MSC Divina 18 Day Live Cruise Blog 11/14-12/2

[Motegi]

1 hour ago, PRH said:

We see you....

LOL!  Next time say hi!  We won’t bite. 

[Motegi]

Day 6 -  Cozumel and Italian Night

 

[Motegi]

Day 6 - Cozumel and Italian Night

 

Despite concerns earlier in the week, the weather today in Cozumel was very nice.  
 

Divina docked at the International Cruise Terminal today which is about 3 miles from Cozumel.  The International Terminal has a bunch of typical tourist souvenir shops and there is a mostly empty mall, Royal Village, across the street.  Pam and I decided to take a. $6/person taxi ride into town for the day.  

 

Just outside the terminal there are a bunch of salespeople selling “tours” around the island for anywhere between $35-40 USD per person.  I’m certain you can bargain down even more if interested.
 

Apparently Cozumel is hosting the Ironman Triathlon this weekend so there were many atheletes preparing for the competition.  Also in town were Carnival Glory, NCL Breakway, and a Viking cruises shop that looked like a toy boat next to NCL. 
 

I didn’t realize that the right side of the roadway includes two opposing bicycle lanes.   I nearly got hit by bicyclists traveling in opposite directions there while in the crosswalk. Keep your eyes open. 
 

[Motegi]

Day 6 - Cozumel and Italian Night

 

Our taxi driver, who also tried to sell us a tour by holding up a brochure and pointing at landmarks while driving, gave us a couple of recommendations for places to eat.   La Mission and Casa Denis were his favorites.  
 

After wandering around the shops surrounding Benito Juarez Park we made our way to La Mission for lunch.   Don’t be deterred by it’s street view,  it is quite expansive inside with a lively atmosphere.  They had live music with a duo playing the mariba and a large tequila tasting experience in the back. Free WiFi was also available.   We ordered two refreshing margaritas and perused the menu while snacking on a complimentary basket of tortilla chips with pico de gallo and a small plate of guacamole.   The fish ceviche appetizer was fantastic (*****) and a great deal at just $7.   

The lunch special tacos (*****) were also a great value for $9 and included salsa, more guacamole, and refried beans.  The lunch specials included three fish tacos or four steak tacos.

 

 

Edited November 20, 2021 by Motegi

[Tesanrick]

I so appreciate your blog.  We'll be going on the Divina in Jan...first time on MSC. I'm enjoying your posts very much.  I just noticed today that the Divina changed colors on the CDC watch list, from green (no cases ) to yellow (cases above minimum threshold and CDC launching an investigation).  Have you heard about any cases onboard or are they changing any protocols?  It's discouraging that with so few passengers and everyone vaccinated and tested that cases would appear.

[Motegi]

Day 6 - Cozumel and Italian Night

 

One thing I noticed right away was that many of the same tourist souvenirs that were being sold at Costa Maya were also being sold at Cozumel.   However the prices in Cozumel (especially at the Flea Market and shopping areas around Benito Juarez Park were much, much cheaper.  And we were easily able to bargain down even lower.  
 

Even the prices at the Duty Free shop at the Cozumel cruise terminal were better than Costa Maya.   For example bottles of 1903 Mezcal were $38 each in Costa Maya and were on sale in Cozumel at two for $38.  
 

That being said the jewelry store prices for Swiss watches was not very good even with their “special discounts”.   We checked out Diamonds International and luxury boutique, Pama.  

 

There was a watercolor artist, Ms Ruiz, selling her original paintings of scenes from around Mexico that caught Pam’s eye.  We also found a local handmade glazed ceramic serving plate that we’d never seen before. 

[Motegi]

24 minutes ago, Tesanrick said:

I so appreciate your blog.  We'll be going on the Divina in Jan...first time on MSC. I'm enjoying your posts very much.  I just noticed today that the Divina changed colors on the CDC watch list, from green (no cases ) to yellow (cases above minimum threshold and CDC launching an investigation).  Have you heard about any cases onboard or are they changing any protocols?  It's discouraging that with so few passengers and everyone vaccinated and tested that cases would appear.

 
I have not heard of any cases onboard.  We’ve been chatting with quite a few passengers as well as crew members and haven’t heard of any COVID cases.   Social distancing is pretty much a given because there are so few passengers on board.  
 

In addition to all of us (besides the handful of small children onboard) being fully vaccinated, everyone is wearing masks indoors and everyone is getting daily temperature checks.  

With the protocols onboard I feel much safer on Divina than just going to the supermarket or Costco back at home. 

Edited November 20, 2021 by Motegi

[Motegi]

Day 6 - Italian Night dinner at Le Muse

 

 

Our Selections and ratings from * to *****
Buffalo Caprese *****
Clam and Mussel pot ****
Filet with Porcini mushrooms ****
Mediterranean mixed seafood grill *****

[shipgeeks]

On 11/18/2021 at 8:28 PM, jamesboat said:

Am I reading the daily planner wrong, or is there no food past 9pm?

Things might be different right now, with the ships carrying very few passengers, but when we were on Seaside, the buffet was open, and very well attended, late into the night.  Lots of free food options.  At that time, late seating dinner was around 9:45!

