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Saw the following on a Cruise website today...Wow...we had one of the best times ever on our Samana tour. Did an ATV ride that was truly amazing....memories galore!

Does anyone know what happened?

Samana Is Out

According to a report from the Royal Caribbean Blog, Royal Caribbean has quietly dropped Samana, Dominican Republic from its itineraries next year. Samana had originally been scheduled as a port of call on for Quantum of the Sea’s Caribbean itineraries, but has now been removed. Royal Caribbean follows Norwegian Cruise Line, who also recently dropped Samana from their itineraries, in making this decision.

We are going to visit Chankanaab and I'm wondering if we can walk to other, closeby snorkeling spots after we leave?

If so, could we catch a cab or walk back from these spots?

Barbara

Do they take credit cards? Hate carrying cash with me off the ship.

Barbara

MSC Cruises Announces Exclusive Partnerships to Bring a Taste of the Mediterranean to the Caribbean

 

 

October 25, 2013 at 3:12pm

MSC Divina Begins Grand Voyage to North America on November 2

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (October 25, 2013) – On November 2, 2013, MSC Divina sets sail to her new year-round home in the Caribbean, bringing along some of the best of the region to share with guests onboard. Born in the Mediterranean and drawing inspiration from its roots, MSC Cruises continues to capture the essence of a Mediterranean way of life with a series of exclusive partnerships now on board MSC Divina.

 

MSC Divina will be the first Fantasia class ship to sail from the US and the first MSC cruise ship to offer year-round Caribbean sailings. With a sleek Italian design, the 4,345-guest ship will embark on Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with delectable new partnerships that range from coffee and gelato to a steakhouse and signature cocktail menus.

 

The Smoothest Coffee at Sea

 

To start the day in style, MSC Cruises has partnered with Segafredo Zanetti, widely considered among the finest gourmet coffee brands in Italy and worldwide. The official coffee for all 12 ships in the company’s state-of-the-art fleet, the Segafredo partnership will be expanded on board MSC Divina, whose Caffè Italia will boast Italian favorites, from full-bodied espressos to flawlessly foamed cappuccinos, as well as specialty Segafredo coffees and chocolate drinks. The rich Chocolate Temptation menu includes White Chocolate, After Eight Chocolate and Cherry Chocolate, and frozen coffee combinations such as a Chococcino and Caramel Coffee Frost.

 

Delicious Nutella Crêpes and Gifts

 

By the main pool, MSC Divina has created a Nutella Corner featuring the beloved hazelnut spread. The Nutella Corner will offer a specialty gift to every guest who purchases a freshly made Nutella-filled crêpe. All embarking families will receive a special welcome kit with a Nutella & Go snack, including delicious Italian bread sticks for every child.

 

Savor the Sweet Flavors of Artisanal Gelato

 

MSC Divina will boast a Venchi Gelateria next to the main pool area, where travelers of all ages can enjoy a gelato menu of classic favorites and innovative seasonal flavors. Venchi, masters of Italian confectionery since 1878, is renowned for using 100% natural ingredients, from its intense extra dark chocolate to creamy gianduja and refreshing fruit sorbets.

 

Venchi gelato will be prepared in a specially developed on-board laboratory, ensuring fresh – and refreshing – new flavors daily.

 

An Ice-cool Disaronno in the Garden Bar

 

MSC Cruises has partnered with Disaronno, the celebrated Italian liqueur, to bring the world’s first floating Disaronno Contemporary Terrace to MSC Divina. Set-up in the ship’s stylish Garden Bar, this outdoor area offers a Disaronno cocktail menu and a chic chill-out zone close to the pool.

 

One night per cruise, the terrace will transform from a relaxation space to vivacious bar, with a mix of entertainment, live music and deliciously inventive cocktails, such as the new MSC Disarita, fusing tequila, Disaronno and margarita mix.

