Thompsolonian

Who has room in their suitcase for a pillow? :confused: I've been on 19 cruises and never had a lumpy pillow but that's me.

 

Many of the suggestions of things to bring are ridiculous, IMO.

 

Roz

If you roll it tightly, and use a belt, rope, or ceran wrap to hold it in shape, you can get a pillow pretty darn small. It will pop right back into shape once freed from whatever you choose to wrap it with. My tempurpedic rolls up about the same size as a pair of jeans when rolled up, and springs to it's proper size when unrolled. That has been a godsend this deployment since I tend to have neck problems with an uncomfortable pillow!

If you have neck or back priblems, it pays to pack a pillow that you know you will be comfortable with. A sore neck would be a terrible way to ruin what would be otherwise a nice vacation.

Although I have not sailed Divina yet, I have heard from good friends that ther pillows do tend to get lumpy. While I am sure they have some fresh ones on hand, I wouldn't want to risk the possiblity not having a comfortable pillow.

OP, it is up to you wether or not you want to bring you own pillow. I personally wouldn't want to take the gamble of an uncomfortable rest the week + that I am sailing.

I will be sailing it in February, I'll post a review after said cruise!

It iwll be my first time on an MSC ship, but I have heard good things.

When are you sailing on the Divina?

I am sailing in February 2015 with some friends. I was told by them to pack a pillow as theirs tend to be on the lumpy side. Dont forget some nicer clothes for the formal nights.

Other than that, enjoy your cruise!

Choose whatever you think has the more appealing itinerary.

I have never personally sailed RCCL, I plan on it in the future. So I wouldn't have an unbiased opinion.

I chose MSC for my next one because some close friends of mine recommended it, and happen to be on the same trip.

Compare the two, if it comes to it, flip a coin!

Most importantly, whatever itinerary and line you shoose, make the most out of it! It will be a vacation either way!

No, the 'Free time' dining means you can turn up at the section of the MDR allocated to it at any time during stated opening times. I haven't tried it, nor would I want to, but I would expect it will operate much as open-seating works at breakfast and lunch where the staff will try and seat you with the people arriving at the same time.

 

There are relatively few tables for two or four so you may need to be lucky and insistent to be able to get one. Once the staff are trained to your ways, it should be more straightforward especially if you get there bang on opening time.

 

You may find it easier to opt for a fixed sitting with an allocated table. Talk to the maitre d' when you first board, and certainly before the first dinner, to obtain a table and sitting you like.

Correct!

From the MSC website regarding the Experiences

"Can customers choose their dining time with the Bella Experience?

Customers can request early or late seating, but priority will be given to Fantastica Experience guests. Dining time will be confirmed once on board."

"What does My Choice Dining mean?

Aurea Experience guests are able to dine anytime during restaurant hours in a dedicated area. Guests will choose their My Choice Dining time once on board. Times based on availability. Reservations with Maître d’ are recommended."

http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/Multimedia/MSC-Cruises-New-Pricing-FAQ.aspx#msc1

Puerto Rico is an amazing place to start.

1. Do NOT over pack, pack enough for every day, plus a couple extras and your formal night.

2. I would HIGHLY recommend flying in a day or two extra BEFORE the cruise, and picking a flight leaving either the day after your cruise or the evening. That way you are avoiding the rush to and from the ship.

2B. if you are flying in before, there are many affordable hotels within walking distance of the Pier. Research the area beforehand, there are many attractions close to the pier that are easily within walking distance Like the forts and the Don Q museum. As well as a Maritime Weapons museum. Also, try the mofongo, it is a local dish of savory (not sweet) plantains, meat of your choice, and vegetables, it is YUMMY! Don Q is better than Bacardi ;)

3. If your cruise line offers a bottomless bubbles or some sort of unlimited soda option, get it. If you have kids this can avoid a hefty charge at the end of the cruise.

4. Don't be afraid to talk to other cruisers. You never know what friends you can make!

5. Get to know your steward, Maitre'd, waiter, and the bartender at your favorite bar. They enjoy talking to their passengers and will strive to give you their best. I found I have a better time knowing them, and it is interesting learning about their home countries. You never know, if you book a cruise on the same ship you may see them again!

6. Sunscreen! Need I say more.

7. Wash your hands often, especially before eating. If there are hand sanitizer stations, utilize them, especially before eating.

