moomoocow

Another vote for great Dubrovnik ice-cream from Mr Moomoocow

I spent the entire time in Dubrovnik marvelling at the GoT locations too. It was brilliant.

Your pictures are amazing.

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My God. Michael makes a re-appearance!

 

Hope you are well.

 

The mini-golf won't be the same without our Armonia friends, but I'm sure we can make new, (almost) as good friends.

 

Of course, as your not with us, we'll have to rely on good old fashioned weather forecasts, in the hope of seeing the sun. So far it doesn't look good! Is there anything you can do for us.

 

Jean says hello.

Michael!

Good to read you. Hope you are well.

Rick says hi too!

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Subscribed and waiting.

Here's to calm seas, absence of dicky tum tum and Allegrissimo!

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Sorry friends. Came home deathly sick and ended up with rare strain of pneumonia - both lungs. Been in hospital for almost a week

 

The cruise was phenomenal. The yacht club is the way to go.

 

This sailing turned back to European standards with the 5 languages and new cruise director.

 

 

All of our friends did the 10.00 future cruise deposit for SBC. As we all felt everything was perfect.

 

 

I will write a review later but still on oxygen. Crazy .... But again, best cruise ever thus far for service food and entertainment.

 

 

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Oh dear Marco that's horrible. :-(

Hope you get well soon. Best wishes.

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1) For reasons given - the intolerable inane chat about nothing of significance which has already been covered a thousand times before.

 

 

 

2) 20 posters are enough to bring down a forum. Let's stick to topics and subjects.

 

 

 

For every 20 'Divina posers' there are 200 people keeping quiet because they don't feel they fit in.

 

 

 

Let us get back to some form of sense.

I'm interested in questions and discussion about the Divina because I'm going on her in just over two weeks.

I know we asked for the board and the roll call to be ship centric for ease of use and I'm very glad that the admins are reading and taking our requests forward.

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We are talking about getting the Allegrissimo package. We want a glass of wine for dinner, a few cocktails at night and soda and water during the day, will it be worth it? Are all cocktails included? And are they good? And it says something about ice cream???

Oh yes. Best value drinks package around. Even more so if you are buying it for a European cruise (you didn't say which)

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This is amazing so far! For the likes of Papcx and I who plan a lot and who have other halves who are blissfully ignorant the spreadsheet idea is genius.

Thank you. I look forward to reading more. :-)

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Thanks, WHERE did you purchase the jewelry??? Was it actually in the Eataly Restaurant???

That made me giggle. I'm imagining pasta jewellery, beautiful AND functional as a snack!

There is (based on the Preziosa) a watch/jewellery shop, a sunglasses shop, a pharmacy store which is heavy in cosmetics and perfume, a duty free shop, a logo shop and a few clothing and bag shops.

Also most nights there are tables out with offers on all these goods which are usually situated around the piazza where you can buy the lovely cakes.

Without calling out names, I can't bring up the posts that were deleted. I'm sure some others will remember them & the authors of the deleted posts will know. I have no idea why some posts are deleted & others aren't, but they have been. Maybe the anti-European posts were before I started reading here & I'm just seeing the backlash. I don't know. Judging by this back & forth this board is apparently not going to become a friendlier place to read. I don't come here to argue & there seems to be way too much of that going on here. I'll be looking for another board to research MSC cruises.

Wow.

Ok. Cheerio.

Thank you. I will be waiting! Have a great cruise.

 

If nothing is awailable, I will probably have to record something on my Ipad. Two hours of music is too much.:)

 

By the way do you know what time gym opens in the morning?

It's as early as six am some days. Again I'll check for sure.

I GOT IT TOO;)..... Kat was just relaying (tongue in cheek) what a lot of Americans have been saying on this board and it seemed way over the top. Especially considering that some of these "negative comments" were coming from Pax that were paying less money for this cruise then actually staying at home. Kat was not trying to be negative at all. She was just trying to convey that it would be a different experience one might be used to on; say a Caribbean cruise.

Sorry, you got FLAMED Kat, but that can be part of the Cruise Critic experience:rolleyes:

Not to worry..........Only 2 weeks to go before you are in your beautiful Yacht Club cabin:p

You're right about the flaming. I've got permanent scorch marks on my backside from this board. Mainly because of my sarcasm too.

I call it "sar-chasm". It's when the post falls into a black hole of misunderstanding. People tend to attack what they don't comprehend. :D

Maybe somebody can help me with my question.

 

I love ellipticals and have a daily routine 2-2.5 hours in the morning. However I cannot exersise without TV. It is just plain boring. I see that Divina has nice ellipticals, but no tv around. Do these ellipticals have TVs installed like the ones on NCL Breakaway?

There were no visible TV's in the gym on the Preziosa.

I can answer your question in three weeks for certain. I tend to balance an ipad on gym equipment if needed. However music is usually enough to get me by.

