fp60

Just booked my first MSC cruise ....on the Divina.

I would like to hear comments from those that have sailed MSC (not on a charter). As a charter may modify normal operations I would like to hear what the typical cruise is like.

I am not concerned about the differences from a usual north American style product having sailed the old Costa before Carnival took them over and made the just another Carnival with a yellow smoke stack.

Food

Service

Cabin appointments

Entertainment

Overall atmosphere...laid back, hectic, quiet?

I just hope the "Americanization" of the Divina is not taken too far........I still want my pasta:D:D:D

Tom aka Bertha

I will let you know after I get back from the March 22nd sailing...

:cool:

I would like to know if the angles balconies darken the cabin, ex,: cabin 10097

I will be on deck 12, port side... will let you know! :)

I can't comment on what is best for a guy as I'm female. I do buy the packages a lot though and they are fixed. You prebook and you get what it contains. You can't change your mind onboard and say can I have B instaed of A because I didn't know what A was.

 

You make your appointments during your cruise and don't have to have them all at the same time. I tend to head straight to the spa when I embark as the earlier you go to make your appointments, the greater your chance is of getting exactly the times you want.

Thank you!

I think they will be able to give you exact details when you board and then you can decide what you will like.

Thanks!

Hello all-

OK, I have been trying to decide what is the best spa package for a guy to book on the Divina. I have reviewed their list and I have narrowed it down to either the "Aurea Dream" or the "Aurea Body and Mind"...

Do all the sessions have to be scheduled at the same time or over multiple days/times?

When does one schedule these at the time of booking or at boarding?

What is a "Aurea Thalassa" treatment please?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from those who have booked any of the MSC spa packages on the Divina to Caribbean. I am hoping to book by tomorrow.

Sorry just slight confused!!! :confused::eek:

Just read the latest review for the Divina and I have to say I'm just flabbergasted.

 

This person will NEVER sail MSC again because there wasn't fresh pineapple and an eggs-made-to-order station in the buffet. He/she was in the Yacht Club and it was over-the-top wonderful, but never will sail MSC again.

 

He/she only made it to one show, the Michael Jackson one, and she wasn't impressed by the impersonator, but the other singers were fantastic.

 

The ship was gorgeous, but there wasn't a giant-screen TV in the atrium (?)

 

The food was just "terrible" although he/she never made it to the MDR. However, the food and service in Le Muse was outstanding.

 

Without a doubt, this is the most schizophrenic review I've ever read. The head honchos must be shaking their heads over this one.

 

Please, MSC, give us Americans a chance - most of us will be very appreciative.

???

Thanks ! Can't wait to see your "Italiano" outfit!

I admit that one has me a bit puzzled LOL...what to wear? what to bring?

I can do the white hot (NCL vet) and the "70's" hippie is easy for me as a Baby Boomer LOL

What day are you all sailing on please?

:confused:

Lol!!! What table at the MDR will you be at?' Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Here is an image I found of one of the "corner" Larger balconies. I'm not sure if it is the larger of the two balconies ie the ones you are questioning or the cabin next door eg 12241 or 12218.

This should give you an idea of the size

 

Somewhere on the forum (and I haven't found it yet) is an image which is definitely the larger of the two corner balconies.

 

I'll continue searching for you

 

 

Here's where it is on the ship 2nd row of balconies down is deck 12

 

 

 

Pete

Skier52-

it would be the cabin next to the bulkhead. Seems like a large balcony!

Thank you for posting the picture(s)!

A Standard balcony

 

 

A typical Standard Balcony on Divina

(viewed from both ends)

 

 

 

 

Pete

Skier55-

Any idea how big the balcony is on either stateroom 12243 or 12220? Any picture(s) please? :confused:

Thank you!!!!

The Thermal Suite consists of the steam and sauna rooms. And yes, they will still be complimentary during the Rio to Miami sailing.

Hi! I am sailing on March 22nd on the Divina. I am looking into the various spa packages. Can one just pre-book a massage (type to be determined from the list) before sailing?

