Home from our August 13, 2016 cruise on the Divina

[dodger1964]

MSC sets a time and date for the Cruise Critic meet. They post it in the daily for the day of the event. MSC knows that there is a good chance that Cruise Critic members will be on the ship..

 

Thanks for review.

 

We are on our first MSC cruise in two weeks...Splendida out of Southampton.

 

I will be curious if we have a cruise critic party on that sailing. I don't think we have had six people post on our roll call.

 

This will be the first time we have sailed on a cruise that doesn't have all the passengers coming on at once. It is like a rotating 7 day cruise. People getting on/off every 2 or 3 days. So I assume when we get on all the regular eating places will be open.

 

We are also black status for first time.

 

My question is could you pick the restaurants for your two free meals? And could you look at menu in advance.

 

We are packing extremely light for this cruise and are planning on just eating in the buffet every night, but still haven't decided if we are packing one "Nicer" outfit for a specialty meal or two.

 

This is port intensive cruise, so we will just be glad to eat quick dinner and relax before the next early morning outing.

[SnootieTootie]

Yes Def Prepare, if I had someone tell me what I didn't know I would have rather lost all my money that's how bad it was...LOL

 

-Balcony was Obstructed.. No one told us, booked unobstructed.

-Room Attendant.. Like Casper the ghost Never saw him hardly.. Ice is a commodity LOL

-Staff.. Rude

-1,000 Kids.. you heard that right LITERALLY WE WERE TOLD.. everywhere, in pools with diapers :eek: strollers on disco floor at midnight.. Screaming up and down hallways..I have kids but believe me I would never had let them run everywhere or do what these parents did..

-Rooms tiny 2 people can't walk in same path to bathroom :eek: and we are tiny LOL.

-Smells like smoke everywhere.. people smoking in rooms when not suppose to...

-Coffee Cups are never available BRING YOUR OWN!!!! COFFEE IS ALSO HARD TO FIND SOMETIMES!!! :confused:

-Buffet for any meal OMG like Grand Central Station at rush hour... Kids picking food with fingers... UGH I think I lost weight on this cruise ... Breakfast takes about an hour and half in Black Crab Dining room .and food Ice cold <--shakes head...Order cold items nothing hot...

-Martini's are half the size of normal Martini glasses and not filled high. :rolleyes:

I can go on and on but just got home and will never put myself through anything like this again... Actually Hubby on phone booking next cruise on Princess right now! :) We feel like we need a vacation!!!! :)

-Formal night is a joke we saw jeans t shirts and shorts..

 

GOOD experience was the weather... OH and forget about getting a seat on sea days these people are up at 4 am and all the seats are taken... I sat next to 2 chairs that NEVER had any occupants only towels and a magazine... ALL DAY!!!!!!

 

We were on the August 13 sailing. I disagree with almost everything you said.

It was our 45th cruise, and our first on MSC

[MISTER 67]

Yes Def Prepare, if I had someone tell me what I didn't know I would have rather lost all my money that's how bad it was...LOL

 

-Balcony was Obstructed.. No one told us, booked unobstructed.

-Room Attendant.. Like Casper the ghost Never saw him hardly.. Ice is a commodity LOL

-Staff.. Rude

-1,000 Kids.. you heard that right LITERALLY WE WERE TOLD.. everywhere, in pools with diapers :eek: strollers on disco floor at midnight.. Screaming up and down hallways..I have kids but believe me I would never had let them run everywhere or do what these parents did..

-Rooms tiny 2 people can't walk in same path to bathroom :eek: and we are tiny LOL.

-Smells like smoke everywhere.. people smoking in rooms when not suppose to...

-Coffee Cups are never available BRING YOUR OWN!!!! COFFEE IS ALSO HARD TO FIND SOMETIMES!!! :confused:

-Buffet for any meal OMG like Grand Central Station at rush hour... Kids picking food with fingers... UGH I think I lost weight on this cruise ... Breakfast takes about an hour and half in Black Crab Dining room .and food Ice cold <--shakes head...Order cold items nothing hot...