 

Shaken or Stirred, Sip a Modish Martini

 

In La Luna bar on deck seven, discerning guests will find an exclusive Martini menu. Partnering with the legendary and award winning Martini vermouth and sparkling Italian wines, the specialty menu offers a variety of Classic Martinis, Signature Martinis, Sparkling Martinis and Dessert Martinis, as well as the Martini Flight, a six-Martini sampler. A highlight is the MSC Signature Martini, made from Grey Goose Vodka, Disaronno Amaretto, Licor 43 and lemon peel, with souvenir MSC cocktail glass to take home.

 

Eataly Steakhouse and Ristorante Italia

 

Following the successful launch and rave reviews of the first two Eataly restaurants at sea on board sister-ship MSC Preziosa, MSC Cruises is launching two new Eataly restaurants and a marketplace onboard MSC Divina. Eataly, the popular food emporium originating from Italy, has locations around the globe including New York City and a soon to open store in Chicago.

 

MSC Divina will feature 30-seat evening-only upscale Ristorante Italia, offering a ‘table d’hôte’ menu every night, and spectacular 115-seat regional steakhouse, Eataly Steakhouse, fashioned after Eataly’s famed Manzo steakhouse in Manhattan.

 

All pizzas in MSC Divina’s La Cantina di Bacco wine bar and pizzeria will now be made using Eataly ingredients, including delicious meter-long pizzas customizable with individual toppings. The wine bar will also boast Eataly’s exclusive Vino Libero menu, produced by an association of leading Italian winemakers committed to producing high-quality wine using the most modern and sustainable farming practices. The menu offers bottles from famous wineries including Fontana Fredda and Mirafiore. A boutique Eataly marketplace will also be available for guests to purchase authentic Italian products, including olive oils, dried pastas, artisanal sweets and aged balsamics.

 

About MSC Divina

 

Christened by legendary actress and “diva” Sophia Loren, MSC Divina features 1,751 staterooms, 322,900 square feet of public space, a casino, seven restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, five swimming pools (including an infinity pool), a bowling alley, theater, gym, spa, internet café, conference center, kids and teen areas, and the lines signature ship within a ship, MSC Yacht Club.

 

About MSC Cruises

 

On board MSC’s twelve vessels, guests experience the passion and vibrancy of MSC’s Mediterranean way of life. From world-class hospitality and entertainment to authentic regional cuisine, guests are enveloped in our unique Mediterranean spirit. On board, guests are encouraged to slow down and savor every moment their MSC vacation has to offer. As a family-owned company, MSC also prides itself in ensuring kids 11 and younger sail free when sailing with two full fare paying guests in the same stateroom. Children 12 to 17 sail at a reduced rate.

 

MSC Cruises is a privately-held, family-owned, Italian cruise line with a fleet of 12 ships: MSC Armonia, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Lirica, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Opera, MSC Poesia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Splendida. The fleet cruises year-round in the Mediterranean and seasonally in the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the French Antilles, South America, South and West Africa and The United Arab Emirates. Starting November, MSC Divina will begin sailing the Caribbean year-round from PortMiami.

 

For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.

 

MSC CRUISES (USA), Inc.

866-545-8088

Wow - sounds exciting...Can you please advise whether or not the new martini flight and other drink offerings will be included in the Allegrissimo Classic Package.

Big time martini bar people here!!!

Thanks

Barbara

That was a nice review Harry0.. I thought you'd do worse..lol

 

I was also there last week.

As Harry said he was late.

we had to walk maybe 6-7 blocks to bank for pickup.

He never showed and someone let us use his phone (another taxi guy).

At least 30-45 minute wait (and the time was confirmed the week before on ship/island time)

Had to have a few in one taxi and others in his as we were a party of 10.

10 minute drive to get there.

 

I wont knock it for what it is. We wanted to see Jamaica in a different way and we did.

I will say that I was expecting primitive and that is what it was, that is for sure.

I didnt have a problem with surroundings.

I did not eat the food as I dont do spicy, others did and said it was ok.

Beer was $3 for red stripe.

I bought 2 really nice carvings from Martin the guy on the side of the beach.

Nice guy, buy something and help him out.

 

The thing that annoys me is that the water was so low.

none of the reviews really state this.

18-24 inches at the most. If you went way out it it got waist high, but then grass.

We did no swimming, and there was no true cooling off.

Grass is everywhere except one small area. If you see pictures the dark area is grass.

