Markanddonna

You need to look at your booking. Our last MSC cruise could be booked as a B2B 17-day or two separate cruises. We booked separate cruises because we get double the diamond perks then. The debarkation was not significantly delayed on the leg from Colombia.

I think a person needs to consider other health issues they have. I am quite healthy and only caught one cold from a cruise experience (pretty sure it was from a passenger sitting behind us on one of those large ship excursions.) My DH has COPD and picks up something about 33% of the time. When he catches something, it goes to his chest immediately, and he has to go on antibiotics. We work very hard at not touching the elevator buttons with our fingertips, trying to avoid obvious sick folk and all the other things people suggest. On our last cruise, my DH was quite sick, and it started with eating tainted scallops on the cruise (MSC.) His immune system was shot, and then he picked up a URI.

There was a recent full charter for a Rock Music group on the Divina on Feb 6, 2023. According to people who were on the next cruise after that, the ship was trashed, and the crew told them about drunks passed out on the pool deck, rubbish was thrown all over, and that their liquor supplies were pretty much emptied. It took the crew quite a while to clean up. The passengers for the next sailing were delayed at embarkation because of this. Seems like MSC didn't learn. I feel very sorry for their crew. Reading the recent Divina reviews, it is obvious things are not going well lately.

Not only might it be important to return to an interesting port, city, or region to see new things, it is sometimes important to return with fresh, better-researched eyes. The first time I was in Israel (on a cruise), the experience was overwhelming. I thought there was no way I could get around the old city of Jerusalem on my own. We did this past November, and intense research and great advice from others made it a much better-appreciated experience. Now, after more post-trip research, I want to return to some of the same places because I "didn't get" or appreciate some of the places we passed. Hezekiah's tunnel, Kidron Valley, etc. We are all very different. Others are happy with only what a tour guide might tell them. I research before and after a trip and find I want to return for more.

The latest chatter is that many ships to all regions are close or at capacity now. The problem has been a shortage of crew coupled with supply chain issues that affect the food offerings. I wonder if cruise companies will note that some cruisers might get turned off to cruising if a more acceptable ratio isn't maintained. I was on a sailing in late Jan that was filled up with hundreds of last-minute casino club cruisers that pushed the ship beyond the breaking point. I have never been on a ship with such unruly, boorish people, and a fight at the pool area ensued. On TAs, most passengers want a relatively calm, controlled environment. I hope companies don't have fire sales to fill up a TA.

In some countries, you are considered rather stupid and easy to deceive if you don't haggle somewhat. That said, I use the technique of just politely walking away. If they offer a lower price, like Gwendy mentioned, then I accept it. I really hate the process of haggling.

I was very impressed with my first CC party on the Divina. Nice spread, lovely cake, welcoming, etc. This was about five years ago. I haven't seen anything that lovely since that first one. MSC's roll calls are often sparse on CC.

We were upgraded for free from I-9 (inside) to I-6 (Oceanview).

We made arrangements for customer service and chose the flavor, icing, etc.

Many comments from those who traveled in 2022 are no longer valid. The ships have been sailing quite full, and the cutbacks in food quality and variety are significant. The crew works so hard, but they are understaffed. Because of fewer and many new crew members, you will find at times that there are shortages. In the buffet, there were times when there were no cups, glasses, or silverware anywhere. The Divina is in need of more seating on the pool deck. A fight broke out over this on our 10 day Divina cruise. Pack your patience and maybe lower expectations. The Divina wasn't like this several years ago.

The Voyagers party offered something referred to as drinks and a small bowl of potato chips. The Diamond party was slightly better with wine offered and a few appetizers. We did a B2B and didn't go to either on the second cruise.

Cruising allows a person to get initial exposure to a city or site. On my first time in Athens, we visited Corinth for the first part of the day (my favorite) and then the Acropolis in Athens in the afternoon. I've been back to Athens since then but getting to see Corinth was amazing.

I didn't see a 19 day journey on NCL, but there is 14 day on the NCL Sky that disembarks in Israel. Personally, at that time of year, Rhodes is much better than Santorini and a stop there would be better. You could take a trip over to Jordan to see Petra from Israel and then leave from Jordan. That itinerary is pretty ideal and on one of NCL's older, smaller ships.

The port area can be gridlike traffic as mentioned by many locals. One of the best ways may be to find a guide who meets you at the port, escorts you to the tram, and walks around the sites of Istanbul.

I recall only one Christian tour with GTI, and that was to the Galilee. Your guide will likely be Jewish, so I would just ask for a standard tour. Any tour that goes to Yad Vashem is inherently Jewish.

We ordered some in the fall and used them. I just tried the above link and they indicated no one at our address can order any more for the time being.

The Divina is not "a smart ship."

In Rome, decide which sites you want to tour and then book a hotel within walking distance to a few and then taxi to the others. Of course, you can book a private driver, but that adds $$$ to your trip. Look up RickSteves.com and also buy his book on Rome to learn how to navigate on your own.

I think a discussion on this topic needs full disclosure as to the name of the cruise line, the number of days, and the cabin category. Otherwise, it is really a huge apples-to-oranges comparison.

Our last TA was on the RCL Anthem for $340 pp for a balcony- 11 nights in May 2022. That was a fabulous cruise. Like many of you, I stay on top of my bookings and what is available.

The rules for April transatlantics almost seem like COVID testing that is honor's based. I can just show my two-day-old COVID test with no real verification? Why bother?

I was surprised that our last cruise on Feb 6 had rather late times for debarkation, almost to 10:30 or 11:00. Usually the last call is around 9:00 AM.

Four years ago, Divina had a library that is now (Jan 2023) empty. Was the library kept in the Yacht Club only? I thought books from cruise ships were removed during the time we thought touching objects could give us COVID.

Exactly. You can often find free audio apps and diy walks for many places. Rick Steves has some great ones on his website. Even with small groups, you need to have an agreement that none of you will be "that couple" who are always late, holding up the group. The ship excursions always seems to have that couple. Also, be honest wirh yourself if you have physical limitations. Most private groups assume you can keep up with the group.

The OP's issue was that the agent's offer was more than the cruise line, which I don't think is typical. The issue is: is their minor discount for an inside cabin worth the trade-off?