Craigmri

In April we sailed on the MSC Poesia and the Carnival Breeze back-to-back and enjoyed both of our cruises with maybe a slight preference to the Poesia. Before that we had only sailed on Royal Caribbean. We met the most wonderful people on the Poesia which I think made all the difference, despite loving certain aspects of the Breeze.

 

I think you should go with an open mind. All cruise lines have their pluses and minuses and we are sailing on another Carnival ship and planning on two more MSC cruises for 2014. :D

There are so many positive people on this forum. I wish you guys were dining at my table!!!

Craig

What Carnival ships?

Comparisons make sense only if you compare ships.

I've only been on the once Carnival Destiny(its since been renamed I'm told) and the Carnival Inspiration. My wife and Mom are currently on board the Breeze and return this Sunday.

Craig

So I'm a novice cruiser. To date I have only been on two cruises and both Carnival. Having not been on any other cruise line I dont have the experience to compare. I did find both Carnival boats to be Las Vegas/gaudy-like. Not to say I didnt enjoy the experiences. Heck, aside from an extreme example most of life is what you make of it right?

So, we decided to take our third cruise and we're taking our daughter and my mother-in-law who has never been on a cruise before. I'll be honest, if money was no object we would have gone on one of the RC Oasis class boats and I've heard so much about them but we are on a budget so that experience will have to wait a couple of years.

We spent a month looking and looking(6 months ago) and stumbled on the Thanksgiving cruise on the MSC Divina this year(2013). For the holiday cruise we found the rate to be exceptional so we read review after review. Both good and bad. We watched every video we could find and decided to throw caution to the wind and book it. The boat is so young and I really like the elegant approach to decor I figured, how bad could it be?

We will visit St. Maarten, San Juan and Great Stirrup Cay. St. Maarten is a destination I am most looking forward to. The others not as much but this trip was an affordable option to expose both my daughter and mother-in-law to cruising. If they like it we'll plan a southern Caribbean cruise for 2014.

It is my understanding this "Thanksgiving" week cruise is the first Caribbean run for the Divina as its been cruising the Med since new. I think the only reservation I have is if there takes an adaptation from European cruise system to one serving a more American market.

Craig