-Martini's are half the size of normal Martini glasses and not filled high. :rolleyes:

I can go on and on but just got home and will never put myself through anything like this again... Actually Hubby on phone booking next cruise on Princess right now! :) We feel like we need a vacation!!!! :)

-Formal night is a joke we saw jeans t shirts and shorts..

 

GOOD experience was the weather... OH and forget about getting a seat on sea days these people are up at 4 am and all the seats are taken... I sat next to 2 chairs that NEVER had any occupants only towels and a magazine... ALL DAY!!!!!!

 

We were on the same cruise and loved it. We are experienced cruisers with 49 of them. Yes there were a lot of kids but the ones we saw were all well behaved. We are are early risers and in the buffet by 7am for breakfast and noon for lunch so we had no trouble with crowds but I did stop in everyday at 3pm to get an apple and it was crowded but I found that to be the same on most of the cruises we have taken.

More and more on all the ships the dress code is a joke and not inforced. Holland America of all lines has done away with formal nights, they call it Gala Night. It's a shame but it's something we are all going to have to get use to, people hate dressing up in this day and age. You see it when you dine out at home, people dress like pigs. We are OK with dressy casual but they should not let anyone in the MDR at dinner with t shirts and shorts.

[MISTER 67]

We were on the August 13 sailing. I disagree with almost everything you said.

It was our 45th cruise, and our first on MSC

 

I'm with you, you can please some of the people all of the time and all the people some of the time but you can't please all the people all of the time.

[Nygirl26]

I'm with you, you can please some of the people all of the time and all the people some of the time but you can't please all the people all of the time.

 

That's why they make Vanilla , Chocolate and Strawberry... try them and choose the one you like..I choose to go back to my other cruise lines :) ... especially when I book an non obstructed balcony and its obstructed after your told its NOT!!

[graphicguy]

We were on the same cruise and loved it. We are experienced cruisers with 49 of them. Yes there were a lot of kids but the ones we saw were all well behaved. We are are early risers and in the buffet by 7am for breakfast and noon for lunch so we had no trouble with crowds but I did stop in everyday at 3pm to get an apple and it was crowded but I found that to be the same on most of the cruises we have taken.

More and more on all the ships the dress code is a joke and not inforced. Holland America of all lines has done away with formal nights, they call it Gala Night. It's a shame but it's something we are all going to have to get use to, people hate dressing up in this day and age. You see it when you dine out at home, people dress like pigs. We are OK with dressy casual but they should not let anyone in the MDR at dinner with t shirts and shorts.

 

That was the one thing I was wondering about....dress! Everyone is moving away from suits and gowns. I like that change. Only plan on packing a couple pair of dress pants and a couple of button shirts (no ties or jackets).

[Squidward Q Tentacles]

That's why they make Vanilla , Chocolate and Strawberry... try them and choose the one you like..I choose to go back to my other cruise lines :) ... especially when I book an non obstructed balcony and its obstructed after your told its NOT!!

 

What was your cabin number, I want to make sure to not get it if I book another cruise on the Divina?

 

I brought a suit and a tux, and I agree, formal night had many men not dressed up.

[drvalo]

Thanks for your review, Gard, and the videos. They really give a good idea about what to expect. I knew about the level matching for Platinum, but it's too bad there is not a real dinner included, and yes, I agree with you that the welcome aboard packs and gifts are lovely on NCL. They do make one feel special (even if less so than previously) :)

 

Actually, you and Debra looked great all dressed up for dinner, but as we probably discussed on the Pearl, there will not be a suit on our vacation, so even if it can distress others, it's great to know we can, at least, go to the buffet in more casual clothes on formal nights. I have read the MSC didn't allow casual anywhere on formal nights, but maybe for the U.S. port it's relaxed.

 

Did you do the planning for the CC meet? Or did the just schedule it? Was there a roll call?

 

I will be interested to know what happened during sea days and what the entertainment was like. Thanks again for sharing your videos and thoughts and our best to you both!

 

Hope to sail with you again sometime!

