It's Official!!! I've Switched, From Carnivial Splendor To Msc Divina!!!

[Big Jay]

The Divina, Will Be My 17th Cruise, And First Time Cruising With MSC!!!

 

I Have Did My Research On The Divina, And I Honestly Believe, I Have Picked A Winner!!!!

 

I Got A Great Rate, Civil Service Discount, And My Daily Service Charges, Are Prepaid, With The 2 For 1 Special, That's Going On Now!!!!

 

I'm One Happy Camper!!!!:D

 

Can't Wait To Sail The Divina, Next October!!!!!:cool:

[alexkrn46]

have a wonderful cruise!

[Skipper Tim]

The Divina, Will Be My 17th Cruise, And First Time Cruising With MSC!!!

 

I Have Did My Research On The Divina, And I Honestly Believe, I Have Picked A Winner!!!!

 

I Got A Great Rate, Civil Service Discount, And My Daily Service Charges, Are Prepaid, With The 2 For 1 Special, That's Going On Now!!!!

 

I'm One Happy Camper!!!!:D

 

Can't Wait To Sail The Divina, Next October!!!!!:cool:

 

Well I have seen others equally euphoric after their booking but then posting demented vitriol after it.

 

Please may I make this one request, that you give an honest and balanced account after the cruise?

 

I won't be sailing the Divina but I applaud the current experiment.

 

Tim.

[Frode]

I Have Did My Research On The Divina, And I Honestly Believe, I Have Picked A Winner!!!!

 

Glad for you - that you are so happy ahead of the cruise.

 

And I fully agree with Tim: Please give us a fair review after the cruise! It will be so interesting to see how your expectations were fulfilled....or not :cool:

[jdvmd]

Hope you have a great cruise!

[Mermaid rock]

We just returned from our cruise on MSC Divina ,Nov.,23- 30th ! We had friends sail on MSC for the first time and we all were impressed with the high level of entertainment, food , and beauty of the ship!!In contrast, our son and wife were on a new Carnival ship last year and they said , "Never again." It was so crowded that they spent a lot of time on their balcony to escape the mob! Also, the music was one vibe only--loud and mostly not live musicians !! The food and cabin were fine, but our experience on Divina spoiled us for another cruise line. The first show received three standing ovations and the freshly made pizza was unforgettable! Last year we did Princess with these same friends and we all agreed that the MSC Divina was superior!! We have done 4 on MSC and one on Princess. I have had others say that they would not sail again on Carnival! When you go on The Centre for Disease Control for America it is mostly the Carnival owned ships with major outbreaks of sickness. Many people do not realize that Carnival owns Princess, Holland America ,etc.!!!! Congratulations on your cruise choice ---just wish we were on Divina right now!!

[winddawn]

The Divina, Will Be My 17th Cruise, And First Time Cruising With MSC!!!

 

I Have Did My Research On The Divina, And I Honestly Believe, I Have Picked A Winner!!!!

 

I Got A Great Rate, Civil Service Discount, And My Daily Service Charges, Are Prepaid, With The 2 For 1 Special, That's Going On Now!!!!

 

I'm One Happy Camper!!!!:D

 

Can't Wait To Sail The Divina, Next October!!!!!:cool:

Hi, Jay. I'm considering making the switch for my cruise next year too. I've narrowed it down to Celebrity or MSC Divina. Can you tell me about how the civil service discount works? Can you use that on any sailing or only on certain sailings? Is it a decent discount? Thanks.

[cruise pup]

I was on Carnival Splendor earlier this month and you made the right decision. Splendor was okay considering with my obc I paid under $500. for a single on an 11-night cruise. However, the ship itself is nothing special. Feels extremely overcrowded, especially on sea days. And the element on board was out of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" as my traveling companion remarked. I am not a snob but when people dress and more importantly, behave like slobs it's pretty disconcerting.