Thanks!:confused:

This is how we broke it down and why we are going with The Allegrissimo or AllYouCanDrinkissimo Premium Divina Package. Okay we are drinkers, but also never like to have a bar bill at the end of a cruise.

 

The Caribbean Divina Premium Package includes EVERYTHING. The Classic Package only gives only a minimum priced or what is called "well drinks", bottom of the barrel, cocktails.

 

Premium Everything means:

 

Wake up and have a Cappuccino with a shot of Baileys

Have a Mimosa with Fresh Squeezed OJ in The Spa (Fresh Squeezed Juice is in the Spa!!!!!) Better yet, just order a Fresh Squeezed OJ! It's included. Have one and add Vodka to it! Yes!

Have a Soda or Seven per day, like me, it's included

Have a mid morning Gelato then one later on, then one at midnight. It's included.

Have a Bloody Mary with Grey Goose, not cheap head ache laden, well vodka, then add Celery and Olives. I may make it two the second morning because it's included.

Have a Virgin Mary or Virgin anything all day and night, yep included as well.

Have a Single Malt Johnny Blue ($22.00 a shot), it's okay, it's included in the package, have two while we are at it.

Have a Top Shelf Martini, then another and perhaps one more like me.

Have a "Wine Flight" with Dinner. One different glass per course. Yes, The Sommilier will adore us! No limitations, just order and enjoy.

Have a Beer, Have another and another. Taste every beer on board like we did on the Celebrity Reflection. (We tasted 7 different beers a day and still could not drink all the 64 different varieties on board!)

Grab a $4.00 bottle of water for the pool from any bar, each! It's included so we won't pay a dime. Grab another as we get hot, hot, hot. Refresing!

Enjoy a Cocktail Mini or a Bottle of Sparkling Water from our Mini Bar in the cabin. Go ahead. It's included with the Premium Package and NOT with the Classic or coupons.

 

But what am I saving, JW? I don't drink.

 

Take two bottles of water back to the room for overnight thirst. (That's $8.00 per day times, seven days, equals $56.00 just in two waters per night)

If we each have a Coke or a Diet Soda each day, just one, that's $2.50 per soda, $5.00 per day times 7 days equals $35.00. But what if we have two or three per day?

If we were to both have just a plain not fancy Cappuccino each morning without the Baileys (because that is $6.50 per shot) each coffee runs us $5.00, so that is $70.00 for the week.

If we were to each have a Gelato per day, that is $3.50 each, $7.00 per day equals another $35.00 How can we resist just one per day?

 

Gelato, Soda, Bottled Sparkling Water, Specialty Espresso and Cappuccino Coffee is included in the Caribbean Premium Package....we can consume and drink all we care to experience with no hassles.

 

Then lets add the cocktails.

 

Only just One Martini top shelf $9.00 per day. $18.00 for two people. $126.00 total

Two Beers at 4.00 each, $8.00 per day, $56.00 total, but only two beers a day, really?????

Just a glass of wine each, Two Glasses of Wine at dinner, at $9.00 per glass (but the prices go all the way to over $12.00 per glass and beyond) is $18.00 per day, $126.00

One Drink of The Day each $6.50 per drink, $13.00 per day $91.00

Baileys shot for coffee per day $6.50 per shot, $13.00 per day $91.00

 

That is only a total of 5 drinks per day. Over $500.00

 

$700 total if we were to add in, for the non alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

 

Plus, we would now have to add the 15% gratuity service charge on each, as that is already included in the pre-ordered Premium Package bringing the total now to roughly $805.00

 

This outline is as real as it gets based upon our history. Our bar bills always have run over a thousand dollars and we have had sticker shock as it's nickel and dime, nickel and dime. I prefer not to have a bill at the end and know that I can have as much or as little as I want without skimping that extra what, maybe $50 bucks?

 

That is why the Premium drink package is so successful. Jerome drank 51 beers on our last trip. 51 times $5 equals $255.00. Not saying that you will consume that much, but it is nice to know that we don't have to deal with coupons, or drink chits, or are restricted on drinking a certain brand or well cocktails and domestic beers.