[Squidward Q Tentacles]

Thanks for your review, Gard, and the videos. They really give a good idea about what to expect. I knew about the level matching for Platinum, but it's too bad there is not a real dinner included, and yes, I agree with you that the welcome aboard packs and gifts are lovely on NCL. They do make one feel special (even if less so than previously) :)

 

Actually, you and Debra looked great all dressed up for dinner, but as we probably discussed on the Pearl, there will not be a suit on our vacation, so even if it can distress others, it's great to know we can, at least, go to the buffet in more casual clothes on formal nights. I have read the MSC didn't allow casual anywhere on formal nights, but maybe for the U.S. port it's relaxed.

 

Did you do the planning for the CC meet? Or did the just schedule it? Was there a roll call?

 

I will be interested to know what happened during sea days and what the entertainment was like. Thanks again for sharing your videos and thoughts and our best to you both!

 

Hope to sail with you again sometime!

 

Great to hear from you! We have a cruise booked on NCL Pearl for Mar 3, 2017. That will be our 5th time on the Pearl! Maybe you can look into joining us.

 

As for the CC meet, MSC plans a date and time for it. They post it in the daily for the day it is scheduled. We had a CC roll call, not very active and only 6 people attended the meet.

 

As for the formal nights, it was not really enforced from what we saw. Many of the men in the Black Crab were wearing pull over collared shirts that night.

 

The only time I saw any crew member enforcing dress codes was in the buffet. Men had to have on shirts and women cover ups over bathing suits.

 

We were maybe the odd folks that did not enjoy the shows, just not what we liked.

 

The Divina is a little different to get around, not hard, just different. In about the middle of the ship are two elevators, one on each side, that let you out at the Black Crab. They are very handy. You also need to really study the deck plans to find everything, we were still finding places to see on the last night.

 

Don't worry about bringing a tux or suit, just nice slacks and dress shirts will work.

 

Another tip for you, if you want something just ask, that is what the hotel director told us.

 

Hope to sail with you soon!

[easyboy]

Thanks for sharing.

[sfaaa]

That's why they make Vanilla , Chocolate and Strawberry... try them and choose the one you like..I choose to go back to my other cruise lines :) ... especially when I book an non obstructed balcony and its obstructed after your told its NOT!!

 

This begs the question. Did you do your research before you picked your own cabin or was it a Guarantee at a cheap rate? A look at the deck plan and picture of the ship and you can easily figure out a cove cabin from an unobstructed cabin. It's not that hard.

[MISTER 67]

PRINCESS!!!! Just got off the MSC Divina and it was the worst cruise I have ever taken!!!

 

Were you the blonde lady playing Blackjack along with your daughter one afternoon in the casino. I remember someone just like you that said they hated the cruise and was from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I added a review on this board and am the opposite end of the spectrum and thought the cruise was excellent and we have cruised 49 times so we have a lot of comparison to other cruises.

[suzyed]

Can you tell us about Formal Nights? 2 of them on a 7 day cruise?

How formal are they? We and some of our friends traveling on Divina in November, are thinking we would only participate in one formal night, if at all. We thought we would maybe take advantage of some of the specialty restaurants for one or both nights.

How dressy do folks get? If we go to one of the specialty venues do we have to dress formally there as well? DH has a tux, but would prefer not to drag it along for a 7 day cruise. In the absence of a tux, does he have to wear a suit, or is a sport coat and slacks ok? Tie required?

 

Sorry for all the questions, but this is our first MSC and want to do the right thing! ;)

Thanks!

Edited September 16, 2016 by suzyed

[lovelights]

Were you the blonde lady playing Blackjack along with your daughter one afternoon in the casino. I remember someone just like you that said they hated the cruise and was from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I added a review on this board and am the opposite end of the spectrum and thought the cruise was excellent and we have cruised 49 times so we have a lot of comparison to other cruises.

 

This gal that's doing all the complaining, has actually cut and pasted the same thing about not liking her cruise, and has posted the exact same thing on other posts, as well. I'm not quite sure why she's spending all her time complaining about MSC, and bragging about how she's going back to the "other" cruise lines, yet she's still on MSC boards complaining. Just doesn't make any sense to me. And yes, at this point, it's complaining. It's not giving advice.

 

I think it would be to her advantage, just to hop on over to those other cruise line boards, and I'm sure they'd gladly like to hear all the good things about those other cruise lines that she dearly loves.