 

As for Divina, I took advantage of a recent "Employee Rates" pricing they offered for some of the April and May cruises which came to under $800. for a single (only charged 150% single supplement), so I'm booked for May. Great price and the $100. deposit was easy on the budget for now and I figured I have until mid-February to see what the reports are like. I figured the early cruises in the states wouldn't go smoothly but they would get their act together and it sounds like that's already happening. I've checked the other major cruise lines and couldn't find anything at the moment with comparable pricing.

[riclop]

I was on Carnival Splendor earlier this month and you made the right decision. Splendor was okay considering with my obc I paid under $500. for a single on an 11-night cruise. However, the ship itself is nothing special. Feels extremely overcrowded, especially on sea days. And the element on board was out of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" as my traveling companion remarked. I am not a snob but when people dress and more importantly, behave like slobs it's pretty disconcerting.

 

As for Divina, I took advantage of a recent "Employee Rates" pricing they offered for some of the April and May cruises which came to under $800. for a single (only charged 150% single supplement), so I'm booked for May. Great price and the $100. deposit was easy on the budget for now and I figured I have until mid-February to see what the reports are like. I figured the early cruises in the states wouldn't go smoothly but they would get their act together and it sounds like that's already happening. I've checked the other major cruise lines and couldn't find anything at the moment with comparable pricing.

I did the same and yes you cant beat the price.

[sharecruises]

I had a nice but unmemorable cruise on Carnival Conquest

 

the cutbacks are really showing - worst for me was the tacky, garish Playlist Productions - ugh - 8 singer/dancers none very good against a flashing led backdrop and videos - just horrible

 

I love love the shows on MSC - and there are real shows just about every night on MSC...usually at the same time, dining is old school which I like a lot - 2 seatings

Buffet is awesome - I think the pizza is better than carnival and I know the food is better - hamburgers? well Guy Fieri wins that one haha ..but what American cruises for hamburgers?? Oh maybe the fellow Carnival passenger who dressed for "elegant" night in his Pittsburgh Steelers shirt with a "collar" haha (and yeah I am originally from Pittsburgh myself - another reminder why I left in the early 80's lol)

 

Drinks are so much cheaper on MSC - even without a drink package. I buy the coupons when i board buy 10, get 2 free - drinks come down to $6.85 includes tax and tip

 

I love the way MSC has music all over - dueling pianos were awesome Always something going on

 

Be aware - the website is NOT what you are used to. MSC falls down on that...also customer service, answers, from Ft Lauderdale can be confusing but hopefully they are getting it togehther. You will not have all the "precruise" excitement that NCL , RCI and yes Carnival provide - for example NCL sends out daily reminders and offers pre-cruise (shore excursions, dining options, reminders, and fun stuff). That is not happening on MSC lol.

 

BUT once you are on board - it is all good IMHO. My last cruise was much more mainstream in fact. (All announcements in English except for the muster drill). Yes, they now give you ice water haha...yes they are apparently stocked up on washcloths (Europeans don't use em it seems?)

The buffet is now open 20 hours a day - and nice surprise - has free juices such as orange, cranberry, pineapple etc in the am, also ice tea, coffee,decaf, ICE water :)

 

My first MSC cruise was more culture shock - many Europeans, some workers did not speak English, ran out of ice all the time, had to "beg" for ice water at dinner <grin> Buffet had limited hours - poor Americans were crying for food late afternoon haha. Too much smoking But now it is all good...welcome home Divina

 

Regarding smoking - MSC USa has the most restrictive policy of any ship I have personally sailed ! I loved it - no smoking in cabins or balcony, one cigar bar, one side of lido deck by the uncovered pool...apparently a small area in casino but I never smelled it

Nice change from my first more Euro friendly cruise. Let the smokers go on Carnival I say = I would never get another balcony on there as they are about the last left that permits it, and the smokers flock and smoke away there it seems?

 

You may also appreciate the lack of annoying speaker jabber about bingo, gold chain sales, art auction. The photographers are not as annoying and most felt the pictures were of high quality

 

MSC apparently has an Italian (red/white/green) night....a 60/70 night (think flower power?)...and a white night

 

again - MSC website is not real informed about this and it seems many people were unaware but YOU can bring some thing to wear and have some fun

 

Even the detractors admit the ship is gorgeous, very clean, and very classy.

