REVIEW: 7 day MSC Divina RT from Port Canaveral June 26-July 3, 2022

[missync]

Day 6 - Cozumel 

 

We went to Mr. Sanchos today.  I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a relaxing day and want the options of "stuff" to do.  It was about $60 per person (adults) but it's all day and all inclusive.  Sadly I did not take any pictures of the food which is weird because that seems to be all I take pictures of but I will mention a few items...

1 - coconut shrimp.  very tasty.  good breading, nice and crispy and slightly sweet but not too much.  we ordered our weights in these lol

2 - guacamole and chips - excellent guac.  could use more salt but good

3 - ice cream - flavor changes but we had coconut and it was AMAZING!  very light and fresh

4 - shrimp quesadilla - decent but not as good as the coconut shrimp

5 - ALLLLLLLL of the daquiris.  oddly my family doesn't drink but the virgin versions were delicious.  

6 - ceviche - good but probably wouldn't get again. 

7 - french fries - they had a "spicy" version.  it wasn't spicy but it was good.  

They also had a buffet but we just had our waiter bring us stuff.  

 

There are snorkeling excursions, massages, hair braiding, parasailing, floating bouncing things, and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting that were an extra charge.  However, chairs and umbrellas were free!

 

We didn't partake in most of that but I did get a massage.  Open area with people walking by (see picture) but it was quiet, and they were careful about privacy.  I only did 30 minutes ($50 not including tip) because it was a little pricey but it was a solid massage and very relaxing. 

 

Mr. Sanchos also has a pool with a swim up bar which was extremely warm but really relaxing.  They have actual bathrooms and showers too if you want.  

Overall I highly suggest trying the place.  It was my first time there and I would go back.  

 

[missync]

Dinner Day 6

arancini - very good!  needed a little more flavor but overall good.  nice and gooey inside but crunchy outside

ceasar salad - disappointing.  kind of soggy and not much cheese

fish skewer - fish was dry and flavorless.  not good

lasagna - decent.  needed more flavor but solid overall

 

limoncello cake - loved it.  very light and moist.  lovely flavor.  

tiramisu - good.  very light.  not too heavy of a coffee flavor and the cream was delicious and sweet but not too sweet.

wild berry cobbler - AMAZING!!  the top was super crunchy and buttery.  ice cream added a nice coolness to it.  berries were tart but not overly so.  definite must order

[missync]

Day 6 continued...

 

same as always...show, karaoke, then pizza snack and bed.

 

MSC definitely needs to vary the evenings more.  that's one of my biggest complaints.  

[missync]

Day 7 - sea day

 

had another nice breakfast at the buffet before heading to the pool.  pool was pretty empty this day which was AWESOME!!  I was definitely spoiled by how empty the ship was.

 

we had lunch in the MDR again.  

conch fritters - very good.  nice and crispy 

mahi mahi - good.  both fish and veggies were well cooked.  needed more flavor but overall tasty

lime cake - good.  light and fluffy.  kind of tasted like lime jello inside but it was different and i really enjoyed it.  

 

 

[missync]

Day 7 continued 

 

DINNER!!!

 

shrimp tails - good but it was basically just a salad with shrimp on it. 

fish soup - good.  not too fishy but also wasn't much too it or much flavor

shrimp and grits.  shrimp was great but not much of it.  grits were nice and creamy

key lime pie - not a traditional key lime pie but it had a good flavor and wasn't too sweet.  wish it had been a little more tart though.

rum cake - very good!  not too rummy (if that's a word) which I appreciated as a non-drinker.  very moist and delicious.  

arroz con leche - rice pudding.  very good.  light and creamy.  not too sweet.  

 

after dinner was the same...show, music (not karaoke tonight), and a snake at the cafe on deck 7.

 

[missync]

Final thoughts on the cruise:

 

• I had a great time.  Not sure I will go back on MSC (keep reading to find out why) but I'm not saying never either.  I think cruises are always what you make of it. 
• food was solid but lacked flavor across the board.  honestly maybe just some salt would have helped but very few things I had were very flavorful EXCEPT the desserts.  They were great!! hats off to the pastry chef!
• empty ship was amazing.  I'm spoiled now.  
• ports were ok.  not a fan of Costa Maya and not looking to go back but that doesn't mean other people feel the same way
• mr sancho's is absolutely worth the money.  I really enjoyed Chankanaab when we were there years ago as well though. 
• TRY THE FOOD.  even though I said a lot of it lacked flavor...try it anyways.  we ordered multiple options at every meal just because we could and wanted to try things.  I don't think the waiters were judging me and if they were...who cares!!  This applies to all cruise lines and I've tried several.  and I've ordered multiple things on each line. 
• MSC needs to step up their entertainment game.  the evening schedules were basically identical.  it got a little boring honestly.  
• the Cafe on 7 that had free snacks was AMAZING!!!   wish I had known about that sooner.  
• late night pizza and snacks at the buffet were also great!

 

Overall we had a great time and can't wait to cruise again!!!  (Currently looking at a Mediterranean cruise for June 23 😁)

[KKB]

Thanks for sharing.

Trying Divina in Feb--1st MSC cruise ever after Celebrity, Princess, RCCL, NCL, DCL (& 1st Carnival in Jan). Free casino offer (via 3rd party).

I have heard that their food can lack flavor. Glad I looked at your favs--seems there is always something good to eat. Perhaps I could LOSE weight on this cruise!

The evening activities do seem a bit repetative...hoping that is a CD issue, but who knows.

Will have numerous books loaded on my iPad JUST in case!

 

[WoodyWindy]

I was on Divina in December, and will be trying Meraviglia in January. My impression was that Divina is probably more laid back than some of the larger boats. For example, they don't have the acrobatics show. I have to agree about the voice/music balance, though.

I would suggest trying the specialty/premium restaurants.

[missync]

On 11/9/2022 at 11:36 AM, KKB said:

Thanks for sharing.

Trying Divina in Feb--1st MSC cruise ever after Celebrity, Princess, RCCL, NCL, DCL (& 1st Carnival in Jan). Free casino offer (via 3rd party).

I have heard that their food can lack flavor. Glad I looked at your favs--seems there is always something good to eat. Perhaps I could LOSE weight on this cruise!

The evening activities do seem a bit repetative...hoping that is a CD issue, but who knows.

Will have numerous books loaded on my iPad JUST in case!

 

I clearly didn't go hungry but there were definitely good things to eat.  It was just a little disappointing flavor wise which was a surprise because I had had that issue in other cruise lines other than a one off dish or something.

and yes the nights were repetitive.  I still had a great time though!!

[missync]

On 11/9/2022 at 5:24 PM, WoodyWindy said:

I was on Divina in December, and will be trying Meraviglia in January. My impression was that Divina is probably more laid back than some of the larger boats. For example, they don't have the acrobatics show. I have to agree about the voice/music balance, though.

I would suggest trying the specialty/premium restaurants.

I thought about trying them but I usually really enjoy the MDR and so I kept hoping it would get better.  But thanks for the suggestion.  If I do MSC again, I might do just that. 

[Ryan82]

The best and most detailed review ever. Almost felt that we were there with you.

 

Carribean cruise is definitely on the list and I'd love to sail on the divinia.

[missync]

On 11/16/2022 at 9:26 AM, Ryan82 said:

The best and most detailed review ever. Almost felt that we were there with you.

 

Carribean cruise is definitely on the list and I'd love to sail on the divinia.

Oh my goodness thank you!!!!  I feel like I'm just rambling most of the time 🤣