The roped off area in this picture is all you can really 'swim' in. (clear and nice)

 

3 sea urchins came for a visit. little fish, saw a hermit crab

Dogs are sweet.

People were nice

Except you felt like a hostage at the end when they said things weren't paid up.

 

If you think all this is ok, and have a very open mind you will like it.

water good for little kids, but the nude beach next door might be an issue if they saw anything

 

Would I go back, no

 

Water height. the 2 guys are sitting/laying in the water

Wow...I just paid my deposit to go here...Still like the idea of doing so, but most concerned about:

-Saying that you weren't paid off or didn't pay the correct amount? How did this work? Did they question the number of drinks you had written on the sheet? Is anyone there to order directly from? I really would be uncomfortable being "held hostage" for this!

-Can one walk to another beach to swim in deeper water?

Wonder if their not showing up on time happens frequently? Have any other CC TNP reviewers encountered this?

I may just chalk up the $20 deposit and change my plans to just do the Falmouth port after reading these posts.

Barbara

I went to it to see Time N Place, but it brought back memories of other cruises we've taken!

Barbara

We visited this week. Pros: affordable, close to the port, not at all crowded, great water for very young children, food didn't cause any GI issues and tasted decent. Able to return to the ship whenever we wanted. Cons: the place was in a state of serious disrepair. Drink options limited to bottled water & beer. Although they had plenty of liquor I didn't see mixers or clean ice. Bar was self serve. I would probably go again, but this place isn't for everyone. If you are expecting a resort experience, find another excursion. If you want to feel like you are living a jimmy buffet song, you will be fine!

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forums mobile app

Thanks for your review. Can you please give me the following info. We have been there/done that everywhere in Jamaica and wanted to try something different since we'll have a sea day before and after our Jamaica stop....I understand about the rustic stuff and actually enjoy that type of thing.

1. Should I bother bringing snorkel?

2. Alot of sea urchins?

3. Were you bothered by locals "pushing/selling" stuff?

4. Did you use their pickup/takeback $20pp service or a taxi? If taxi, how did you handle that?

5. Although I know the chairs, beach, etc were "rustic", was the beach free of glass, garbage, etc?

Thanks so much

Barbara

I had received the information shown below from Nicollas. However, in the meantime, the Customer Service Manager, Tracy Lamorena, wrote the following:

As long as your bookings are not cross-referenced with any other reservations there is no need for everyone to purchase the Allegrissimo package. You would then need to confirm the dining directly with the Maitre' d.

INFO RECEIVED FROM NICOLLAS EARLIER (apparently incorrect)

10/7/13

MSC-Nicollas: [11:15:37 AM] Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

Barbara Marbell: [11:15:37 AM] Question: We have Allegrissimo Classic Package booked. Met a couple on Cruise Critic message boards and we want to sit together at dinner. However, they are not drinkers. Can we somehow link our reservations together to let us have dinner together if just my husband and I have the Allegrissimo package?

MSC-Nicollas: [11:15:40 AM] HI Barbara

Barbara Marbell: [11:15:47 AM] Good day!

MSC-Nicollas: [11:15:56 AM] Yes, you can that is not a problem

[11:16:09 AM] Do you have to know their booking #?

Barbara Marbell: [11:16:37 AM] OK - I will get their information. There is much confusion on the boards saying that if you want to have dinner with another couple everyone has to have the Allegrissimo package. Not true?

MSC-Nicollas: [11:17:33 AM] Dining with us is on a request, I can request it for you and it will be confirmed on board

Barbara Marbell: [11:18:25 AM] So to be sure I understand...If I give you their confirmation #, you will somehow link them to request our seating together. And we will keep our Allegrissimo package and they will keep their soda vouchers.

MSC-Nicollas: [11:18:39 AM] Yes correct

Barbara Marbell: [11:18:49 AM] OK - will get it - thanks!

 

Now I'm even more confused.

Barbara

10/7/13

MSC-Nicollas: [11:15:37 AM] Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

Barbara Marbell: [11:15:37 AM] Question: We have Allegrissimo Classic Package booked. Met a couple on Cruise Critic message boards and we want to sit together at dinner. However, they are not drinkers. Can we somehow link our reservations together to let us have dinner together if just my husband and I have the Allegrissimo package?

