Mikesa1721

Just returned from a 7 day cruise to Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel. It was fantastic. The food in the MDR was great, every night we managed to eat way more than we should have. The Bars had lots of good entertainment and atmosphere. The shows were amazing, OMG how good were they. We had the Allegrissimo package. It was a challenge to try all the bottled beers but we did our best to get through the card in seven days.

 

Embarkation ~ We arrived about 2pm and within 30 mins we were on the ship and looking for our cabin. Our luggage arrived about 2 hours later. In my experience that's pretty quick.

 

The cabin was 12174 an I2 and it was OK for us. Plenty of storage space and nice and quiet. Our cabin attendant was fantastic and kept our room clean and tidy. She always seemed to be available when we needed anything. You have to remember that they have a signal system to ensure that you are not disturbed in your cabin. The signal a small led light just above your cabin door and is activated whenever you put your key card in the slot in your room. You have to put the card in the slot to activate the lights and air con. Air con was adjustable between a narrow range of temps. No probs there it was always the right temp. However the public areas can get a little cold.

 

Tendering at Grand Cayman and Great Stirrup Cay. ~ No problems, in fact MSC have the best system. You collect a ticket from the Black and White lounge when and only when you are ready to go. Sorry but we were early birds so always seemed to be on the first tender.

 

MDR Waiters ~ Argoes and Ricki were the best. Funny and efficient all the time.

 

Would we go on MSC Divina again? In a heartbeat we would. Didn't have any problems and cant believe some of the other reviews. Can only think they were on the same ship but in a different dimension.

Thanks for the review Gaddgie!!!! Good to know you had a great time just like we did!!!:D

You'll be fine. Every announcement was also made in English (for all 27 of us,) now thats inclusive!

I'm not so worried about the language barrier on the ship as I am when we spend 3 days prior to our sailing in Genoa. This will be our first time traveling out of the country, besides the Caribbean, so we'd like to at least be able to understand and or communicate in Italian if possible. I hope Rosetta Stone is everything it's cracked up to be!!!:eek::eek:

We use CC in the UK, its language that prevents other continental EU countries using CC. some traditional UK cruise guests have the same issues as many US guests. its the Italian, German and French reviews you need to look at.

 

If I post them on here the 'thought police' will kick me and delete post.

 

Google cruise review / holiday review etc into different languages and google the subsequent result.

 

Our last cruise was on the MSC Armonia from La Spezia in Italy. 2000ish guests. 27 english speaking (US UK CANADA AUS) it was great. EVERY member of crew spoke English. Admittedly some better than others!

Thanks for the suggestion Andrew,,I'll try doing that!!!! I have just over a year to try and at least make an attempt at learning some Italian,,,just enough to get by or get myself into trouble, one or the other!!:eek: Hopefully, since this is a Repo from Genoa to Miami, there will be some English speaking pax onboard!!!

At last someones talking sense!!

 

They aren't trying to attract Americans for any other reason than to fill the empty cabins if the truth be known. Air fares from the EU are stupid at the last minute. If they want to sell the empty cabins they have one option, US guests. The ship will have the same food delivery, the same staff. If the food isn't eaten it becomes fish food. The wage bills also the same.

 

Europeans have a natural affinity to the Caribbean, thats the true purpose of the Divina. They can't fill it YET with EU guests.

 

From what I can see, the only real change is a more expensive AI option ( maybe Americans drink more?) and taking USD (self serving easy USD for MSC.)

 

If you want to see some different reviews, check out some of the EU cruise sites in Italy, Spain, Germany. Oddly the EU guests don't tent to post here.

 

I know this post will be disagreeable to some of you, but to be frank I really don't care. Kind of fed up of reading embarrassing tripe every time I log on.

