MSC Divina - loved it!

[Sunshine2U]

We returned from our first MSC cruise on Saturday. It was wonderful. We did not take advantage of many opportunities so I won’t post a full review but just note some things I have not seen posted in every other ship/Yacht Club review.

 

GENERAL

- We drove down - stayed in Fort Pierce Friday night and arrived at port around 11:30. Let me know if any questions about that.

- Expect some language barriers and appreciate the effort it takes to serve a large multi-lingual population. The problems we had occurred around ordering drinks when I wanted something that was not on the menu (i.e. no Dark and Stormy drinks on the menu, my favorite). It appeared that many staff for jobs not directly related to public interaction speak minimal English. So you really can’t depend on getting accurate answers to questions and may have to try a couple of times. I have no second language skills. So everyone I had trouble communicating with had better language skills than me.

- Cruise Critic Meetup – this was 4:00 Sunday afternoon.We received the invitation Sunday morning so had not planned for it. I apologize to anyone who may be reading this who was part of the effort to make this happen. I decided I did not want to return to my room at 3:00 to shower for a 4:00 event, and then have a long wait until dinner. I enjoyed my time by the pool talking to new friends, and working my way down the cocktail menu!

- Tipping – we all know this is a personal choice. My observations: I read where tipping was not as “expected” as Americans typically assume. I still wish I had taken a supply of $1s to tip the bar servers by the drink outside YC. We tipped the butler who escorted us onto the ship. And we tipped our butler, steward and Le Muse servers within YC at the end of the week. I rather thought we should have tipped everyone in YC, that is how nice the service was. And perhaps some people do tip individual YC bar servers,concierge, etc.

- We loved our MSC experience so much we booked the YC on Seaside for 2018.

 

INTERIOR PUBLIC AREAS

- The ship is beautiful. And yes, you will want to go through doors that are mirrors.

- There are a lot of seating areas set off to the side.We would see a lot of people playing card games, reading, etc.

- During daytime hours, most people not on the pool deck wore street clothes. It made for a nice atmosphere.

- Deck 7 interior was awkward to traverse. Where you expect a wide central walk/promenade, instead you walk right through the various bars and cafes. And sometimes the passage is too narrow for the people trying to get through.

- While live performances were listed for various bars(piano, duets, etc) they never seemed to be playing when we expected them. Four nights we had time to spend between dinner and the show, and there was never live entertainment in the bars. This period seems to me it would be the prime time to have entertainment.

- Shows – hard to take a read on this one. It would be interesting to know how the guests split by nationality. I did not think the shows were well attended, except for the Michael Jackson review. For the show that included a lot of opera, people were simply getting up and walking out. We did not enjoy the show very much but would not walk out, simply because we don’t feel it is appropriate (and so many people were!). I’m no opera expert but my main complaint is that the voices were amplified too loud so they were at the edge of music and noise. It will be interesting to see if Divina holds course on the review-style shows; also interested in what Seaside will offer. While these shows were worth attendance, I would not go to see them a second time, simply because they are not the type of show I enjoy.

 

POOL DECK

- We did not spend time on the main pool decks. They appeared to have a great design with lots of seating – both on loungers and at tables. I would enjoy spending time there.

- This cruise did not seem to have a rowdy, party crowd so I think you’d feel comfortable by the main pool with your kids. On NCL, I felt like I would not have liked having young kids out by the main pool –mainly because of the DJ, games, etc. Disney goes without saying!

 

YACHT CLUB

It really is as nice as previous posters have said. It was our first experience for any cruise line with concierge service. So I’ll note some things for novices like us.

- DH dropped me off curbside with the luggage. I waited for a couple of minutes for a porter to help get the luggage out of the trunk.I think because there are fewer drop-offs at this spot, there is not a high concentration of porters. Of course, this is not related to MSC service and is simply an observation. I was ok to wait a couple of minutes rather than deal with luggage while DH parked.

- The gentleman who checked us in at the Yacht Club tent was very nice. We chatted while I waited. He is also not an employee of MSC but he is well-suited to be the first face of the YC experience. I wonder if they have the same person every week.

- We were never really directed to lunch on embarkation.There was a light buffet (think heavy hors d’oeuvres) in Top Sail and we eventually found the One Bar with heavier fare. I’m not sure if Le Muse was open.

- As the first experience with YC, we were caught between not communicating what we wanted, and not knowing enough to ask for it – if that makes sense. For example, I enjoy iced tea and am used to taking my teabags and a 32-oz Nalgene water bottle with me. Once the butler learned I was concocting my own brew, he started taking my bottle up to the One Bar and refilling it for me once or twice a day so my tea would be fresh. A man who brings me tea wins my heart!