MSC-Nicollas: [11:15:40 AM] HI Barbara

Barbara Marbell: [11:15:47 AM] Good day!

MSC-Nicollas: [11:15:56 AM] Yes, you can that is not a problem

[11:16:09 AM] Do you have to know their booking #?

Barbara Marbell: [11:16:37 AM] OK - I will get their information. There is much confusion on the boards saying that if you want to have dinner with another couple everyone has to have the Allegrissimo package. Not true?

MSC-Nicollas: [11:17:33 AM] Dining with us is on a request, I can request it for you and it will be confirmed on board

Barbara Marbell: [11:18:25 AM] So to be sure I understand...If I give you their confirmation #, you will somehow link them to request our seating together. And we will keep our Allegrissimo package and they will keep their soda vouchers.

MSC-Nicollas: [11:18:39 AM] Yes correct

Barbara Marbell: [11:18:49 AM] OK - will get it - thanks!

Now I'm even more confused.

Barbara

You write the best reviews ever!!!!

Really look forward to reading all of them!

Barbara (near Tampa, Florida)

Now I know why I'm so clumsy!!!!

Barbara

Linked bookings and people travelling together all need to have the all inclusive if some want it. It's to stop you from ordering drinks for people who've not paid for the package.

 

People sharing at table do not all have to have the same package. I'm the only one at my table of 7 who has it.. The rest pay for what they order. The difference is I was placed with these passengers! I'm not travelling with them and spending my time onboard with the. Although we do now head to a bar after dinner sometimes and the waiters don't seem to care too much whether we all have a package or not.

 

I think if your bookings are not linked and you just make a request for a table switch onboard to be seated with people, it won't mTter if you all have the same package. The biggest problem is likely to be if there are tables available unallocated to switch you all to. Or you could just meet up and go to the my time Dining option.

I went to MSC's site and read about My Time Dining, but want to be sure I understand....If we take My Time Dining, we'd have to eat in the buffet instead of one of the main restaurants...Is that correct? I can't imagine going on a cruise and eating buffet food in the buffet every night!!

I'm not sure if our friends are going on this cruise yet, but we have already made tentative plans with some "CC friends" as well to have dinner together. This definitely will impact those plans also. I believe they are using the voucher plan.

Thanks for info as usual!

Barbara

It is definitely all those in your group who sit at the same table must buy the package.

 

Here is a screen shot (cropped) from the MSC web site , taken today. I've highlighted the relevant words. The exact same words are used on the Aus/NZ web site, The only difference is the price, hence the words "this offer is avalable on selected departures (Mediterannean, Canary Islands, Northern Europe and Antilles)"

 

 

Pete

So if we have already booked our cruise and Allegrissimo package and our friends want to book after we did, they must take the Allegrissimo package also if they want to dine w/us?

If this is correct, that would really discourage us from inviting friends to join us on our MSC cruise! Much as I'd love dinner w/our friends, I wouldn't want to lose my Allegrissimo package and I'm sure they wouldn't want to buy it if they aren't "drinkers".

What would happen if we went to the Maitre D the first day of the cruise and we ask to be moved to sit with them or other cruisers we met onboard?

I feel like I'm missing something.

Barbara

I too thought it was just your cabin mate that had to take the package as well which I can understand.....HOWEVER just found out from a director in the Miami office who sent me the complete description of the packages that EVERYONE in your group, if you are all connected together as our group is so we can sit together at dinner, MUST take it as well. Absolutely ridiculous!!!!!:mad: especially when one in our group does not drink at all.

To make sure I'm clear on this....

How is MCI determining group? Because you asked to sit together at dinner?? Seems crazy to me.

Our friends are thinking of going on our cruise. We have prebooked the Allegrissimo package through MSC.

How does this work with tablemates? If we ask to sit together beforehand, will they need to take this package also? Thought I remember reading something about this on the MSC site, but it doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks

Your welcome! I know y'all will have a fabulous time!

