karenlovesparis

It's actually Monkeyland at Taino Bay. We booked through Runner's Adventures but not until we docked and walked to the entrance of the port.

You get an appt which only about 45 minutes later than what we arrived.

You can do the Monkey Land by yourself if you are docking at Taino Bay. Just get off the ship and it is right there. We did it and it was really a neat experience. $25 pp. Takes about 30 minutes but normally need to make a reservation.

Thank you!! Is it shampoo, conditioner, lotion and shower gel? Is there bar soap?

Has anyone sailed in the Haven on The Escape recently? If so, what are the bathroom amenities? I have seen some say they are L'occitane and others have said Bulgari. Thank you!

Has anyone done the Crab Fishing at the End of the World. It's done through Azamara Cruises and through Tierra Tours?

I am considering The Pursuit around Cape Horn in January in a Veranda plus cabin. I called AZ this morning asking about the included mini bar in the room and they told me it was beer, wine and spirits that was restocked daily! It's part of the deciding factor on booking the plus cabin. If it's just 4 1/2 bottles of alcohol, it wouldn't be worth it to us. Beer, wine and spirits would.

Roulette tables are American. We were just on and they were $1 minimum chip on the inside and $5 on the outside. Not sure if it's the same from Miami though. 

2 minutes ago, sidari said:

KLP ... Surely those who left would only show up when the ship was due to leave NYC  and not before. Also those people would have to settle their bills before leaving the ship.

I'm not sure the details. We were told by the YC officer and that it created the double issues of YC being left on the dock and members leaving without telling anyone.

Just now, Two Wheels Only said:

I tend to differentiate between a "bad cruise" and a "bad cruise line". It seems that from the outside looking in, this was a bad cruise. I wouldn't give up on any cruise line after a single bad cruise but I can understand those who do especially if it's a first cruise with a particular line.

 

I agree 100% We will probably sail MSC again. We love the cruise line but this was "bad cruise for many"

5 minutes ago, sidari said:

5 YC cabins left at NYC without telling anyone because of the issues. 

 

Are you saying that these people left the cruise ?

Yes, 7 YC cabins left at NYC, 5 telling no one. It created a huge problem with immigration.

9 hours ago, cruisingmicky said:

To Karen loves paris. 

What type of bottles are you referring to? I think I only had tubes w.  the bodylotion/shampoo/conditioner and took only 2 with me. 

The tubes. Sorry for the confusion.

Again, I was on this sailing and I am a big MSC fan. 

HOWEVER, Oliver's Mom has hit the nail on the head perfectly. Her and I are both seasoned cruisers.  I have 40 days on MSC. There were many many problems with this sailing. 5 YC cabins left at NYC without telling anyone because of the issues. Most YC cabins had private meetings with Allesandro (YC Officer) and Ziggy (Hotel Director of the ship) because of the issues we experienced.

And HDOWNY: This isn't picking holes in everything. These were major problems we experienced. Especially getting stuck on the dock in NYC for the YC members. FYI, The immigration issues only happened to YC members because we were the first group to be called. When MSC realized what they done, they quickly rectified the issue.

1 hour ago, KayakingGirl2 said:

Are these latest reviewers on board Divina now or are they talking about some previous cruise?   This last time in New York?   They are at Sea now. Left Ocho Rios.  If so hope things improve.  

This was for the 23 day TA that just arrived in Miami on Sunday October 28, 2018.

1 minute ago, dgakers said:

Karenlovesparis - notice I didn't comment on the immigration piece.  I have never had to experience that.  It sounds like a horrible incident and I agree everyone should have been notified about the procedure. 

 

I do hope there were some good times during your cruise.  Keep the faith with MSC.

Absolutely! We will sail them again. I would never do a regular cabin though. Once you are in YC,  you can never go with anything else!

On 10/24/2018 at 12:04 PM, fflashh said:

Two +/- 60 y.o. (a married couple) with about one dozen Caribbean cruises, wondering what to expect on our 20 Jan. 2019 sailing on the Divina for 11 days. We have done Carnival, Princess, HAL, NCL, Disney and Celebrity. Probably Celebrity was our fav. We have a "drinks on us" package, with a "fantastica" balcony. Sailing to the Southern and Western Caribbean this time. We enjoy relaxing, music shows, sea days (as we've been to most ports) partying and beach/pool time. What is the Divina like? She looks big and gorgeous to see in port, but what kinda "flavor " should we expect? Do tell. Thanks, so much for any input, fflashh

You will have a fantastic time. The ship is so beautiful! By January, they will have all the kinks worked out from her time in Europe. 

22 minutes ago, dgakers said:

I normally don't jump into these things but this time I just can't help myself.  I know this will probably raise the hackles on some folks but just like you - the below comments are my opinions.  My point is this.  You're supposed to be on vacation so relax, enjoy, don't be so critical of things and you'll probably be more relaxed.

 

I've been following this thread primarily just to see what other people think about the Divina.  We've been on her 2 past times and are setting sail on her again in 30 days for a B2B.  Can't wait!

