letsgoonholiday

We did the Allegrissimo package on both cruises done to date. You cannot go wrong. Includes water, speciality coffees, cold drinks, basically all alcoholic drinks by the glass and even ice cream! As far as we could tell, the "upgraded" drinks version includes your cabin mini bar and couple of premier brand drinks.

Thanks for replies. EM. is it easy to make your own way from Hellesylt to Geiranger or would you advise doing the excursion with the ship?

I would definitely use the ship excursion. Public transport (from what we could see) was nonexistent.

I will start off by saying first that I have not yet gone on a cruise (my first will be on Jan. 22 on the Disney Dream), but our family has booked a Nov. 2016 8day/7night Caribbean cruise on the MSC Divina because of the balcony special and our 2 kids sailing free (it's a cheaper vacation than staying in a hotel, paying for food, etc.).

 

We had family that cruised the MSC Divina and loved it. Then after we booked I started seeing all of these negative reviews.

 

My question is this: Is it really THAT bad when it comes to food and service? Their website sucks, but I have always had a good interaction when I spoke with someone on the phone. And as far as the food, don't get me wrong...I love to dine at Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris Steak House, but I am not above also enjoying a meal at Cracker Barrel.

 

When I look at the negative reviews they seem to be from people who have taken many cruises, specifically luxury cruises. I mean, if you went on a Crystal cruise, I'm sure the food on the MSC Divina may not be the same, but was it really that horrible? Honestly, I just enjoy the idea of not having to cook and having room service for a week...lol.

 

Any insight is appreciated :)

No - Divina is not bad. We had a great time on her. Food was very good (mainly used the main dining room as the buffet area sometimes is a bit crowded). If you treat the staff with kindness, they will treat you like Kings. Keep in mind....Italian Ship = Italian food (which we loved!!). We like MSC. Have a great trip!!

Hi All, I have booked a cruise on the MSC Opera to go around the Norwegian fjords in June. The ports we are stopping at are Warnemumde, Bergen, Hellesylt/Geiranger and Flam. Does anyone know if you can walk off the ship at these ports or do you have to use a shuttle?

Do yourself a HUGE favour. Take the ship excursion in Flam (Train up and Bus down) Absolutely worth every penny! We did it in 2015. You'll see sites that is so beautiful!!

Hi Cruisers-

 

I am planning a cruise on the Divina in Sept - Mediteranian. I was just told by the PCC @ MSC, that everyone in our group- currently 8 cabins, 16 people , would all have to get beverage package.

 

So, if say 2 people didn't want the package, then the rest of us can't have the package?

 

This was not "group" pricing, everyone was individual.

We travelled in a small group and if 1 wanted the package, everyone had to buy it. It is well worth the money! The inclusive package we opted for (Allegrissimo) included coffee's, soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits - you can't go wrong (even if you do not drink alcohol)

We are avid cruisers, RCCL and Disney mostly. We cruise 2 to 3 times a year and have for years. I have been reading about the Divina and we thought we would take a leap and cruise on a line that we have never cruised on before.

 

NOW the questions start. What will I hate and what will I love? Just looking for everyone take on the ship and the cruise line staff. :-)

 

I will be sailing with my family/extended family. My daughter is disabled and in a wheelchair. Anyone with experience in the area would be great.

 

Thank you in advance :D

We loved the Divina! Treat the staff with kindness and they'll treat you like Kings !! We did a Med cruise, so the different Nationalities on Board was like a fruit salad - we enjoyed that. Remember that most of the staff are European and English is not their 1st language.

The cabins are great and the Ship is kept spotless. The food is good. (If you want to find fault you certainly would be able to - we enjoyed it all)

Enjoy your cruise!!!!!

We're trying to decide which (if any) pre-paid beverage plans to get. Hubby is a non-drinker, coffee addict. I am a light drinker, mostly wine, but the cocktails look yummy. The coffee cuddle looks good at $31 for 15 drinks. Also looking at the More-For-Less-Escape-Pass looks interesting but not sure it's a good deal. At $4.67 per item, using a voucher for soda, juice, premium tea or take-away ice cream seems overpriced even for a cruise ship and I'd be better off paying for them. But we've never been on MSC so we're not sure what the price is.

 

Are we charged for regular brewed coffee at non-meal times? If so, do the coffee cuddle give unlimited brewed coffee at all times? That's how it worked with the coffee card on our last cruise with Princess. As long as we had one stamp left on the coffee card, we got free coffee.

 

I'm leaning towards the Coffee Cuddle and the 12 drink vouchers and pay for soda, ice cream and tea.

 

Any suggestions? BTW - this is a 4 day cruise so I doubt we will use up all of the vouchers

 

TIA

Caroline

We bought the full drinks package and it was the best decision ever! We did not enjoy the breakfast coffee - so we ordered speciality coffees at breakfast. Soft drinks (we sailed in Summer, so it was HOT out) and Ice Creams are included in the package. Even if you don't drink alcohol I would say the drinks package is worth every cent.

Great to hear you enjoyed the Divina. We went on her in July 2013 and had a fantastic time. Was worried about the negative reviews before the time and found all these to be UNfounded!

We booked on MSC again in June 2015 - Northern Europe on the (then) refurbished Sinfonia. I am sure we will have a great time. Treat the staff with friendliness and respect and they'll treat you like KINGS !!!

Thanks for the info and link!!!!

Has anyone been on the Armonia after her refurb? We are going on the Sinfonia in June 2015 and understand She'll look basically the same as the Armonia - any pics available?

Yes, I am talking about the UK canals. The one we have reserved is near Chester England in the beginning of July 2015. It sleeps four, probably about 45 ft. in length. There will probably be just the two of us on it because my friends have either no money or no interest. We will be on it for a week.

 

I am used to boats, and RV's and trailers, so I am looking forward to this.

 

I was just wondering about other people's experiences and if they have any general advice. I know to bring soft luggage, rain gear, and some food.

We have done the canals twice. 2nd Time with friends in a 4 sleeper. Most enjoyable but be prepared that privacy is a bit limited - you need to walk through 1 bedroom to get to the other. The fact that one needs to return to the same harbour to return the boat is also a bit of a pain, as you return the same way you came (there are no options of dropping off at another harbour). Pack / buy a BBQ kit - there are plenty of places along your way where you are allowed to have a BBQ.

I have a tip - its not an american cruise line and anyone comparing it to American lines will be disappointed and possibly even appalled.

 

:D

hahahahahahaha - agreed kate! We went on the Divina last year. After all the bad reviews we expected the worst. (Only light at the end of the tunnel was a guy from the US stating - on cruise critic - that people reading the reviews should keep in mind that most reviews were written by Americans use to the "American way of cruising" (whatever that means). We had a FANTASTIC time with MSC and the Divina. So much so that we have booked another cruise with them in 2015. Treat the staff with respect and a smile - you'll get it back 10 fold!! (Oh......and don't complain about "too much Italian food" - IT IS AN ITALIAN LINER, for crying in a bucket!!) Happy cruising!!!!