!!! DIVINA !!! Eastern Caribbean ^_^ The Ultimate Review and Complete Pictorial Guide

[gambee]

The Baked Alaska incident:

On every cruise the night of the Baked Alaska is always an 'event'. (Most of the other ships have fake candles in the middle of a gloppy baked alaska with vanilla , chocolate and strawberry ice cream.) MSC always dim the lights and do a 5 minute or less walk around with the lit dessert and some music playing. Then they cut it and serve it.

 

On MSC they do this with real fire and they are very proud of this 'elegant' display of the dessert. Like I said, their dessert is the best with multiple different flavors of ice cream. Baked Alaska is always on the formal night which they serve the lobster tails.

 

Future cruisers of MSC have to realize that the staff are not going to tell you to stay and have the dessert if you are rushing. It is not their place. I am sure you noticed that the bar staff does not hound anyone even around the pool area. It is up to you to signal them for service or go to the bar. This is the big difference between American style and European style.

 

That's understandable, we mostly do "my time" dining so I tend to avoid these events. I wish that the dessert was available at any time. Either was it was not a big deal, we missed and that was it. Actually, my uncle waited in the corridor with them and went in with them. Or so I was told.

[gambee]

Gambee, your picture with the new lens from the top of the Atrium looking down is great, MSC should buy it from you!:D

 

The performers show up in the disco at the end of their night to socialize with the guests! Nice touch!:D

 

Thank you :)

 

That movie is Pitch Perfect, not Hair Spray :D

 

Pitch Perfect is more like a movie with some cool musical numbers.... not really a "musical" where the story is told with the music. I think you would like the movie, maybe we should watch it one day.

 

Goes to show for my knowledge and interest in musical :D

[legion3]

If you had cruised in the 70's, the baked Alaska parade with sparklers and fire was one of the cool things all cruise ships did. Along with streamers and noisemakers for the sail away. I think its cool MSC still does it in the traditional way or at least as close as possible. Only other place you can see these long lost traditions are on re runs of the love boat. :D

 

Baked Alaska today is not the dessert it was intended to be.

[legion3]

 

 

This is simply HORRIBLE!

 

I won't post my close-up photos of Divina pools in my Divina Confidential review for privacy purposes (as it's a relatively recent cruise).

We rarely used the aft pool (supposed to be adult only) due to presence of kids.

I thought my photos were awful... But this crowd is beyond everything.

 

No order - that was the issue #2 on our cruise (#1 was poor food).

 

Where does it say anything about this pool being adult only?

[cruisetrail]

In Divina Ads.

[legion3]

In Divina Ads.

 

Do you have these ads?

[cruzinlady1947]

I'm back from my cruise on the Explorer and WOW, I certainly have a lot of catching up to do. It might take me a while, but really anxious to see the rest of your review.

 

 

Gwen :)

[cruisetrail]

[legion3]

Is this ad outdated?

 

Maybe its only the whirlpools and pool bar that are adult only? After all there is a comma between the pool and the rest of the sentence.

 

Did you see any kids in the Garden pool?

[cruisetrail]

Therefore in the next line only Relaxation is private.

All the rest in the One Pool area is for general public.:)

[Skier52]

In Divina Ads.

 

 

MSC WEB SITE

From her West End-sized theatre to the sweeping grace of her Swarovski crystal staircases and the exquisite illusion created by her Infinity Pool, MSC Divina possesses a stylish and sophisticated ambience that few ships can match. Little touches like the adults-only sanctuary, Top 18, where you can soak up the glorious Caribbean sunshine whilst enjoying truly stunning sea views, a dedicated spa service, bar menu and complimentary fruit skewers help create one of the most impressive and relaxing cruise experiences you’ll find anywhere,

 

Here in the UK ,since the rebranding of the Deck 18 area on Fantasia class ships that is the only area classed as Adult only. The infinity pool in the Zen area at the stern on deck 15 is a general area.

 

Pete

Edited September 6, 2014 by Skier52

[cruisetrail]

The aft pool and deck 18 sun deck actually were the reasons why I included Fantasia class in my travel plans.

We never seriously considered Orchestra ships and below.

 

When I saw these features added on the new MSC Fantasia my thought was: Wow! MSC is learning!

 

While the deck 18 was as expected, the aft pool disappointed (shallow; uncontrolled kids).

[swim13]

Finally got to page 17 and I had to pause and comment about how EXCITED I am that the ship has Milka on board!! That is my favorite chocolate brand in the world!! I still have one pack of Noisette from my trip over there this summer and I am trying to make it last as long as I can! :D The pictures are stunning, I am really excited about the aft pool now! :cool:

[legion3]

Therefore in the next line only Relaxation is private.

All the rest in the One Pool area is for general public.:)

 

Yeah, I figured you wouldn't get it. But yes according to your ad.

[riclop]

The Baked Alaska incident:

On every cruise the night of the Baked Alaska is always an 'event'. (Most of the other ships have fake candles in the middle of a gloppy baked alaska with vanilla , chocolate and strawberry ice cream.) MSC always dim the lights and do a 5 minute or less walk around with the lit dessert and some music playing. Then they cut it and serve it.

 

On MSC they do this with real fire and they are very proud of this 'elegant' display of the dessert. Like I said, their dessert is the best with multiple different flavors of ice cream. Baked Alaska is always on the formal night which they serve the lobster tails.

