Motegi

Day 9 - Ocean Cay Lunch at Ocean House

We got to the Ocean House just as the dark clouds approached.

Soon it was raining and we watched quite a few people heading back onboard.

Our butler, Donny, arrived in a stylish blue rain poncho and distributed additional ponchos to us, our waiter Yash, and the rest of the Ocean House staff. 

I ordered the same Octopus Salad and lobster roll as last week, this time with “extra” lobster.  See the menu and my ratings from last week.  Pam got the Blackened Mahi Mahi instead of the “carne asada” that she ordered before. Her rating for lunch was ****.

Luckily the rain only lasted a short time and blue skies soon returned. 
 

We capped off our day with some ice cream at the Smiling Fish Ice Cream parlor.  Unfortunately they no longer had the fish shaped cones that we had before.   We got coconut flavor and it tasted more like maybe a toasted coconut. I didn’t finish mine.  I’d probably go with vanilla or chocolate next time. 

Day 9 - Return to Ocean Cay

Wonderful morning at Ocean Cay with warm temperatures and only a light breeze.  It was I deal for snorkeling at lighthouse beach and relaxing at the lighthouse bar.  
 

The water was warmer and much more clear than last week.  Pam spotted a stingray on the ocean floor just outside the netting by the lighthouse (I highlighted the ray so you can see it better).  She also found a 1.5-2 ft Caribbean lobster lurking in the rocks by the bridge at the lagoon later in the afternoon. It was probably upset that I had a lobster roll for lunch!  
 

Very few people were at the lighthouse bar and there were plenty of seats available.  
 

Day 8 - Specialty Dinner at Galaxy Asian 

Now for the review of the dinner…. 

The service was excellent as always but for the food, as a person of Japanese descent, I would say my rating is mixed.   The miso soup was strangely sweet.  I had to add soy sauce to tone it down.  The shrimp skewers were good but could have benefitted from a little char or caramelization.   The sashimi and nigiri were fantastic.  The nori for the temaki hand roll was a little soggy where it should have been crisp.  The roll was tasty but quite small.  Finally the ice cream was good but the green tea flavor was no longer available so we went with strawberry.  Overall the portion size was very small for me but was sufficient for Pam (no leftovers) who is a light eater.  Was it worth the money? Yes, as part of the Duo dining package but not if I was paying a la carte.

Day 8 - Port Canaveral Dinner at Galaxy Asian

We purchased this as part of the two specialty restaurant dining package.  
 

The restaurant was completely empty because it was embarkation night for the new passengers.  We were the only table seated for at least 30 minutes.  
 

Also there was a bit of a storm outside and the ship was swaying quite a bit. 
 

There were large waves in the pool and the water was going everywhere.  And still there were quite a few passengers seated along deck 14.  

Day 8 - Port Canaveral

No evening show in the theatre

11 hours ago, JAGR said:

On an aside, did you get a laundry package by any chance, and if so, I wanted to know how it worked for you.  For years,  if you got the package, it was supposed to be for all laundry to be done in one delivery, but we have had butlers who let us do a one or two off for a few deliveries rather than in one. 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Thanks!  

The entire COVID testing, disembarking, and walking back on could have been a little more streamlined in our opinion.   They could have called people down by deck to Pantheon rather than have everyone come down at once. Also, perhaps had YC passengers go to Top Sail.  We felt that social distancing was not followed in the Pantheon and the order of seating and testing was a bit arbitrary.  

Of note, some staff were not appraised of the testing starting at 0730 this time in Pantheon and it appears that prior B2B testing was done in the Black & White lounge at 0830 instead.  We think the large quantity of B2B passengers on this sailing necessitated the move to Pantheon and the additional 1 hour of time for everyone to be tested.  

I’m sure the protocols will change again before you are onboard.

Regarding the laundry package we purchased the 40 piece plan.   The butler said it would be fine to split it into a few separate batches. So we sent 10 a few days ago and are getting ready to send another 10 soon.  Everything was picked up by noon and returned in the afternoon the next day. 

Day 8 - Port Canaveral

Day 8 - Port Canaveral

Those already onboard (back to back cruisers) were allowed to leave the ship for the day after the onboard COVID test.  
 

Initially Pam and I had planned to go to the post office to mail some of the items we had purchased over the last week.   
 

However the cost of Uber and Lyft for a 5 minute drive to the nearest post office was anywhere between $19 to $26 one way!  At first we thought this was due to “peak” pricing due to a surge in demand when all of the ships were disembarking but we continued to check throughout the day and the pricing remained in that range so we decided to just stay onboard. 

Day 8 - Return to Port Canaveral

Today we returned to Port Canaveral to disembark half of the passengers and pick up quite a few more.  

The seas were very rough overnight with a large amount of swaying in our cabin.  This was perhaps the most we’ve felt on any cruise.   

The word on the street is that we have between 1000-1200 passengers on this sailing, which is almost double last week’s total.

Those of us staying on board were directed to the theatre to undergo COVID testing and to temporarily disembark the ship so that customs could confirm a “zero count”.   Everyone was tested and told to be seated in the right side of the theater until all results were confirmed.  Then we were divided into three groups and escorted off the ship for a few minutes and walked back on.  The entire process began at 07:30 and lasted just over 2 hours.

Day 7 - LOBSTER NIGHT dinner at LeMuse

Our selections and ratings * to *****
Caesar salad with anchovies *****
Shrimp cocktail with bacon ***
Lobster Tail *****
Roasted Loin of Veal ***
Potato gnocci ***
Coconut Tapioca ****

Day 7 - Sea Day

(Diseegard prior program posted in error)

Day 7 - As we were approaching Key West we were greeted by a pod of dolphins that was very excited to see us.  

