MSC (1st) DIVINA - Yacht Club 'Focus

[Trishaphil]

Thanks. We all benefit from CC's members experiences.

 

If you get there @ 11AM, get the intro' and have a quick lunch @ Le Muse, or Top Sail or One Bar, you'll be on the ONE DECK in the sun, with a drink(s) for hours (versus showing up later in the afternoon), in the hot tubs and the cold salt water pool well before everyone else.

 

It's like adding 'a day.

 

Remember, Divina is a late departure date (believed to be to allow for European travelers time needs, which makes total sense) from the port, so you can sun all afternoon (stay away from the rest of the ship IMO, thousands exploring), meet everyone on the ONE DECK (including the Bar staff), have an early dinner a @ Le Muse, and view the sail away late from ONE DECK, your stateroom balcony, Top Sail or other.

 

Have fun, and make a list of your 'findings to let us all know.

Hi there Formulau 280SS.

Thank you so much for all the help and info, this is really great to know. I will definitely be there earlier and as you said have my bearings got.

When you travel in y.c did you walk outside , seems there is a power walk which will be helpful as I need to move about often and would you have tried yoga by any chance. I am hoping to give this a go , just wondering if its for beginners. At least if I'm too stiff for it , I wont be known by anyone .:')

[Beamafar]

I'm not used to what is going to be exciting nor ever had such luxury or help , just hope I'm not lost in y.c. I tend to be the one to do rather than have done for me so might get embarrassing.

 

Nonsense ........ enjoy it. The butlers are there to spoil you - after all, that's what you're paying for! ;)

[Cruisergal1208]

Nonsense ........ enjoy it. The butlers are there to spoil you - after all, that's what you're paying for! ;)

 

I remember our first time in YC and I went to Top Sail to get morning coffee for us. I was told please return to my cabin and they would bring it to us. Same thing if I went for a glass of wine to enjoy on the balcony Just relax and enjoy being pampered.

[Cruisergal1208]

Hi there Formulau 280SS.

Thank you so much for all the help and info, this is really great to know. I will definitely be there earlier and as you said have my bearings got.

When you travel in y.c did you walk outside , seems there is a power walk which will be helpful as I need to move about often and would you have tried yoga by any chance. I am hoping to give this a go , just wondering if its for beginners. At least if I'm too stiff for it , I wont be known by anyone .:')

 

One thing I would do is walk around the ship while hubby rested. Window shop, explore different areas, take pictures, etc. If weather was bad, I'd walk through one of the regular cabin decks. Just to get my walking in for the day. You are free to go anywhere other passengers go:)

[ymmom9862]

Loving your review! So excited now . We'll be in 16008 in July and you have made it sound wonderful. My DH speaks Italian and I speak some. Can't wait!

[Cruisergal1208]

They did have YC seating in the theater at all times. We thought the view was great. It also helped not getting stuck behind the crowds when leaving as well since we had our own section. They are located on the left hand side as you enter the theater on deck 7. The Butler that is there will recognize you right away and will escort you in.

 

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Thanks. Will check it out in August.

[Formula280SS]

Hi there Formulau 280SS.

Thank you so much for all the help and info, this is really great to know. I will definitely be there earlier and as you said have my bearings got.

When you travel in y.c did you walk outside , seems there is a power walk which will be helpful as I need to move about often and would you have tried yoga by any chance. I am hoping to give this a go , just wondering if its for beginners. At least if I'm too stiff for it , I wont be known by anyone .:')

 

Welcome.

 

We walk EVERY DAY. The best place for us for a power walk, early in the AM, was Deck 15 (if we go out there early in the morning on sea days). On port days, we could walk on Deck 15 pretty much any time of the morning. On sea days, it really is tough on the sun loungers who are setting up for the day, so we would head to Deck 7.

 

Deck 7 would have been better if we could have completed a horseshoe, however, they had a rope forward separating us from an area that would have allowed us to make a horseshoe. The aft if square, no deck area so there is no 'rounding back there. That's what makes Deck 15 preferred (for us).

 

We preferred Deck 15, I believe it was a quarter mile per lap, and we always do 2 miles in the morning. We try to do Deck 7 late afternoon, but it took more concentration because it was back and forth on one side; we'd rotate through the ship and do the same on the other side. Deck 7 is not really a good design for walking or jugging, so you've got to make it work. When we did Deck 7, we switched it up in week two to include sets of stairs in between back and forths.

 

We didn't do a yoga program, but on the pool deck they had several exercise routines in the morning to music and or instruction that large groups of passengers were doing. Looked good and looked like people were having a good time, but we didn't do it. We have life-long friends that 'swear by yoga, in a balance to their heavy jogging and (his) Spartan training.

 

Visited the fitness center, not really remarkable in any way for our current interests. We really prefer the 'outside power walks on the decks to the fitness center treadmills on all ships we've cruised. Got to credit where due, the Oasis class RCCL ships track is 'the best.

[Formula280SS]

Loving your review! So excited now . We'll be in 16008 in July and you have made it sound wonderful. My DH speaks Italian and I speak some. Can't wait!

 

Another cruiser with a great stateroom.

 

I wonder if you, also (as two others have) picked the cruise based upon the availability of that stateroom?

 

Your mention of language is pertinent. There was or is a large % of Europeans; many languages. Many of the staff are fluent in one or two, practical in 2-3 more. We enjoyed in Le Muse or the Top Sail other passengers speaking French, German, Spanish and Italian for example to the waiters back and forth. The Italian % was noticeable and the wait staff (and them) just sounded like they were having great conversations.

