Anyone Sailed Both, MSC, And Carnival??

[Big Jay]

I'm Currently Booked On The Carnival Splendor, 10-14, And I Seriously, Thinking About Switching, To MSC Divina (10-14)!!!

 

From The Pictures I Saw, The Divina Is Truly A Beauty!!!!

 

I'm Glad MSC Decided To Send A Ship To Homeport Year Around, In The USA!!!

 

What's The Pros & Cons Of MSC Divina, And The Splendor?:confused:

 

I've Been On 16 Cruises, And As You Can See In My Signiature Below, I'm NOT Loyal To Any Cruise Line!!! I'm Looking For The Best Quality, And Value For MY Money!!!

 

P.S. To All Future Cruisers Of The Divina, It Will Be Greatly, Appreciated , If You Can Post Pictures And Reviews Of The Lovely Divina!!!!! But, Most Of All.... Enjoy YOUR Cruise!!!!!:)

[GOLDENBONNY]

I'm Currently Booked On The Carnival Splendor, 10-14, And I Seriously, Thinking About Switching, To MSC Divina (10-14)!!!

 

From The Pictures I Saw, The Divina Is Truly A Beauty!!!!

 

I'm Glad MSC Decided To Send A Ship To Homeport Year Around, In The USA!!!

 

What's The Pros & Cons Of MSC Divina, And The Splendor?:confused:

 

I've Been On 16 Cruises, And As You Can See In My Signiature Below, I'm NOT Loyal To Any Cruise Line!!! I'm Looking For The Best Quality, And Value For MY Money!!!

 

P.S. To All Future Cruisers Of The Divina, It Will Be Greatly, Appreciated , If You Can Post Pictures And Reviews Of The Lovely Divina!!!!! But, Most Of All.... Enjoy YOUR Cruise!!!!!:)

 

 

I did . 2 times on Poesia an one time on CCL Valore. I love MSC much better . I am going B2B in DEc on Divina . MSC much cleaner ,service much better ,much less drunk people . Ships...you cannot even compare MSC beautiful and tasteful -CCL.... well ...you know :D

[bltrn]

This will be our 16th cruise as well. I have never cruised with MSC, but have done a TON of research and the Divina looks awesome. Last year we went with Carnival and I was disappointed with them. Don't get me wrong, we had fun, but the decor seemed too gaudy and there were too many drunk people. We had a Grand Suite and the only perk was early boarding. When we sail on the Divina next week, we'll be in the Yacht Club so there will be a LOT of perks!! Not only that, the price was outstanding.

[steph7021]

I've been on the Magic, Conquest and Sensation. For MSC I sailed the Orchestra in the Caribbean. I'll be on the Armonia in May. The difference that I noted was Children's programming. It wasn't too great on the Orchestra....especially compared to the brand new Magic. The Magic, Dream and Breeze also have so many "fun ship" extras (not sure about some of the other Carnival ships). I found the Orchestra to be beautiful, great service in the dining room and on the ship.

 

If I didn't have small children (which I no longer do) I'd have no trouble choosing the Divina. We are looking at it for Spring 2015

[alexkrn46]

I have been on two Carnival Cruises, both were excellent. MSC is a different level, one being the Holiday Inn and the other being a 4 star hotel.

[RuthlessBoss]

OMG Jay, I'm here too. Those pictures are gorgeous on the other thread.

[RuthlessBoss]

I did . 2 times on Poesia an one time on CCL Valore. I love MSC much better . I am going B2B in DEc on Divina . MSC much cleaner ,service much better ,much less drunk people . Ships...you cannot even compare MSC beautiful and tasteful -CCL.... well ...you know :D

That Dec 10 cruise is to die for. I'm locked into a different cruise on the 7th:mad:

[flag fan]

I've sailed on the Carnival Pride (to the Bahamas) and the MSC Poesia (to the Caribbean) and in my view the level of service, quality of food, and level of entertainment are about the same--both very good and I would not hesitate sailing on either one again. The MSC had a different atmosphere because of the large number of non-American passengers; announcements and ship activities (bingo, pool games, etc.) were in multiple languages. The gelato (ice cream) was fantastic on the Poesia and the specialty restaurants were great, but so were the ones on the Carnival Pride. I liked the more cosmopolitan feel of the Poesia, but I think the Divina will cater more to Americans (well, North Americans--Canadians too!). I have a cruise scheduled on the Divina next February and am really looking forward to it. I think you will do well with either Carnival or Divina.