Day 7 - Medical Emergency at Sea

The Captain made an announcement that one of our fellow passengers was requiring an emergency medical evacuation and that we were being redirected to Key West, Florida.

The Coast Guard met up with the ship for a transfer at sea.  
 

We hope that this passenger receives the care that they need and makes a speedy recovery. 

Day 6 - Late night room service pizza.   Pepperoni with extra pepperoni.   Arrived quickly and piping hot. Rating: *****
 

Day 6 Theatre Show - Cruise Staff Variety Show

This evening the cruise entertainment staff, rather than the MSC production show singers and dancers, put on a talent show.   Many of the acts were funny and many of the routines were very well rehearsed and quite good.

My fellow passengers were impressed and gave a standing ovation at the end.

Day 6 - Italian Night dinner at Le Muse

Our Selections and ratings from * to *****
Buffalo Caprese *****
Clam and Mussel pot ****
Filet with Porcini mushrooms ****
Mediterranean mixed seafood grill *****

24 minutes ago, Tesanrick said:

I so appreciate your blog.  We'll be going on the Divina in Jan...first time on MSC. I'm enjoying your posts very much.  I just noticed today that the Divina changed colors on the CDC watch list, from green (no cases ) to yellow (cases above minimum threshold and CDC launching an investigation).  Have you heard about any cases onboard or are they changing any protocols?  It's discouraging that with so few passengers and everyone vaccinated and tested that cases would appear.

 
I have not heard of any cases onboard.  We’ve been chatting with quite a few passengers as well as crew members and haven’t heard of any COVID cases.   Social distancing is pretty much a given because there are so few passengers on board.  
 

In addition to all of us (besides the handful of small children onboard) being fully vaccinated, everyone is wearing masks indoors and everyone is getting daily temperature checks.  

With the protocols onboard I feel much safer on Divina than just going to the supermarket or Costco back at home. 

Day 6 - Cozumel and Italian Night

One thing I noticed right away was that many of the same tourist souvenirs that were being sold at Costa Maya were also being sold at Cozumel.   However the prices in Cozumel (especially at the Flea Market and shopping areas around Benito Juarez Park were much, much cheaper.  And we were easily able to bargain down even lower.  
 

Even the prices at the Duty Free shop at the Cozumel cruise terminal were better than Costa Maya.   For example bottles of 1903 Mezcal were $38 each in Costa Maya and were on sale in Cozumel at two for $38.  
 

That being said the jewelry store prices for Swiss watches was not very good even with their “special discounts”.   We checked out Diamonds International and luxury boutique, Pama.  

There was a watercolor artist, Ms Ruiz, selling her original paintings of scenes from around Mexico that caught Pam’s eye.  We also found a local handmade glazed ceramic serving plate that we’d never seen before. 

Day 6 - Cozumel and Italian Night

Our taxi driver, who also tried to sell us a tour by holding up a brochure and pointing at landmarks while driving, gave us a couple of recommendations for places to eat.   La Mission and Casa Denis were his favorites.  
 

After wandering around the shops surrounding Benito Juarez Park we made our way to La Mission for lunch.   Don’t be deterred by it’s street view,  it is quite expansive inside with a lively atmosphere.  They had live music with a duo playing the mariba and a large tequila tasting experience in the back. Free WiFi was also available.   We ordered two refreshing margaritas and perused the menu while snacking on a complimentary basket of tortilla chips with pico de gallo and a small plate of guacamole.   The fish ceviche appetizer was fantastic (*****) and a great deal at just $7.   

The lunch special tacos (*****) were also a great value for $9 and included salsa, more guacamole, and refried beans.  The lunch specials included three fish tacos or four steak tacos.

Day 6 - Cozumel and Italian Night

Despite concerns earlier in the week, the weather today in Cozumel was very nice.  
 

Divina docked at the International Cruise Terminal today which is about 3 miles from Cozumel.  The International Terminal has a bunch of typical tourist souvenir shops and there is a mostly empty mall, Royal Village, across the street.  Pam and I decided to take a. $6/person taxi ride into town for the day.  

Just outside the terminal there are a bunch of salespeople selling “tours” around the island for anywhere between $35-40 USD per person.  I’m certain you can bargain down even more if interested.
 

Apparently Cozumel is hosting the Ironman Triathlon this weekend so there were many atheletes preparing for the competition.  Also in town were Carnival Glory, NCL Breakway, and a Viking cruises shop that looked like a toy boat next to NCL. 
 

I didn’t realize that the right side of the roadway includes two opposing bicycle lanes.   I nearly got hit by bicyclists traveling in opposite directions there while in the crosswalk. Keep your eyes open. 
 

Day 6 -  Cozumel and Italian Night

1 hour ago, PRH said:

We see you....

LOL!  Next time say hi!  We won’t bite. 

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I thought this was quite good when I was on Meraviglia.  Your photo of the preparation looks like its too "soupy".

 

 

Certainly not like the Tortuga Rum Cake that I bring home!  (I do like those.)  

Actually the rice pudding was a little too dense for me.  But the goldenberry on top was delicious! I give the berry 5 stars.   LOL

I think we’ve all been spoiled by Tortuga Rum Cakes.  This dessert was not the same. 

18 hours ago, styles27 said:

Nice! Pretty sure I saw you guys in the atrium tonight for the Ed Sheehan tribute!

Wish I had seen this I would have made a point to say hello!

 
Yes we were there!  Chris is so talented!

3 hours ago, jamesboat said:

 

So if youre not in YC, no free food after 9pm?

 

Ive never been on MSC and Im trying to see if its right for me

Well, on Meraviglia I remember going to the buffet for late night pizza and i remember on Seaside going to the sports bar for wings.  We weren’t in Yacht club on either of those ships.  Not sure what is free and what is up charge on Divina but I’ll try to ask for you.