sanbixby
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PART FIVE
Shows
Well done and high quality. They are more like a variety type show with singing, dancing, acrobatics and aerialists. There is a reserved seating area for the Yacht club off to the left side balcony. Not sure why they didn't pick a center balcony section. It was nice to always have a seat. If you go to no other show, go to the last evening show and stay to the end. The ending is quite lovely.
The captain also attended the first and last night's shows and offered greetings in various languages. I also appreciated that the cruise director was not a cheesy egomaniac who needed to talk to simply hear himself talk.
Announcements
Everyday at noon the captain made an announcement about weather, water depth, gallons of water used, and so on. It was cool to hear especially as other announcements are kept to a BARE MINIMUM (yay!). There are no "Bingo on the lido deck" announcements throughout the entire day. Announcements are not made throughout the day unless they are locating someone or medical emergency.
Gellato
Closest to what we had in Italy.
Cruise Critic Meet and Greet
GO! GO! GO! It is neat to put faces to names. The heads of various ship departments attend as well as the captain. It is very well done and the seem to genuinely want to host this event and get feedback.
A group photo was taken and delivered to our room later in the cruise.
Ports and Excursions
We had never been to St. Martin so we did a ship excursion to tour the island and visit Maho Beach and shop. It was horrible. The driver repeated himself continuously and the shopping area was dodgy at best. It was inexpensive and gave us an island overview. It fit the "get what you pay for adage". This was the only MSC tour we did.
Nitpicky Things That Really Don't Matter/What I Would Change
1) It would have been nice to be gifted the photo taken during the Top Sail Meet and Greet with the Captain.
2) There was never any communication about whether or not a photographer was ever in the YC to take photos (ex:Formal Night). We stumbled upon a photographer one day before dinner. It would be nice (if personnel permitted) to have a photographer there on formal nights for staircase photos.
3) The half glass shower wall should be at the other end of the bath so you don't have to leap out after you engage the shower (after turning on the faucets). The water is strong and HOT.
Things Others Complained About That Were Not Issues To Us
1) The European feel - I enjoyed hearing all the languages being spoken around me. I enjoyed the leisurely dining. I enjoyed the shows that were not full of overtly sexual dance moves/costumes that might make parents uncomfortable for small children to see.
2) No laundry facilities for passengers - We used the laundry to press my husband's suit, 2 dresses for me, 1 pair dress pants and 6 dress shirts for my husband - Total $32 Completely fair in my opinion.
MISC
The YC has individual toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower cap, sewing kit, soap).
We had to ask for washcloths. We got them but they were not automatically in our room.
Everyone working on the ship was friendly (save one which is coming up below)
Disembarking
Super smooth. Directions in stateroom. Luggage in hallway. The terminal has airport like luggage pickup areas that correspond with your color tags. It was orderly and not overly crowded. There was no customs forms just an agent chatting about your vacay and what you bought. The transfer bus back was not so great. We sat on the bus for an hour, during which the bus air shut off and a beeping began. The driver was loading and rearranging luggage the entire time. Every seat was taken but another representative kept popping on to see if there were more spots. Someone finally complained about how hot it was getting and the driver restarted the bus. Was very opposite of the embarkation transfer.
I am sure I am missing soooo much. But bottom line is we had a FABULOUS trip so much so that...
WE BOOKED ON SEASIDE FOR NEXT JUNE!!!
(And I refuse to let the grumpy future cruise consultant on board take away my excitement. But, honestly, they had 1 representative and LOTS of people waiting and waiting to see her and book. Another YC person and myself waited almost 1.5 hrs while she waited on 2 other people. Her internet was slow and she kept saying she was the only one working this week whenever someone said there should be 2 people and complaining that her internet was not working. It was just like calling/using the website...lol)
Questions--Ask away and I will see if I can answer.
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PART FOUR
Special Touches in YC
Almost too many to name and I am sure I will forget but here goes:
1) nightly chocolates on your pillow
2) Special surprises in the room periodically
3) All the butlers learn your names and drink preferences and smile all the time. They just seem to magically appear.
4) Reception with the Captain in Top Sail (more about him in a bit)
5) The elevator "zip past all the other floors" card works sporadically at best - whatever
6)Your minibar is stocked and you can request to have whatever you want put in it so it suits your needs.
7) Always a full ice bucket :-)
8) Pizza delivered free from Eataly in the evening (by a butler in a heat bag) - more on pizza later.
9) Just ask - the excursion desk rep will come to you, the concierge will make your spa treatments (more on spa later) - just ask
10) The beds have a thin quilted topper covering the mattress and you get one hard and one soft pillow. This worked well for us so we did not use the pillow menu. Let's just say, sleeping was not a hardship :-)
Pizza
So, to be fair, we went to the buffet and had pizza
It was really really good.
We had pizza delivered to our room from the specialty pizza place. It was not better. We preferred the buffet pizza. Tastes vary but I would not pay for the specialty pizza. My opinion.
The Captain
He is everywhere and very impressive. As I said, there was a welcome event in the Top Sail Lounge and the Captain and a Sr. Officer greeted everyone and then went from table to table for photos and individual greetings. To watch him speak English at one table, French at the next, Italian and then Spanish was impressive. He also greeted by husband and I each time he saw us - no matter where we were on the ship- and clearly remembered us. Amazing. He spoke to us at the CC reception and referred back to something we had discussed at the YC meet and greet.
Spa
There is a direct elevator from the YC to the spa which is wonderful after a massage when your hair looks crazy. I had 2 massages - Traditional Balinese and Balinese with hot stones. Both were nice but, given the opportunity again, I would just have the hot stone.
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PART THREE
When you arrive in the YC, the Maitre D' of Le Muse, Michael, has a table set up in the lounge. He will then ask you for your preferred dining time during your cruise. We chose 6:15ish and it worked out well for us. It allowed ample time for dining and changing before the 9pm show.
Dining
Le Muse is the YC restaurant and your butler will escort you the first day. Pay attention - LOL! When you leave, you will get in the elevator and go to floor 7. Walk the length of the ship. At the elevators near the theater, go up to floor 15. The restaurant is where you exit the elevator. Food is amazing and the staff also amazing. Our server, Arthur, became one of our favorite people on board. The menu, while I do not have photos of these, varied daily and incorporated dishes from specialty restaurants. We did not visit any specialty restaurants during our trip. We only did breakfast 1 morning in the restaurant because a) I like to sleep late and b) there is a small buffet by the pool that serves eggs, breakfast meats, yogurt, fruit and breads/pastries as well as freshly squeezed orange juice and c) the Top Sail Lounge has cereal, pastries, fruit and cold meats each morning. So our breakfast was at the pool most days.
We had lunch many places: pool, Le Muse and the buffet. We wanted to try it and see if the claims about seating were true and, let's be honest, who knows if we will YC again.
Food Porn Pics:
Salmon - YUM!
Cheese plate - Just go ahead and get it and eat it every night. They slice the cheese freshly off the trolley.
Crepes Suzette prepared by Michael the Maitre D'
Lemoncelo creme cake- OMG
Touranos of Beef - Don't let the small portion fool you because there is so much offered in each course that you will not go hungry
One of the neatest things about Le Muse, is that several nights/lunches have fresh pasta dishes prepared in the dining area by the Maitre D.They are delicious. He also prepares Crepes Suzette and Cherries Jubilee. Dinner is an experience in itself and well worth making time for each day.
Weight
I haven't gained weight on other cruises because of all the walking during the day. Be forewarned--the YC experience is a weight gain given. Having everything there 24/7 makes it all too easy.
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PART TWO
Yes, there is a crystal staircase in the YC
Top Sail Lounge
After we dropped our things off and refreshed, we went exploring and up to the pool area. The YC pool was never crowded during our trip (maybe 8 people at a time max and hot tubs with maybe 4 max at a time). We only had to "look" for a lounger once during our last sea day. There are more than enough but clearly dropping your towel off and disappearing extends beyond the main pool area. :-)
There is a small buffet in the YC Pool area. It did not have anything substantial on it on embarkation day but the butler on duty was happy to get my husband and I each a hamburger and then we sat and ate in the warm sunshine which was quite welcome after a long day of travelling.
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Back home from our first sailing on the MSC Divina and wanted to share since these boards have been so helpful in our planning.
PART ONE
Who Are We
I will preface with saying that my husband and I are not frequent cruisers. We have been on 2 Disney and 2 Carnival cruises in the span of 18 years so we do not have the level of experience to make alot of the comparisons that others can make. So take the review for what it is worth! We chose MSC because we had seen the ship when we were on our last Carnival cruise and loved the look (and the peeking in the doors of their balconies as we were docked side by side). This was our first weeklong vacation EVER without a child or family member in tow. We originally booked a balcony Fantastica package and received a great email offer to upgrade to the Yacht Club.
MSC Call Center-Customer Service/Website
Let's just say, this is the WORST part of MSC and I was nervous prior to arrival because of numerous issues via call center prior to our departure. DO NOT BASE YOUR TRIP ON THIS because what everyone says is true. The on-board experience is completely worth the headache of the call center and website.
Transfer to ship
We flew into FLL and chose to purchase MSC transfers. They were easy to find at baggage claim and we waited @10 mins. before departing the airport on a small bus. The bus circled the airport, making stops at various sections, and then we headed to the ship. The ride was about 30 minutes.
Embarkation
The Yacht Club tent is at the far end of the area where folks are arriving. We wheeled our luggage down and got in a line of 3 people and a porter tagged our luggage. A butler escorted us in a door and up and elevator where we bypassed the regular check-in lines. It was about 11:30am and the regular check in line was not that long and moving quickly. We went into an area where we checked in. Off of that area was a small reception room with several butlers supplying drinks and small bites/desserts. We were allowed to linger here as long as we wished and they informed us that they would escort us to our room whenever we were ready. Well, duh...we were ready!! So off we went.
Ship Common Areas
This is a beautiful ship. It is classically elegant and tasteful in the decor and the "feel" of it. Every area felt calming almost. There are mirrors everywhere. Some of them can fool you into thinking there is a hallway where there isn't (don't ask me how I know this!). The ship is immaculate except for one area - bathrooms. The bathrooms near the buffet/pool, theater and Le Muse are not the best smelling places nor the cleanest. This is probably due to the volume of people using them. In the grand scheme of the experience, this is nothing. It just is the one area in which the cleanliness did not match everywhere else. It honestly feels like they have an army of hidden people roaming around cleaning and picking up items people set down. That is how clean this ship ALWAYS appears. And the ship is bright! With the mirrors and lighting, it is well lit but not glaring. The casino is smoke-free and very clean. The buffet area was clean. The floors in the pool area seemed very slippery and the covered pool area is STEAMY!
Yacht Club
We were escorted in to the Top Sail Lounge which is GORGEOUS in muter burgundy tones and panoramic windows. I never saw this room full of people. There is a small area with food items that rotate throughout the day. The different "themes" of food (ex: continental breakfast, chocolate surprise, etc) and the times they are available are listed in the Daily Planner. At this point, we had a welcome drink and then our butler Juan Carlos escorted us to our room and showed us the ins and outs of it all. This was awaiting us:
Here are some room shots:
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This is the same brochure I got off the Divina last week.
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Glad to hear you are relaxing and enjoying the trip so far.
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1) No Ipod dock on the alarm clock in our YC cabin
2) You can choose your dining time so you could allow time to change. We wore our dinner attire. The YC has a separate seating area in the theatre, you'll be fine either way though.
3)
4) I found in slightly chilly and took a light bolero/pashmina for that very reason.
5) Minimal difference, possibly the 2nd formal evening but it was marginal. A lot of people do not go formal at all on either evening so if you don't want to it wouldn't be noticeable.
