judyzoo

I don't want to do laundry; just hoping that I can pop in and press out some wrinkles, without sending any clothes out to be pressed.

My DH and I are survivors of the Concordia. We returned to Giglio about a month ago and spent two days there. We met some of the locals and they are amazing and friendly people! We met some true heroes of January 13-14, 2012. A fact that was never publicized by any news article that I read afterward (and I read most of them, I think) was revealed to us when we were there. Several of the local men watched as the Costa Concordia crew got out of the lifeboats when the passengers did, as they arrived at the pier that night. At least 4 of these men got on board the lifeboats and the one man in particular that we spoke to, told us that he made 5 trips back and forth to the ship, picking up passengers and he also pulled many people from the water that night!!! I was totally in awe of this man and his friends. There would have been many more fatalities had it not been for their actions and bravery! This little known fact has got to be made known and these men should be publicly recognized! I am not sure that is what they want as they just felt it was something that they could do to help. We watched from the pier, as the lifeboats returned to the ship and assumed that it was Costa Concordia crew manning them but that was not the case!

Just an interesting news item for everyone to ponder!! I hugged our new friend and there were tears streaming down my cheeks as I thanked him on behalf of all the survivors!! Wow!!!!

That was about the most emotional part of our return to the island for sure!! Just wanted to share with you folks that are still posting items and thank you for your continued interest in this piece of history!

We completed our visit to Italy with a Mediterranean cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade and we had a fabulous time!! So thankful to be back aboard a ship and enjoying cruising!:D

How very interesting and refreshing -- thanks for sharing this information, which I'd not heard before. Good for you, still cruising!

Nice find CT.

I noticed on the "dry" side some luggage. Wonder if those folks will have their belongings returned to them.

I wondered about that also. Anyone know?

Thanks for a great review!

Just came across this on Reuters - Diver dies during Concordia salvage

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/01/us-concordia-ship-death-idUSBREA100IF20140201

Another death on Schettino's conscience -- if he has one.

RSVP charter: gays, lesbians, friends and family (mainly gay).

 

Your crew might be a bit tired and recuperating from working like never before but they should still be smiling for a few days. :D

I hope they'll have a bit of energy left for my cruise. Enjoy your cruise.

I hope I answered most of the questions people had about the Divina.... I plan on summing everything up real soon, just been so busy. I will be glad to post more pics as I go through them.

Looking forward to seeing more postings here from you.

Judy

!

 

That must have been painful for you. I'm so sorry. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it...and I am also sure he learned a valuable lesson!

 

I wish you happy cruising in future!

It was awkward, so it fit in with the topic of this thread. It didn't cause any animosity between me and the steward, but I suspect that he wished he hadn't asked the question.

I noticed in the details of the Premium Drink Package that "Room Service" was included at no additional charge, in the Premium Drink Package as well as the In-Room Mini Bar....Very Cool. But, my question is, do we have to "PAY" for Room Service food unless we signed up for the Premium Package or is this just Room Service Cocktails????......and as a dutiful soldier, I signed up for Premium, "Yes, Please!".

 

Also, One question pertaining to the Drink package. What about added 15% gratuity? It is added every time you get a beverage/coffee/cocktail? Is That why you have to sign for each drink? Or is there a gratuity line on the check that we must fill in?

 

Now, one more question. Can we bring two bottles of wine on board like on Norwegian and Carnival? Is there a corking charge like on Norwegian?

 

 

JW AND JEROME

My understanding is that -- in the Caribbean -- there is no charge for room service food, except that there is a service charge for it if you order late at night.

And I believe that the gratuity is included in the price that you pay for the beverage package (although it never hurts to add a little tip for the bartender that you expect to go back to).

As for bringing any bottles of wine aboard -- MSC has told me emphatically that -- no, you can't bring wine on board. Apparently some have gotten away with it (as always), but it's not permitted. That's why I've ordered a couple of bottles of wine for my cabin. Eliminates the need to smuggle.

 

We are on the 2/15 Divina charter.

Just curious, as that's the week before my cruise. What charter is it?

No you won't be alone on 7 nighter - I wore a long gown on 7 night Poesia

 

plan to be more dressy the first formal night - that is also Captain party

and it is pretty elegant on MSC

 

the 2nd night is IMHO better food - lol...lobster tails

but may be slightly less dressy

 

The "americanization" of MSC does seem to allow less dressy attire but people still do dress up

 

Have fun :)

Thanks; That's what I like to hear!

I want to wear a long gown for formal nights. I know that I don't have to, but I want to, and I don't have to worry about flights and baggage allowances. I'd just like to know whether I might be the only woman doing this?

Interesting... Now how does this work for yacht club..say if I want a drink of something not in the minibar? I didn't think we could take the glasses back to our room after ordering at the bar.

 

Sent from my HTC Desire 500 using Tapatalk

Sure; once you buy a drink it's yours and you can take it just about anywhere -- with the glass.

You can pre order wine vouchers - 7 at about $12 each - choice of 2 red, 2 white and 1 rose - all Italiano <grin> - they will keep it for you in dining room

you can walk a glass out...and sometimes a bottle, depend on waiter

I did buy the Allegrissimo package, but like the idea of knowing that I'll always have a drink available in my cabin when I want it, without having to carry glasses around the ship.

I haven't found any way to get a bottle of liquor for my cabin, but I have discovered that a bottle of wine can be ordered for the cabin. It can't be ordered online; must phone and pay for it at the time it is ordered. Red or white, just an ordinary bottle, but around restaurant price -- $25.

A Standard balcony

 

 

A typical Standard Balcony on Divina

(viewed from both ends)

 

 

 

 

 

Pete

That will be okay. Thanks a lot for the info and photos!

Does anyone know what kind of balcony I can expect in cabin 9235?

This is my second trip to Hawaii, Tahiti & the Marquesas. Last one was the Rotterdam in 2010. Wondering if there are any solo travelers on the Statendam doing this trip? I am also listed on the Statendam Roll Call list.

Lucky you -- 29 days solo!

I was cruising solo and had a photo of my husband displayed in my cabin. The cabin steward asked me why my husband wasn't with me. None of his business, but I guess he was making conservation. He didn't quite know what to say when I told him the reason -- that my husband had recently died.

NJcate.... I assume you're from N.J. by your signature...I am originally from N.J. as well, central N.J. to be more specific, so if this Jersey boy has an opinion it's that MSC rocks!

I'm originally from northern N.J. We'll see what this Jersey girl thinks of MSC after next month's cruise.

My most awkward time was when Carnival assigned me for a table for 2 and I was seated across from an older lady from England who was looking for love. I had no love interest in her at all. I coudl have gone back to the matre'd and had a reassignment, but kept thinking about how she would feel if I did that, so I stuck it out for the whole cruise. I just shrugged off her forward comments.

How odd that Carnival would assign two solos to a table for two. You certainly handled it admirably.

 

She is resting on a large steel and grout platform.

 

AKK

 

Ahh; I see. Thanks.

The ship is not sinking. After some initial settling the ship is now secure for the winter months. Work continues tho not at the level prior to the parbuckling.

 

/QUOTE]

 

So you don't think that she'll settle any further down?

Surprising to me to see how much of the ship is now below the waterline. I wonder how much more will be down once she's towed in June.

Thanks, all. It's good to know that they at least do something. even if not very extensive.