[RuthlessBoss]

I've sailed on the Carnival Pride (to the Bahamas) and the MSC Poesia (to the Caribbean) and in my view the level of service, quality of food, and level of entertainment are about the same--both very good and I would not hesitate sailing on either one again. The MSC had a different atmosphere because of the large number of non-American passengers; announcements and ship activities (bingo, pool games, etc.) were in multiple languages. The gelato (ice cream) was fantastic on the Poesia and the specialty restaurants were great, but so were the ones on the Carnival Pride. I liked the more cosmopolitan feel of the Poesia, but I think the Divina will cater more to Americans (well, North Americans--Canadians too!). I have a cruise scheduled on the Divina next February and am really looking forward to it. I think you will do well with either Carnival or Divina.

I'm not a MSC expert, sailed just once in the Caribbean on Opera. It is my understanding the multiple language thing is going to be dropped when they sail here. I will appreciate that personally, I think that should remain on the ships in Europe though. Not sure what changes, if any, will happen with menues.

[earn]

Mostly sail Royal Caribbean, but have done one western Caribbean cruise on each of Carnival Valor and MSC Poesia. MSC won hands down for me. I liked Carnival food and entertainment, but I could not stand the décor of that ship, and I didn't think it was clean. our sons didn't rate the children programmes on either ship in comparison with RCI. Now they are teen that is less important.

[Big Jay]

OMG Jay, I'm here too. Those pictures are gorgeous on the other thread.

Yes There Are!!!:)

[cruisetrail]

I'm Currently Booked On The Carnival Splendor, 10-14, And I Seriously, Thinking About Switching, To MSC Divina (10-14)!!!

 

From The Pictures I Saw, The Divina Is Truly A Beauty!!!!

 

I'm Glad MSC Decided To Send A Ship To Homeport Year Around, In The USA!!!

 

What's The Pros & Cons Of MSC Divina, And The Splendor?:confused:

 

I've Been On 16 Cruises, And As You Can See In My Signiature Below, I'm NOT Loyal To Any Cruise Line!!! I'm Looking For The Best Quality, And Value For MY Money!!!

 

P.S. To All Future Cruisers Of The Divina, It Will Be Greatly, Appreciated , If You Can Post Pictures And Reviews Of The Lovely Divina!!!!! But, Most Of All.... Enjoy YOUR Cruise!!!!!:)

 

The Divina and the Splendor are products of the same level.

The Divina has more close-in feel lacking promenade and front oservation decks we enjoy on Destiny class ships.

The Divina is a larger and newer ship with a different decor inside.

As you have already been on the Splendor there may be no doubt - book the Divina.

[sharecruises]

As you can see I have been on Carnival quite a bit and also this past 3 night on Divina was my 4th on MSC, 2 4 nights , this 3 night and a 7 night on Poesia last april

 

There are good and bad on both.....Divina is just stunning, the workmanship and decor far surpasses Carnival IMHO.....

and the food I had on Divina is much better than Carnival has been in recent years....huge shrimp cocktail , really nice "free" steaks rather than the flatiron tough junk Carnival serves

 

MSC is working hard to get rid of the complaints....they are hiring away fun and friendly RCI workers who treat guests like gold...and apparently have been trying to use English speaking workers and train them to please Americans - "have a nice day" friendly <grin>

 

Entertainment....OMG>>>> MSC... Carnival has gone soooo downhill on that.....our first night show we had 10 dancers (6 gals, 4 guys)....3 contortionist gals....4 acrobat guys....2 singers...a violin player lady , the clown....a guy who did aerial acrobat on fabric ? ...a guy who rolled around in hula hoop contraction....2 strongman type acrobat guys...a magician and his assistant....a guy with a ? yo-yo routine (devils cup?)....and a soprano singer plus a guy singer with a great voice

 

Carnival has apparently cut back so much....a few production shows...on the newer ships they have that new deal , 8 singer dancers who dio a few shows then junk like Hasbro game show....they no longer have the fly in entertainment

 

on a 3 night cruise we had fabulous Comedy/Singer Impressionist Scott Record....http://www.scottrecord.com who has been on lots of cruiselines...and Vegas, Atlantic City etc

 

we had an Abba tribute group - and a Michael Jackson impersonator plus the shows from the huge staff

 

the "steel band" was NOT yet on our sailing but will be on the rest for Divina...Carnival replaced that with a guitar and /or a DJ..