 

Future cruisers of MSC have to realize that the staff are not going to tell you to stay and have the dessert if you are rushing. It is not their place. I am sure you noticed that the bar staff does not hound anyone even around the pool area. It is up to you to signal them for service or go to the bar. This is the big difference between American style and European style.

Cam you are right he is always in such a rush to leave that he missed it.

[riclop]

Gambee im continuing to enjoy your review. They have calamari in the buffet every night.

[oncruisecontrol]

 

 

 

By the way my family saw children playing in the casino. It was right after a show had ended and the casino was chaotic. The father was encouraging them and kept handing them more dollars. They never got caught and left as soon as the casino cleared out.

 

I think the location of the casino is perfect for a cruise line to maximize profits, as people leave the show it encourages them to spend a few dollars there. However, flow wise it is terrible. It gets clogged up and no one can move. It can get very chaotic.

 

 

 

Regarding the bit I highlighted in red: Friends of mine sailed on Divina back in August also (not on your sailing though), and they told me that they witnessed on a few occasions people who appeared to be teenagers being served alcohol. Of course, my friends have no proof of their ages, but they said that "kids" they saw looked really young, like 14 or 15. Just wondering if you saw anything like this? By the way, it's great to read another Gambee review. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review.

[Elmartellama]

Regarding Baked Alaska, I don't agree with you at all. The funny part of it is the little parade they do with the music, everyone clapping and smiling. At least that's how it goes when they sail in Europe, where everyone seemed to loved it. They also do that for Tiramisu on the Italian night, don't know if you got to see that. That's something that differentiate them and I think they should hold on to their identity. Why should all cruise companies be exactly the same?

 

About the shows: we honestly liked them, and Pirates was very good in our opinion. Of course they are all subjective, and I respect your opinion, but... if you leave after five minutes, how can you really them if you have actually liked them?

 

I do not mean to sound rude, but the first five minutes of the show were just introductory sometimes, the real acrobats and everything appeared later on, so maybe you were just losing the best part of it!

[bsw620]

Gambee, the pictures are so amazing! I love the way you travel with an open mind and always trying something new and switching things up. I love to cruise but I'm not loyal to any particular line either. I like the way you graciously handle all the negative and rude comments people make on your review when you have gone to the trouble of putting them on here. It's amazing that after all the work you have gone put in to inform and entertain that so many would interject with their opinion on how you should handle your cruise. Kudos to you for your graciousness! Great review as always!

[kkpcruiser]

I've been reading this review for a few days now...always find Gambee's reviews entertaining and full of information. While I probably will never cruise MSC, his prior reviews have actually made me book and cruise the Oasis ( based on his Allure review) and the Breakaway. Both experiences I swore I would never do due to the size of the ship and the documented rough sailing from NYC to Bermuda. Yet all the information and photos that he shares and takes many, many hours to compile is invaluable as well as captivating and alluring.

 

What I don't get is why anyone feels the need to critique his cruising style and specifically mention it during this review.

 

My husband and I cruise to relax, enjoy the beautiful ocean and the ease of travel cruising provides. We have casual conversations on board but never make buddies...I'm sure many would find that odd yet we love to cruise. Different stroke for different folks. If Gambee enjoys the jacuzzi, quiet places on the ship, his family and photo documenting his cruise experience , that's his business. A lot of cruisers skip the shows and never show up to a "party"..why bash someone who has given so much to these boards in terms of information and enjoyment.

 

 

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[message4u]

Spent a good part of the past 3 days reliving our last Thanksgiving's Divina cruise...with your wonderful review and gorgeous pictures! The dining room was our big disappointment (why my husband will not sail the Divina again), and I only wish we had thought to eat in the buffet a few times for dinner. Thank you for such a thoughtful, balanced and fun accounting of your time with MSC. When I have a few more days to with time to kill (??!?) I would love to look for your other reviews.

Edited September 7, 2014 by message4u

[gambee]

I'm back from my cruise on the Explorer and WOW, I certainly have a lot of catching up to do. It might take me a while, but really anxious to see the rest of your review.

 

 

Gwen :)

 

Hello Gwen! Welcome back =)

 

 

I hope you had a great cruise!

[gambee]

Finally got to page 17 and I had to pause and comment about how EXCITED I am that the ship has Milka on board!! That is my favorite chocolate brand in the world!! I still have one pack of Noisette from my trip over there this summer and I am trying to make it last as long as I can! :D The pictures are stunning, I am really excited about the aft pool now! :cool:

 

OMG, right? Milka has to be the best chocolate product out there.

[BugsyCruiser]

 

What I don't get is why anyone feels the need to critique his cruising style and specifically mention it during this review.

 

My husband and I cruise to relax, enjoy the beautiful ocean and the ease of travel cruising provides. We have casual conversations on board but never make buddies...I'm sure many would find that odd yet we love to cruise. Different stroke for different folks. If Gambee enjoys the jacuzzi, quiet places on the ship, his family and photo documenting his cruise experience , that's his business. A lot of cruisers skip the shows and never show up to a "party"..why bash someone who has given so much to these boards in terms of information and enjoyment.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Where's the LIKE button when you need one? :)

[gambee]

Gambee im continuing to enjoy your review. They have calamari in the buffet every night.

 

It was not there in our sailing. Maybe they are cutting costs :confused: