judyzoo

MSC also has white parties, at least on Divina in the Caribbean.

On other MSC cruise you get an advance bill on the second last day, so if there are any issues you can sort them out in plenty of time and don't have to do it on disembarkation day. Do they not do this on the Divina?

 

As for signing your final bill. You don't have to wait at guest services to do this. Just sign it in your cabin and hand it over as you pass on the way to breakfast. I've never had to wait to hand it over. I don't wait in a queue just pass it onto the counter and they grab them there and then. I would of course queue for any other reason.

I never received a statement (although I'm sure I could have if I had taken the time to go to Guest Services and ask for it); so had to get one at Guest Services on disembarkation day. I just find it odd that Divina requires a signed statement -- I can't recall any other ship requiring it; not a big deal, just odd.

I couldn't find any onboard account on the cabin TV. And, strangely, even though they have your card for charges, they want you to go to Guest Services on disembarkation day to sign for your account balance. I have no idea what happens if you don't do this.

They do want you out of your cabin by 7 a.m., although breakfast times last later than that.

I'm curious do they make announcements during debarkation or do they stick to your assignment and let the staff in those areas tell people when to leave.

 

On other ships the "silent " debarkation seems to go smoothly.

No announcements during disembarkation. Around the listed time, a person came to the waiting area and guided the passengers who were waiting. But I don't know how they handled self assist.

There is no charge, except during certain night time hours. Also, possibly a charge if you order pizza.

What was the time and location? Was there an active roll call for your sailing?

It was at 3:30 in the Silver Lounge. We had a roll call, but very few participated.

MSC entertainment far exceeds the entertainment on Carnival, or any other ship that I've been on. Sharecruises is about right about the variety and number of performers; plus they all do their performing amazingly well.

I was near one of the aft elevators. No noise from either elevators or people.

I didn't eat in any of the fee restaurants, so can't comment on the quality of their food. But I must say that I looked at the Eataly Steakhouse menu and found it very limited and uninspired. I never saw anyone eating there. However, they do have a section where you can buy some interesting packaged food items -- pasta, sauces, olive oil, etc. -- to take home.

We are making airline reservations this weekend. We will be on the MSC Divina in October. Our ship is scheduled to get in to port at 7:00 am. Would be able to make the 11:45 am flight out of Miami?

Has anyone recently sailed Divina? I am wondering what time people actually started getting off of the ship. Does MSC allow self assist to get off the ship first?

I've been told that a taxi would be the quickest way to get to the airport.

I was given a 10:30 disembarkation time, and that's just about when they called my number/color, after which there was a long wait for luggage and customs. But there were many much earlier disembarkation times -- probably depending on what flight info you provided; and self-assists were off first.

Just wondering what the earliest time has been on recent MSC Divina cruises for being able to embark? Our ticket says 4 pm but that sound really late considering we have the early dinner sitting. We are not in the yaght club but are MSC past cruisers and part of the MSC club though it sounds like that might not make a difference in embarkation priority on the Divina in Miami :)

I was at the port around noon or 12:30, and many people had already boarded. No need to wait until 4:00. The cabins were ready around 2:00.

You know what they say opinions are like -- and we all have them.

Go on line and pre-order but don't pay for drinks packages etc. That way you get the cost counted as on board spend and get the MSC club points.

 

You could easily loose 3 or 4 points by pre-paying.

 

Yes, pre book online, but don't pay until you sail. I don't think that they even provide the option of paying when you book online; they just automatically say that your onboard account will be charged after you board. I believe that the price is lower if you pre-book online; I noticed that prices listed onboard for excursions were higher than the prices that I paid after booking online.

When did you sail on The Divina?

Flip2cruise is right -- I sailed last week; just returned yesterday.

I bought the Allegrissimo Premium package for my cruise in October. I have received the confirmation of my purchase. I hope that this does will not as complicated as you. are gratuities included in the price ?

Yes, gratuities are included. In fact, even if you wanted to add an additional gratuity, there is no way to do it, except by giving cash. The receipt that you sign (for $0.00) doesn't provide any place to add a tip.

Can anone comment on the Board Time of MSC Dinina

I arrived at the port around noon, and many people had already boarded. The cabins were ready around 2:00.

The Allegrissimo package worked for me -- BUT getting it was a hassle. I had ordered it online, but when I boarded the agent said I'd have to go to Guest Services to have it added to my sea card; Guest Services sent me to the casino; the casino sent me back to Guest Services. After about 10 minutes, Guest Services finally figured out how to add it to my card. They all acted like they'd never done this before; but surely I'm not the only person who bought the package online.

MSC included a Meet & Greet in the daily newsletter for the afternoon of the first sea day, but I couldn't find anyone at the announced location.

Thanks to both of you. I'll have to try these suggestions and see whether I can find a good solo rate.

If you want to venture outside the gate they offer a 1 hour trolly tour that leaves every 30 minutes. I think it was $22 a person but we really enjoyed it. They take you right down the crowded and busy streets of the town center, then through some residential neighborhoods, you stop at a church and go inside for a tour, then returns down the coastline. If you do not have an excursion planned some time in the port area and the tour outside would be a nice option for a great day at Falmouth.

Where can I find the trolley tour? Does it start inside or outside the gate?

I'm finally getting out of the West coast and sailing the waters of the South Caribbean aboard the Carnival Sunshine on 4/6/2014 for 11 days. Carnival is running a zero single supplement promotion, and $569 for an inside cabin was an offer I couldn't refuse.

How do you find these zero single supplement promotions?

If you have motion sickness, you are better off mid ship. You will feel more motion in the front of the ship. If you have high seas, more chance of going up and down in the front.

Very true. Also, being on a lower deck would be better for avoiding motion sickness.

Judy, have you ever tried Downy Wrinkle Remover? It is a spray and works fairly well as does hanging clothes in the bathroom with hot shower running.

I've been meaning to try Downy; maybe I can get some before I leave for my next cruise in a few days. Sounds like the best way to handle little touch ups.

No, no MSC ship has self-service laundry facilities for guest use. May I suggest:

 

1) Non-iron garments;

2) linen, which looks great all crumpled; or

3) a lightweight travel iron to be hidden from the view of your cabin attendant.

 

MSC's laundry packages are great value too and cheaper than paying return hold baggage charges.

 

Tim.

Too bad; I'll just have to do without. Thanks for the suggestions, but I think the travel iron would not be allowed on board, and shouldn't be smuggled on either -- fire hazard.