spearnreel

I would suggest to all cruise lines to have a very upfront and obvious waiver attached to all sailings during hurricane season indicating the risks. I know one is in place but make it a separate acknowledgement in BIG bold letters requiring a signature. That way, when the itinerary is unfortunately affected by such tropical storm, it might keep the 1% a bit more contained when feelings get hurt.

Ratio is 1:1,000. As in we will always have 1 negative opinion on the food, the shows, the room temp, the whatever's and in this case, how the guests feel things should have transpired during the eye of this storm. The other 1,000 satisfied guests mostly stay happy and quiet. I was on the Irma cruise on Divina and MSC couldn't have been more professional and accommodating during the rather difficult and challenging time. Life is so much better when we can focus on all the great positive things going on around us instead of nitpicking the very tiny things we decide to take issue with.

15 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Gelato is free for everyone on Armonia - but flavours are limited (on our sailing in January, they changed daily).

This is super surpising and very welcomed news for us. Not drinkers of any sort so don't have any drink pack. 

Great review. You mentioned gelato was included? As in free for all without any drink pack? We've sailed Davina and always either needed a drink pack/ vouchers or could purchase. Thanks

Got the spa pass for Armonia. Have done spa area on Davina. Have not yet Armonia. Not sure if you experienced spa area but if so any details on what exact features the spa area has would be nice. Im sure steam room, sauna, and the loungers but maybe something else? Thanks.

I came across a piece of information that I wasn't aware about most recently that might help you...if you have Cuba as a POC you are required to board using a valid passport that will not expire within 6 months of Cuba stop. 

Thanks for replies. Good in knowing we aren't required to purchase the visas for staying on board. And was unaware that Cuba cruises require for all passengers to have a US passport at time of embarkation. Me and the wife have our passports and use these for our forms of ID for embarkation but would have planned on using just birth certificates for the kids. Cruise isn't until September so fortunately still have time on our side.

Have a Sept. Cuba sailing. Have an infant and toddler and will be staying on board for the 7-day sail. Is our family required visas and the "person to person" booking even though we are not going to disembark ship at any port during the duration? Thanks

I have only sailed Divina (2x) and have frequented the relaxation area but have never seen anything resembling "hot rocks". Anyone have any details on these?

Yes, I was able to access MSC using Google Chrome. I would continue to use it but all my bookmarks are with Firefox-which still won't allow access. Yet, I was able to access MSC using Firefox yesterday, earlier today and all the other times I looked at the site. Now, all of a sudden...I'm shut out.

 

Well, I guess I won't be going to MSC too often, it's too much hassle. Not their fault, I'm sure.....but not mine either.

Yes their fault and has nothing to do with your settings. Should be used to it by now and if not you will be. Just wait until your personal information ends up in the hands of complete strangers and vice versa. Not sure if the personal info breach and website issues are worth it but we do enjoy cruising with them.

Family cruise with adult children going on the Divina. 2 rooms want to buy the expensive beverage package. The other room just the vouchers. Is this possible. Reading the rules it seems like everyone who eats together must buy the same package. Anyone know how it works when traveling with a group?

Quite the rule if so. Makes since though especially if one of the members of the group didn't drink at all or better off, was in recovery. That person is not allowed to dine with anyone that possess the all you can drink pack? Brilliant!

MSC DIVINA

A flawed beauty…

We were looking at cruises to Bermuda and came across the April 9 DIVINA cruise from Miami.

We have cruised on Royal Caribbean Allure and Oasis many times and many times on Celebrity Solstace class ships.

We were ready to try a new cruise line and since MSC has this Bermuda cruise it would be a chance to try a new cruise line

We really wanted to like Divina but, it wasn’t to be

The ship itself is magnificent, more elegant than the R/C or Solstace ships, but beyond that there are too many problems, some big and some small.

We always have a balcony cabin, Divina’s cabin was just about the same as the others but with a slightly smaller balcony. (what’s with the tiny TV and no free movies?)

Embarcation at Miami was very quick and since we were able to “transfer” our status from the other cruise lines we were Black card.

Once on board the buffet was open and having heard that the pizza was good we decided to try that first...good choice...excellent pizza is available almost any time.

