JSnow789

There is a lot of erosion on that beach, it is mostly rocks now. In order to get to a nice beach area you have to head to the other end, you might actually be able to get some nice relaxation there as well.

 

As I understand it, the sand on the beach comes/goes depending on the seasons and the currents. At some times during the year it is a much nicer beach. :)

Thanks for the updates. I'm going on Western Carib w/Divina but it's still fun to see what you did on your Eastern Carib cruise! Thanks Gambee!

It is very easy to mess up salmon. It's not a very forgiving fish (Tilapia) and if it's not super fresh will be fishier then most. You cannot cook away the taste and smell of 'fishy'. I'm a Salmon snob and will only eat it when I know it was caught that day so I only get it when I'm in the Pacific Northwest. Others have said that seafood is really not good on this ship-so I'll just skip it (except for the Mahi and popcorn shrimp! ) :)

I too don't like to be in the sun and was concerned about the lack of shade. But I love people watching so I'll manage to hang out in the shade near the pool. :)

Thanks for the review! It's great to hear from everyone and their different perspectives! Cheers!

I was just able to login an do a web checkin (at least I think I did), for what it's worth... Website is horrible.

LOL!! I would have printed it on the 3x5 note cards and turned it in that way!! Gotta love that website!!

I honestly thought that they wanted us to do that so they can have us printed on 3X5 cards for their new 'filing' system using a shoe box!!! ;)

As we walked from the Black and White Lounge to the Pantheon Theatre, there was a bathroom attendant at each public restroom area we passed. We counted 7 during our walk, and this was just on the starboard side of the ship. I can tell you that the restroom on deck 15 aft which is located just outside the entrance to Le'Muse was constantly being cleaned as well. My girlfriend had to wait 3 separate times to use the bathroom while it was being cleaned.

That's awesome and I'm glad to hear it!

If you are having problems printing the web check in form at home, be sure to change the paper size to 'Letter'. On my printer it wanted me to insert 3X5 inch cards and kept telling me that I was out of paper. Stupid MSC website...

Exactly American!!! Divina under went a USBH inspection while we were in port in San Juan on Wednesday. Divina scored a 96 out of a possible 100!!! Every crew member does a deep cleaning of everything each night before arriving to an American port because they never know when there might be a surprise inspection. To add to this,,,there are hand sanitizers in front of every dining venue, as well as a crew member squirting some on the hands of every passenger returning back to the boat from a shore excursion.

If the cruise lines want to truly get ahead of these viruses then they will place crew members outside each bathroom as well and spray the hands of each pax as they exit. Esp the children. Sorry. Don't want to get Gambees review off track. :)

The Divina's last CDC inspection was in January and she scored a 94. :)

Thanks for the great photos and review! Sorry to hear about your moms fall. They are very scary! Looking forward to the rest of your review! And where are the selfies?? :)

resstation wins the internets! LMAO!!! Cheers!

Probably will hear from him Tuesday when they get to St. Marteen. In the mean time I'm sure he's finding out everything asked so he can just give one reply to it all. :)

Have a great time everyone that is sailing tomorrow. Be safe getting to the pier !! Looking forward to the reports! Bon Voy-agee!!

Even the worst day at sea is better than the best day at work!

Haaa,,and do a little extra lifting Aussie,,,12 ounces at a time!!:D[/quote

 

So funny........but I will tell you....I know that I grew up in wine country and therefore I drink a lot............my intake is way more than you lot I promise.........I have a large proportion rate.....well my American friends say I can drink them under the table........so that matters..........right

 

I've visited Australia and can attest to this. My Aussie friends can drink way more then I can. I mean who drinks bottles of wine with no label?? Aussies do! Clean skins are a wonderful thing!! 😃

Sorry to throw another worry in the mix but.... if you don't know your cabin assignment until you check in at the pier how do the porters or the crew know which deck or cabin number to send your luggage to?

They look it up on the computer. :) it's assigned by the time you get to the pier.

We have sailed Divina twice. Please be advised that the Galaxy Disco opens directly to the elevator column. We heard the loud disco music near the elevators all the way down on Deck 8.

You heard the music when you were near the elevators but not while you were in a cabin correct?

I might play BJ on our cruise. I find it tedious and boring since you really don't make many decisions. But I usually win at it since I don't like to play it... LOL

I play craps. No odds, but you can still make money if you stick to a 'system' that works. :)

Anyone else! MSC has a sale going on now!

You can have the Americans - the officers are all mine...capish!

 

 

Bon Viaggio a tutti!

LMAO!!!! There are enough to go around!!!

~~~

 

In regards to the original question: airlines and hotel chains will match status in order to win your business. However, they generally attach some major criteria to keeping the status. The cruise industry is different in that most people take 1 or 2 cruises a year (or achieve elite status very quickly). It would be too easy to game the system for one cruise on a given line.

 

Also, cruise line status does not (currently) require renewal or periodic patronage to maintain. The airlines, along with their 'earned' elites, might get screwed in the short term, but the matched status will disappear at some point unless truly earned. The cruise lines could wind up with a ton of people with permanent status across the board, and no way to accommodate without watering down the perks.

Excellent Point! :)

MSC website here in the US is horrible. Well, worse than that. It's useless. I'm very surprised that such seasoned travelers as yourselves are not working with a travel agent. Agents get perks. Agents have Reps that will help them circumnavigate local rules or issues. Agents get you upgraded. Agents get paid by the cruise line. Agents send you bottles of wine. Agents make sure your cabin is decorated for your special occasion. Just saying (and I'm not an agent, but I do know a great One!). :)

HAL did it for me... But it was only for one cruise.

You never get anything without asking. And I've had it happen in the past. :)

Excellent! I'm really looking forward to this ship!