Back from Bermuda.....Divina

[daka]

MSC DIVINA

A flawed beauty…

We were looking at cruises to Bermuda and came across the April 9 DIVINA cruise from Miami.

We have cruised on Royal Caribbean Allure and Oasis many times and many times on Celebrity Solstace class ships.

We were ready to try a new cruise line and since MSC has this Bermuda cruise it would be a chance to try a new cruise line

We really wanted to like Divina but, it wasn’t to be

The ship itself is magnificent, more elegant than the R/C or Solstace ships, but beyond that there are too many problems, some big and some small.

We always have a balcony cabin, Divina’s cabin was just about the same as the others but with a slightly smaller balcony. (what’s with the tiny TV and no free movies?)

Embarcation at Miami was very quick and since we were able to “transfer” our status from the other cruise lines we were Black card.

Once on board the buffet was open and having heard that the pizza was good we decided to try that first...good choice...excellent pizza is available almost any time.

One of my complaints about other cruise lines is the terrible coffee...here on Divina the coffee is excellent.

Now for the “flaws”, the elevators are very confusing..not all elevators go to all decks, in some cases you need to go from other decks to deck 7 to get to another elevator to get where you want to go.

The shows though not as flashy as on the other lines I mentioned were very good, the dancers, singers were all great as was the costuming.

Food in the MDR was mediocre at best, a steak or a prime rib were just about what I think of as a sandwich filler..very thin., stick with the chicken, fish and the Italian specials

MSC has found the smallest martini glasses I have ever seen...what 2 ounce?

Food and choices in the buffet were very good, especially the Italian specialties, Miso soup, and all the bakery items.

BUT, beware the "feeding frenzy" times...(just after it opens)....have these people never seen food before....

If you are a gambler you'll find the casino rather small, not a problem for us !

There are "choke points" in the corridors at busy times..you can't get through.

Handrails in the theater, there are none..we saw too many people stumble and quite a few fall..

At times the "public" toilets got a bit messy, other ships had crew members cleaning up during the busy times.

I must say that the early departure from the ship, was very well done....we were off the ship and into our ride in about 40 minutes.

If MSC is seriously trying to break into the US market, they have some changes to make...

That's about all I can remember now

Edited April 20, 2016 by daka

[spearnreel]

MSC DIVINA

A flawed beauty…

We were looking at cruises to Bermuda and came across the April 9 DIVINA cruise from Miami.

We have cruised on Royal Caribbean Allure and Oasis many times and many times on Celebrity Solstace class ships.

We were ready to try a new cruise line and since MSC has this Bermuda cruise it would be a chance to try a new cruise line

We really wanted to like Divina but, it wasn’t to be

The ship itself is magnificent, more elegant than the R/C or Solstace ships, but beyond that there are too many problems, some big and some small.

We always have a balcony cabin, Divina’s cabin was just about the same as the others but with a slightly smaller balcony. (what’s with the tiny TV and no free movies?)

Embarcation at Miami was very quick and since we were able to “transfer” our status from the other cruise lines we were Black card.

Once on board the buffet was open and having heard that the pizza was good we decided to try that first...good choice...excellent pizza is available almost any time.

One of my complaints about other cruise lines is the terrible coffee...here on Divina the coffee is excellent.

Now for the “flaws”, the elevators are very confusing..not all elevators go to all decks, in some cases you need to go from other decks to deck 7 to get to another elevator to get where you want to go.

The shows though not as flashy as on the other lines I mentioned were very good, the dancers, singers were all great as was the costuming.

Food in the MDR was mediocre at best, a steak or a prime rib were just about what I think of as a sandwich filler..very thin., stick with the chicken, fish and the Italian specials

MSC has found the smallest martini glasses I have ever seen...what 2 ounce?

Food and choices in the buffet were very good, especially the Italian specialties, Miso soup, and all the bakery items.

BUT, beware the "feeding frenzy" times...(just after it opens)....have these people never seen food before....

If you are a gambler you'll find the casino rather small, not a problem for us !

There are "choke points" in the corridors at busy times..you can't get through.

Handrails in the theater, there are none..we saw too many people stumble and quite a few fall..

At times the "public" toilets got a bit messy, other ships had crew members cleaning up during the busy times.

I must say that the early departure from the ship, was very well done....we were off the ship and into our ride in about 40 minutes.

If MSC is seriously trying to break into the US market, they have some changes to make...

That's about all I can remember now

 

Just to be clear...

1. "Tiny" cabin tv w/ no "free" movies.