Old school too - still has dining all 3 meals in main dining room, no chintzy stuff here......still has a true Captains party....tablecloths <wink>...a flaming baked alaska parade, tiramusu parade etc. Oh and the Italian influence shows in the outfits worn by all who work on the ship from front desk to restaurant etc :)

 

Have fun and Ciao !!!

Edited December 24, 2013 by sharecruises

[Hat Pinz Guy]

The DW and I have also made the switch this year for our spring cruise and haven't regretted the decision one bit.

we will be on the Divina 5/10/14 and looking forward to it.

[Mermaid rock]

The Divina is a destination itself!!

[cruise pup]

The Divina is a destination itself!!

I agree. Too bad my cruise only has 3 port days. I'd love there to be more so the masses will get the hell off and leave the hard core cruisers to enjoy the ship.:D

[cruise pup]

Just switched to the March 15 sailing on Divina. It's a better date for me and the price is a little lower, thanks to their current promotion. Florida and the Caribbean start to boil over in May. Grabbed the last I1 cabin which makes it even sweeter.

[Cruisergal1208]

Just switched to the March 15 sailing on Divina. It's a better date for me and the price is a little lower, thanks to their current promotion. Florida and the Caribbean start to boil over in May. Grabbed the last I1 cabin which makes it even sweeter.

 

Welcome to the 3/15 sailing. Come on over to the roll call and meet some of your fellow cruisers.

[cruise pup]

Welcome to the 3/15 sailing. Come on over to the roll call and meet some of your fellow cruisers.

Thanks. Edited January 16, 2014 by cruise pup

[Big Jay]

1 More Month To Go!!!!:eek:

[cruise pup]

I was on the 3/15-22 cruise on Divina. I had high hopes but unfortunately they did not come close to being met. Here's my review: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=252625 complete with some really bad typos. ;)

Edited April 5, 2014 by cruise pup

[American Bear]

I was on the 3/15-22 cruise on Divina. I had high hopes but unfortunately they did not come close to being met. Here's my review: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=252625 complete with some really bad typos. ;)

 

And as Tim stated try writing a 'balanced' review!

In 7 days you mentioned nothing positive! That doesn't sound realistic?

Why I say this is video proof posted by 'flahagan' of Divina entertainment and the dining room this week!

Old saying 'a picture is worth a 1000 words', the video is worth more!

The video shows what is easy to see for everyone the reality of entertainment quality, and dining room quality on the Divina!

[cruise pup]

And as Tim stated try writing a 'balanced' review!

In 7 days you mentioned nothing positive! That doesn't sound realistic?

Why I say this is video proof posted by 'flahagan' of Divina entertainment and the dining room this week!

Old saying 'a picture is worth a 1000 words', the video is worth more!

The video shows what is easy to see for everyone the reality of entertainment quality, and dining room quality on the Divina!

 

What can I say? In 91 cruises to the best of my recollection, I have never written such a negative review before and this cruise called for one. I would be fabricating the review if I wrote a glowing review about my experience. I did have positive things to say about my cabin steward and 1 worker in the buffet who were the exception. If you want to rely on a picture, God bless, but I stand by what I wrote.

[American Bear]

What can I say? In 91 cruises to the best of my recollection, I have never written such a negative review before and this cruise called for one. I would be fabricating the review if I wrote a glowing review about my experience. I did have positive things to say about my cabin steward and 1 worker in the buffet who were the exception. If you want to rely on a picture, God bless, but I stand by what I wrote.

 

 

 

The 'video'(not picture) I mentioned gives each person the opportunity to create their own opinion! Your review is your opinion!

That's all I stated!

And from what I saw on that video, and other videos, we will respectfully disagree!

 

Many happy future cruises!

[Mattingly23]

I have never written such a negative review before

 

Actually, you have.

[Typhoon1]

1 More Month To Go!!!!:eek:

 

You sound like an experienced cruiser. Will be interesting to hear your review of the Divina. Let us know if you made the right decision.