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Just off Divina Oct 3-Oct 10. Questions welcome

sheltielover256

By sheltielover256,
in MSC Cruises

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Fogfog

Fogfog

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Hey there

 

We are YCers as well...

 

Would love to hear about check-in

From tent to YC lounge in the terminal--how did that go? We expect procedures will be different from pre apocalypse.

 

Were there snacks and little plates in the lounge?

 

How did they handle the buffet on the pool deck?

 

We love MSC's YC and have B2B booked for 2022--- 

 

Who was on board? Bartender? Butlers? How was Ocean Cay YC meal and bev service?

 

Debarkation (the one weak spot for a YC experience) is it staggered times? How did that go? 

 

TY for any insight

 

 

 

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sheltielover256

sheltielover256

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Hi Fog,

 

Full disclosure, there were only 900 passengers (more crew than passengers) on our sailing, so it may (and probably will) vary for others.

 

 Check-in literally took 15 minutes.  We dropped our bags with a porter and walked to the small white YC tent near the terminal entrance. From there, we were escorted through the security and check-in.  There were coffee, juices, Pringles, and nuts available in the waiting area, but the wait was so short that we barely had time to grab a chocolate nut can before they escorted us to our room.       

 

     Both the YC buffet and main buffet were behind glass and had to be served for you, but it was fine.  I can see that it could be slow if there were crowds. Only about half the lines were open though, so maybe they will open more on crowded ships.  I liked most of the food on the buffets, with the pizza and french exceptionally good.  If you want a burger at lunch, order from YC pool deck- they cook to order and use better buns than the regular buffet.  We ate at the YC restaurant for all dinners, and about half the lunches. I liked most of what I tried, but food is subjective, so I won't wax on about it.           

     Meals and drinks at Ocean House were great.  I felt so Hemingway-like fancy!  The crew seemed super happy to be off the ship and outside. The YC beach is rocky (bring water shoes), so we left to play in the protected lagoon on the first day. Second day, we used the lighthouse beach, but went to Ocean House for lunch.                        There were plenty of bartenders and staff and they constantly asked if we wanted anything.  I think passenger to employee ratio was so low that they were a bit bored! Overall a great friendly interested and interesting crew.       

     

We walked off with our own luggage for debarkation, and it took ten minutes at most.  I think it was staggered by tag color for those who didn't carry their own 

 

We enjoyed the cruise, although the pre-cruise shenanigans from MSC was frustrating.  

 

HTH, Laura

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dexddd

dexddd

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7 hours ago, kidless said:

I noticed you said you dropped bags with Porter then went to YC tent. We are leaving on our first YC on Divina next Sunday. I was told to turn bags over at tent do not give to a porter. What time does YC start disembarking? 

We took Budget shuttle to port.  Empty but security made us go around covered area to mid section of drop off.  Not even out of van and two porters had luggage in hand.  Told porter we need to go to white tent twice.  They took bags there then asked who (porter) in charge then a guy popped in.  So make sure luggage goes to white tent.

 

Two young guys were shoreside and only wanted room number unlike Miami.  Then up escalator to scan then security for documents.  Then to check in again with full document check.  I can now fully relate to traveling in Europe in 1940, PAPERS!  The ladies at check-in were very nice though.

 

Both our Miami and PC from tent to Top Sail were about 50 minutes.  YMMV.

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sheltielover256

sheltielover256

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Hi Kidless,  I think you can drop bags at the YC tent.  However, it was behind the line of porters and I didn't see it at first. You might get your luggage more quickly if you drop at the tent, but no worries either way.

 

I honestly did not see any tea service outside of YC.  (In YC I did see traditional tea with the layered dish of treats and tea). However, there is a cool little cafe on the 6th or 7th deck that has snacks and coffee and cocoa and tea all day. We went there three times during the cruise and it was very nice-- just a great little spot. Just a warning, I thought the desserts looked far better than they tasted.  I understand that Americans like desserts sweeter than Europeans do, but they had several desserts with "lemon"  in the name that honestly did not taste as if they had any lemon juice or zest in them at all.

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pghflyer

pghflyer

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Did you buy their travel insurance or another and did they check it?

 

I have mainly done all the biggies (NCL, Princess, Carnival, RCL....all roughly the same IMO) but a little nervous about trying these guys but the prices are so good hard to resits.

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vllygrrl

vllygrrl

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15 hours ago, sheltielover256 said:

We just returned from our one week cruise on the Divina. We went in YC, which we got on a bid. We are not experienced cruisers, so feel free to ask if you want a "novice" opinion.  I'll check back here for the next few days.

We will be on Divina 10/31 and also got YC on a bid.  Do you mind telling me if you followed the embarkation time on your documents or showed up earlier (ours say 3pm and we don't want to miss lunch)?  No issues getting drinks outside of the YC?

 

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Fogfog

Fogfog

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5 hours ago, pghflyer said:

Did you buy their travel insurance or another and did they check it?

 

I have mainly done all the biggies (NCL, Princess, Carnival, RCL....all roughly the same IMO) but a little nervous about trying these guys but the prices are so good hard to resits.