 

we had >> classical trio, latin trio, dueling pianos, an r&B duo, a duo who did more folk/country...another piano player...so much music.... a NON smoking disco yay

 

Divina is a lot less smoking than Carnival - only in cigar bar/maybe in casino a small area at designated times?? I didn't smell it...and on one side of the outdoor pool deck...and that's it...

no smoking in any cabin or balcony - $250 fine

I am so tired of people whining about smoky Italian ships - Divina was the most smoke free I have ever been on - I loved that

 

Royal has a smoky disco and so does Carnival

I only was on Holland America for a lunch but wow a lot of smokers there

and I think they let them smoke on the balcony...a lot of really old people still smoking away LOL

 

Given the cutbacks on Carnival I would pick Divina..

 

The "old" Carnival - first time I sailed Imagination was a treat....but it has gone downhill....I still enjoy it...but quality of the included food has gone downhill and they have cut out a lot of the live entertainment including the fantastic Filipino cover bands they used to employ...

If you like to hear rap/hip hop/pop over and over from a DJ Carnival is your ship

 

I will say that the Filipino staff on Carnival is more fun and nicer but lately they are so overworked that the dining service has suffered

 

If you go on MSC, look for the fun staff that has moved over from Royal, mostly Jamaican...they are a delight.

 

If u like to smoke - pick Carnival...their balconies are full of smokers from what I can see....I had a balcony on MSC that was wonderful but on Carnival I prefer an inside or window cabin so I don't have to smell balcony smoke

[sharecruises]

I'm not a MSC expert, sailed just once in the Caribbean on Opera. It is my understanding the multiple language thing is going to be dropped when they sail here. I will appreciate that personally, I think that should remain on the ships in Europe though. Not sure what changes, if any, will happen with menues.

 

YUP....shows are totally English - Cruise director only English

more trivia, games...etc

 

Menus are wonderful - still great Italian pasta and desserts...the food was fantastic

 

The first time I sailed Poesia in 2011 the buffet had such limited hours..it was hard to get ice, lemons....now they have it all out there for "us"....buffet is open 20 hours a day and 24/7 for ice and water/coffee etc

 

MSC has free cranberry, orange and pineapple juice till 5 pm too

plus ice tea all day and most of the night

 

They redid the buffet on all the ships last year....open 20 hrs a day, they now make all their own bread on board

 

we did NOT have the omelet station (Poesia did) BUT starting on the new sailing it will be there every morning (apparently only done in the US and not yet ready for the first sailing I was on)

 

They still have the Euro/Med area too - all sorts of cheeses, cold cuts...some sort of jelly /jam to put on the cheeses....grilled Italian stuff like eggplant and peppers....more stuff like olives, marinated red peppers etc...

good pizza, great pasta....really good desserts...

they have an ethnic corner - changes every day...one day was greek

one day Thai and ? whatever...on 7 night you will see Indian day, Indonesian day....etc

 

They also have hot dogs and burgers, sausages, fries, etc

 

Huge salad bar with super nice trimmings

big fruit bar - cut up fruits of all sorts

 

then daily offerings - cassaroles...pastas....so many things

[alpal1993]

I have been on Carnival Sunshine and MSC Poesia so not even close to being an expert.We will be cruising on MSC Divina this coming March and Sunshine again out of Port Canaveral this coming June.Loved both cruises although couldn't compare itineraries as Sunshine was a dream come true(Mediterranean Barcelona to Venice.I a happy as long as I get to travel.DH and I love cruising and never are m.Just very greatfull to be able to share the experience.

