urkidn

When we were there a few years ago, we took a public bus from Tórshavn to Klaksvík and back. The scenery was spectacular. You have to get off the bus in Klaksvik as it will be a different bus for the return. We wandered around, had coffee, visited some shops and then headed back. I think it takes about 1 1/2 hours each way. You can't miss the bus station, it is the big blue and white building. Cost was very reasonable but I can't recall the exact amount. We still had time to wander around Tórshavn when we returned.

I also struggle with bag weight. Last time, I bought 2 small boxed wines from the duty free shop in YYZ. Boxed wines have come a long way in recent years, I find. The boxes fit great in the mini fridge and as I was only having a glass a day while getting ready for dinner, it stayed fresh a lot longer than a bottle. Not going to work however if you plan to take it to dinner, lol.

Just to clarify the Divina room service issue. I brought home the menu and it states "A $3.50 delivery fee will apply to orders between 23:00 and 06:00."

Also, the menu is very limited to 14 items: soup, antipasto, mozzarella caprese, mediterranean salad, chicken caesar salad, smoked salmon sandwich, tuna salad sandwich, ham and cheese salad, egg salad sandwich, grilled veggie sandwich, cheese plate, fruit plate, chocolate brownie with vanilla sauce and chocolate chip cookies.

Pizza (that you pay $8-$13) is a complete separate menu and can be ordered up until midnight.

Free pizza in the buffet is available until midnight too. After that they have a sandwich station open until the wee hours. It also includes a couple of salads.

Croissants and limited pastries are available (free of charge) in Divina Bar and Cafe Italia from 6:00-12noon. I also found cookies at the Divina Bar in the afternoon but these were not advertised in the daily like croissants are in the morning.

Self serve ice-cream is available in the Aqua Park (free of charge) from 2-5pm.

The sweets you pay for are reasonably priced from around $1.50 for cupcakes and $2-$3ish for the cakes. I personally didn't try any of them. Gelato/ice cream was $2/small and $4/ large. There were also some more expensive ice cream concoctions available in the Aqua Park but I didn't bother as the small was more than enough for me. Nutella crepes were either $3.50 or $3.95 and I didn't try that either.

EVERY time I passed the specialty restaurants they were empty. I heard several comments from people that they found the a la carte pricing too expensive especially for families and I tend to agree.

Just to clarify the Divina room service issue. I brought home the menu and it states "A $3.50 delivery fee will apply to orders between 23:00 and 06:00."

Also, the menu is very limited to 14 items: soup, antipasto, mozzarella caprese, mediterranean salad, chicken caesar salad, smoked salmon sandwich, tuna salad sandwich, ham and cheese salad, egg salad sandwich, grilled veggie sandwich, cheese plate, fruit plate, chocolate brownie with vanilla sauce and chocolate chip cookies.

Pizza (that you pay $8-$13) is a complete separate menu and can be ordered up until midnight.

Free pizza in the buffet is available until midnight too. After that they have a sandwich station open until the wee hours. It also includes a couple of salads.

Croissants and pastries are available free of charge in Divina Bar and Cafe Italia from 6:00-12noon. I also found cookies at the Divina Bar in the afternoon but these were not advertised in the daily like croissants are in the morning.

Self serve ice-cream is available in the Aqua Park (free of charge) from 2-5pm.

The sweets you pay for are reasonably priced from $1.50 for cupcakes and $2-$3ish for the cakes. I personally didn't try any of them. Gelato/ice cream was $2/small and $4/ large. There were also some more expensive ice cream concoctions available in the Aqua Park but I didn't bother as the small was more than enough for me. Nutella crepes were either $3.50 or $3.95 and I didn't try that either.

EVERY time I passed the specialty restaurants they were empty. I heard several comments from people that they found the a la carte pricing too expensive especially for families and I tend to agree.

We had cabin 11259 last week and I did not see any direct sun on the balcony until day 5 when we headed back from San Juan and that was limited to late afternoon when the sun fell below the overhang. I wasn't there every second of every day but I checked it often as I would much prefer to catch a few rays there than on the overcrowded pool decks.

What I have found interesting is their reps are indicating most of these packages never existed to begin with, even though they put the post on their own facebook page. I have a group of 14 that we have only 2 that want the beverage package, so they are being told they can't purchase it without the rest of us buying the package.