One of my complaints about other cruise lines is the terrible coffee...here on Divina the coffee is excellent.

Now for the “flaws”, the elevators are very confusing..not all elevators go to all decks, in some cases you need to go from other decks to deck 7 to get to another elevator to get where you want to go.

The shows though not as flashy as on the other lines I mentioned were very good, the dancers, singers were all great as was the costuming.

Food in the MDR was mediocre at best, a steak or a prime rib were just about what I think of as a sandwich filler..very thin., stick with the chicken, fish and the Italian specials

MSC has found the smallest martini glasses I have ever seen...what 2 ounce?

Food and choices in the buffet were very good, especially the Italian specialties, Miso soup, and all the bakery items.

BUT, beware the "feeding frenzy" times...(just after it opens)....have these people never seen food before....

If you are a gambler you'll find the casino rather small, not a problem for us !

There are "choke points" in the corridors at busy times..you can't get through.

Handrails in the theater, there are none..we saw too many people stumble and quite a few fall..

At times the "public" toilets got a bit messy, other ships had crew members cleaning up during the busy times.

I must say that the early departure from the ship, was very well done....we were off the ship and into our ride in about 40 minutes.

If MSC is seriously trying to break into the US market, they have some changes to make...

That's about all I can remember now

Just to be clear...

1. "Tiny" cabin tv w/ no "free" movies.

2. Disoriented elevators.

3. No 24 oz steaks in MDR.

4. Traffic directors needed in hallways.

5. Disoriented walkers in theater.

6. Someone forgot to flush the toilet.

= "Wanted to like Divina but wasn't meant to be"?

Sure thing, for my email contact just add "@live.com" to my CC handle.

Email sent. Thanks buddy!

From embarkation to end, with the exception of Bermuda, this cruise was the worst of 60 cruises we've taken on Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL and Royal Caribbean. The line was very long outside the terminal just to get into the building - took us an hour to check in and that was at 12:30. Instead of taking your credit card at check in, they direct you to one of the kiosks on the ship to register your credit card for use on board which we stood in line once again to do. That is one of their new procedures we were told. The lifeboat drill was a complete joke - our muster station was the casino where they did not even make sure people were trying on their life jackets and we never even saw a demonstration on how to put them on. If one was given, it was nowhere near where we were standing. Now for the cabin - we took the Fantastico pkg which was supposed to be a superior balcony cabin in category 2A. Nowhere on the website deck plan of deck 9 shows any of these forward cabins having any obstruction or any notations showing obstructions. Our balcony was a "steel" balcony where you could only see out if you were standing. When we complained at guest relations, we were shown their diagram of deck 9 which did show our cabins as having obstructed balconies. They said their Miami office was closed on Saturday and they would try to do something on Monday. Well - the following Thursday, they called us and offered us another cabin - with 2 days left of the cruise, we were not going to spend it moving. They didn't so much as offer us a bottle of wine for their mistake and never even admitted their error. Now for the dining experience. When we found out that they had anytime dining, we called and spoke to a Mario who told us just to come and see him at 6:30 that evening and he would change us to 6:30. When we appeared at 6:30 to see him, after missing our 5:30 regular dining time, he looked at our room keys and told us he didn't realize we were on the fantastico pkg and therefore could not change us to anytime dining. So - we missed our dining room dinner that night and had to go to the buffet. Now as to dining in the Black Crab - tables are extremely close together and waiters are having to serve over your head in a lot of areas. The food was mediocre at best - pencil thin prime rib and not much variety.. Food upstairs in buffet was pretty good though with much variety. The ship itself is beautiful - probably the prettiest on the sea and kept very well. The entertainment also was exceptional. We cruise several times a year and generally are not critical people. We realize things are never perfect and have never given any ship such a negative review. After hearing so many other passengers complaining about various things, we felt this review was warrented.

Just to be clear...

1. Took all of one hour to check-in.

2. Had to "stand in line" at kiosk for sail & sign card.

3. Did not learn "how to put on a life jacket" at muster drill.

4. Booked next to lowest "experience" and received next to lowest style balcony.

5. Feeling that hard hats should be required in the MDR.

= worst cruise ever out of 60?

