TR: Divina Solo 2/12-24 First time MSC cruiser thoughts

[KKB]

Having done some laundry & collected my thoughts I will give my thoughts.

I have cruised 25 times in 20 years, most of those in the last 18 mos. 

Have cruised Celebrity, Princess, Carnival, RCCL, NCL & DCL prior.

 

I did not LOVE this cruise. I have loved every cruise I have ever taken except Mariner in 2010.

I don't know that I would have the love affair that I have with cruising had this been my 1st one.

I did have a good time.

 

This was a 5 day plus a 7 day.

I had gotten the 7 day comped via URComped then saw the 5 day was only $425 plus $200 OBC. 

Both were balconies.

 

The week before departure, I invited DS27 to join me for the 2nd leg since his job search was still going (re: still unemployed) & all we had to pay was taxes & fees.

UNFORTUNATELY a freak snowstorm with perfect timing stranded him at home.

 

 

 

[KKB]

Food

I only at in the MDR 2x during the 2nd cruise.

I had heard horror stories of 2-2 1/2 hour meals & just wasn't in the mood.

And the buffet food was TERRIFIC! 

REAL scrambled eggs, not powdered.

Fresh sauteed veggies, not frozen.

2 kinds of fish each lunch & dinner--and better prepared than in the MDR.

Solid burgers.

The BEST pizza at sea--maybe the best I've had anywhere. 

Always had Margerita & Pepperoni plus 2 or 3 different kinds daily.

 

But with really only the MDR & buffet to eat at, it could get VERY busy.

I learned when to go to avoid crowds...and to go to the very back for seating, less busy area.

One reason for the crowds is that the burger & pizza places (both open late) are incorporated at the front of the buffet area as opposed to out on the pool deck like most other lines.

 

[KKB]

Entertainment

Triva--fun but a bit hard 

Name that Tune--my fav; won it twice by myself. 

  You hear & song & need to put the title down. Great for genres, less so for specific aritists.

    (Michael Buble??)

Music Bingo--apparently we were the guinea pigs for this & it was a big hit. 

 

The only NOT fun thing was people who were sailing Divina B2B2B2B (I don't know how many) & would keep their answers to trivia then come back & use their old sheets. I went to ones that I knew I had been to but I didn't remember all the answers.

I mean Name that tune duets--it was pretty contemporary (Shakira/Rhianna, Pitbull/Neyo, JB & Nicky MInaj--u get the idea). This couple is in their mid-late 60s. I would be VERY surprised they would know ALL these songs on their own (I'm a music junky...can usually tell who is singing, but titles not always). So it was obvious what they were doing.

Cripes I won Name That Tune Twice (80s is my jam) & Music Bingo once (luck)--and I pretty much got all the prizes offered (except the ship statue...I'm ok with that, it was HUGE). Seriously, how many freaking MSC shirts & bags do u need? 

Bizarre

 

Activities staff was a lot of fun. Saw some games by the pool deck ("game shows" on other lines)

But the ONLY time I saw the CD was to introduce production shows. NOWHERE else. 

I find CDs who are actively involved in activities makes for a better cruise. 

Remember that Mariner cruise we didn't love? Pompous CD

 

Musicians around the ship--gosh, go see them all. Most were super talented. 

 

OK lets talk shows....🤯

I saw ABBA, Autumn in Paris, Rock Show & the magician/comedian.

Rock Show was pretty good overall.

Vocalists were VERY good.

But the other 2 production shows had the WEIRDEST costumes I've every seen.

During the opening ABBA songs, vocalists in lovely evening gowns...dancers in costumes that can only be described as, well...Samurai costumes. I'm not kidding. 

Then they changed to waitress costumes.

It felt like they just walked into the costume room & said "use these" with no regard for whether it fit the act or not.

And the choreography was a joke. 

My daughter has danced since she was 3, was on a high school dance team that won Nationals & now works for a dance studio.

This choreography was so simplistic--they should hire my daughter.

 

The magician/comedian was pretty old school & relatively enjoying.

BUT I was sitting near the back & people in the row behind me KEPT TALKING.

Now, the guy was pretty soft spoken even with a microphone.

And too much loud music in the 80s--well, my hearing is not dynamite.

BUT ITS FREAKING RUDE TO TALK DURING A PERFORMANCE IN ANY CULTURE.

It's rude to walk in late too, but that seems to be a norm on ships these days & it's a momentary distraction.

Nope.

These people were having CONVERSATIONS.

I finally left the show early as it was an exercise in extreme frustration.

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by KKB

[KKB]

Drinks.

So I had the drink package.

Day 2 9PM I go to the wine/pizza bar--BEST bar (never busy), BEST bartender & servers.

BUT I asked for Sauvignon Blanc (couldn't seem to get it anywhere else)--nope, out.

OK Pinot Grigio--nope, out.

OK Tito's & Soda--NOPE, OUT.

WHAT?? How is ANY bar EVERY out of CLUB SODA??!!

Fine, Ketel & 7UP.

 

Soon thereafter an officer shows up--beverage manager perhaps.

Arta (my fav bartender) says NOTHING has been restocked & he is out of so much.

Officer says, OK I will make sure u r stocked u tomorrow at 9AM.

Um, WHAT?

NO--YOU ARE THE MANAGER--either GET someone to stock or DO IT YOURSELF. NOW.

 

So I show up the next day at 5PM for Matua (SBlanc) & Arta pauses, then says he would be right back.

It had STILL. not been stocked. 

He went down & got it himself.

 

Now, AFTER THAT, I never had an issue getting what I wanted.

Arta & servers Jan & Angie were some of the best at see.

Even the pizza guy recognized me & greeted me each day.

 

Gemar at La Luna was a hoot too.

TV satellite went out RIGHT before the Super Bowl (BAD BAD BAD).

Luckily we were just in the Bahamas & internet was quite good & people could watch on their phones.

I was watching at La Luna bar with another couple & Gemar kept dropping various shots to us. 

Smart guy!

 

[KKB]

Ports

Nassau--stayed on, been many times

Costa Maya--I wasn't feeling great so chilled in the room

Belize--cute port area, spent time at Wet Lizard bar

(long tender tho; and some people were so bad about staying seated until tender had STOPPED at the boat--even ignoring instructions to SIT BACK DOWN. Seriously, that's a safety issue)

Roatan--been, so stayed on

Private island--WOW. THIS is a gem. Nicest one I've been to. HIGHLY recommend.

[KKB]

Casino

Was told they have a poker table--they do not.

Had a blast at Blackjack one night...tripled my $. Had a fun table. Closed it down.

Mostly played video poker. Maybe an hour/day. Did VERY VERY VERY well.

I hit 2 Royal Flushes, and numerous 4 of a kinds. 

My winnings were as good as my best week in Vegas, so NO complaints.

Wasn't crazy about all that cash coming home...I mean I WAS, but I did go straight to the bank yesterday!

[JT1962]

4 minutes ago, KKB said:

Casino

Was told they have a poker table--they do not.

Had a blast at Blackjack one night...tripled my $. Had a fun table. Closed it down.

Mostly played video poker. Maybe an hour/day. Did VERY VERY VERY well.

I hit 2 Royal Flushes, and numerous 4 of a kinds. 

My winnings were as good as my best week in Vegas, so NO complaints.

Wasn't crazy about all that cash coming home...I mean I WAS, but I did go straight to the bank yesterday!

Glad you did well. What specific game did you play on video poker (Deuces Wild, etc)? I only found 6 machines, all together. Did you find others?

 

Thanks.

[KKB]

Final thoughts:

Oh, forgot to mention: best buffet coffee at sea. Actually BETTER than the coffee shop. 

(a reversal of ALL other ships I've sailed..usually that buffet coffee is motor oil)

 

MSC price point is INCREDIBLE

I met many nice people.

I will try them again but it was odd that there were days where nothing appealed to me. That NEVER happens. I just sat on the balcony & read & that was nice.

I was bummed my son couldn't join me--I was ready for company. 

I think w/ DH it would be more fun.

 

Things that WEREN'T so good (besides what I mentioned above):

I wish the buffet had an omelet/egg station.

Apparently these were training cruises. OK, that gives me perspective--perhaps why such a good price point as well.

Once I went into the ladies restroom & a MALE cleaning person was in there--um, ok...??!!

Once I went into restroom near bars...3 stalls...NO TP ANYWHERE. You don't want paper towels in the toilets...well, this is how you will get that...

NOT enough loungers...there was plenty of space on upper decks for more, but there weren't any.

 

Experienced worst chair hog experience I've seen. Got to pool 10AM port day. Got a nice seat by the pool. Chairs beside me had towels & shirt. I grabbed lunch at buffet but otherwise there until 2PM--THEY HAD NEVER SHOWED UP. Speechless that people are that selfish.

 

Definitely encountered a larger collection of "issues" than any other cruise.

But I realize things can be situational & I try not to judge a brand based on 1 experience.

(and a number of those issues had some explanation).

I want to try MSC again (hey, I've got 30% off via MyVegas & I LOVE a good deal!) with DH to get his perspective. (He had a golf trip or he would have gone too)

Edited February 26, 2023 by KKB

[KKB]

2 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

Glad you did well. What specific game did you play on video poker (Deuces Wild, etc)? I only found 6 machines, all together. Did you find others?

 

Thanks.

I MOSTLY played Double Double & Deuces but I do bounce around games.

Ironically, I got both royals on Deuces--same machine--same suit!!!

Yep just those 6 machines...and one day they had 2 disabled. 

They were only full ONCE--that's why I went to play BJ--that turned out well!

[L1211]

Thanks for your review- much appreciate!

[Anastas617]

Thanks for covering so much. Very helpful and appreciated.