My 2nd Experience on Divina! My 2nd Opinion!

[Karaoke_Nadine]

Just got back from my Easter cruise 2016. My 1st sailing was last Easter on Divina. She is just as beautiful as last year, and well taken care of.

Here is my 2 CENT$........

WOW! What a difference a year made. The service and friendliness on board is lacking. Our cabin steward never called us by name, smiled, or did anything above average to warrant an extra tip. He did not keep our ice bucket filled with ice even after asking. He was actually angry at us for taking things out of the mini bar and putting away so we could fill it with our own goodies. Gerwin/Derwin (our cabin steward) made sure he woke us up at 7am on disembarking day, then again at 7:30, then by 8:00am he damn near kicked us out. Was angry that we were still there and he reminded us that it was 8:00am and late.

I asked at the service desk for a doorbell and vibrating alarm for my deaf adult son and I never got one....(had one last year).

The food at the buffet is still pretty good and my only complaints here is that they seemed to put out less of a variety than last year. I also noticed they reduced their water/iced tea cups to a very small 8oz size. I guess they want you to get up often to refill so ya don't waste. The pizza....is still the BEST pizza I've eaten. Their crust is superb. The main dining food is always great too. However, our waiter there was very very slow. I anticipated long dining times from my previous experience but when the table next to you arrives the same time as you, and is done when you haven't even received your meal yet....there's a problem. We chose to eat at MDR only twice. Pools were crowded as usual and struggled finding places to sit.

Our luggage was confiscated because we brought a power strip. We received it late in the evening our first day and we did get to keep the power strip. The shows were as fabulous as before. Do NOT miss the Michael Jackson tribute. All of the ports were amazing too.

I think I will try MSC one more time before I decide to go back to Carnival.

MSC really needs to improve staff demeanor. I didn't feel important as I did last year. Not many smiles. Staffed seemed unhappy.

If you're interested in a handicapped cabin, you can see my cabin video on YouTube if you search for MSC Divina Handicapped Cabin #10206

This is my 2 cents and feel free to ask me any questions.

[40yearcruiser]

Thanks for posting your experience on the Divina. We will be cruising on her in June (9 of us in 3 cabins). I'm sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with your cabin steward. I hope that not all of the stewards are that rude. Slow service in the dining room seems to be the norm. Glad to hear, however, that the ship is beautiful. We are looking forward to our cruise so hope it won't be a disappointment.

[Homosassa]

We also just returned from the Divina. Our experience was completely opposite from yours.

 

Our cabin stewardess, Tri, was smiling and constantly asking if there was anything we needed. My daughter asked for ice in her cabin and the ice bucket was refilled twice a day.

 

The service by all staff on the ship was superb and many went above and beyond with smiles on their faces. I feel the staff attitude reflected how they were treated by various guests (this is based on a conversation with an entertainment staff member who mentioned a particularly nasty guest who called him "stupid" when he was trying to control passage down a passageway that had a spill and was slippery until it was cleaned (promptly) up.

 

Our luggage was waiting for us outside our cabins when the cabins were opened at 2:30 PM. We also had power strips packed (no surge protectors) as back up for a cpap machine one of our party used.

 

We had also notified special needs at the time of booking of the use of the cpap machine in one of the cabin and the ship was aware of the need for the extension cord and distilled water. My daughter called guest services when the cabins were open and a crew member arrived to open up the hidden outlets at the head of the bed and and plug in the extension cord for the cpap (he also had the distilled water). We also had notified special needs of two food allergies, bananas (epi-pen worthy) and mushrooms (severe gastro-intestinal reaction). Giuseppe, a head waiter) was at our table each night to check the food selections, place the order, and serve them.

 

As far as the 7 AM cabin clearing on the day of debarkation, it was a surprise to us that it was that early when we read it in the information provided about debarkation (wasn't it Wednesday for the Saturday debarkation). The 7 AM time was also mentioned throughout the next few days and, as someone who complied with the request (as did the majority of passengers on the ship), it was not a problem. I could understand your cabin steward's frustration and attitude.