We all read things from our point of view. If the negative posts aren't directed toward you or your country of origin, you probably wouldn't pay attention to it. As I said, I've only been reading here a few weeks & have seen many anti-America posts. Most of them come from the same few members. The worst have been deleted, but the mods shouldn't have to worry about stuff like that. It shouldn't be here. We should all realize that no one wants others to put down their country. That's common sense & isn't unique to any one country. IMO, the sticky & rules should be for all countries. I wouldn't advocate European bashing anymore than American bashing. Then again, it wouldn't occur to me to bash another country in the first place.

Again, please feel free to highlight the "anti-American posts". It's strange how they've been deleted but the ones criticising Europeans are allowed to stand.

You are perfectly correct. We do read things from our own point of view. And with that in mind I would urge you to re-read the post I previously made.

If there is one thing that riles me it's xenophobia/jingoism. I'll call it out instantly if I see it, irrespective of who is doing it. I've not seen anti Americanism on this board. I reiterate, people's reviews and opinions have been discussed, analysed and, yes, sometimes rubbished and poked fun at. But that's exclusive of their nationally. If there has been ones deleted and I've not noticed them then it must have been done quickly because I'm a tart for this board when I have a cruise due, and 4 MSC cruises in the past year means I interact more on here than I do with my own husband. :D

Or maybe they've been reading all the "my country is better than yours" posts on this board as of late. It's ridiculous! There's no reason a persons country of origin should affect posts, but it definitely does many times on this board. It has almost turned me off Divina, because researching cruises here isn't pleasant at times. There really should be an enforced sticky at the top stating posting negatively toward an entire country isn't permitted. It seems silly that this would be needed, but apparently it is. I can honestly say this is the only message board forum that I have ever seen this. It's been off-putting to say the least. Kat probably didn't mean her post the way some read it, but it's starting to hit a sore spot. Yes, those bashing Divina's bacon, etc. may show their ignorance toward other cultures, but they are individuals. They don't represent the country as a whole. My problem with this board is it the fact that people seem to believe that it can't be just one poster's opinion. It must be due to them being American. :confused: Believe it or not, but all Americans aren't the same & don't agree on everything. Until I started reading this board, I didn't realize there was so much distain for Americans, not in Europe & Australia at least. I certainly never felt that way about another country.

 

I just started reading here. It would be really sad to think this board has always been this way. Hopefully, this is a new phenomenon. Sorry for the soap box, but I think this board would be better served, if the word American came up much less. Judge members for their posts not their country of origin like all the other boards do. I almost deleted this a couple times, but I'm hoping something will get through & this board will become more pleasant for all.

 

FWIW, all the cruise lines have lovers & haters from all over the world. The "so called" American cruise lines receive as many complaints as MSC does. The only true American cruise ship is Pride Of America & there are Americans who say they didn't enjoy that ship. MSC obviously has a unique style that some will love & others not. The same is true for many cruise lines.

I can't recall a post on here in the 9 months since the Divina crossed the Atlantic where an American citizen has been attacked for being American. Their opinions, views and reviews may have. But not their nationality.

However there have been countless posts where people have complained that "the ship does announcements in five languages". I recently read a post where someone stated it was "unnecessary" to make announcements in other languages. That's extremely xenophobic to anyone but native English speakers.

The incessant war of attrition over water at the table for free is tiresome for both "sides" but both reviews and posts demand that this be available. Recently posters and reviewers have added coffee to that demand and seem affronted when it's still not given.

Yet more posters question the level of service received. They compare it unfavourably with other lines. Some posters suggest the European way of doing things means MSC "won't last in the Carribean" unless they change and improve.

The diatribes about omelette stations abound. Search for it. They're there. There was an actual international incident on the maiden Miami voyage because they didn't have one.

Staff have been called rude, smelly, ignorant, unable to speak or understand English and not willing to adapt. Their only crime is being European. As for fellow passengers that are from Europe, well, they're arrogant, pushy, nasty rude and vindictive. And don't get me started on what we've been called because our culture doesn't usually tip AND MSC Cruises request that guests do not tip staff.

Like I said, I can't think of a post where anyone has been insulted for being American. But I've read plenty over the part year, almost on a daily basis, where there has been insidious and thinly veiled xenophobia about non-American citizens. I'm European. I'd like people to stop insulting my continental brothers and sisters.

So please ask for the sticky about posting negatively to stop. But, please, make sure it takes Europeans into account.

Thank you

I spent serious cash in the Eataly food shop on the Preziosa. Lovely pasta and sauces. Very reasonably priced in Euros so I'm hoping for similar dollar prices so even cheaper.

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Has anyone visited Santos Football Club from the port? If so, could they share their experience please? Are there tours or a club shop? Anything else to do round that area?

Well that didn't work. Was trying to show the menu. It's ice cream cocktails like the mudslide with vanilla ice cream vodka and baileys. Very nice.

Dazza - yes they are. They're classed as virgin or children's cocktails.

The mudslide is definitely available. If it isn't then I'll buy you one on our first sea day. :D

Brilliant videos. Thank you for posting.

Let's hope they don't crop up on these boards at a later date sporting a "watermark"......:D

Obviously Kat's sarcasm doesn't come across on these boards.