8. Pack dremamine or some other motion sickness remedy, if you have not cruised you will not know if it affects you or not. Even the bigger ships can have an effect on you. Usually will be the worst in the first couple days.

9.Enjoy your cruise! Even experienced cruisers may encounter a hiccup or two, things happen!

I believe with the "my Choice Dining" it means that you can shoose early or late seating. That will be your seating time throughout the cruise.

If you booked through a TA, you may want to have them call MSC to verify your dining choice and to ask the questions you have. If you booked through MSC, call them with youre RES # and make your selection of dining. That would also be a good time to see if you could get your own 4 person table. If they can no tdo it before you board, ask the MD to see if they can make any changes.

As for the drinks, I am sure that would be anywhere on the ship.

Have fun! Enjoy your cruise and let me know how it is, I am sailing the Divina for the first time in February.

Look at what the insurance covers.

Unless you get airfare through MSC, you may not be covered in that aspect in case anythign goes awry.

The fine print may also specify instances where you may not be covered in case of cancellation that a third party would otherwise cover.

I would check out some type of travel insurance, and comapre the prices and coverages to MSC's.

I know Carnival has it's own insurance, but it really only covers your fare, and missing the ship due the an emergency, and only certian emergencies are covered if you look at their fine print.

It may be worth the extra $35 per person for a third party, especially if they cover more!

Good luck in your search! I am about to get some for my trup just in case, soi am in teh same boat.:cool:

Try to remember that this is an Italian cruise company.

For Italians, dinner is all about the social experience. Waiters are trained to come by when they are signaled. Same with drinks on the pool dec., Instead of being barraged by waiters offering drinks, they wait for you to call for them.

I am sure they are vigilant about watching their customers so they are right there as soon as you riase your hand, and I would personally prefer that they wait for me to be ready before barraging me with drinks and asking if everthing is alright right after I take that nice big bite of pasta.

I am going with some friends who have sailed several times on the Divina, and they have told me that the service is different, but excellent. They are not trying to cram drinks down your throat, and they give you your distance but are ready at your call during meals. Many of the reviews I have read that are positive reflect the same indicators. Most if not all the negative reviews state that the poster is a super-deluxe-platinum-diamond-vip on (insert cruise line here), which tells me; 1) they are loyal which is not a bad thing bu tmay provide a little Bias, and, 2) they more than likely don't like the different style or the change associated with a different line.

Again, every person's preception on service is subjective. Some people like being left alone, some people want to have their waiter breathign down their neck lest their glass goes down to less than 3/4 full of water.

First, I would get a certified copy of your birth certificate, in the eyes of the law, it counts as an original, only costs a couple of dollars.

Second, if you feel you need a passport or passport card, I would expedite the service, it will make it in time if you order it today or tomorrow, especially if you are ordering it in person at passport agency. You can use your newly made certified copy to send in. You can get same day passport photos to use at Walgreens or most passport agencies.

It will cost extra, but if you feel that it will bring you peace of mind then you should be fine.

Hope that helps!

If you are into any science fiction, David Weber's On Basilisk Station is free on amazon for kindle.

Fair warning, his books are addictive, and they are very similar to Horatio Hornblower (Napoleanic era Naval Warfare) Only in space with a female Protagonist.

They are also not too much science fiction, they are internally political and exciting to read.

And Searoses, You do not need Wifi once the books are loaded onto your Kindle/Nook/Ipad/Android, It stores them onto your device for your reading pleasure anywhere/anytime you wish!

This would probably be better off in the Roll calls section of the forum, be sure to select the ship under MSC Cruises Roll Calls and MSC Armonia. Start a thread with the date of Embarkation.

I myself am excited for the Divina in February!

Have fun on your cruise! :)

If you bother to go to the link, you will see that soap and water is best for fighting C diff, norovirus, and Cryptosporidium

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!

And it boils back down to habits. If you have passengers not washing their hands, and breezing past sanitizer stations, the spreading of a disease is more likely to happen.

There are signs for preverntion of norovirus everywhere on the base I am deployed at. There were signs everywhere at the last base I was deployed at. If it didn't happen often they wouldn't put signs up and build sinks at every dining facility entrance if it were nota problem.