[Cruisermom2nick]

We also just returned from the Divina. Our experience was completely opposite from yours.

 

Our cabin stewardess, Tri, was smiling and constantly asking if there was anything we needed. My daughter asked for ice in her cabin and the ice bucket was refilled twice a day.

 

The service by all staff on the ship was superb and many went above and beyond with smiles on their faces. I feel the staff attitude reflected how they were treated by various guests (this is based on a conversation with an entertainment staff member who mentioned a particularly nasty guest who called him "stupid" when he was trying to control passage down a passageway that had a spill and was slippery until it was cleaned (promptly) up.

 

Our luggage was waiting for us outside our cabins when the cabins were opened at 2:30 PM. We also had power strips packed (no surge protectors) as back up for a cpap machine one of our party used.

 

We had also notified special needs at the time of booking of the use of the cpap machine in one of the cabin and the ship was aware of the need for the extension cord and distilled water. My daughter called guest services when the cabins were open and a crew member arrived to open up the hidden outlets at the head of the bed and and plug in the extension cord for the cpap (he also had the distilled water). We also had notified special needs of two food allergies, bananas (epi-pen worthy) and mushrooms (severe gastro-intestinal reaction). Giuseppe, a head waiter) was at our table each night to check the food selections, place the order, and serve them.

 

As far as the 7 AM cabin clearing on the day of debarkation, it was a surprise to us that it was that early when we read it in the information provided about debarkation (wasn't it Wednesday for the Saturday debarkation). The 7 AM time was also mentioned throughout the next few days and, as someone who complied with the request (as did the majority of passengers on the ship), it was not a problem. I could understand your cabin steward's frustration and attitude.

 

May I ask what cabin you had and if you were Bella, Fantastica, etc? :) Thanks!

[Clarea]

Thanks for the feedback, and sorry for the rough spots.

[Keith1010]

Thank you so much for your trip report.

 

Keith

[riclop]

Just got back from my Easter cruise 2016. My 1st sailing was last Easter on Divina. She is just as beautiful as last year, and well taken care of.

Here is my 2 CENT$........

WOW! What a difference a year made. The service and friendliness on board is lacking. Our cabin steward never called us by name, smiled, or did anything above average to warrant an extra tip. He did not keep our ice bucket filled with ice even after asking. He was actually angry at us for taking things out of the mini bar and putting away so we could fill it with our own goodies. Gerwin/Derwin (our cabin steward) made sure he woke us up at 7am on disembarking day, then again at 7:30, then by 8:00am he damn near kicked us out. Was angry that we were still there and he reminded us that it was 8:00am and late.

I asked at the service desk for a doorbell and vibrating alarm for my deaf adult son and I never got one....(had one last year).

The food at the buffet is still pretty good and my only complaints here is that they seemed to put out less of a variety than last year. I also noticed they reduced their water/iced tea cups to a very small 8oz size. I guess they want you to get up often to refill so ya don't waste. The pizza....is still the BEST pizza I've eaten. Their crust is superb. The main dining food is always great too. However, our waiter there was very very slow. I anticipated long dining times from my previous experience but when the table next to you arrives the same time as you, and is done when you haven't even received your meal yet....there's a problem. We chose to eat at MDR only twice. Pools were crowded as usual and struggled finding places to sit.

Our luggage was confiscated because we brought a power strip. We received it late in the evening our first day and we did get to keep the power strip. The shows were as fabulous as before. Do NOT miss the Michael Jackson tribute. All of the ports were amazing too.

I think I will try MSC one more time before I decide to go back to Carnival.

MSC really needs to improve staff demeanor. I didn't feel important as I did last year. Not many smiles. Staffed seemed unhappy.

If you're interested in a handicapped cabin, you can see my cabin video on YouTube if you search for MSC Divina Handicapped Cabin #10206

This is my 2 cents and feel free to ask me any questions.

 

The steward are under pressure to get the cabins ready for the next cruise and by 8am you should of been out and as far as the crew goes they are not treated very well by MSC so i guess it shows. We have never had a problem with them but they are not nearly as nice as the Princess crew.