 

One thing I've learned from following this and many other threads is there are some really "ultra" picky people but in the world of freedoms and rights, you have that right.  Some of my comments are:

 

- if your focus is TV, why sail.  Stay home and watch hundreds of channels on your cable. (1. We were sailing with a couple that lost their home when hurricane Michael hit on October 10th. We didn't have TV at that point and they desperately were looking for any kind of news before, during and after the hurricane. 

 

2. I was sick in my cabin for two days and it would have been nice to watch something on the TV without have to buy an overpriced old movie)

 

- if you say you don't sail for the food, then don't complain about it. (We as humans need daily consumption of food to stay alive, to feel good, to get nourishment, to feed our minds. When the food is inedible or tainted, it's a pretty important thing. Especially on a 23 day cruise.  Can anyone go for 23 days without food??)

 

I don't cruise for the food either but certainly want to enjoy my dinner time, especially since I've paid for it.

 

- NYC tax on alcohol - If you have been following any other threads you would have seen the discussions on this and would have been forewarned.  Wonderful NYC gov't decided to charge an exorbitant amount of tax.  If you needed alcohol that badly, get off the ship and go to a local pier-side bar. (This is comical. I've been on over 15 cruises, multiple on MSC and scoured these pages for two years for my last MSC and this one and never had I heard this.)

 

-

I would just like to point out some rebuttals on these statements. I was on this sailing. And again, I am a lover of MSC BUT:

One of the things that was troubling for most people is that there was no transparency/communication with MSC to the passenger. NO ONE was told until we were docked in NY and was ordering a drink that they couldn't. Nothing in the daily or in paperwork or anything.

We were told repeatedly that were working on the TV knowing full well it wouldn't be fixed for the entire sailing.

This issue with immigration was almost unforgivable.  Especially those in YC. I was one caught in this.  We were taken off the ship with the promise from numerous employees and officers that we would just be getting our passports stamped and coming right back on. We were denied entry back on the ship. We had no coats, no proper shoes, no cell phones, no medications, numerous ill people were in wheel chairs, no wallets, no food/water, etc. Forced to sit in the terminal for 6 hours effectively loosing the entire day in NYC. We missed timed tickets and lunch appointments.

This wasn't an immigration issue, it was an MSC issue because of lack of transparency and communication.

Don't have an answer for you, but we just returned from 3 weeks in the YC and we brought home multiple bottles of this fantastic stuff! It smells so good! My grown son actually wanted some! The body wash/shampoo/conditioner have the same scent also.

5 hours ago, Captain-John said:

^^

I think there's one in the couples massage room and one room dedicated to the whirlpool (noted on the deck plan).

 

 They have a couples room that is amazing!! It's called the Balneo service.  You get a foot scrub/massage, a back massage and then 1 hour in this amazing jetted hot tub. They fill the tub with oil and bubbles and bring you tea and water. There are floor to ceiling windows looking out on the water.  Best to do it on a sea day since it's so relaxing.

Definitely recommend doing one.

I would agree that it's not worth it either. We were in YC so we got it for free but I wouldn't pay for it. The sauna/steam rooms are NOT coed and they only have 6 loungers. They aren't heated tile loungers, just wicker chaises. I actually thought they were quite uncomfortable. It is a beautiful area though and all passengers can use the Spa Bar for smoothies, tea, etc.

On 10/24/2018 at 3:33 PM, travlinduo said:

MSC Divina. Oct  7, 2018

 

Total disorganization.  Started first day entering terminal. So many things wrong that we don’t know where to start 

From embarkation, to disembarkation  Many health code violations —
No entertainment, TV disconnected 1/4 way through cruise, liquor package suspended due to taxes NYC., Food was lousy -‘hot was cold, cold was warm, horrible communication, unprofessional and untrained staff, service desk didn’t know answers or gave different answers,   Immigration chaos
 Take MSC in USA, or Caribbean at own risk

First of all, I will say that I love MSC and have sailed with them more than once, but I was on this same sailing and everything mentioned was true. We were in the Yacht Club which was a bit better but immigration in NYC was disastrous for many including us and we almost missed our flight home because of immigration in Miami.  Many many people were disgusted with the food on this sailing.  There were even people in YC that were disappointed in the food. We spoke with numerous people that said they would never sail with MSC again. 

There were many people that were receiving credits due to no TV, no liquor in NYC (2 days) and the immigration issues. 

It was disappointing since we love MSC so much. 

They have NF champagne in the Golden Bar and in Le Muse every night for dinner.

Bumping this back up the top. If not one knows the answer, does anyone know who to contact to find out?

Thanks!

If you are in the Yacht Club and doing a cabin crawl, are you able to bring others into the Yacht Club area to view your cabin?

I've searched and searched and can't find the answer.

Thanks!

Those prices were listed most days in the Daily Program. They were listed on Port Days so not sure if you get that price at sea.

We were on the Divina last fall and the Spa Pedicure was $71.50 with a sale of $57.20. The Spa Manicure was $54.00 with a sale of $43.20.