[shukapaw]

@Formula280SS,

 

Thanks for taking the time to share all of this. Over a year ago we booked a back-to-back cruise on the Divina for this June. We secured an awesome aft-facing balcony on deck 10 (largest balconies). However, after reading your excellent YC review, I contacted MSC and was able to upgrade to the YC for the second week of our trip.

 

We've never been "luxury" cruisers... in fact, we normally book inside cabins as we mostly just sleep and change clothes there. This is gonna be quite an experience for us. :eek:

 

I'm sure we'll make lots of use of the information you've provided.

 

keep it comin'

 

~Brian

[Beamafar]

@Formula280SS,

 

 

................ I contacted MSC and was able to upgrade to the YC for the second week of our trip.

 

We've never been "luxury" cruisers... in fact, we normally book inside cabins as we mostly just sleep and change clothes there. This is gonna be quite an experience for us. :eek:

~Brian

 

Great move - you won't regret it. However, it'll spoil you and you'll forever after look differently at what you're planning to book in the future. Perhaps all your inside cabins will be YC insides (on the new ships) going forward! ;p

[Formula280SS]

@Formula280SS,

 

Thanks for taking the time to share all of this. Over a year ago we booked a back-to-back cruise on the Divina for this June. We secured an awesome aft-facing balcony on deck 10 (largest balconies). However, after reading your excellent YC review, I contacted MSC and was able to upgrade to the YC for the second week of our trip.

 

We've never been "luxury" cruisers... in fact, we normally book inside cabins as we mostly just sleep and change clothes there. This is gonna be quite an experience for us. :eek:

 

I'm sure we'll make lots of use of the information you've provided.

 

keep it comin'

 

~Brian

 

Agree with Beamafar, great move.:D

 

And....there's no going back.:cool:

 

Let us know how it goes. I hope you (you're cruisers) like it. If so, it's good you did week 2 versus week 1.

 

 

Today ,

[Formula280SS]

So, after day one, what?

 

Well, a bit about early morning risers and the Top Sail. Normally, we are up real early and would head to the hot tubs to watch the sun rise (on other lines, ships). The ONE DECK hot tubs were not open until somewhere around 9 or so (not sure).

 

So, I am sometimes a 5-6 am'er, take my Surface Pro4, read the 60 quick links for news, sports, finance (trying to say away from politics, sick of it).

 

You get to go in the Top Sail at any time, and real early they have just the coffee* for you. That was great.

 

I'd do my thing and wait for my wife a bit later, and they would set up the Top Sail breakfast spread. I was big on the 6" herring rolled with sour pickles. My wife REAL BLACK BERRIES, "raspberries!" On other lines of late, hard to find for us. And a way to make her MIX (oats, etc. nuts, fruits, yogurt).

 

THE COFFEE

 

Now, at first, these little tiny cups of terror were a bit too much for us. After 3-days, they were JUST RIGHT. One, sometimes two.

 

(Since home, we still aren't used to our Dark Roast GMCR).

 

After a couple of days, when it was noticed I was one of the few in Top Sail so early, and "remembering what I would have," I was asked if I wanted the Herring and the Charred Salmon (before they set up the food venue). That was awesome; but I always deferred until my wife would arrive.

 

We're 'taster eaters. Divina was so different in the YC. Little bites, different tastes. Really nice.

 

We wish we had pictures of the 5-6 settings per day of the food venue (if anyone does, please post), but it was UNIQUE.

 

Although we missed sunrise in a hot tub, the Top Sail if 180 degree view and didn't miss ones that we wanted to see.

 

And that coffee, does anyone know what is was? It was freshly brewed by cup, and it was great.

 

The Top Sail allows you to decide if you want to sit privately on the sides, or sit in the middle fostering conversation with others. No matter how early.

 

And the internet was really good.

[happy cruzin]

Good info. Thanks for sharing!!

 

 

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[dexddd]

Loving your review! So excited now . We'll be in 16008 in July and you have made it sound wonderful. My DH speaks Italian and I speak some. Can't wait!

 

Keep it clean - we have that room a couple weeks after you.

[Trishaphil]

One thing I would do is walk around the ship while hubby rested. Window shop, explore different areas, take pictures, etc. If weather was bad, I'd walk through one of the regular cabin decks. Just to get my walking in for the day. You are free to go anywhere other passengers go:)

Hi Cruisegal1208

Thank you for the above. I'm only noticing your post now, normally I get an alert that I'm have replies to my questions. Can I ask you or indeed anyone in yc for the list of drinks available. I'm not a drinker as such and I know it was posted here before but cant for the life of me see where it is.

Thanks to all for all the help , its countdown nearly as I'm off 28th May p.g. I will let you all know how I get on on my return.:halo:

[Formula280SS]

Hi Cruisegal1208

Thank you for the above. I'm only noticing your post now, normally I get an alert that I'm have replies to my questions. Can I ask you or indeed anyone in yc for the list of drinks available. I'm not a drinker as such and I know it was posted here before but cant for the life of me see where it is.

Thanks to all for all the help , its countdown nearly as I'm off 28th May p.g. I will let you all know how I get on on my return.:halo:

 

I believe you will find the list in this thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2480911

 

:cocktail::tropical-drink::wine-glass::beer-mug::whiskey-glass:

[Trishaphil]

I believe you will find the list in this thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2480911

 

:cocktail::tropical-drink::wine-glass::beer-mug::whiskey-glass:

 

Thank you so much.:D

[ymmom9862]

Keep it clean - we have that room a couple weeks after you.

 

 

No problem. I'll try to remember to get lots of pictures to post

 

 

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