Edited March 31, 2016 by riclop

[Karaoke_Nadine]

I must say, "You get what you pay for"....MSC offers great pricing. They must cut somewhere. I had a Fantasica experience and my cabin steward was not that fantastic.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[parallax]

While I'm sorry that your cruise was not as nice as the last time, I think that a spring break cruise is always high stress for the staff. March and April can be a bit of a grind for staff on all cruise lines. My concern is that a staff member does his job. Clean the room, respond to reasonable requests, etc. The fact that a room steward doesn't smile of is no consequence.

[deladypilot]

Whats with the 7am thing? We are looking at booking for next year. I am up and moving by 5 every morning but I dont want to be pushed out of my room by 7am. Is this every week or is this something different for this sailing trying to get the spring breakers off

[Homosassa]

May I ask what cabin you had and if you were Bella, Fantastica, etc? :) Thanks!

 

We were in an inside cabin on deck 9. Because of a booking error made by MSC (they said it was a glitch in their system), my cabin was booked as Fantastica at no cost to me. My daughter and her boyfriend were next door in an inside cabin and was properly booked as Bella. We had the same cabin stewardess and the same superb service.

[stuart2468]

Disembarkations procedure in the daily quite clearly states to vacate your room by 7am. If you were then being woken at 8am buy the cabin attendant i fully understand why he was close to kicking you out. Afraid thats a case of your problem.... not his or MSC's

 

[BermudaBound2014]

Whats with the 7am thing? We are looking at booking for next year. I am up and moving by 5 every morning but I dont want to be pushed out of my room by 7am. Is this every week or is this something different for this sailing trying to get the spring breakers off

 

 

I believe it is every week (at least every daily I've read since the divina got to Miami). It's a shame really because it leaves a sour taste in customers mouth. Some people weren't even meeting their departure assigned lounge until 10:30. That's 3.5 hours sitting and waiting. I left my cabin at 6:58 am this morning and there wasn't a cabin attendant anywhere to be seen so it's not like they are ready to clean. Cabins aren't available at embarkation until 2:30 so there is a bunch of time. IMHO Msc would do well to extend the time in cabins like the other mainstream lines. Last impressions are often lasting.

[shelpt]

In feb on a royal cruise we were told to leave our cabins by 7am so im not sure MSC is all that different.

[Karaoke_Nadine]

Disembarkations procedure in the daily quite clearly states to vacate your room by 7am. If you were then being woken at 8am buy the cabin attendant i fully understand why he was close to kicking you out. Afraid thats a case of your problem.... not his or MSC's

 

Stuart, I read that! Being that I have a handicapped son in a handicapped room, I don't need him to be sitting in a lounge for 3.5 hours because they are not ready to release us. Furthermore, I disagree with Parallax not expecting smiles while being serviced. Smiles are contagious!!! :D They go a long way to start your day, and end your day.

[Homosassa]

Did you try going to Guest Services, explaining your situation with your son, and asking for an earlier debarkation time?

 

Because of a work situation, my daughter's boyfriend joined the cruise in Jamaica. Because of this, US Customs and Immigration required him to be in the Silver Lounge at 6 AM with his luggage to be escorted ashore and go through customs at that time.

 

The rest of us had a 10 (or was it 10:30 AM) assigned debarkation time.

 

A trip to Guest Services and an explanation of the situation to the person behind the desk was met with a smiling "No problem. We will give you Priority Debarkation that leaves at 7:15 AM. "

 

She walked into the back room and came back with yellow tags for the three of us.