MSC is a very different line-- nothing like the American leaning brands.

If you like a european style in dining, and enjoy hearing announcements in 6 or so languages then jump on in

If you want a more traditional american style cruise, menus and bar experience, then pass on MSC

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Fogfog

Fogfog

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4 hours ago, Denise&Paul STL said:

First time MSC cruiser.  Not YC, so would love any tips, advice (besides getting into YC), things to see and do, shows, everything and anything.  Thanks!

Hi there

OK- You can't "get in " YC IF you have not paid to be in YC

It is like Suites class on Celebrity-- you don't just walk into Luminae right? You don't walk into the suites bar and expect to be ale to stay

 

YC is clearly marked and has locked glass doors and locked deck gates that only YC wristbands will open

 

When someone who is not YC is caught (by other YC pax or butlers/staff) they are ceremoniously removed from YC.

Believe me--I am the first to report non YC pax to butlers/staff if someone sneaks in.

People may try to go in behind a YC pax at the doors-- but get removed.

You don't want to be "that" person. Same for reserved seating in the shows-- Butlers do remove people who "sneak" in. Its crazy they say they didn't know it was YC only when its written in English and they speak english.

YC costs $$$$ per week-- and really if you want YC, pay for it. 

Just saying

 

MSC is not like Royal or Celebrity

--which it appears you are most familiar with--

 

MSC has a distinctively european flair to menu items and it seems folks either love it or hate it.

The Pizza is excellent (according to Italians and those of us who have lived in Italy for any length of time)

Announcements are in Italian, German, Spanish, Portugese, English and French. 

We are english speakers first and have decent Italian from living in Italy and minimal french and spanish. We did fine speaking with other pax who were patient with us in their language as we were with theirs

 

Ships have a lot of entertainmment options like bowling, Formula One, basketball/sports court etc

 

Shows are a mixture of music, drama, interpretive etc... they are playing to an audience that may have a dozen languages represented. I read here

 where many complain about the shows. We liked them all. We also liked the opera/ballet show which was charming, as were the two Cirque chows. It IS a ship and those who drone on about Vegas--can have Vegas.

 

Gym and spa have great options. 

 

IDK what it will all look like post "apocalypse" - and can say on our B2B we just loved MSC.

 

We are very high pts/loyalty members of Celebrity and prefer to sail them in Aqua class if that helps. We like Regent for itineraries that require a small ship access. We We have sailed NCL and found that with the prem bev package and specialty restaurants we managed just fine.

 

Lets face it-- cruising is great and there are many lines to meet the many tastes.

Just don't into MSC expecting RCCL--- folks who are big RCCL fans and sail them often are disappointed with MSC not being RCCL

 

Happy sailing

 

 

 

Edited by Fogfog
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MonsterJoe

MonsterJoe

Posted
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8 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Hi there

OK- You can't "get in " YC IF you have not paid to be in YC

It is like Suites class on Celebrity-- you don't just walk into Luminae right? You don't walk into the suites bar and expect to be ale to stay

 

YC is clearly marked and has locked glass doors and locked deck gates that only YC wristbands will open

 

When someone who is not YC is caught (by other YC pax or butlers/staff) they are ceremoniously removed from YC.

Believe me--I am the first to report non YC pax to butlers/staff if someone sneaks in.

People may try to go in behind a YC pax at the doors-- but get removed.

You don't want to be "that" person. Same for reserved seating in the shows-- Butlers do remove people who "sneak" in. Its crazy they say they didn't know it was YC only when its written in English and they speak english.

YC costs $$$$ per week-- and really if you want YC, pay for it. 

Just saying

 

MSC is not like Royal or Celebrity

--which it appears you are most familiar with--

 

MSC has a distinctively european flair to menu items and it seems folks either love it or hate it.

The Pizza is excellent (according to Italians and those of us who have lived in Italy for any length of time)

Announcements are in Italian, German, Spanish, Portugese, English and French. 

We are english speakers first and have decent Italian from living in Italy and minimal french and spanish. We did fine speaking with other pax who were patient with us in their language as we were with theirs

 

Ships have a lot of entertainmment options like bowling, Formula One, basketball/sports court etc

 

Shows are a mixture of music, drama, interpretive etc... they are playing to an audience that may have a dozen languages represented. I read here

 where many complain about the shows. We liked them all. We also liked the opera/ballet show which was charming, as were the two Cirque chows. It IS a ship and those who drone on about Vegas--can have Vegas.

 

Gym and spa have great options. 

 

IDK what it will all look like post "apocalypse" - and can say on our B2B we just loved MSC.

 

We are very high pts/loyalty members of Celebrity and prefer to sail them in Aqua class if that helps. We like Regent for itineraries that require a small ship access. We We have sailed NCL and found that with the prem bev package and specialty restaurants we managed just fine.

 

Lets face it-- cruising is great and there are many lines to meet the many tastes.