My goof, the cruiser is actually from Ruskin, FL and the sailing is 4/28/18 Seaside. I have more info but do not want to sacrifice anyone's privacy or divulge private data.

As why I asked. Not my date or ship but I am from Ruskin. I see you are from SW FL and I have been exposed to a cruiser from a city in the SW FL area and this info may belong to you? Not sure but just a thought on this. Can't PM on this forum but would like to make contact with you off the public forum for further discussion. Thoughts on doing so? Thanks.

My wife is also apparently going on a Caribbean cruise with some guy from Reston, FL and then she is going to Venice with an unknown German couple...:eek:

Is the mishandled cruiser info in fact listed as from "Reston, FL"? Thanks

And a good chance that your check-in info will end up in the hands of a fellow cruiser because of an MSC website personal information breach. Read "MSC website woes" to get up to speed if you haven't already.

Very disturbing to hear that personal information continues to be handled inappropriately. No question that since I have been handed (3) separate individuals personal information, I would expect my personal information to have been handed off as well. I would also expect to see some pricey consequences headed towards MSC for allowing this to occur and to continue to occur. I wouldn't mind tossing my hat in that ring and sharing my experience with the proper authorities if it comes to that (I have screenshots of all that has occurred). After all, if I have any compromising personal information that may occur from this, I want everything documented and with those proper authorities. The MSC customer service rep that I spoke with when I was receiving others information stated "how odd my situation was and that mine was only an isolated case...no one else reporting the same problems" Really? With all that has occurred, this has been our first cruise that I have contemplated cancelling solely because of these personal information breaches and website inaccuracies.

Site still closed for "IT maintenance" from my login page. Everyone else still seeing the same?

For your convenience:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2335616

One would think that any company with a qualified enough IT crew would be able to have things repaired and restored a bit faster than 4+ days of being down? I have been seriously considering contacting the three individuals that over the course of my booking, MSC has voluntarily released their very personal information to me through me logging in to MY online account. I know I would appreciate a trustworthy stranger contacting me if my information had been treated negligently (I wouldn't be surprised if my information has been treated loosely). Has anyone contacted any of the mishandled privacy victims or anyone have any thoughts on doing so?

MSC site closed for IT maintenance. One could only hope...

Was able to find my (now deleted from my online profile) booking by logging in using booking information. Still not sure why deleted from my online profile booking page? Thanks for the lead previous posters. However, wife and I had a good chunk of assigned on board credit as well as a portion of pre-booking items are now gone and not assigned to our booking. It truly makes my wonder if when we do show up for embarkation, that we might be turned away considering how screwy our entire booking has been so far or that our pre-booked items and onboard credits will end up elsewhere. MSC, I seen the invite to contact the MSC IT department but we have already been down that road with no success (made things worse). If the MSC forum rep does happen to read my situation and would like to help correct it, as I am willing to, please PM me and help get me in touch with the right personnel. So far my most reliable source regarding my MSC issues has been this forum. Thanks.

Been having problems with MSC website, customer service, breach of privacy ever since booking our first cruise with them. We have received (3) separate individuals very personal information (addresses, email address, phone numbers, etc.) and that hasn't been reason enough for MSC to correct these errors from continuing to happen. We have had errors indicting outstanding balances and who knows what else. Just now I checked our upcoming booking and "NOT" to my surprise, our booking along with everything we have pre-booked has completely vanished. Customer support has seemed to be a waste of time. I have no evidence that our personal information hasn't been leaked but it makes me wonder. I think most can agree that part of the enjoyment in booking a cruise is the time leading up to it and making the pre-booking events. This experience has been miserable and from reading other posts with similar issues, I am sure others feel the same way. I would have avoided ever booking MSC if I had known this. Now that I am invested, I don't wish to cancel. Have made very patient attempts at allowing MSC to correct their glitches. At this point, am heavily considering approaching legal. Just not sure where to turn or whom to contact. Open to any suggestions that may help avoid an already bad situation get any worse. Thanks

Can shipboard credit be used to pre-purchase items (excursions, spa packages, drinking/ eating packages etc.)? I was told by MSC rep yes but have found otherwise only allowing credit card payments at checkout. Thanks