[rkacruiser]

9 hours ago, Motegi said:

Buffalo Caprese *****
Clam and Mussel pot ****
Filet with Porcini mushrooms ****
Mediterranean mixed seafood grill *****

 

Those items really look delicious!  

[Motegi]

Day 6 Theatre Show - Cruise Staff Variety Show

 

This evening the cruise entertainment staff, rather than the MSC production show singers and dancers, put on a talent show.   Many of the acts were funny and many of the routines were very well rehearsed and quite good.

 

My fellow passengers were impressed and gave a standing ovation at the end.

 

[Motegi]

Day 6 - Late night room service pizza.   Pepperoni with extra pepperoni.   Arrived quickly and piping hot. Rating: *****
 

Edited November 21, 2021 by Motegi

[Motegi]

Day 7 - Medical Emergency at Sea

 

The Captain made an announcement that one of our fellow passengers was requiring an emergency medical evacuation and that we were being redirected to Key West, Florida.

 

The Coast Guard met up with the ship for a transfer at sea.  
 

We hope that this passenger receives the care that they need and makes a speedy recovery. 

[Motegi]

Day 7 - As we were approaching Key West we were greeted by a pod of dolphins that was very excited to see us.  

 

[Motegi]

Day 7 - Sea Day

(Diseegard prior program posted in error)

[Motegi]

Day 7 - LOBSTER NIGHT dinner at LeMuse

Our selections and ratings * to *****
Caesar salad with anchovies *****
Shrimp cocktail with bacon ***
Lobster Tail *****
Roasted Loin of Veal ***
Potato gnocci ***
Coconut Tapioca ****

 

 

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, Motegi said:

Day 7 - LOBSTER NIGHT dinner at LeMuse

 

What a wonder menu!  Everything on the menu would be one that I would enjoy..  Your selections looked delicious.  

 

The Shrimp Cocktail was a different version of it with the addition of bacon.  I would have had a difficult time trying to decide between it and the Foie Gras and the Asaigo Cheese Fritters.  

[magnus1977]

When eating at the specialty restaurants, can you have as many dishes you want? Or is it just one starter, one main and so on.

[mcoler181]

Hi Motegi,

 

Looks like you are having a great time, we are on Divina next April (First time on MSC)

 

What is the current situation in regards to getting off the ship in port. I was under the impression you could only disembark if you were on a MSC excursion but from your pictures it looks as if you are free to do as you please?

[jimbri]

Great pictures.

[PRH]

2 hours ago, mcoler181 said:

Hi Motegi,

 

Looks like you are having a great time, we are on Divina next April (First time on MSC)

 

What is the current situation in regards to getting off the ship in port. I was under the impression you could only disembark if you were on a MSC excursion but from your pictures it looks as if you are free to do as you please?

If you are fully vaccinated,  no problem getting off in Caribbean ports allowing ships in.  Different in Europe. 

[styles27]

8 hours ago, magnus1977 said:

When eating at the specialty restaurants, can you have as many dishes you want? Or is it just one starter, one main and so on.

Not for free. We dined at Butchers Cut this past Tuesday on Divina. 
The food was good but the $59 pp ($37 if purchased pre cruise) is the bottom tier dining experience there. 
You choose 1 starter, 1 protein and 1 dessert. They also allow you to choose 1 side likes potato or veggie. 
They have an a la carte section that you can trade off a choice and pay 50% of the posted price. For example they had lobster bisque for $18 ($9 if you swapped it out for your included starter) or you can pay full price if you want to add it to the original included items. 
There was only 1 steak choice (8oz filet) then a chicken, lamb and one other I can’t remember 

This was the only area of the ship we weren’t thrilled with. We felt like it was a pretty skimpy dining experience compared to the specialty restaurants on other lines we’ve dined in. 
 

 

[Motegi]

Day 8 - Return to Port Canaveral

 

Today we returned to Port Canaveral to disembark half of the passengers and pick up quite a few more.  

The seas were very rough overnight with a large amount of swaying in our cabin.  This was perhaps the most we’ve felt on any cruise.   

 

The word on the street is that we have between 1000-1200 passengers on this sailing, which is almost double last week’s total.

 

Those of us staying on board were directed to the theatre to undergo COVID testing and to temporarily disembark the ship so that customs could confirm a “zero count”.   Everyone was tested and told to be seated in the right side of the theater until all results were confirmed.  Then we were divided into three groups and escorted off the ship for a few minutes and walked back on.  The entire process began at 07:30 and lasted just over 2 hours.

Edited November 22, 2021 by Motegi

[Motegi]

Day 8 - Port Canaveral

 

Those already onboard (back to back cruisers) were allowed to leave the ship for the day after the onboard COVID test.  
 

Initially Pam and I had planned to go to the post office to mail some of the items we had purchased over the last week.   
 

However the cost of Uber and Lyft for a 5 minute drive to the nearest post office was anywhere between $19 to $26 one way!  At first we thought this was due to “peak” pricing due to a surge in demand when all of the ships were disembarking but we continued to check throughout the day and the pricing remained in that range so we decided to just stay onboard. 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Motegi

[Motegi]

Day 8 - Port Canaveral