[janie315]

Nadine - I remember I also on the Divina the week prior to you last year! We just returned yesterday again! Well, I have to agree with you Nadine on many of the issues you had we experiences the same ones! The Divina needs to make one adult pool! We sat at the aft pool with a million kids in diaper and many without! Yuck! I found the dining room food was just OK - sometimes not good at all! Our waiter would rush us to order then we would sit for 45 min. between courses. Easter dinner lamb was so tough that I could not even cut the meat. I went for a slice of pizza after dinner! Yes, pizza and pasta at the buffet was excellent. Several times I order a Mango Colada at the aft pool and the waiter would tell me they had no Mango Mix! Odd it was the second day of the cruise! Very few of the crew member ever smiled. Some passengers I found were very rude, cutting in lines, refilling their used water bottles at the buffet with the mouth of their bottle touching where the next person would fill their cups! Grossed me out! My cabin had a smell of cigar smoke thru the AC unit. Nasty! Yes, I found the cabins very clean Gave MSC two tries and I am finished! Prices was cheap so I guess you get what you pay for!

[Cruiser21]

janie315, We are thinking of doing the Divina for our 30th Anniversary and staying In the Yacht Club. Im concerned this may not be the cruise for such a special occassion but the prices for the Yacht Club can't be beat. Can you tell me what other cruise lines you have sailed and what you would compare it to. Thanks for any Info.

[janie315]

Cruiser - I am an Elite with Princess and my favorite Princess ship is the Regal Princess! Love the beautiful buffet (Horizon Court), Alfredo's is a sit down pizza restaurant that is free of charge, International Cafe great for snack or quick bite that is also free of charge, Crown Grill the steak house is a outstanding for a $25 charge - worth every penny! Beautiful Spa adult pool - treat yourself for a morning or afternoon at the Sanctuary ....worth the slight up charge....all the crew will say hello to you wherever you are. Your cabin steward will greet you by name every time he see you! You will not be disappointed!

[kathiean]

janie315, We are thinking of doing the Divina for our 30th Anniversary and staying In the Yacht Club. Im concerned this may not be the cruise for such a special occassion but the prices for the Yacht Club can't be beat. Can you tell me what other cruise lines you have sailed and what you would compare it to. Thanks for any Info.

 

If you travel in the Yacht Club, I guarantee you will have a vastly different experience than the previous poster. There is NO comparison between the Yacht Club and the rest of the ship. The Yacht Club will meet or exceed your every desire. I have been in the Yacht Club on Divina 6 times with numbers 7-10 upcoming, and have sailed many many other cruise lines...trust me when I say you are in for a very special treat!

[miniflea]

If you travel in the Yacht Club, I guarantee you will have a vastly different experience than the previous poster. There is NO comparison between the Yacht Club and the rest of the ship. The Yacht Club will meet or exceed your every desire. I have been in the Yacht Club on Divina 6 times with numbers 7-10 upcoming, and have sailed many many other cruise lines...trust me when I say you are in for a very special treat!

 

Completely agree here. We were in Yacht Club on the Easter sailing last week as well, and it was a completely different experience than our Bella sailing this past Christmas. My recaps from both sailings are linked in my sig below. As they note, we enjoyed MSC both times, but Yacht Club is really a world of its own. We enjoyed everything about it.

Edited April 3, 2016 by miniflea

[Cruiser21]

Thanks for your response. We have been going back and forth on what to do.Your raving recommendation of the Yacht Club now has given us the confidence to book this ship. Thanks again.

[janie315]

I am sure the Yacht Club is lovely! Just keep in mind that kids cruise "free" on MSC so if you want a quite pool even in the Yacht Club you will still have all ages of kids both in the pool and hot tubs and in the dining room! Time for MSC to get an adult only pool - that is diaper free!! There were over 1,000 kids last week and over 800 kids cruising this week. That is a lot of noise trust me! Plus June is when all the kids are out on summer vacation. There are so many other ships that offer adult only pools! Just my opinion!

[Karaoke_Nadine]

Thanks for your response. We have been going back and forth on what to do.Your raving recommendation of the Yacht Club now has given us the confidence to book this ship. Thanks again.

 

I am also tempted to try a Yacht Club experience. I am not totally giving up on MSC. I would love to book Seaside in 2018 but just haven't clicked the tab. I will also try and avoid heavy kid traffic times. I have sailed many times on Carnival, a few on Princess and once on Royal. I have yet to try Celebrity but have heard great things. Again, my 1st sailing last year on MSC was amazing which made me book again this year. We're still cruising right!?!