Andrew,,,this is also a reason as to why we don't see MSC commercials on tv here in the states marketing their product. I also have to agree with you on the airfare. I've been quoted, from the MSC 3rd party agent, a price of $899.00 pp for travel from Miami, to Manchester(visiting friends we met on our last sailing) and then Manchester to Genoa, Italy. I was shocked at this price!!!

If you would be so kind Andrew, could you direct me to a couple of the EU cruise sites similar to CC??? I would love to do some research for our upcoming sailing on Divina from Genoa in October 2015..:)

My take on this whole European vs American cruise:

 

MSC is a European line. People complain the ships are full of Europeans/foreigners and nobody speaks English.

 

The goal of MSC is to fill the ship...which they are doing. I don't think they care what language or nationality the passenger is....just that the passenger pays.

 

Why should MSC "Americanize" their experience? I think "Carnivalization" of their ship would drive away the European/foreign customer....in order to attract those who just want a cheap cruise.

 

And then, what would you get? The talentless entertainment like Carnival. The hairy chest contest. Servers running after you to buy drinks.

Karaoke. Shows starring the passengers.

 

I like the idea of gift shops that actually have decent values. Pizza that tastes like pizza. Professional entertainment. Stewards/waiters who don't become your BFF for the week.

 

The novelty of the Divina is "being in Italy" without having to travel to Italy.

 

When I go to an Italian restaurant...I expect Italian food. I don't expect McDonald's. If I wanted McDonald's...I'd go there.

 

So...I understand passengers who wouldn't try MSC. But, I don't understand why someone would cruise on MSC and expect "The Carnival Experience".

I agree 100% MsTabby!!! I guess when The Costa Mediterranea or The Luminosa return to the POM in December people will wonder why those ships aren't "Americanized" as well.

Sunrise from our balcony of stateroom 16008 aboard MSC Divina 08/26/2014:

You'll end up wanting for more. ;)

We feel that way after every cruise JK300!!! LOL!!!!:D

I was also on the March 22 cruise on the Divina, and in all of my cruises (30+), I have NEVER had such an amazing experience! Granted, we were in the Yacht Club, but we were so impressed by the entire ship, staff, captain, and fellow international guests, we promptly booked two more cruises on the Divina, one of them for next week! Cannot wait!

Sounds exactly like us Kathiean. Our first sailing in the Yacht Club aboard Divina was back in May, and since then, we were hooked!!! Since that sailing back in May, we've sailed just this past August and have 4 more sailings booked for 2015. We love Divina for the very same reasons you stated, but the Yacht Club elevates the experience to a whole new level for us!!!:D

heres an extra 25% off good till the 17th too...

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/ralphlauren.com#print.6160792

 

click on the 25% off printable

 

...

Thank You GJ2!!!! Now I just hope to find something in my size!!

when you hit the outlets if your doing alot of shopping check out the customer service kiosk they have coupon books for sale . in sawgrass its 10 in orlando and in estero they where 5. but if you have a AAA card they give them free. another money saving tip !!!!!!

Nice!!!!! I just received a Ralph Lauren e-mail tonight,,up to 75% off selected styles. I may have to go up to Miromar this weekend!!!

Mike say it isn't so........Nassau.........ick......oh well there are people that have never been so for them it is an experience......we are just so lucky to have cruised so much there that it doesn't hold any appeal to us either....did you take advantage of the 3 day sale with balconies for $229...oh silly me of course you wouldn't......you are YC only.....:)...I never go around to it......and now I'm kicking myself......I'll keep watching...

We'll be going to Nassau on our 3 day sailing in January,,,don't care about the port of call,,just want to be back on ship again!!! Really looking forward to Bermuda in April though!!! You better make that call Aussie while you still have time to make a move in case you're not happy with your accommodations!!

Mikesa1721, thank you esp. the pictures of your suite. Very nice.

John

Thank You for the kind words JK300!!! We really enjoyed this suite and really can't wait to try the Sophia Loren suite in January,,it's only for 3 days,,but that's ok!!:D:D

Taken from our balcony on deck 16 aboard MSC Divina using 100mm-400mm lens:

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I haven't called, someone said if you go to the website and try to book an excursion it will show you what your cabin # is when it is assigned.........the space is still blank.....

Uggghhhh!!!! So Aussie,,,I was looking at the 2016 Caribbean sailings and it looks like on some of the sailings, GSC is being replaced with Nassau and St. Maartin with St. Thomas. I liked GSC,,,don't care for Nassau,,but it's good in a way I guess. We don't get off the ship in Nassau so that day will be like a sea day in way.

OMG we are 13 days from sailing and our roll call is DEAD....WTH.....I'm just chomping at the bit..............I don't get it........maybe it means the ship is empty and my inside guarantee will be a balcony:D or better yet a YC cabin..................hahahahahhhahahhahhhhahahhah I know that will NEVER happen. but as soon as I find out my cabin assignment I'll be so happy....it's kinda like playing the lotto.............going guarantee.........except that I at least get a room and not a ticket worth bloody nothing...........:eek:

Haaaaa,,,Aussie,,,our roll call was kind of dead also. I really enjoy the planning part of the trip and talking with people who will be on the same sailing as us as well. Have you called MSC to see if they have assigned you a stateroom yet??? You might be on deck 5 for all you know??? I hope you get a balcony though,,an aft balcony would be like hitting the lottery!!!!:D:D

Mike I had a chat with Gerry Cahill...CEO of Carnival and like you I would love them to do HMC instead of the 24 hour stop in Nassau on the 3 day cruise..........but he explained to me that it is a logistics factor.....basically they get paid to dock in Nassau by the country and bring in the $$$....their private island costs them $$$ so they only do it on the longer cruises....it makes sense but it still sucks.....I'm sure it is the same for the other private islands......however...it is funny I wrote to MSC on facebook where they answer all your questions very quickly........and they told me that at this time they are not going to reverse the itinery although they saw my point.............could it be something in the future............hopefully......

One can only hope Aussie. I love the idea though!! I'm all in for that change. Hopefully if one of the new ships is sent to the POM, we might see that itinerary.:)

The Oct 2015 Divina Repo is not available on the UK site , in fact it is not even in the 2014/2015 brochure of Grand Voyages so I don't think it has ever been on sail here.

 

What's more i've just looked at the Italian web site , it's not in their Grand Voyages brochure or listed as a cruise on their booking site either

 

In fact the only place I can find it is the US web site. Looks as thought MSC USA has Divina Repos all sewn up for themselves

 

pete

Really Pete???? I booked that sailing as soon as it was released and just about every Yacht Club stateroom had been already booked. Do you think that maybe blocks of staterooms are being held by TA's? I currently have 16013 which is only one of the 3 YC1 staterooms my pvc told me were available on deck 16. I'm on the waiting list for 16008 but am not going to hold my breathe.

I hope you don't take offense when I say that I find it funny when Americans mention "Europe" as though it's a collective entity - it's a continent of different countries which are treated as individual markets by MSC (as they should be). I genuinely hope that doesn't come across as patronizing as I'm trying to explain that I'm Irish - not "European" - with a national identity. So, when you say that it was marketed in Europe it appears that ALL of Europe had access to the itinerary. What I'm trying to say is that this is not the case. Perhaps Italians or Germans were given the opportunity to book it as it is sailing from Genoa - just like the crossing from Brazil in YC is being marketed there.

 

I've come to accept whatever MSC offers - living in a country of little more than 4 million and my TA explained that in 1 year there may be about 2000 bookings for MSC - it's no wonder we don't rate as a market. However, as I only book when there are offers I feel I get great value and have learned not to be disappointed that I can't access some of the itineraries.

Sorry for my ignorance Beam!!! I now understand exactly what you are saying when you refer to certain sailings being marketed in certain areas. I still don't quite understand why all sailings wouldn't be made available to all areas though??