 

I called about the soda package at $8 per day and was told there was no such thing, messages on FB also told me there wasn't ever any such package. So I have no also inquired on the all inclusive easy package for kids listed at $21 per day to see if that one is still available.

There are packages available on board that were not available to book online such as the Cheers and Doremi packages but you will pay the additional 15% service fee. There was definitely no $8 daily soda package, only the 15 soda coupons for $30. To my knowledge, the kids AI is only available if an equivalent alcohol package is purchased by an adult. I had to buy it for my son and it was a waste of money as he had maybe 5 sodas a day. He never bothered with ice cream or shakes or any of the mocktails. We both would have been better off with coupons.

There are separate free men's and women's sauna and steam room facilities. A sign on the door states in several languages that MSC policy prohibits total nudity. Actually there are 2 saunas with different temperatures. The steam room is one of the better ones on the seas. Instead of a burst of superheated steam then a deep cool down, the temperature is evenly controlled and comfortable.

 

Between the men's and women's thermal areas is a cool down relaxing area overlooking the ocean. Doug

I just returned from the March 15th sailing and the sauna and steam room were NOT free. They were charging $16 for ONE hour and $25/ couple for ONE hour. There was a weekly pass available for I think, $99.

The classic package includes Prosecco, so not to worry.

Awesome!

Thanks RB- I don't want to take advantage or anything like that- Im not looking for a freebie but just someone who will listen and can help solve out situation, the heck to the Balcony room promised- I just hope we can figure something out so that we are all close by and that my baby isnt kept up by Broadways greatest hits every night!

I don't understand how the TA could book 3 cabins without you approving their location first? Were these guarantees? What did you mean by "due to limitations"? Regardless, it is quite upsetting when one does not get what they have been told to expect. Does the big online TA have a Facebook page? It may be worthwhile to post there as well. Did you receive a customer service survey from the TA after booking? I also recently booked through a big online agency that had exclusive MSC rates, and the booking went amiss. I filled out the survey and low and behold they called me at home to discuss it. Nothing changed with my booking, but at least they listened. A simple room change should not be this difficult. I think a big thing with MSC is their long phone waits. With fast moving inventory, TAs can't seem to lock in cabins before they disappear. Good luck!

I hope my clam shell has a drink holder!

So these are evening activities, correct? One does not necessarily have to dress for dinner wearing a disco outfit but can change before the party?

Everything from the Spa Bar is included with the Allegrissimo Premium Package. I love fresh squeezed OJ and this is the only bar that has it! Otherwise there is a charge for it. I will be at this bar three times a day! OL Please! And as always, I will have my....

 

 

Wave Your Pinky at NEG-A-TIV-A-TY!

I booked the classic package and it appears to includes juice but not champagne:(. I guess I will have mix it with sparkling wine :D.

Can you take a picture of the heath bar menu (smoothies) in the spa area. Can not seem to find that menu anywhere.

 

Thanks

Sure! Are these included in the booze packages?

Hello, I would like to see the room service menu and Divina's MDR wine list.

I will really appreciate them!!

Hope you have a wonderful cruise from March 15.

prune

Sure!

Enjoy your spectacular cruise! Jerome and I hope you have so much fun and we look forward to you sharing your experiences with us!

 

Bon Voyage! Remember:

 

Wave Your Pinky at NEG-A-TIV-A-TY!

Thanks, I will give it my best "shot", lol!

Can you please verify the earliest boarding time? Thanks.

I will try but I'm thinking of taking an excursion in the morning so most likely people will be on board by the time I get to the port. I will ask when I check in.

What type of cabin have you bought?

One of the weird extended angular balcony cabins towards the aft (in the dreaded area 3, ). I will take pics.

I have a general request for anyone cruising on Divina. Could you make a notation of which nights are the theme nights. Im sure it changes from the eastern to western, but if we could get an idea it would help in planning.

 

If you are anyone sailing soon could post the daily schedule that would also prove beneficial

 

Thanks for any info you can provide.

No problem, I usually bring home the dailies anyway.

We will be on the same cruise urkidn. This will be our first MSC cruise and we can't wait.

Me either! One week from today I will be on board sipping a frilly drink with an umbrella in it, wahooo!

I will be boarding Divina next week (March 15th). If anyone would like to ask a question, I would be more than happy to try and find the answer or take a pic for you while I'm on board. I will post the answers as quickly as possible on my return.