- Not only does One Bar have iced tea, they also will make you pancakes, waffles and perhaps even omelets in the morning (not sure about the omelet). This is in addition to the small buffet of scrambled eggs, bacon,etc. The One Bar also has a supply of gelato (Italian ice cream). I did not know these details until later in the week. It made me wonder what other options would have been available if I had known to ask.

- We ordered pizza one night and I was delighted to realize I could also get a glass of wine delivered. I’m a pretty practical person and I can’t imagine constantly asking the butler to run down to the bar and get me some wine. But I appreciated it that one night since we were in our jammies out on the balcony.

- So I guess the point is to read up here and then be sure to ask for what you want.

- The front-end staff at Le Muse seem to be split on whether they have anytime seating or they want you to come at the same time every night. We had an uncomfortable greeting the second night when we showed up at a different time than the previous night, even though we called ahead as requested. Another couple had a similar experience and spoke to the maitre d' about it.

- Since we liked our server, Arthur, and the higher level of service with a wait staff who knew our preferences, we ended up eating around the same time for the rest of the week. Plus, if you want to attend the show that kind of narrows down the time you need to dine, whether late or early. They do try to hold “your” table for you and seemed to be able to accomplish that whether people were flexing their dining time or staying with a set time.

- Otherwise the wines, breads, pasta and other food in Le Muse are wonderful. The dining experience was a highlight of the trip. Feel free to ask questions. I think this has been covered. Did I say the bread was delicious?

- In general, you are free to enjoy your vacation as you would like. We did not participate in afternoon tea, but I would make a small plate and carry it down to our cabin to enjoy on the balcony before getting ready for dinner. I did not see anyone else doing the same but they did not seem to mind. Perhaps this was something I could as for, but I preferred to make the selection myself. My butler did a double-take once when he saw me walking back to the cabin with a glass of wine. Maybe he was just surprised to see me drinking something other than tea!

- Disembarkation – it’s probably worth your while to let your butler know when you would like to leave the ship. We were waiting in the YC lobby for an announcement, assuming we would be escorted off with a group once the walk off guests were gone. We never heard an announcement but our butler came out and asked if we were ready to leave and just like that, DH and I were headed down the elevator. I’m not sure if the butler was just checking the lobby or if the desk called to let him know we were waiting. We started down at 8:00 and were outside by 8:15. So yes, we loved this service.

 

The purpose of this trip was for DH and I to decompress and rest. We did not attend parties, we went to bed early and spent a lot of time on the balcony. So for us, the YC was perfect. It was a very quiet environment. Most of the time the Top Sail Lounge and One Pool deck were less than 25% occupied. Cheers to the new friends we met! Ciao

[tigergrl1981]

Thank you for your review. We are sailing on the Divina on 5/27. This will be our first MSC cruise and first yacht club experience. Not really sure what to do with a butler. Your experience helps. :)

[CRAustin]

Thanks for the review. We sail in July YC. Can't wait first MSC.

 

 

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[shukapaw]

Thank you for taking the time to write this. We'll certainly make use of some of the information you provided.

 

~Brian

[JimAOk1945]

I am unfamiliar with MSC and beginning to do research. Where is Fort Pierce? How long was your cruise? Did you go ashore anywhere?

Thanks!

[Sunshine2U]

I am unfamiliar with MSC and beginning to do research. Where is Fort Pierce? A city about 2 hours north of Miami. We booked off of a discount website and ended up with a good deal on a 2.5* hotel.

 

How long was your cruise? 7 nights

 

Did you go ashore anywhere? I have problems with my ankle right now so we hired a driver and toured Ochos Rios for a couple of hours. Nothing special. We stayed on board in Grand Caymen and walked off for an hour to do a little shopping in Cozumel.

 

Have fun planning!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[plucasana]

I thouroughly enjoyed reading your review, very well written and with just the right amount of details. thank you very much!!

 

 

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[easyboy]

Thank you for your review.

[max996]

Great review of the Divina and your Yacht Club experience - thank you very much! We sail next month in the YC and can't wait to do exactly what you and your husband did - RELAX! Although we do plan to do some partying too. And maybe some time in the casino, and the cigar lounge. But, your tip about the pancakes & waffles from the One Bar is well received! I will definitely be ordering up some of those (and maybe an omelet) to be delivered with my morning pot of coffee.

