SunReader

Hi Dharma,

I think everyone dining together has to have the same package. At least that is what we were told for our August cruise.

We went with the drink vouchers. It was 15 alcoholic drinks for $ 72. Also bought a Doremi for virgin cocktails, milkshakes, ice cream cones or cups. It was 31.00 for 10 drinks.

They also have beer, soda and wine packages. The vouchers can be used for different people in your party.

They didn't have unlimited soda package like royal.

Enjoy you cruise!

Ellen

Hello,

For my August cruise, I had to purchase the vouchers over the phone. I believe when you get on board, you pick up the vouchers at the Casino. For the Doremi, I paid $31.00 for ten drinks. If you buy on the cruise, you pay more.

The drink packages are listed on the edocs I received.

Enjoy your cruise!

Ellen

Thanks Jenn. Sailaway around sunset sounds great!

Hi,

I haven't sailed yet. Less than a month to go.

I think the drink vouchers are a very good deal. If you buy before the cruise, the tips are included. I paid $ 72 for 15 alcoholic drinks and $ 31 for 10 virgin drinks, milkshakes or ice cream cones or cups. These prices are much less per drink than Royal's. Had to order the packages over the phone. You pick up the vouchers in the casino.

They also have beer packages and other drink packages.

Ellen

Hi Jenn,

Great review and pictures. I wish we were going to Tortola instead of San Juan. I have only stopped there once and did a great snorkeling tour.

I haven't cruised on MSC yet. What time is the muster drill? We have early seating for dinner. Sailed on Royal twice out of San Juan and muster was between dinner seatings.

Happy to see your daughter enjoyed her cruise. My friends have 14 year old twins going. They have never attended a kids/teens club before.

Ellen

Hi,

I posted some info for you over in the roll call.

Ellen

Hello moomoocow,

We checked that for this summer and you have to have two adults in a cabin for the children to be free.

We don't usually plan vacations this far ahead, but thought about booking while we are on the Divina.

Enjoy your vacation on the Divina. We will be on a week after you get off.

Ellen

Thank you AmoMondo. I will check out those ships.

One friend is a teacher and another has kids in school so if I go with them on our annual vacation, we have to go in August.

Airfare would be very expensive at the last minute. They had some great last minute deals on the Divina in August.

Ellen

Hello,

If you put in 1 person on August 1, 2015, there are no rooms available. If you put in 2 or more, rooms are available. This was on the MSC USA website.

I will check in August when onboard the Divina to see if they allow solo cabins if others are booking too.

Ellen

Skipper Tim,

Thank you for the information. We booked back in February and I paid an 80 percent supplement.

My friend with kids got a great deal and that is why they wanted to look at it for next year. Unfortunately, they can only travel school vacation time.

Royal Caribbean introduced the 100 percent supplement last year.

Ellen

Hello,

We are sailing on the Divina in August. We were looking at MSC for next summer, but I checked the pricing for a solo, and it comes up no rooms available. I was able to book a balcony cabin this year.

Does MSC have a different policy in Europe where they do not allow a solo person to book a cruise?

It seems strange that they don't want solo/single people to travel with their families or couples.

Ellen

JW,

Thanks for the great review.

Did I miss the additional information that was to follow?

We are also doing the Eastern Caribbean route. What nights were formal nights? Any tips for San Juan? We have done the forts, outlets and have stayed in Isla Verde twice.

Thanks,

Ellen

Hello,

I am also sailing on August 9th. We booked through MSC. Some of the options such as drink vouchers were not available to purchase on-line. We had to call in to add them . Everything went smoothly.

There is roll call for August 9th. You might want to join it.

Our group is looking forward to trying a new cruise line. We usually sail Royal.

Ellen

Bret,

Thank you so much for the info. We are trying MSC for the first time.

It would be easier if MSC categorized the different size rooms and/or balconies. I had to rely on another site's deck plan to pick the cabins.

Ellen

Hi Bret,

Could you provide information on the following rooms:

12121

12123

12125

12127

12133

12137

Thank you,

Ellen

Bonvoyagemom,

This has been such a long winter here. We had a nice day yesterday with some melting, but what melted froze over.

We are on the August 9th sailing. We have 12 people in our group. Some of us plan to fly down the day before and stay at Intercontenital, so we can walk over to Bayside (like a mini Quincy Market).

Enjoy your vacation. It should be great.

Ellen

Cruiseguys2009,

Thank you so much for the info. I will have to get my reservation number out and look up availability.

We are also doing the eastern caribbean route so I will look forward to your review.

Do you have excursions planned for San Juan or St. Maarten. We have vacationed twice in San Juan but don't think we have time to do our favorite snorkeling tour from the east end of the island.

We will probably do a snorkeling tour or beach in Saint Maarten.

Ellen

Cruiseguys2009,

Do you have pricing on the specialty restaurant packages?

Are you doing a western or eastern caribbean cruise? We are interested in what night they do baked alaska in the dining room so that we can plan our specialty dining nights.

Thank you again for all the pictures of the ship. Last night, I showed them to some of friends that I will be cruising with.

Ellen

Cruiseguys2009,

The Divina pictures look incredible! Will you be doing a review after your cruise in May?

We had planned to go on Royal Caribbean, but I am a solo traveler and they changed their single supplement policy and their prices were crazy in August. I have a balcony for less than an inside on Royal. The couples and the family also made out much better.

We are excited to try the Divina especially after this snowy and frigid weather in Massachusetts this winter.

Ellen

When I have sailed during the fall the last couple of years, I got good deals with lower single supplements. School vacation time has been 200 %.

On the Explorer on October 19th, I purchased 2 next cruise certificates and the rep told me they were giving double points for singles. She failed to tell me a week later they would be increasing solo prices.

Tried to book a cruise the next weekend, but the computer system was down. That is when the policy change was implemented.

I did book a cruise on 10/27 before I knew of the policy change. Hoping they go back to offering deals in the off-season.

When I travel in August with friends, I will have to go to an inside or another line. If that happens, RCCL could have 18-20 people going on another line.

If you travel when school is in session, you can get get some very good deals on Royal Caribbean.

Last May, I booked an eight night Brilliance of the Seas cruise for 699 including taxes and port fees. About 3 weeks before, I upgraded to an oceanview for an additional 105.

It was the first cruise to leave NJ after Hurricane Sandy. Had a great time on my first solo cruise.