6) I'm sure we saw one. You could certainly ask the concierge to arrange if you specifically would like one.
Have a great trip!
Thank you!
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I promise I searched and can't find the answers to these odd but persisting questions. So any help is appreciated as I am starting to plan outfits for our upcoming cruise..
1) Do the staterooms have an IPOD dock as part of the alarm clock? (If it matters, were are staying in a YC room.)
2) I know the dinners run long. Is there time to change before the show or do most people go in their dinner attire?
4) Several ships I have sailed have VERY chilly performance venues Do you find this to be the case on the Divina?
5) I am considering opting out of one formal night. Is there a difference between the 2 evenings?
6) Will there be a photographer taking photos on the steps in the YC during one of the formal nights or should we plan to join the queue downstairs? (That is really the only photo I would like.)
Thank you so much for any insight you can provide.
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I received an upgrade to the MSC Yacht Club for $350/person and I paid on the spot to do the upgrade. I received my booking confirmation email and while my room says "MSC Yacht Club - Deluxe Suite, the Experience still says "Fantastica". I was wondering if your documents also said the same or if both the room and experience said Yacht Club.
I called MSC to verify if I will indeed have the Yacht Club experience and they assured me I will get all the perks that comes with a Yacht Club upgrade but just wanted to check with someone like you who's taken advantage of the upgrade option before.
Your feedback is appreciated. Thank you.
We are traveling on 8/5 and ours shows the same thing but I was assured that it is the whole experience. I printed the email offer I rec'd just in case there is a problem. (Although I am sure it will be ok.)
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We sail on August 5th and I am so ANXIOUS right now. We have not received any information about status match (which I could care less about right now). I called yesterday since I tried to print my documents and got an error saying I did not finish web check-in. Called and was told it was an error of something they did not do on their end and docs would be emailed to me. Never got them. Tried again today and got further online but another error message at print step. Called again (3x because I kept getting disconnected). Had them email to another email address and stay on the phone with me until I got it.
Just printed them and, although we took an upgrade deal to Yacht Club and I confirmed it comes with all the benefits, our booking says Fantastica package so I guess I am back to calling again tomorrow (I don't have it in me right now to call--too discouraged) I printed the email upgrade offer that shows what we should be getting as well as EVERY other email confirmation. At this point, I feel like I will be taking a binder with me (light plane reading...lol)
I just want to be relaxed and ready for vacation. But that feels like a dream right now.
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shopping and my husband don't go together ;p
I will check the tour company name when I get home.
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We did the Scavi tour - amazing! But you will not find out until closer to your date if you get it. It is limited number of peopleeach day so send your dates of availability and number of people now.
We also did a private tour of the Vatican. It was 5hrs with an expat who took us everywhere and explained tons. It was crowded but we enjoyed having one guide to talk just to us. Climb to the top of the dome. The view is breathtaking.
Trevi fountain after dinner is lovely to see everyone so relaxed and hear the native tongue and eat some gelato. (Best gelato was right at the entrance of one of the streets by the Trevi. I keep trying to find something to match but alas nothing has. I have my fingers crossed for our upcoming cruise.)
If you wander around, you will discover hidden gems in every corner. Just remember, if you see something you like while wandering, buy it because trying to find the place again is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Also Via Conditti is the high end shopping street and worth a stroll just to see the fabulous window displays (if you have time).
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I am going on week 2 and my second submission of the information but I was told they were having website issues.
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I, too, have been struggling with their customer service. While everyone I have spoken with has been courteous and accommodating and articulate, follow through is difficult.
I have spoken to 4 different people about the same issue, 2 of whom gave me 2 different email addresses, to try to book our transfers for our August 5th sailing. The first person told me to email one email address (after suggesting I take an UBER). No reply so a few days later I call back to the toll free number (as the rep was not responding to his direct number). Agent #2 tells me that the email Agent #1 gave me is incorrect and gives me another email address. I wait longer than the 72 advised hours to hear a reply. Call back and Agent #2 also does not respond at his number. On to Agent #3 who tells me to send the information directly to his email and he will call me back within 48 hrs. (I am still awaiting that call.) Finally I get Agent #4. She tells me there is no record of any request in their system and asks me to send it directly to her. She emails air department and cc's me.Then she replies she will call me back in 48 hrs. Nope. I try calling her back and she is off. Everyone is entitled to days off so I just leave a message.
Today I get a message from her saying she will check on it again Monday because she did not receive an email. I check my account and the charge is there. I check my email and an email arrived yesterday afternoon. So I paid for it and printed my documentation.
Every agent told me their website is under construction. I know any time I check things, I cross my fingers that it will be there/ok. (Very hard for a TYPE A like me.)
We have encountered the same thing through the status match process. I have submitted 2 times for my husband and once for me. IF I call MSC, they say they have no record and for me to resubmit.
I am trying really hard to be patient because I want to start my vacation at ease with all my ducks in a row :-)
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Thank you all. I was just getting anxious about that (along with a million other tiny details).
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I woke up Friday with a horrible sinus infection and went to an urgent care center to make sure that was all it was. I was given meds (which I am faithfully taking) but I still have some postnasal drip that makes me cough. No fever or anything else and I feel sooo much better than last week.
What happens if I still am coughing Sunday? Will I need a dr. note saying it is just sinus related and not contagious? Because I will need to arrange for that in the next day or so.
We have family members with health issues that would be in dire straits if exposed to sick people so I would never go if I were at risk of infecting others (which is what prompted the urgent care visit to confirm the sinus diagnosis)
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Following :-)
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Following :-)
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Hurray and hurry! We leave Sunday! :-)
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I reached out to confirm that my reservation was, indeed, for the Chef's Tasting and here was my reply (with personal info removed) So It looks like they are listing the first night of the cruise and then identifying the actual date when you board. Given all I had read about difficulty booking, I was surprised to be able to get this.
Good evening,
That is correct. Please be advised that the date & Time for the Chef’s table will be finalized once you come on board.
Thank you,
Kind Regards,
Jasmina Mladenovic
Steakhouse Manager, Carnival Pride
Carnival Cruise Line
Ext.: 0770 | Cell: 7857 | e: prsteakhouse@carnival.com
From:
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2016 6:30 PM
To: PRIDE STEAKHOUSE
Subject:
Just to comfirm:
This is for the Chef Tasting and we still have our reservation for David’s Steakhouse on July 27th. Correct?
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: PRIDE STEAKHOUSE
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2016 4:23 PM
To:
Subject:
Dear
Thank you for choosing David’s Steakhouse for your dining.
Your reservation request for 4 Guests at 6.00 PM on July 24th, 2016 is confirmed.
Should your plans change, please keep us advised at prsteakhouse@carnival.com
We look forward to serving you!
Your Steakhouse Manager,
Jasmina Mladenovic
Carnival Pride
FIRST_NAME :
LAST_NAME :
EMAIL_ADDRESS :
BOOKING_NUMBER :
SHIP : CARNIVAL PRIDE
SAIL_DATE : Jul 24, 2016
NUMBER_OF_GUESTS : 4
RESERVATION_DATE : Jul 24, 2016
RESERVATION_TIME : 6:00 PM
ALLERGIES : curry (Sandy)
OCCASION : Birthday
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Coevan-
Based upon all I read on these boards, I thought it was odd. I have reached out to them via email to make sure that it was understood for Chef's Table and not David's Steakhouse. We are doing David's later in our cruise.
Thank you for your insight. Fingers crossed.
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I just got confirmation of my Chef's table request. It is at 6pm the first night of our cruise.
Divina 8/5/17 Sailing Yacht Club review
in MSC Cruises
Posted
I know that the TOP of the stairs is right at the elevator entrance on deck 18. Thinking about the layout, I assume those stairs would be at the end of each hallway. BUT, you need to swipe your card to enter the YC so the stairs may not go down beyond the floor below.