Edited September 16, 2016 by lovelights

[drvalo]

Great to hear from you! We have a cruise booked on NCL Pearl for Mar 3, 2017. That will be our 5th time on the Pearl! Maybe you can look into joining us.

 

As for the CC meet, MSC plans a date and time for it. They post it in the daily for the day it is scheduled. We had a CC roll call, not very active and only 6 people attended the meet.

 

As for the formal nights, it was not really enforced from what we saw. Many of the men in the Black Crab were wearing pull over collared shirts that night.

 

The only time I saw any crew member enforcing dress codes was in the buffet. Men had to have on shirts and women cover ups over bathing suits.

 

We were maybe the odd folks that did not enjoy the shows, just not what we liked.

 

The Divina is a little different to get around, not hard, just different. In about the middle of the ship are two elevators, one on each side, that let you out at the Black Crab. They are very handy. You also need to really study the deck plans to find everything, we were still finding places to see on the last night.

 

Don't worry about bringing a tux or suit, just nice slacks and dress shirts will work.

 

Another tip for you, if you want something just ask, that is what the hotel director told us.

 

Hope to sail with you soon!

 

Thanks for answering my questions! I feel much better about considering cruising with MSC out of Miami now. You always do such great reviews!

 

As you can see in my signature, we are on the Jade in January, so that might be it for a while for us. Cruising out of Tampa means a shorter drive and we also like the longer cruise. That cruise had been 11 days and way more expensive. Then they extended the cruise to 12 days, the price dropped, and dropped again and with the free DSC, it became hard to pass up. But I feel sure we will see each other again on a cruise.

[Nygirl26]

This begs the question. Did you do your research before you picked your own cabin or was it a Guarantee at a cheap rate? A look at the deck plan and picture of the ship and you can easily figure out a cove cabin from an unobstructed cabin. It's not that hard.

 

I actually picked my cabin from the picture and from the agent.. she said no obstruction and also told me the cabins that were obstructed... I paid $1400 for the cruise and no It was not a guarantee and no I am not stupid. I am a college graduate that is retired since age 50 and enjoys cruising..

[Nygirl26]

Were you the blonde lady playing Blackjack along with your daughter one afternoon in the casino. I remember someone just like you that said they hated the cruise and was from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I added a review on this board and am the opposite end of the spectrum and thought the cruise was excellent and we have cruised 49 times so we have a lot of comparison to other cruises.

 

No it was not me. I was there with my husband and we both felt it was a bad experience I am glad you had a wonderful time.

[MISTER 67]

No it was not me. I was there with my husband and we both felt it was a bad experience I am glad you had a wonderful time.

 

Sorry but.I see you like Princess which is still our favorite line, sailing Thanksgiving week on the Caribbean Princess. Also sorry you didn't like MSC, we are looking to sail again with them next June.

Edited September 16, 2016 by MISTER 67

[easyboy]

Can you tell us about Formal Nights? 2 of them on a 7 day cruise?

How formal are they? We and some of our friends traveling on Divina in November, are thinking we would only participate in one formal night, if at all. We thought we would maybe take advantage of some of the specialty restaurants for one or both nights.

How dressy do folks get? If we go to one of the specialty venues do we have to dress formally there as well? DH has a tux, but would prefer not to drag it along for a 7 day cruise. In the absence of a tux, does he have to wear a suit, or is a sport coat and slacks ok? Tie required?

 

Sorry for all the questions, but this is our first MSC and want to do the right thing! ;)

Thanks!

Some idea:

http://emmastraveltales.co.uk/portfolio-items/wear-msc-cruise/

[Nygirl26]

Sorry but.I see you like Princess which is still our favorite line, sailing Thanksgiving week on the Caribbean Princess. Also sorry you didn't like MSC, we are looking to sail again with them next June.

 

Yea, MSC was not for me. We really didn't enjoy it at all but glad you did! I like the Caribbean Princess... But the Royal/Regal are still my favs... we are going again in Jan and March on Princess.. and my husband wants to go on the Oceania...Can't wait! Have fun!!!

Edited September 18, 2016 by Nygirl26