 

Question for you - did you or your husband drink any coffee from Top Sail? We sailed in a concierge suite aboard the Disney Dream last summer, and the coffee from the concierge lounge was the best on the ship.

[dexddd]

What room did you have?

[sandpiper35]

Thank You for your review.

 

Cheers.

[Sunshine2U]

Coffee - sorry, I don't drink.

 

Cabin - we were 15015. It looks like it may be noisy because it is right outside YC lobby. Actually it's a great location. There is a small hallway and glass doors between the cabins and the lobby. The single elevator that goes up to One Pool and Bar is right there. So we didn't have to go through lobby to go back and forth. Small positive if trying to decide between port (our location) or starboard (corrected).

 

 

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Edited May 3, 2017 by Sunshine2U

[helen haywood]

The cappuccinos and espressos in Top Sail (and One Pool Bar) are fantastic!!! And Le Muse is open for lunch on embarkation day. We really love Yacht Club! And the pricing compared to suites on NCL or Celebrity can't be beat!

[Sunshine2U]

But, your tip about the pancakes & waffles from the One Bar is well received! I will definitely be ordering up some of those (and maybe an omelet) to be delivered with my morning pot of coffee.

 

 

I don't want to confuse anyone. The food at One Bar is different from room service. You may have your pancakes delivered to your table, but not your room[emoji6]

 

 

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[ymmom9862]

My family and i will be sailing in July . Thank you for the information on the Yacht Club :)

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[max996]

The cappuccinos and espressos in Top Sail (and One Pool Bar) are fantastic!!! And Le Muse is open for lunch on embarkation day. We really love Yacht Club! And the pricing compared to suites on NCL or Celebrity can't be beat!

Awesome Helen; thank you.

 

And thanks for the additional clarification Sunshine! I can sit up on deck and eat my pancakes!

[dexddd]

Coffee - sorry, I don't drink.

 

Cabin - we were 15015. It looks like it may be noisy because it is right outside YC lobby. Actually it's a great location. There is a small hallway and glass doors between the cabins and the lobby. The single elevator that goes up to One Pool and Bar is right there. So we didn't have to go through lobby to go back and forth. Small positive if trying to decide between port (our location) or starboard (corrected).

 

 

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Thanks. We have one room 6 back from that and one on 16.

[dexddd]

The cappuccinos and espressos in Top Sail (and One Pool Bar) are fantastic!!! And Le Muse is open for lunch on embarkation day. We really love Yacht Club! And the pricing compared to suites on NCL or Celebrity can't be beat!

 

DW and DS are going to be digging that. NCL has jacked their suite prices so much the last couple years they aren't very attractive to us anymore.

[genman36]

Hi Sunshine, do you happen to remember the name of the Maitre d' in La Muse? We are sailing on Saturday and it will be our 3rd in the YC. Previously we had Degiocomo (sp?) in 2016 and this past January Mario.

 

Thanks

[EMc&DrS]

Coffee - sorry, I don't drink.

 

Cabin - we were 15015. It looks like it may be noisy because it is right outside YC lobby. Actually it's a great location. There is a small hallway and glass doors between the cabins and the lobby. The single elevator that goes up to One Pool and Bar is right there. So we didn't have to go through lobby to go back and forth. Small positive if trying to decide between port (our location) or starboard (corrected).

 

 

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We will be in that same stateroom for a 3 day cruise in July. We just booked it as a B2B following a week long cruise that we booked two months ago. Excited to spend 10 days in the YC. Our TA assured us that our butler will move all of our "stuff" from 15011 to 15015 when we return to MIA after the first cruise. Based on what you and others have said, I think we're going to be spoiled from now on!!

 

 

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[Sunshine2U]

Hi Sunshine, do you happen to remember the name of the Maitre d' in La Muse? We are sailing on Saturday and it will be our 3rd in the YC. Previously we had Degiocomo (sp?) in 2016 and this past January Mario.

 

Thanks

 

It is Mario. He would make wonderful pasta on the floor of the restaurant - well not actually on the floor. So we had the option of a small pasta course. The restaurant smelled heavenly with the aroma of garlic and spices.

[helen haywood]

Yes! Mario's pasta aglio e olio was absolutely delicious!!

 

 

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[TrinaLC]

Mario is a wonderful M'aitre D! And yes his pasta with garlic and olive oil is wonderful.

 

Like another poster, we also loved having Arthur as our waiter in Le Muse.

 

They and the other staff made dining in Le Muse so special we never even tried another venue ...