That being said, my last cruise on Carnival, I saw plenty of contributors to the spread of Noro. I was in the buffet on more than one occasion as people breezed past the hand sanitizer without utilizing it. I saw a gentleman sniffiling and rubbing his nose and mouth, before proceding to grab food off a plate at the buffet with his BARE HANDS. Luckily a buffet attendant saw that too and promptly grabbed said plate to throw it out. I also saw a genleman walk right out of the restroom in the casino wihout utilizing the sink, he was in the toilet stall even.

It is not the cruise lines fault, it is the habits of your fellow passengers. Every cruise I have been on I have witnessed bad habits by my fellow cruisers, and the staff striving to keep the food safe.

For saving money on flights, and relieving the hassle or rushing to the dock from the airport (unless you are utilizing the cruise lines shuttle) is to stay a night or two before and after the cruise.

Flights in on and out of a destination on a weekend can be nearly twice as expensive, enough to offset a night or two in a hotel. It also relieves the stress since you will have all day rather than a few hours to get to or from the airport or pier.

Did you check in online prior to 24 hours before the cruise?

I was told by experienced Divian travelers that this greatly cut down on wait time during embarkation.

I have been in the Air Force reserves for 6 years, and have never heard of anyone being denied a request to use an alternate UTA (Alternate Drill weekend).

Whenever our Drill Weekend schedule comes out, it has a list of Alternates, one each month. We can utilize these alternates in lieu of the primary with at least a two week notice.

Also, if we wanted to come in on UTA (Drill) Status sometime during the week, it is very doable since there are people working there M-F.

I think that the commander you talked to doesn't know work arounds, or like aforementioned is a DB.

Let me know if you have questions! I'll be happy to answer!

**UTA = Unit Training Assembly**

Donnnnnnnnt let the crazy reviews scare you. The Divina is a wonderful ship with great food and a great crew. You will have a blast!!!!

I know not to listen to the reviews, since 50% of the bad ones are someone who has nothing nice to say about any line (never happy) and the other 50% of the bad ones start with, "I am a super important VIP on another line, and this one sucks."

I trust the people who recommended it, and we are booked as a gorup with said people!

It look slike a marvelous ship, and I can't wait! i gotta get done with this deployment first though!

I would like to know the same thing!

My Wife and I are going in February!

OP, Let me know how it is! I read the reviews too, and some are scary.

Some close friends told me it is a beautiful ship, and the food is great.

If you are in the military, there are lower rates available.

They are not posted on their site, but my TA was able to get me a REALLY nice fare on the Balcony of the Divina. All i had to do was supply some documentation through my TA who then worked out a deal with MSC.

It is worth trying. If you are setting it up yourself, it may take calling them to book under the military rates.

Hope this helps! I got a really good Bargain with that!

Ah, Good ol' trip hazards!

What cruise would be complete without at least one!

I enjoyed your review. My wife and I will be sailing on the Divina from Miami in February, From what I have read I am certain we will enjoy it!

I wish i could afford flying out to do one of their Mediterranian itineraries, hopefully in the future!

This is a great review!

My wife and I are boarding in February, I took the recommendation of a couple of friends of mine (they are in their 60's, my wife and I are in our late 20's) and th eship look sgeorgeous.

Did you see any Military uniforms during the formal nights? I am planning on bringing my AF blues set up in the Semi-Formal dress code; white shirt under the jacket, no hat or name tag.

I am currently in the desert somewhere (can't be too specific) this cruise will be a gift to the wife and myself for yet another deployment done!

Seeing your photos and review is putting me more at ease. Most the other review were a little scary, but when you look into them, most start with, "We are a Platinum/Diamond/Elite/UberVIP on X line." SO I learned to take them with a whole shaker of salt.

Do you have any pointers about the ship?

I am enjoying this review.

I am to depart on the Divina in February after I return from my deployment.

I am looking forward to the different style cruising MSC has to offer. I enjoy different cultures and will have to say that one of my favorite countries i have been to was Germany!

Maybe I will have to go back and practice my German!

Did you ssee any military uniforms durin gthe formal evenings?

I wore mine on our last Cruise with Carnival, and saw a few other members of different branches. The Crew was nice and seemed eager to get a picture with all of us. I am kicking myself for not purchasing the photo, but we looked sharp standing with the captain and crew in our uniforms!

I am going on the Divina the February, and plan on bringing my Semi-formal AF blues. One less suit I have to buy!