[sharecruises]

Kids program on MSC also seems to be vastly improved...

one of my gals brought her daughter and 6 year old granddaughter along..they did their own thing and the kiddo had a blast

she loved the kids club

 

MSC also has a kids corner - buffet -with kiddo food fries, chicken nuggets etc

 

older kids like the slide, bowling, the 4 d or whatever theater

 

some of my group also did the theater "ride" and loved it :)

[tbmrt]

Memories of prior cruises in a nutshell....

 

12/13/12 RC Liberty of the Seas - Liked the ship, amazing shows and activities. Felt that the ship didn't have the warmth of some of the others...May have been due to size and schedules.

 

12/14/11 NCL Dawn - Loved the size of ship and ports

 

12/03/10 NCL Sky - Great weekend cruise - took this twice and would go again. Fun crowd. Not at all crazy about the Bahamas though.

 

10/16/10 NCL Sun - Didn't care for this ship at all. Remember food being awful and many of the servers being rushed and rude.

 

06/05/10 Bahamas Celebration - Cheap, short trip, but fabulous memories!

 

12/04/09 NCL Sky Bahamas - see above

 

11/30/09 Royal Caribbean Majesty Bahamas - Didn't like the ship, but did make lots of friends.

 

11/29/09 NCL DAWN WAS CANCELLED! Was floating in the ocean with no propulsion the day before we were scheduled to board!! Heard lots of horror stories from passengers.

 

12/08/08 Celebrity Solstice Eastern Caribbean - Elegant ship, good service and food.

 

12/07/07 Carnival Legend Western Caribbean - Was on its 2nd trip out. First time with very rocky seas. Quite an experience! Didn't care for the decor and crowd....Great chocolate molten dessert!

 

We love to cruise in order to easily experience adventures at different ports and aren't loyal to one cruiseline. It's mostly about the ports and price. I can't say we would never book a certain cruiseline again.

 

A balcony is a necessity for us since we no longer feel the need to dash about the ship to experience every activity. We truly enjoy relaxing on our balcony at breakfast and after excursions.

 

We're really looking forward to the Divina and its ports. Although we'll appreciate some of the recent changes, I'm hoping some of the italian ambiance will still be there!

 

Barbara

[sharecruises]

 

 

We're really looking forward to the Divina and its ports. Although we'll appreciate some of the recent changes, I'm hoping some of the italian ambiance will still be there!

 

Barbara

 

The Italian Ambiance is there - but without some of the former "Italian Attitude" LOL IMHO. Great Italian food....beautiful Italian decor....NO opera but they may have it on 7 nights? Singers were great however

 

 

If you like NCL you will love Divina - great shows, lots of music in different bars...if you liked Celebration (one I would not sail on LOL) then you are gonna love Divina

 

Liberty of the Seas probably had the Royal "shopping mall/sell sell" feel - you will love Divina

 

then again you might not - well variety is the spice of life

Give her a try - MSC is different - lacking a good website, good "information" and sometimes lacking in customer service

But once on board you may be pleasantly surprised :) I loved Divina

despite some glitches - I like the "Americanization" of the ship <grin>

 

You know...IMHO there is nothing wrong with our "American" ways........if we like ice and lemons in water so be it :)

 

Great Pizza and Pasta and beautiful Italian decor , handsome Italian Officers in dress whites -that is Italian enough for me haha - welcome Divina to her new Home - when in Rome do as the Romans do - she ain't in Rome anymore <grin> Yipppeee

[GOLDENBONNY]

Mostly sail Royal Caribbean, but have done one western Caribbean cruise on each of Carnival Valor and MSC Poesia. MSC won hands down for me. I liked Carnival food and entertainment, but I could not stand the décor of that ship, and I didn't think it was clean. our sons didn't rate the children programmes on either ship in comparison with RCI. Now they are teen that is less important.

 

 

No,Valor was not clean at all I never saw such a dirty ship :cool:

[MSC Cruises USA]

I'm Currently Booked On The Carnival Splendor, 10-14, And I Seriously, Thinking About Switching, To MSC Divina (10-14)!!!

 

From The Pictures I Saw, The Divina Is Truly A Beauty!!!!

 

I'm Glad MSC Decided To Send A Ship To Homeport Year Around, In The USA!!!