I think we are going to bite the bullet and go during our December cruise.

Did you notice any fish/snorkeling or is it basically a sand bottomed beach?

I thought I read something about alot of sea urchins there...Is this correct?

We enjoy adventuresome excursions rather than the run of the mill cruise ship ones....I'm really looking forward to this. I'm a bit apprehensive about being hassled outside the port gates, but sure we'll manage.

We've been to Samana, Roatan, Dominica and Guatemala which we were warned about....Had the best time at all of those places!

Thanks

Barbara

I also had a question about the non-premium package...I understand there is a cafe on board where you can get lattes, mochas and espresso....Are these hot drinks included in the non-premium package? Thanks everyone! :)

MSC USA told me that I could get espresso and cappucino after dinner at table only on our Divina/Miami departure Caribbean Cruise with Allegrissimo Classic (NON-Premium) package. (Don't know about latte's)

I was also told gelato is not included in the Classic package.

Barbara

Hello all,

 

I was on MSC Magnifica(Norwegian Fjords) 2 weeks ago and here are some photos of the PoolBar Menu including the drink packages available onboard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also;

Coffee (regular, decaf) &

Milk (sometimes hard to find) &

Tea (black, green, herbal) &

Water(tap) & ice was free @13th deck 24 hours.

 

Hope this helps ;)

Thanks....Had a question...Would an Absolute or Stoli Vodka martini be included in the NON-Premium package? (I checked, but may have missed this)

Tx

Is there any ocean access from this Margaritaville?

Barbara

Prior post - comment re: MSC offering My Time Dining in future:

- They don't offer My Time Dining. That's a big minus to us. We don't want to be seated at a table where people may have prejudices towards us or our way of life, even if they are polite and behave. I know I am a bit paranoical, but all the same we like it better when we can have our guaranteed table for 2 at the time we want to eat.

Of course I will ask a table for two once onboard, but that may not be possible

Please MSC introduce My Time Dining for once!!!! I know you have something similar for the suites, but it's not that hard to do it for the rest of your customers.

Since we like to dine alone sometimes, we chose My Time Dining on RC and found that the seating for 2 was only available in bad locations in the dining room. Although we asked to be changed to a new location on 2 nights, the only tables for 2 were sort of in the back of the upper dining room. Felt like we were "in a corner" and couldn't enjoy the "ambiance" of the dining room, any speeches, waiters show, do much "people-watching, etc.

Think we'll stick with regular dining in the future. This always worked out for us except for 1 occasion when we had to ask to be moved due to 2 really obnoxious tablemates. They complained constantly throughout dinner and we didn't want to spend the rest of our cruise listening to this.

Absolutely riveting.

Looking forward to more!

Thanks

We booked an upcoming cruise on MSC and were disappointed to read that they really made very little of sailaway....We love the ambiance of sailaway since it seemed to really "start" our cruise!

MSC doesn't leave Miami til 7pm and I guess sailaways conflict too much with dinner times.

That being said, we'll toast to a great cruise on our balcony!

Barbara

I do feel sad when I wake up to see a rainy day (or worse, week) which will negatively affect our long-awaited excursion plans.

Also, finding out that certain stops at ports will be cancelled for various reasons after I've planned and looked forward to them for so long.

We had planned to cruise on the NCL Dawn years ago. When I woke up at 4am that morning, I discovered on CC, that it was "floating without power in the sea" and couldn't get word about our cruise scheduled to leave the next day.

Since we had a hotel awaiting us in Miami for the night before the cruise, we decided to drive there anyway. Enroute we were able to reach NCL and found that indeed the cruise was cancelled.

So I grabbed my cellphone and managed to book two short Nassau cruises that would give us the same amount of cruise days as the cancelled Dawn cruise. This worked out OK, but we definitely were disappointed at not being able to do the excursions planned previously for the Dawn itinerary.

Barbara

We went cave-tubing in Belize.....Fun day.

We're headed to Falmouth and I'm not looking forward to it at all. We've done the Ochos Rios attractions on land trips. They were nice, but been there, done that.

Hopefully, the shops will be open so we can walk around a bit.

Barbara