How can you make a comparison of a ship/ cruise line you have never sailed? I CANNOT comment on Costa because I have never sailed Costa..I have never sailed MSC- yet...I plan to soon..do you really think your comparison of say, Royal Caribbean vs. Princess is VALID if you've never sailed either? Of course, it's not...researching on CC or reading reviews IS NOT the same as going on the ship itself..people have different opinions, experiences, and takes on every cruise..I.E.,we kept reading about great HAL was..the food, the service, the elegance,etc...WRONG- we thought the food in the MDR on HAL was mediocre AT BEST..service nothing great...shows below average..average age was death ( at least 25 years older than us, and were early 50's in 2005..)...so you see, what you READ is not always what you get..30 cruises and 13 years on CC has taught me that...

IMHO, we are discussing TWO different things, a comparison and a review.

BEFORE sailing, the information I find as useful comparisons are concrete facts, not subjective opinion. (i.e.) size of ship, cabin, space ratio, amenities, cabin location, price, etc.

Reviews generally contain both facts and opinions. Personal opinions on service, food, the spa, shows, etc, are extremely subjective based on individual experiences, expectations and preferences. As you have indicated, one person's experience can be totally opposite that of another's.

I found Cruisetrail's comparison "story" quite helpful wrt to it's detailed factual content and tend to treat anything subjective with a grain of salt. I will be sailing on Divina next week and refuse to sail on a sour note, lol.

Enjoy your cruise on the Divina!

Thanks! I've also never sailed with HAL so maybe I will try them someday too!

Seriously?:confused: You'd buy a house without looking at it?

NOT what I said :confused:.What I did mean to imply was that my home's value is based on comparisons to others in my area that no, I have never been in or looked at. Does that make the value "invalid"?

You'd buy a car without test driving it?

Once again, never said I was buying anything but if there was some way to physically "test drive" or "look at" a cruise before laying down thousands of dollars, I would surely do it ;). Until then I will have to rely on comparisons to the lines I do know and from the subjective reviews & information I find online.

What everyone is saying is comparisons are fine, but they don't tell the whole story, you have to cruise on a ship to give a 'fair' review

Thank you, I completely understand this. WRT Cruisetrail's post, maybe I'm reading it the wrong way but in my mind it was not a review, it was a "story" (hence the title). When I read it, I was aware that he had never set foot on Divina yet I found a lot of his info quite helpful and wish I'd read it before booking as I have a cabin in the dreaded #3 area, lol.

Hope you have fun!

Thanks! I've yet to take a holiday I haven't had fun on and I will be sure to post a review when I return for anyone interested in a MSC/Celebrity comparison:)!

Thanks JW for the pics and your enthusiasm! I hope our cruise next week has a boatload of tinklers just like you!

People who make comparisons OR make negative comments about cruise lines or ships they HAVE NOT sailed are invalid

Big Al

Seriously? How else do you expect to make informed decisions without comparisons? When I sell my house, the appraised value is based on comparable properties in my area. I don't have to move into someone else's house to determine if that is true or false.

I, for one, appreciate Cruisetrail's factual approach. A lot of people are drawn to MSCUSA because of the low pricing but is it really a deal? After reading Cruisetrail's analogy, I did a little research of my own, and the price difference between my fire sale MSC cabin on Divina and what I could have booked on Celebrity Reflection, is less than $300. That takes into account, the free beverage package, onboard credit and free gratuities I would have received on Reflection but doesn't take into account the extras on Divina that are free on Celebrity (Gala brunch, pastries in Cafe, ice cream). I also noticed that taxes on MSC (excluding port fees) were 30% higher on a cruise that was half the cost. Will saving $300 be worth it? The booking process alone screams NOT. If more of us did true comparisons BEFORE sailing maybe there would be far less complaints as people will be going in with their eyes open instead of shut.

I'm sure I will still enjoy my first cruise on MSC because I now know what to expect, but in future, I will definitely be doing some not so "invalid" comparisons before booking future sailings with any cruise line ESPECIALLY those on which I have never sailed.

My question is; Why is there not a roll call for MSC on Cruise Critic, and is anyone sailing on them the week of March 15th?

Sorry, didn't notice that someone had answered. Hope you found the roll call.

Specifically ... THREE ... cruiselines allow passengers to carry on small amounts of their own booze.

 

Disney

Azmara

P&O Cruiselines

 

All other cruiselines have basically the same policy. No booze. You buy what they sell.