2. Disoriented elevators.

3. No 24 oz steaks in MDR.

4. Traffic directors needed in hallways.

5. Disoriented walkers in theater.

6. Someone forgot to flush the toilet.

= "Wanted to like Divina but wasn't meant to be"?

[LMaxwell]

Figured out elevators real fast. Each bank of 4 the inboard pair went all floors. Outboard pair did not run as far. Could see it being confusing or annoying BC when you call and 1 of 4 arrives you just hop in but if itnis an outboard one may not get where you want. Deck 7 has nothing to do with it at all. Extra elevators tucked in alcoves between midship and aft banks were very handy to beat crowds.

 

Do agree there are some choke points. Quickly learned to use exterior promenades and go through sports bar BC always dead instead of the bottleneck into golden jazz bar.

 

Layout way superior to Carnival ships which are ultimate chokers. Layout vastly superior to Royal and Regal princess too where the architects should be shot. Those ships are maddening to get around.

 

Handrails needed in theater. Agreed

 

Great cruise for me. Food very good. Ship gorgeous. As I said else where lots of RCI/Celeb/Princess loyalists upset at little things not done "their way". Much older crowd than normal we were told. Many in organized groups from 55+ communities

 

Sent from my B1-730HD using Tapatalk

[riclop]

MSC DIVINA

A flawed beauty…

We were looking at cruises to Bermuda and came across the April 9 DIVINA cruise from Miami.

We have cruised on Royal Caribbean Allure and Oasis many times and many times on Celebrity Solstace class ships.

We were ready to try a new cruise line and since MSC has this Bermuda cruise it would be a chance to try a new cruise line

We really wanted to like Divina but, it wasn’t to be

The ship itself is magnificent, more elegant than the R/C or Solstace ships, but beyond that there are too many problems, some big and some small.

We always have a balcony cabin, Divina’s cabin was just about the same as the others but with a slightly smaller balcony. (what’s with the tiny TV and no free movies?)

Embarcation at Miami was very quick and since we were able to “transfer” our status from the other cruise lines we were Black card.

Once on board the buffet was open and having heard that the pizza was good we decided to try that first...good choice...excellent pizza is available almost any time.

One of my complaints about other cruise lines is the terrible coffee...here on Divina the coffee is excellent.

Now for the “flaws”, the elevators are very confusing..not all elevators go to all decks, in some cases you need to go from other decks to deck 7 to get to another elevator to get where you want to go.

The shows though not as flashy as on the other lines I mentioned were very good, the dancers, singers were all great as was the costuming.

Food in the MDR was mediocre at best, a steak or a prime rib were just about what I think of as a sandwich filler..very thin., stick with the chicken, fish and the Italian specials

MSC has found the smallest martini glasses I have ever seen...what 2 ounce?

Food and choices in the buffet were very good, especially the Italian specialties, Miso soup, and all the bakery items.

BUT, beware the "feeding frenzy" times...(just after it opens)....have these people never seen food before....

If you are a gambler you'll find the casino rather small, not a problem for us !

There are "choke points" in the corridors at busy times..you can't get through.

Handrails in the theater, there are none..we saw too many people stumble and quite a few fall..

At times the "public" toilets got a bit messy, other ships had crew members cleaning up during the busy times.

I must say that the early departure from the ship, was very well done....we were off the ship and into our ride in about 40 minutes.

If MSC is seriously trying to break into the US market, they have some changes to make...

That's about all I can remember now

 

It seems you liked most of the things but yet you said it is not for you??? Elevators are very easy to get use to and they have more elevators then any other line. Toilets a bit messy well blame the people that use them. MSC has a very clean ship and they are always cleaning and polishing. And where do you get a big steak in the MDR??????

[Cruiser21]

Thanks for your review. I think the flaws you mention you can find on all cruise lines. Doesn't seem like a deal breaker to me.

[bnorris10]

What had me a little confused is that you said now here are the flows and then half of what you said was good for instance "Food and choices in the buffet were very good"

 

Your flaws are not deal breakers minor annoyances maybe

 

PS if there are no handrails use the aisle seat as a railing so what if there is a person sitting there I am sure no one is going to get snippy with someone because they touched their seat to avoid falling

[daka]

SORRY I did not intend to start a FLAME WAR.

These were just MY "OBSERVATIONS" YMMV

Every cruise line/ship has it's plusses and minuses, WE will use Oasis class and Solstace class from now on...although we are cutting down on the number of cruises per year perhaps our next cruise will be a Regent, to see what that is like.

