My (very) long review of MSC Divina, plus YC, 1/17-1/28

[cruiser82]

Thank you for your review. We're not cruising on the Divina until March 2021 but it's never to early to start reading reviews!

[CruisinCrow]

16 hours ago, Kmkub said:

I imagine we will try the YC Seaside at some point. I keep reading how "any reasonable request will be honored," but that just wasn't our experience. Like the food we had on RC, I think it was an anomaly.

 

For example - I asked our butler what he could do for us to help us celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. He just handed me the room service book and said, "pick something out."  I had seen pictures of one couple's stateroom and their butler had decorated it to the nines. I had hoped he could do a little something for us.

 

I don't think any of our (very few) requests were unreasonable. "Let me take that drink from you so my husband doesn't have to hide in the closet naked." Nope - can't do it; they have to bring it in for me.

 

 

 

Sounds like you got a raw deal with your butler. ☹️

[Kmkub]

20 minutes ago, CruisinCrow said:

 

Sounds like you got a raw deal with your butler. ☹️

The anniversary thing was a head-scratcher. I was sure he would do something. On our 5th, on Princess, our regular-ole-balcony cabin steward spread out (fake) rose petals on the bed, created a towel animal and put a happy anniversary cake on our table.

 

I didn't feel like it was an unreasonable request in the YC.

 

It's a small thing, though. We were not willing to complain. Too much drama, and we also felt that they'd go over the top fussing over us to compensate if we did. We don't like being fussed over, at all.

 

The absolute best part of the YC was not having to wait in the CS line, and the Topsail lounge. Like I said, we had a fantastic cruise. I think we just had our expectations set too high.

[mightywabbit]

On 2/2/2020 at 1:22 AM, Bossa Nova said:

Apparently we were on the same cruise, but in parallel universes. This was my fourth Divina YC cruise since 2016, and it was the best yet. Our group split across three cabins was escorted from the terminal by our at-sea butler, Jacques. He immediately made it clear that he would be our best butler ever. And boy did he deliver. The concierge staff members were also excellent as you mentioned. I had my usual flower arrangement picked up ashore by the concierge, and all my other arrangements made. Dining in Le Muse was better than ever. The menu changes every day, which I find amazing. Here is an example of a lunch I had: starters of escargot, octopus carpaccio, ox tail consume, and blue cheese soufflé, with Angus filet entree. The people that complain about food in Le Muse are generally people that order dishes they are used to and find they don't compare to the versions at their favorite restaurants at home. If you are "food adventurous", then you will be absolutely delighted by Le Muse, lunch and dinner, every day. The staff in Top Sail and Le Muse learned my peculiar wishes by the second day and delighted in bringing them. Regarding the muster drill, the YC director (from Scotland) looked across the room and noted that I had inadvertently brought the child life preserver instead of the adult version. He immediately sent a crew member to correct the situation. From laundry to excursions to special requests, everything was done as we requested. I am truly baffled that you were with us in YC and had such a different experience.

Hi there......we were on Divina in October in the med, will be on the 28th of February again.... our initial butler was Jeannot, asked after the first day though to change after some problems and got Franco who was marvelous... Jacques was the butler of some friends and they also were more than happy with him... if u are not happy, ASK to change, its your holiday and u should always enjoy it... the YC director just came onboard 2 days before debarking But he appeared fun and at the same time professional and competent.... 

 

the crew was the major argument for booking again on Divina, since we knew that 80% would still be on board in February...

 

that’s why I can’t understand why many here are complaining about service... in the “general population” we did meet some not as perfect stewards and barmen BUT after talking and shortly explaining exactly what we wished we received good to perfect service...

 

21 days left......even harder to be patient than before we had experienced YC....