfast in topsail was terrific. I had this Greek yogurt with all the toppings 5 mornings!

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Some of the drinks we enjoyed- mudslide

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Margarita

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BBC

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Lemoncello in topsail watching the sunset :)

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Thank you so much for these wonderful photos. I admit to having a slight concern with the food since I have a slight allergy to tomatoes... I know, crazy right, tomato allergy and cruising on an Italian cruise line :p :rolleyes:

After seeing all of your food photos and others' that have been posted by the other generous CC members, I'm sure I'll be just fine. The food looks fine, lots of fruits and veggies... all I need.

Thanks again,

cheers,

Connie

Thank you so much for these wonderful photos. I admit to having a slight concern with the food since I have a slight allergy to tomatoes... I know, crazy right, tomato allergy and cruising on an Italian cruise line :p :rolleyes:

 

After seeing all of your food photos and others' that have been posted by the other generous CC members, I'm sure I'll be just fine. The food looks fine, lots of fruits and veggies... all I need.

 

Thanks again,

 

cheers,

 

 

Connie

Oh man....TOMATO ALLERGY? does that mean you can't have their pizza! Holy Crap, that is the saddest thing I've heard all day and an allergy that should be outlawed immediately! :).

You'll do great with MSC fruits and veggies. This is going to sound odd, but I LOVE the way they dice up their fruit into the small cocktail size so all the flavors marinate. I could eat that for dessert every night. They are also great at cucumbers. They make them nice and thin so you can just drizzle them with balsamic for a cucumber and onion salad. Here is a link to the live review I did in April (non-YC); but I'm linking it because I put in bunches and bunches of photos of food from the buffet including the fruit and veggie stands that might make you feel even more comfortable :).

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2333619&highlight=live+from+divina

Have fun my little non-tomato friend :)

I had what I thought was a tomato allergy for years (bad mouth ulcers ) then discovered it was the seeds in tomatoes that was the problem. So can now have seedless tomato sauce and passata. All the years of no pizza pasta sauces etc. Try and see if that is your problem.

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Oh man....TOMATO ALLERGY? does that mean you can't have their pizza! Holy Crap, that is the saddest thing I've heard all day and an allergy that should be outlawed immediately! :).

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2333619&highlight=live+from+divina

 

Have fun my little non-tomato friend :)

Thanks so much, Brilliant Bag Lady, this really helps a lot. My allergy isn't too bad, I don't worry too much except for the fresh tomatoes, as in the pizza menus you kindly posted shows that they use peeled tomatoes on most of their pizza ... definite no-no for me ... all good, at least I know what to expect, that's more than half the battle.

I had what I thought was a tomato allergy for years (bad mouth ulcers ) then discovered it was the seeds in tomatoes that was the problem. So can now have seedless tomato sauce and passata. All the years of no pizza pasta sauces etc. Try and see if that is your problem.

 

 

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Thanks Nikki, yeah, it's the tomato acid and seeds which cause me the worst problems. If I'm making DH a BLT, I have to wear gloves to avoid contact with the juice. It burns my skin quite badly.

I don't really worry about it that much but realized with our Dec. cruise fast approaching, I'd better check out the food choices. With all the great reviews posted here by so many, including you Nikki and BB and Radio and Maureen... I'm sure we'll be fine.

thanks again for all the help.

Cheers,

Connie