Hi, Related to this, on my backstage tour of the Allure's Aquatheater, they said the divers in the show are REQUIRED to work out a certain number of hours per week, it is logged. I believe the same was true of the dancers. It could be the same on MSC.

I think you are probably correct in your assumption Maureen. After seeing some of the shows 2 weeks ago,you can definitively tell that most, if not all do some form of fitness training each day. We've seen a lot of the entertainment crew in the Galaxy Disco after the Starwalker show,,but never asked them about their daily regimens,,we were always to enthralled in their performances!!

Oh how I wish - your personality shines through your posts, Mike and it would be such a pleasure to meet you - there's no doubt. Unfortunately MSC is not marketing that crossing in Ireland :mad: I can't even get a quote for YC for my upcoming TA from Brazil - I've been told on the QT that it's being reserved for the Brazilian market :(

Well that's unfortunate Beam!!! I have a feeling that the TA in October 2015 was marketed in Europe before we here in the states were offered it. I think 90% of the Yacht Club was already booked :( when I had our TA book this sailing for us.

I'm still struggling with the fact as to why some sailings are only offered to certain regions. One would think MSC would open all of their sailings up to anyone who would want to book them.:confused::confused:

Thanks Mike.

 

I've never written a review before - I don't think I've ever even started a thread:rolleyes: but, for this trip, I don't think I'd do justice to the experience we've had. Words alone could not express what a week we've had. It was THE most fantastic cruise EVER and, believe me, I don't do hyperbole. It takes a lot to blow me away. Don't get me wrong, I always have a great time and don't depend on others to make my fun for me but this trip became extra special all because an anniversary cake didn't arrive at the table on the arranged night which was the Monday night. As a result, the staff pulled out all the stops from then on and forgot to put them back in again :D:D:D

I'm checking out the finances tomorrow to see if we can stretch to Divina YC in Sept 2015!!!

You need to sail Yacht Club with us in October 2015 Beam on the TA from Genoa to Miami!!!:D:D

I've just come off the Preziosa. The casino technician was a guy from the Philippines whom we'd befriended on our May trip. He told me about a new system whereby, if you played €10 with your cruise card in a slot you received €10 free play. If you cashed out, the machine gave you back 2 vouchers, 1 indicated "playable only", meaning it couldn't be cashed - this was your free play. I didn't use my cruise card other than the 1 €10 matchplay (plus DH's card for another free €10 play). My onboard account showed €20 spend in total but there was nothing to indicate that it would be excluded from calculable spend towards points. It's something I'll be checking more into for onboard spend in the future as I've lost enough in their machines that I should have a Black Card at this stage LOL It would seem only fair that it count as onboard spend - after all that's exactly what it is if it's going into MSC pockets.

I hope so to Beam!!! Welcome home btw!!! Is there a review in the future???

Look at NCL cruises. They own GSC.

I know MSC leases the island from NCL JKgourmet,,I was hoping that maybe MSC could stop at GSC rather than Nassau. We really like the short 3 day weekend type trips, but we stay on the ship when docked in Nassau,,I think GSC would be a better alternative, but the man power and added expense to bring food, supplies, and tender pax to GSC would probably be cost prohibitive on those 3 day sailings.

Please repost show times on the Divina. Thank you.

Joy,,,On embarkation day there is only one show at 8:00pm. Reading back through my daily's from two weeks ago, the show times vary,,7:00pm for the first showing, and either 9:00pm or 9:15 pm for the second showing.

I'm more worried after a day in the sun and the all I can drink package.....I'll forget to pack and get up in time to get off............:D....I'll just tell him unless he wants a stow away he should consider the reversal option...........he might go for that..........

Gather the pax and create a mutiny onboard Aussie!!!! LOL!!! What I would like to see is a trip to GSC instead of Nassau on some of these 3 day sailings we've been booking. We had a great time on GSC and would much rather spend a day there than in Nassau.