gaddgie

So true... and a smile goes a long, long way to changing a not so great situation into the one that you want!

 

I find many of the reviewers seem to be looking for things to tick them off. Each little blip something to be savoured and held onto, I wonder if they make a list in a notebook so as not to forget each insult and offence. My favourite are the reviews that say the rooms were great... the entertainment was great... the pools were great.... but give it 1* out of 5 overall because of little things like the bacon wasn't crisp and the waiter didn't speak great English.

 

Couldn't agree more. So take the reviews for what they are,. Accept the ones full of factual verifiable information and ignore the rest. Especially the one where they are complaining because they had to put their keycard in a slot, (just inside the room and near the door by the way) to make the lights and toilet work.

Go with a positive attitude and have a great cruise.

 

 

 

I find MSC service strikes exactly the right balance of formality, correctness, politeness and friendliness. I find American-style service invasive, hard-sell and fake-friendly. Staff on U.S. lines appear to have been trained in sales tactics but not in discreet, formal service.

 

Nail firmly battered on the head. Well said.

Your hard earned money will be better spent on Anything But MSC and this is my opinion but if you are a smart American and want your money spent for a great experience that includes great service, fun activities that have crew members actually show up on time and know what they are doing, enjoy comedy, bartenders that actually know what is in the drink you ask for

you will not find it on MSC. Choosing a cruise really is a hard decision really think long and hard before you choose MSC, they get upset about the bad reviews but they do nothing to fix things that couldmake them a better line, they use excuses of the different cultures that is so wrong just listen to what people are wanting to change and do it.

OK I have thought about it and I am still going on my cruise despite your best efforts to dissuade me otherwise. Does that make me a dumb European?

On a more serious note I would love to know what turned you off MSC. I find it hard to believe every single minute of every single day was a bad experience.

You do not have to, but if he is helpful a dollar or two will make his day. :)

 

I lived in El Puerto de Santa Maria while stationed at the Naval Base in Rota a long time ago -- those were great years and I envy you for being able to live in such a wonderful part of the world.

Nice to meet a fellow Portuense and yes it is a wonderful part of the world.

Thanks for clearing up the tipping thing for me. As I see it we have two choices for getting to the Intercontinental. Either we take a cab or take the Train and People Mover. My preference is for the train and people mover simply for the experience. Though I suspect after a 9hr flight we will just want to get it over with and go with the taxi option.

Most likely two minivan cabs. Once you walk outside after you collect your luggage there is a taxi coordinator who will hail the appropriate transportation. :)

Sorry to hijack the thread.

I am going to make this journey in a few weeks and know I have to tip the driver but do you tip the taxi coordinator as well if he sorts out a cab for you. If you do, how much?

We dont have a tipping culture in this part of Spain and I definitely dont want to upset anyone.

Hi

I booked with TA and have booked my drinks packages, spa, tours and celebration items online

Same here.

What's the best way to determine where there's free wi-fi in the ports?

 

We'll be on the Breeze in Grand Turk, La Romana, Curaco and Aruba.

Without a doubt follow the crew.

Yeah, it's for a European cruise. I read somewhere, that you can save the 15 % if you buy it before you sail? Is that still true?

The 15% is included in the price if you buy before you sail.

They will still want to swipe your card when you order drinks and will give you a receipt to sign that shows the value of the drinks credited down to zero.

Hope you enjoy your cruise.

 

I can't don't be premium package as I'd be tempted to empty the mini bar daily and save it all for when I got home which would just be rude. Lol.

 

.

Do you think this really happens or am I being incredibly naive?

I did see the packages. Not sure how valuable they'd be for me beings it's a pretty port intensive cruise/being off the ship most days. Will check getting closer- still quite a while to go. Lol. Is it like carnival that everyone in the room must have it to get it?

I would recommend getting the Allegrissimo, and yes both of you have to sign up for the package.

We had a port intensive cruise last year (6 stops 7 days). We decided to get the package just for convenience. So glad we did. We managed to rack up a bar bill close to 1000euro just by having a couple of bottles of water during the day to take on excursions, a couple of beers when we got back. A couple of cocktails before dinner, a couple of glasses of wine during dinner and a couple of after dinner drinks. It soon mounts up. At 23euro per person per day its the bargain of the century.

Hope you have a great cruise.

But you have to pay for the cell service or internet service on board to use it......correct?

My understanding is that its an Intranet on the ship rather than Internet off the ship.

I think you can only access it through WIFI while on the ship so no Internet or cell package is needed.

Does any one know what ships will be in cozumel aug.13th... there used to be a website that had like a ship/port calandar but i dont remember what it is...

Try this one. Its mostly accurate.

http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/Mexico/155-Cozumel

MSC is fully aware of the flaws. I believe all of them will be addressed in the new generation ship design.

 

Another thing about Le Muse.

No sea views!

Is it so important that not having a sea view would spoil your holiday. Just wondering does having a sea view make the food taste better or something?

Just my observation but I prefer to focus my attention on my company than stare out the window during mealtimes.

Great review, like reading a good book. You never want it to end.