Just don't into MSC expecting RCCL--- folks who are big RCCL fans and sail them often are disappointed with MSC not being RCCL

 

Happy sailing

 

 

 



When I was there on the 9/25, the YC door on 15 was broke, so it would stay open.  I spent a lot of time manually closing it all week.  Pay to play!

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rkacruiser

rkacruiser

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9 hours ago, sheltielover256 said:

I think you can drop bags at the YC tent.  However, it was behind the line of porters and I didn't see it at first

 

This was a minor issue when I embarked Meraviglia at Miami.  Saw the tent; couldn't get to the tent to drop the luggage.  My YC destined luggage got mixed in with other guests and my Butler had to retrieve it in late afternoon on sailing day.  

 

9 hours ago, sheltielover256 said:

Just a warning, I thought the desserts looked far better than they tasted.  

 

First experienced the difference in desserts prepared by Italian Pastry Chefs on Princess as compared to North American Pastry Chefs.  If the dessert had a crust, a knife was often needed to cut it.  And, the dessert lacked the expected sweetness.  That was not my experience on Meraviglia, however.  Whatever dessert I ordered tasted as I expected and was very good.  MSC North America is slowly evolving to meet the expectations/tastes of their North American guests, in my opinion.  

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syr fan

syr fan

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Just off the last sailing, announcements are now only in English. First passenger I saw from our balcony on their way off the ship was at 715. We enjoyed the food in the MDR, though I'm not a fan of most cruise ship desserts. To me, MSC is very similar to the rest of the lines except for the entertainment. 

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dexddd

dexddd

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20 hours ago, vllygrrl said:

We will be on Divina 10/31 and also got YC on a bid.  Do you mind telling me if you followed the embarkation time on your documents or showed up earlier (ours say 3pm and we don't want to miss lunch)?  No issues getting drinks outside of the YC?

 

We got there a bit early and no problem.  Not sure how long that sailing is hut I just posted Dailies for the four day trip.  No problems for drinks outside YC other than some not in stock items.

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sheltielover256

sheltielover256

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Hi-

 

Let's see.  I booked in a small window when COVID insurance was offered free of charge by MSC, and I didn't buy regular travel insurance, so I can't answer any questions on that issue.

 

Since my embarkation time was listed as 11:30 and I got there around 11:15 or so (we live in Orlando and our daughter dropped us off), I can't say how strict MSC is about embarkation times.  I know that they changed my required embarkation time no less than five times in the month prior to the cruise.  I suppose they were trying to keep the lines down for social distancing, but it would definitely have been difficult if I had a flight schedule or long drive to contend with.

 

I found the shows kind of strange-- partly because of the sparse audience, which sucked out some of the energy.  Not bad and definitely still entertaining, but just weird.  No comedians or magicians, but the performers were talented.  I also thought the singers and musicians in the lounges (who moved between the venues) were really good.  I would recommend sitting and listening to them!

 

As far as bidding for an upgrade, we received an email a couple of months prior to the cruise with an opportunity to "bid" for various upgrades.  We had booked a fantastica balcony cabin and I think our minimum upgrade bid for YC was around $700 pp, which was on the lower side of average for a week from what I've seen.  (This is discussed quite a bit in the forum).  My guess is there might be a variation in minimums based on where you start (and on how crowded the ship is), but I certainly don't know that for sure.  I'm not sure if YC was full or not.  It was NOT crowded at all-- as I said, I think some of the workers were actually kind of bored.

 

I had no problem getting drinks anywhere on the ship-- I would just show my card or give my room number.  Only once did an employee seem confused by the concept of YC-- in the regular buffet at breakfast an attendant said that she would have to charge me for a diet coke (presumably because I didn't have a "drink package") so I told her not to worry about it (I didn't really need it), but she came back a couple of minutes later with TWO diet cokes and an apology.  Her willingness to immediately follow up, even when I was ready to dismiss it without fuss, was indicative of the employees on this ship.

 

Before this, I had not been on a cruise for 11 years (and only with young children during school holidays), so I am not the best person to do a comparison to other lines-- especially when traveling as a couple.  However, we had a wonderful time, and would not hesitate to go on another cruise with MSC except for their pre-cruise customer service, which is definitely extremely awful.  

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Morgsmom Great Review Rare

Morgsmom

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8 minutes ago, Florida.Dave said:

I will be going on Divina on 10/17 and it looks like Divina doesn't qualify as a smart ship and the MSC for ME App will not work.

 

Do they have a printed Daily Planner?

How do you schedule shows, etc.? 

The Divina is NOT a smart ship.  As such you will get a printed planner each night for the next day.  You do not need to schedule shows; you just show up.  There will likely be only about 1000 pax on the sailing as that's what they've been running so there will be no issues with "getting a seat" in the theater.  

Have fun!

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waterbabyfish

waterbabyfish

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2 hours ago, Florida.Dave said:

I will be going on Divina on 10/17 and it looks like Divina doesn't qualify as a smart ship and the MSC for ME App will not work.

 

Do they have a printed Daily Planner?

How do you schedule shows, etc.? 

They give you printed planners and no need to book shows

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