Just off MSC Divina - hopefully a balanced opinion

[happytravellers2]

After months of reading the polarised views on MSC we finally got to our cruise on MSC Divina on 1st June.

This was only our second cruise - so although we now see ourselves as "cruisers" we do not claim to have done it all and know it all.

Overall we had a great trip and really enjoyed it. Divina is a stunning ship and we thoroughly enjoyed her.

The passenger mix was majority Italian, closely followed by French, plenty of Germans, and a mix of Spanish, British, and small amounts of Americans, Aussies, Swedes, South Africans and others - with a surprisingly evenly mixed age. I think that I enjoyed the passenger mix more than our previous experience on HAL which was majority over 70 age and 60% US, 30% Canadian, just because of the variety - and reflect that comments in negative reviews about the passenger mix just result from the reality that such a mix of people accept that they mix with other but cannot really communicate well, so just get on with it. No politeness barrier for sure.

We ventured as much as we could around Divina, and found that there are spots for everyone. Quiet spots during the day in the lounges where you will be almost on your own - the Black & White was our favorite watching the wake, but we also saw groups enjoying games of cards in Galaxy and the Silver Lounge during the quiet times of day.

The pool areas buzzed, particularly in the afternoons - and although no big sailaway parties, everyone had a festive time.

The Allegrissimo package is the biggest recommendation - what a great deal considering the high prices on board - and it makes the cruise even more enjoyable when you don't have to consider the cost of that extra Americano, gelato, spritz or lemonchello as you work your way through the day.

The only disappointments - the food - it was ok - not bad, but not great - just ok. The MDR was too much of the same, with very little variety. It sums it up when I say that I enjoyed the food and wine more on our flights with Turkish Airways (which were surprisingly superb) to and from home to Venice than the food in the MDR. The best meals we had were when we tried lunch in Villa Rossa twice - top tip - get into Villa Rossa just after 12 and you can get one of the tables at the full height windows for lunch with a magnificent view - and a sail away to remember from Katalokon.

The other disappointment was the poor quality of the house wine - we tasted lovely local wines in Venice from the barrel in bacarros that knocked spots of the house wine served (except the sparkling wine which was fine) - and the overly sweet drink mixes from the multi-streams - and the refusal of some of the bar tenders to put less of the multi-stream sweet drink into a drink - if I was charged the going rate of €26 for 2 double G&Ts and they got filled up with sweet fizz as they did, then I think I would have taken several more back to the bar than I did. For the best drink head for the casino bar where they are served in smaller glasses and cannot fit too much sweet fizz in.

Other comments - cabin was excellent (we did check out everything on arrival as recommended on this forum and found the tissues empty and no gowns - which was quickly resolved after a request to our steward); no language problems with the staff; and no translation problems in the menus as often commented on - just a couple in the daily newsletter.

But overall, a really enjoyable cruise, and I certainly do not want the couple of negative comments to overweigh the vast amount of positives that we experienced - and I will definitely consider cruising with MSC again.

[sidari]

Thanks for posting your review, many recent comment on food in the MDR as being just ok is something that it seems MSC need to work on.

 

Still looking forward to our cruise on Divina later in the year ... :)

[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Thank you for your balanced review, nice to read and I'm glad that you enjoyed you cruise on this great ship. :)

[Kelownabccan]

The only disappointments - the food - it was ok - not bad, but not great - just ok. The MDR was too much of the same, with very little variety. It sums it up when I say that I enjoyed the food and wine more on our flights with Turkish Airways (which were surprisingly superb) to and from home to Venice than the food in the MDR.

 

My wife just commented to me after I read this comment to her....we won't starve but will not get off the ship after 18 days overweight!!!!....maybe things will be different for a repo cruise and not the run of the mill 7 days ones.....

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for your balanced review. Looking forward to our Divina cruise in February.

[happytravellers2]

The only disappointments - the food - it was ok - not bad, but not great - just ok. The MDR was too much of the same, with very little variety. It sums it up when I say that I enjoyed the food and wine more on our flights with Turkish Airways (which were surprisingly superb) to and from home to Venice than the food in the MDR.

 

My wife just commented to me after I read this comment to her....we won't starve but will not get off the ship after 18 days overweight!!!!....maybe things will be different for a repo cruise and not the run of the mill 7 days ones.....

 

Naah, still put on 3 kg - and we are not buffet pilers.

There is plenty of food, and much of it good - but there were very few dishes that wowed me. The biggest disappointment was the lack of a little variety or imagination.

But equally, there was only one bad dish in the many we had.

As I said, the best meals we had were lunch in the Villa Rosa - both times was very good - and I highly recommend.

[Kelownabccan]

Is that one of those "pay extra" food places?????...we usually try one of the different venues to eat on each cruise but I hate paying more so try to eat in the MDR most of the time.....