We have been on Oasis/Allure 6 times, and on each of the Solstace class ships at least twice....we enjoyed these immensely

AND, 24 oz steak, NO, but at least give me a steak or a prime rib that is thicker than a sandwich slice.

AND a descent sized martini

Edited April 20, 2016 by daka

[alexkrn46]

SORRY I did not intend to start a FLAME WAR.

These were just MY "OBSERVATIONS" YMMV

Every cruise line/ship has it's plusses and minuses, WE will use Oasis class and Solstace class from now on...although we are cutting down on the number of cruises per year perhaps our next cruise will be a Regent, to see what that is like.

We have been on Oasis/Allure 6 times, and on each of the Solstace class ships at least twice....we enjoyed these immensely

AND, 24 oz steak, NO, but at least give me a steak or a prime rib that is thicker than a sandwich slice.

AND a descent sized martini

 

 

You are entitled to your opinions and thank you for posting,

 

I have been on Allure/Oasis/Solstice class ships 5 times, I found the elevator wait time greater on Oasis. I also found the other line prices more expensive.. Come back and let us know how regent is.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the comparisons.

[Kruizin'Kath]

Thanks for posting. I didn't think your flaws would be off putting to me, but we are all entitled to our opinions!

[lawra09]

SORRY I did not intend to start a FLAME WAR.

These were just MY "OBSERVATIONS" YMMV

Every cruise line/ship has it's plusses and minuses, WE will use Oasis class and Solstace class from now on...although we are cutting down on the number of cruises per year perhaps our next cruise will be a Regent, to see what that is like.

We have been on Oasis/Allure 6 times, and on each of the Solstace class ships at least twice....we enjoyed these immensely

AND, 24 oz steak, NO, but at least give me a steak or a prime rib that is thicker than a sandwich slice.

AND a descent sized martini

 

Your review of the Bermuda cruise was very accurate in my view. No one is expecting Capital Grille Steaks on a cruise but come on - paper thin prime rib and steaks - unacceptable. You were spot on about the restrooms. There was no one in there cleaning constantly like on other ships and let's face it - people are sloppy and restrooms get messy very quickly. Alot of their problem in my opinion is the training of employees from reservation staff to ship staff and web site. We didn't get the normal questionnaire to fill out at the end of the cruise but one was e-mailed to us. After completing it and trying to send it was impossible. It kept going back to the top of the form and couldn't be sent. Guess they don't want to see where improvements can be made. People constantly falling in the theater were also observed every night we were there during the 2nd show. Martini glasses - you were right - smallest I've ever seen - they were really manhattan glasses.

Another important issue I remembered -my husband is an insulin dependent diabetic and when we are on cruises, he always requests a container for his used needles from the room steward. When he requested one on the Divina, he was told he would need to go to the reception desk and ask for it. The Divina is a beautiful ship and we managed to have a good time as we were with friends but will definitely not book it again.

[Mrs. Squirrel]

Just to be clear...

1. "Tiny" cabin tv w/ no "free" movies.

2. Disoriented elevators.

3. No 24 oz steaks in MDR.

4. Traffic directors needed in hallways.

5. Disoriented walkers in theater.

6. Someone forgot to flush the toilet.

= "Wanted to like Divina but wasn't meant to be"?

 

I have been on Divina twice and have her booked for a third time next winter for a B2B. My last cruise was a twelve night this past February. They do have free movies on TV. I know, because my son wanted to watch TV instead of doing his homework (we home school). There is no guide to when they come on, so that is maybe why OP missed them. The new release movies are pay per view and $9.99 each. All the rest of OP's negatives are indicative of every cruiseline I've ever sailed on the last five years. I don't drink, so can't speak to the size of the martinis, but have noticed that Divina has lower non-alcohol drink prices than on any other line, so maybe that's why the smaller size?

 

OP, thank you for your comments and happy sailing in the future. :)

[BermudaBound2014]

[quote=bnorris10;49769232

PS if there are no handrails use the aisle seat as a railing so what if there is a person sitting there I am sure no one is going to get snippy with someone because they touched their seat to avoid falling

 

I don't believe holding the aisle seats will solve the issue Lawra has raised. There are several spots on the Divina that are pretty serious tripping hazards and in my opinion we should all take note (especially klutzes like me).

 

The Divina is beautiful, but sometimes that architectural beauty comes a practical downside. The material they used for flooring in several venues is slick. I'm talking S-L-I-C-K, not slippery. The stairs in the theatre have a really strange step about half way down that is not easily identified. Finally, be careful around the Doge', as I saw a serious fall there.