After our second snorkeling try, we hit the buffet for lunch. It was about 1pm.

Can you tell me if you had to wear snorkel vests while snorkeling on GSC. I think I read somewhere, cannot remember where, that its compulsory but for the life of me cannot understand why.

Found on this mornings Daily Mail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2637258/New-iPhone-cruise-industry-ships-install-wind-deflectors-passengers-arent-troubled-sea-breezes.html

Never used room service once so dont think I will miss it.

Cant comment on the last for fear of ex communication;)

Divina Review May 10-17

 

 

Will definitely sail and recommend MSC.

Sounds like you had a good time. I am a little surprised at the change in port stop. I thought if they skipped a port they just cruised around a bit to use up the day then headed for the next port of call.

Just got off Divina this morning and while I'm too beat to attempt a coherent review just wanted to let people know that we had a great time! We have cruised numerous times on a variety of cruiselines and became apprehensive prior to the cruise after reading some very damning reviews...I wish I had ignored all the Debbie Downers!

 

For those of you sailing her in the future you are in for a treat!

So looking forward to it. Just wish the clock would tick a bit quicker.

Glad to hear you had a great time.

I NEVER had a problem getting a drink on the pool deck!!!....Come to think of it, I did get off my lazy butt everytime I wanted a drink and walked 20 paces to the pool bar. I never expected to be waited on. I thought the waitstaff there was to pick up the dirty plates, sweep up peoples' slop and wipe down the tables, which they did continuously!

... Oh, and our STEWARD always greeted us. As a matter of fact on one occasion, he noticed me walking back to my inside cabin with a glass that was half full of soda. Within a minute there was a knock on the door and he asked me for my ice bucket so that he could fill it up. Impeccable service. I guess some people get treated better than others and some people treat others how they themselves get treated.

Exactly....

Never once not received a courteous response from any member of crew or staff when I had initiated the greeting. These people work damn hard. If you are not going to tip them direct at least be pleasant and give them a cheery hello first.

Only draught beers included in Allegrissimo basic package. I posted the list previously but don't have to hand now. I will check. Ken

I know only draft beers are available on the basic package in the Med. I have seen a copy of the bar list for Caribbean Cruises and they seem to include some bottled beers.

I just need someone who has been on Divina recently to confirm or deny it for me.

I have read several posts and seen pictures of bar lists but am still not sure. Can someone give me a definitive answer to the following question.

Is Michaelob Ultra (bottled) available on the Allegrissimo Classic package?

First off, I have read a few threads before, so I apologize for any questions that have been asked before :D. I have a few questions before we embark. This is my girlfriend's and I first cruise, so we want to make sure everything goes well.

 

1) I was looking on the MSC website, and it did not specify the type of electrical outlets used on the cruise. Can someone please verify which type we need?

 

 

3) Are drink vouchers worth buying beforehand? I read 20 drinks for $100? Are drinks more than five dollars a piece on the cruise?

 

In our cabin last year we had 2 round pin European style. 220v. I think there might be 110v flat pin but couldn't swear to it. Didn't need them so didn't take much notice

We had the Allegrissimo. Best value ever. I wasnt sure at first as thought the cost was s bit high 23euros a day per person. I kept all the receipts and without the package my bar bill would have exceeded 800euros. I don't consider us big drinkers either but I was prepared to have a good time. A couple of bottles of fizzy water, a couple of beers in the afternoon, ( re-hydration therapy), pre dinner cocktail, a glass of wine with dinner and a couple post dinner drinks. It all soon mounts up.

Sorry couldn't tell you how much individual drinks were, we just never looked at the prices:D:D.

Hope you have a great time.

 

I always get a taxi unless the hotel offers a shuttle service at a time that suits me. I don't travel light and can't be bothered by the hassle of hoofing from bus stops to save €20-25 and waste probably at least half an hour or more and arrive at the port all out of sorts.

 

Have to agree with your advice.

We stayed in Mestre pre cruise on Armonia last year. We opted to add to the experience and take the train. It was an easy option for us as we were staying within walking distance of the station.

The problems started when we got to Santa Lucia Station in Venice. A normal day at Santa Lucia looks like madness. Throw a few hundred tourists into the mix and it becomes chaos. Now you have to fight your way through this then drag your cases through an area, that was being repaired last year, over a bridge and then get on the people mover to the port. If you take the bus you will have a similar journey minus the bridge bit.

A taxi will cost a lot more than the bus or train but it will drop you right at the port. Unless your absolutely desperate to go native and use public transport this has got to be worth the cost.

Hope you have a great cruise.

Sounds like Sunset House it is then.

Thanks to all.

Hi

We are returning to GC in August and thinking of spending the day at either Sunset House or Eden Rock.

I have my own gear so dont need to rent. Do I still have to complete their PADI Snorkelling Liability releases or is it just a case of dump your gear on a chair and dive in so to speak.

Now the difficult question. Which is best for a non swimming non snorkelling partner? My wife just likes to sit in the sun in comfort. So its more important she has somewhere comfortable to sit/lie with a bar close to hand.

Thanks in advance.