 

What's The Pros & Cons Of MSC Divina, And The Splendor?:confused:

 

I've Been On 16 Cruises, And As You Can See In My Signiature Below, I'm NOT Loyal To Any Cruise Line!!! I'm Looking For The Best Quality, And Value For MY Money!!!

 

P.S. To All Future Cruisers Of The Divina, It Will Be Greatly, Appreciated , If You Can Post Pictures And Reviews Of The Lovely Divina!!!!! But, Most Of All.... Enjoy YOUR Cruise!!!!!:)

 

Hi Jay,

 

Here are some photo highlights from the debut cruise of MSC Divina from PortMiami! Enjoy and we hope to see you onboard soon! :)

 

[GOLDENBONNY]

Hi Jay,

 

Here are some photo highlights from the debut cruise of MSC Divina from PortMiami! Enjoy and we hope to see you onboard soon! :)

 

 

 

Thank you !

[taszmom]

I have been on many CCL cruises, most recently the Breeze. I have been on the MSC Poesia twice and just sailed on the Divina. I don't what type of cruise experience you are looking for, but I found the food to be horrible both in the buffet and in the MDR. Language / communication still a problem in some cases. We had dinner at 9pm. They said they were going to change all these things. I did not experience that. Good luck.

[travelady65]

Hi Jay,

 

Here are some photo highlights from the debut cruise of MSC Divina from PortMiami! Enjoy and we hope to see you onboard soon! :)

 

 

Hello thank you for the very nice pictures taken aboard the MSC Divina...I will be sailing her December 7th for the 3 night getaway...pictures were very helpful...the ship looks amazing...will there be fireworks you think on the December 7th sailing? Also can you tell me some of the activities they will have onboard...will they have bingo? also what kind of entertainment.... I booked this cruise, as i wanted to see what the ship is like...as i will be sailing her again in October 4, 2014...this is my first MSC cruise....

[sharecruises]

Hello thank you for the very nice pictures taken aboard the MSC Divina...I will be sailing her December 7th for the 3 night getaway...pictures were very helpful...the ship looks amazing...will there be fireworks you think on the December 7th sailing? Also can you tell me some of the activities they will have onboard...will they have bingo? also what kind of entertainment.... I booked this cruise, as i wanted to see what the ship is like...as i will be sailing her again in October 4, 2014...this is my first MSC cruise....

 

Ship is beautiful and shows were great

 

here is my review thread....>>> details of shows on my cruise

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1948103

 

I think the fireworks were one time only - USA Divina "debut"

 

They have sailaway parties....and all the stuff other cruise lines have

 

with MSC I find it best to try not to overthink or overplan - the office and website and people will tell you all different things and who knows??

 

Truly the "Mediterranian Way" often boils down to que sera ...sera...."what will be will be">> I find I have a better time on MSC when I don't "overthink" it

(unfortunately I had some people in my group who could not get over the late dining on OUR cruise - they promise will change for next sailing- and could not get past little stuff like waaaaaaaa NO washcloth etc LOL)

 

que sera sera .......:)

 

the more you worry about what is going to happen the more you will dislike your cruise

 

Honestly - I could recite the dinner menus on Carnival by heart....I think I can do the "welcome aboard show" I know all the jokes....I know the hairy chest contest jokes and gags , I can tell you the songs the waiters sing in the dining room.....with MSC....who knows?? MSC staff in US , the fort lauderdale office will tell you different things each time you call haha

 

MSC has one ship in US - used to be for just a few months....now "year round">> they have made vast changes - so really who knows??

 

que sera sera :)

Edited November 26, 2013 by sharecruises

[MSC Cruises USA]

Hello thank you for the very nice pictures taken aboard the MSC Divina...I will be sailing her December 7th for the 3 night getaway...pictures were very helpful...the ship looks amazing...will there be fireworks you think on the December 7th sailing? Also can you tell me some of the activities they will have onboard...will they have bingo? also what kind of entertainment.... I booked this cruise, as i wanted to see what the ship is like...as i will be sailing her again in October 4, 2014...this is my first MSC cruise....

 

Hi Catherine,

 

We look forward to seeing you onboard MSC Divina on December 7th. The entertainment varies from cruise to cruise, but there are 7 production shows that could be selected from. There will definitely be bingo and other activities to participate in as well.

 

Regards,