 

Heck, Jerome will probably have two Johnny Blue's per day, why? Because he can, because it's INCLUDED!

 

"Oh my gosh, I left my coupons in my cabin", or "Oh my gosh, they don't take the coupon for my drink", or "Oh my gosh, I ran out of coupons mid way thru the cruise"......heard that the most often.

 

Think. No gratuity needed on the advance order pre-pay Premium Package. Have everything at your beck and call whenever you want without restriction.

 

Or, play with coupons, and perhaps will have to buy more on board the ship, at a higher price, lower quantity, plus the added 15% gratuity. And then maybe waste a coupon on a soda or water or coffee or gelato. Oh wait! Coupons are not good for Soda, Water, Gelato or Specialty Coffees. They are included free, Only if you have the Premium Beverage Package.

 

There is nothing worse than sticker shock at the end of the vacation when we get our final bill and realize our alcohol consumption and feel ripped off. I have already budgeted $1,000 for beverages for this cruise, I feel with the Allyoucandrinkissimo Package, which is $798.00 total I am $202.00 ahead of the game that I can drop in the Casino.

 

We are Ultimate believers in The Allegrisimo Premium Drink Package. We live it!

 

I value my peace of mind and contentment knowing that I can have it all if I want, with just the nod of my head instead of thinking, "Oh crap, there goes another coupon" or "There goes another $30.00".

 

It works for us and makes total sense. Less stress, more cocktails, more fun, more vacation.

Cruiseguys2009-

You made up my mind!!! Best analysis I have seen in along time!!!!

Now, if you could do the same for the Aurea Spa packages I will buy you a JW Blue label shot! LOL

MSC Divina, March 22 to the Western Caribbean... :D

That is correct, I use Grey Goose, so I had to get the premium package. If you do get the premium package make sure you tell them what brand to use in your drinks. Same thing with Tequila, I like Patron this was under premium.

Bosjoe... you have just become my new best friend on here!!! LOL!

For some reason search is not working. But I found my previous post.

 

Here are the bar menus. You need premium package for drinks with a red asterisk.

 

http://www.gaycruisepictures.com/divinabarlist/divinabar.html

 

If looking for real fruit juice and veggie drinks, the hidden gem is in the gym/spa area. They have a juice bar.. Only one place other I found fresh squeeze oj at one of the main pool bar, starboard side.

So if I drink Grey Goose or Effen Vodka I would have to order the premium package for a martini as an example?

Has anyone stayed in a Miami hotel prior to their cruise that provided complimentary transportation to the pier?

bernnj-

Hope all is well. I would suggest that you contact the hotel that you are staying at to see if they have complimentary transportation to PortMiami.

Depending on the proximity some may and others may not...

Hope this helps.

http://www.gaycruisepictures.com/divinabarlist/divinabar1401.jpg

TwizzlersAddict-

Thanks!

Thank you! That helps tons. I had not come across that website when searching for bar prices.

Yes!!! Thank you for sharing!

Thanks so much, Pete. Yes, a carving station and fresh bread/rolls will go a long way! Just hoping he can be accommodated in the MDR at night.

flahagan-

The MDR staff are excellent. I am sure they will accommodate as necessary. Food on the ship is great any way it is prepared...

:rolleyes:

Hi Sal,

 

We've attached two example menus for the Divina. Hope this helps!

 

[ATTACH]297226[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]297227[/ATTACH]

This is great! Thank you for sharing! We set sail on her next month on the 22nd...:)

Right on!!!!!!

Bosjoe-

Amen!

Best coffee I have had since I was in Rome!!!

Haha...well this will be my 5th MSC cruise - I will get the Silver Card - not bad for an American who has ONLY sailed from Florida and never been to Italy/Europe LOL

Awesome!

My first cruise was 1970. I think I know about food on ships.

 

Pax et bonum,

Kevin

Funny, I had lunch on her when she arrived in Miami last December and both the service and food was excellent...

Anyone sailing on this date?

:o