It's great that you've all responded explaining that a) you're American and b) you love the vibe of MSC but you are in the minority. There are lots and lots of people that have visited these boards since Divina landed in Miami who have been disappointed about their MSC cruise experience.

We have had countless discussion about service differences, water availability, tipping, announcements and even bacon. And virtually everyone asks "Never been on MSC before, is it like (insert name of American cruise line here)"

Behind her sarcastic reply there is more than a grain of truth. I understand it was a flippant remark and was probably a shock to some people.

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Still nothing? The cruise ended quite a while ago. ..

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Frozen lobster. That's fishmongering day one!

You don't fillet with a spoon.....

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I think you're missing something.

 

A short synopsis: I had a visa issue. I take full responsibility for that issue. MSC customer service was less than stellar. In fact it was downright awful. I'm not mad because I didn't get my way. I was upset because I wasn't treated well. I must have talked to moomoocow at MSC. Asking questions? Then you must be a criminal!!

 

I did not say RCCL is perfect. In fact i stated that I've had "issues" with them in the past as well. They involved bookings, shore excursions, etc. Some were solved to my complete satisfaction, some not. when you put several thousand people on a ship it's obvious that there will be several thousand experiences, from great to not so great, no matter what the cruise line.

 

My two experiences regarding the pre-cruise customer service and the actual cruise were not so great. So what? I'm not telling you to not go on another one if you like it. Go for it! As I said, they are lucky to have you.

Look, I'm sorry if you took offence at my earlier posts.

But yours do read as if you phoned asking if you could board in Miami and when you were told no you tried your hardest to get them to change their policy. Your original post did read like you refused to accept their response and wanted chapter and verse on policy.

I understand it was very frustrating and by using a comparison with my work I was only trying to show that when our clients ask for something they aren't entitled to by law they get mighty snotty when we say they can't have it. They refuse to accept what we are telling them and they give our CSR's such a hard time. It's absolutely shocking to listen to some of the calls that come in. Of course we tell those customers to go and fornicate elsewhere! We don't want to do business with people who can't keep a civil tongue in their head. So my policy now is to realise that all calls are recorded and I'm speaking to a human. I don't say anything that I would be embarrassed about if it was played back to me. Not saying you did btw!

I'm glad in your more recent posts you've kinda come to an understanding about what your were suggesting for you and the others in your position wasn't feasible or in any way an option. I don't want to tell people they're wrong and I actually said I disagreed rather than saying you were wrong (your actions weren't wrong, just not what I'd have done because I would have recognised the futility in it)

It can't have been nice going through that stress before boarding. I've also acknowledged that your issues with food have been addressed before and are valid complaints echoed by others. MSC pre cruise service isn't the best by a long chalk. I'm almost immunised to it by now. As an example I've been waiting over two weeks for a response to a quote I've requested for two future cruises. It's not massively urgent but if it was and I missed out on a great deal due to their inactivity and lack of organisation then I'd be raging.

So, hope we can bury the hatchet (not in each other!)

PS I know exactly what you mean by the lobster. When it's that texture it means it's been on ice for far too long and has probably been frozen, thawed and frozen again. My husband, in a previous life, was a fishmonger. :D

I've looked a bit more at Corsair. The First Class flight from Orly is £700. Yes, £700.

Also an Aurea Spa cabin is balcony with loads of extras including Allegrissimo! Although 17 nights of Allegrissimo would actually kill my liver.

I think that settles it. We can BA back from Genoa with Avios. This is getting booked.

When we get back from Divina first week in August we'll be gold so I'm choosing our next two cruises and booking. This is highly likely the second cruise and the first will either be a back to back final two weeks in Dubai before they tootle off to Oz (1st to 14th Feb next year) or the 10 day Divina directly after its repo back from the med (11th November 2015). Both include flights, both are well priced, both promise decent weather and I will be able to use my Armonia downgrade discount so they will be very very cheap.

Ideally I'd like all three but Mr Moo would disown me. I could get Mummy Moo to contribute but then she'd want to go too and it wouldn't be a holiday anymore.

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I believe this will be the third year MSC will be doing an alternative Caribbean itinary (think they refer to it as the Antilles) not sailing from the US. It is primarily targeted at the European market with direct flights available from Spain and France to join this cruise,avoiding flying through the US (and the hassle of US immigration just to leave the same day or next day).

 

I agree with an neigh, the Musica class are my preference. For those that have perhaps experienced the Divina, don't expect the same, it will be a different experience as it won't have a lot of the adjustments for the North American market.

 

I've fancied doing the repo to or from there but one way flights are very expensive and using Avios to overcome that issue doesn't seem that likely.

Get involved in the April 2016 repo from there to Genoa. Over Easter. Decent price. I'm seriously considering it because it's 16 nights but a Saturday departure plus Easter means only 10 days from work. :D

And I've just checked flights for the same day in 2015 and Corsair from Orly to Martinique is £320 one way. Genoa back by BA on avios and to Orly on Avios and it's looking a bargain!