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[AmoMondo]

The only disappointments - the food - it was ok - not bad, but not great - just ok. The MDR was too much of the same, with very little variety. It sums it up when I say that I enjoyed the food and wine more on our flights with Turkish Airways (which were surprisingly superb) to and from home to Venice than the food in the MDR.

 

My wife just commented to me after I read this comment to her....we won't starve but will not get off the ship after 18 days overweight!!!!....maybe things will be different for a repo cruise and not the run of the mill 7 days ones.....

 

They mix it up on repo cruises, switching the more usual menus some evenings with the cuisine of various countries like an Asian, night, French, German, Brazilian etc. Partly dictated by the route and ports of a call. So you don't get the Brazilian night on a repo to South Africa.

 

As for losing weight onboard...I wish...put on 6 pounds after a week on the Orchestra last month. I knew having the pasta course at lunch and diner was going to do damage, but I just love it. Now back on the low carb regime:(

[Skipper Tim]

The other disappointment was the poor quality of the house wine - we tasted lovely local wines in Venice from the barrel in bacarros that knocked spots of the house wine served (except the sparkling wine which was fine)

 

I totally agree here. My drink of choice is red wine but when on Allegrissimo I feel more inclined to drink other things because the house wine is so poor - this is almost certainly a false economy on MSC's part. The chianti available on the Premium Allegrissimo is half decent but I think if you are primarily a wine-drinker the money would be better spent on genuine wine off the genuine wine list than on the Premium package.

 

I also agree on the food. MSC need to concentrate on their strengths and cut out the crud. There is way too much on every menu with little prospect of ever knowing what to choose. It is pot luck to get something special rather than the mundane.

 

All said, MSC are good value. We just need to work around their weaknesses.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your review.

 

Keith

[michelleah]

I'm sailing on the Divina in late October. Thank you for your balanced review. I'm hoping all will be well as I'm coming over from Australia (1st time overseas as o/s travel is expensive here). Any idea of the weather at this time of year (Mediterranean, Eastern) ??? MSC not only offered a great deal, I'm meeting up with an Aussie friend & her daughters, they also took off the single supplement !!

 

 

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[happytravellers2]

Is that one of those "pay extra" food places?????...we usually try one of the different venues to eat on each cruise but I hate paying more so try to eat in the MDR most of the time.....

 

No, Villa Rosa is one of the two MDRs but has the benefit of great window views - particularly the stern window directly under the Black & White lounge.

I understand that new cruisers start assigned for dinner to Black Crab and more frequent cruisers to Villa Rosa (but I may be misinformed), but at breakfast or lunch you can go to either.

No extra charge, and getting in early we found the waiters relaxed and the food very good - certainly the best we had on our cruise and definitely restaurant quality.

We tried breakfast there once, and whilst they did serve my favorite eggs benedict, which was not available in the buffet, we did prefer breakfast in the buffet - mainly because you could get premium coffee (which was very good). We just made sure we missed the peak times - which can get busy. The 14th deck has all round views - and the stern section is often very quiet, particularly as out of peak times the buffet sections in that area are not stocked - so a little walk gets you away from the crowds and a quiet table with a great view.

But hey - as had been said by experienced cruisers on this forum - try everything and find what works for you - the beauty of a big ship like Divina is that there is lots of options.

[happytravellers2]

I'm sailing on the Divina in late October. Thank you for your balanced review. I'm hoping all will be well as I'm coming over from Australia (1st time overseas as o/s travel is expensive here). Any idea of the weather at this time of year (Mediterranean, Eastern) ??? MSC not only offered a great deal, I'm meeting up with an Aussie friend & her daughters, they also took off the single supplement !!

 

 

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Sorry Michelleah, can't comment about the weather from experience - but most of the cruise is in an area of good weather most of the year and so you will probably have a good chance - and maybe better than the peak summer heat.

Divina is a stunning ship and the itinery is excellent - I'm sure you will have a great time.

If you want some feedback on the port stops I will gladly oblige.

[AmoMondo]

I'm sailing on the Divina in late October. Thank you for your balanced review. I'm hoping all will be well as I'm coming over from Australia (1st time overseas as o/s travel is expensive here). Any idea of the weather at this time of year (Mediterranean, Eastern) ??? MSC not only offered a great deal, I'm meeting up with an Aussie friend & her daughters, they also took off the single supplement !!

 

 

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Welcome to cruise critic.

 

late October is going to feel fairly cool compared to what you'll be experiencing in September. You may get some bright sunny mild days and the further south you head, the warmer it will be. Daylight hours will be getting shorter but not as bad as December. Chance of Autumn storms.

 

On the plus side, let's face it you are not going to the Med for heat and sunshine like I do, but for experiencing new countries and the ports will be less crowded at that time of year with the peak holiday periods well and truly over.

[letsgoonholiday]

We just got off the Divina. Had a great time. I agree that most of the bad reviews were unfounded. Will sail MSC again. My review to follow soon. Glad you had an enjoyable time too.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!