Cruise Line Policy & Extra Fees:

Azamara Club Cruises

Policy – Spirits, beer, and wine are allowed for private consumption in suites or cabins (with a limit of two bottles per cabin), as well as in any shipboard restaurant, bar, or dining venue.

Extra fees – Consuming alcohol in any shipboard restaurant, bar, or dining venue is subject to a corkage fee of $10 per bottle.

Carnival Cruise Line

Policy – One bottle of wine or champagne per person is allowed on embarkation. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call will be held by the ship and delivered to the guest’s cabin on the last day of the sailing.

Extra fees – A $10 corkage fee per bottle applies for consumption in the main dining room; $14 at the steakhouse.

Celebrity Cruises

Policy – Two bottles of wine per cabin are allowed on embarkation. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption. Alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call or onboard shops will be held by the ship and delivered to the guest’s cabin on the last day of the sailing.

Extra fees – Wine is subject to a $25 corkage fee per bottle when consumed in public areas.

Costa Cruises

Policy – No alcohol may be taken aboard at embarkation, and alcohol purchased in port or at the ship’s duty-free shop will be held and returned at the end of the cruise.

Extra fees – N/A

Cunard Line

Policy – One bottle of wine or champagne per person is allowed during embarkation. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption. When purchased at ports of call, however, there is no restriction on wine, spirits, or beer being carried aboard.

Extra fees – A corkage fee of $20 per bottle applies when consumed in restaurants onboard.

Disney Cruise Line

Policy – Alcohol is permitted onboard but must be hand-carried on in a bag no larger than 22″ wide, 14″ high, and 9″ deep. Outside alcohol cannot be consumed in any lounge or public area except for wine and champagne at Palo and Remy.

Extra fees – A corkage fee of $20 per bottle applies at Palo and Remy.

Holland America Line

Policy – Each guest 21 years and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) onboard in carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage. Beer or spirits purchased on the ship or otherwise taken on the ship cannot be consumed onboard; bottles will be held for the duration of the cruise and delivered to the guest’s cabin on the last day of the sailing.

Extra fees – A corkage fee of $18 applies at onboard restaurants and bars.

MSC Cruises

Policy – No alcohol may be taken aboard at embarkation, and alcohol purchased in port or at the ship’s duty-free shop will be held and returned at the end of the cruise.

Extra fees – N/A

Norwegian Cruise Line

Policy – Wine and champagne are allowed onboard. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

Extra fees – Corkage fees of $15 for 750 mL, $20 for 1,000 mL, and $30 for 1,500 mL bottles apply when consumed in any restaurant, public area, or stateroom.

Oceania Cruises

Policy – Guests may not take beer and spirits onboard at embarkation. Guests are allowed to take up to three bottles (per cabin) of wine or champagne onboard.

Extra fees – A corkage fee of $25 per bottle applies for consuming wine in public areas.

Princess Cruises

Policy – Passengers are permitted one bottle of wine or champagne per person at embarkation; additional bottles will incur a $15 corkage fee, regardless of where you drink them. Alcoholic beverages purchased onboard or at ports of call will be held during the cruise and delivered to the cabin on the last day. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

Extra fees – A $15 corkage fee per bottle applies for consuming in the dining room or restaurants.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise.

Extra fees – N/A

Royal Caribbean International

Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

Extra fees – A $25 corkage fee per bottle is applied when consumed in public.

Seabourn

Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise.

Extra fees – N/A

Silversea

Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise.

Extra fees – N/A

Neither of our kids are big on drinking soda, but my DD did get the $50 card with $10 added that she used during the week on coffees , teas and sodas, and Nutella crepes.... they seemed to get their soda fix when we were on the islands....again given the choice or opportunity to choose something other than soda , my kids usually do.

Thanks for the info! My son doesn't drink a lot of soda when he's home which is why we allow it on vacation, it is definitely a treat for him and something he looks forward to when we cruise. I guess I will buy some soda tickets under my name and give them to him. I just didn't want to do this (I don't drink soda) and then find out onboard that there is an unlimited option available to him.

Here's hoping MSC will respond to your question. You also might find what you are looking for by goggling MSC beverage packages. Not having the search feature working on here is a big problem.

It seems that not all packages are available on all sailings which leads to a lot of confusion. Although they appear in the listing for Caribbean sailings, I don't have options to buy the "Cheers" or "Doremi" package and the soda package (which is not that great of a deal to begin with - 14 cans/$30) is only available to adults, not children.