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Back to MSC *after another Carnival - booked Divina May 3 :)

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sharecruises

Posted
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I really love MSC except for - clueless office people, horrible pre cruise lack of info, bad groups dept and the fact no two people can say the same thing there....LOL

 

But...I do love the ship/s. love the shows....

more and more I find the entertainment is a huge factor for me - and MSC is fantastic IMHO

 

Sailed on Carnival Conquet Dec 15 = ship was nice, staff was mostly nice, food actually good in dining room...but IMHO the entertainment was a huge bummer. 8 "singer dancers" ...not good at either - prancing around in front of a glaring LED screen = Just not a production show at all...some nights they have Hasbro the game show....last night = passenger talent night

 

No more reggae band, no more Filipino cover band, nothing much....dj's dj's dj's.....plus a couple guitar players, a boring piano player and a duo that were pretty good in lobby (just guitars)...also pretty good small band who unfortunately played by the smoky casino bar OR in the smoky lounge where they do "superstar karaoke" - band plays behind the karaoke singers

 

some comedy shows - but way too crowded...line up for seats.. everyone wanted in comedy club cause otherwise only fellow guests to entertain LOL>> (superstar karaoke, Hasbro game show )

 

So back to MSC finally got pretty good deal I think going to St Martin, San Juan and Great stirrup caye ~

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riclop

riclop

Posted
Posted
I really love MSC except for - clueless office people, horrible pre cruise lack of info, bad groups dept and the fact no two people can say the same thing there....LOL

 

But...I do love the ship/s. love the shows....

more and more I find the entertainment is a huge factor for me - and MSC is fantastic IMHO

 

Sailed on Carnival Conquet Dec 15 = ship was nice, staff was mostly nice, food actually good in dining room...but IMHO the entertainment was a huge bummer. 8 "singer dancers" ...not good at either - prancing around in front of a glaring LED screen = Just not a production show at all...some nights they have Hasbro the game show....last night = passenger talent night

 

No more reggae band, no more Filipino cover band, nothing much....dj's dj's dj's.....plus a couple guitar players, a boring piano player and a duo that were pretty good in lobby (just guitars)...also pretty good small band who unfortunately played by the smoky casino bar OR in the smoky lounge where they do "superstar karaoke" - band plays behind the karaoke singers

 

some comedy shows - but way too crowded...line up for seats.. everyone wanted in comedy club cause otherwise only fellow guests to entertain LOL>> (superstar karaoke, Hasbro game show )

 

So back to MSC finally got pretty good deal I think going to St Martin, San Juan and Great stirrup caye ~

Agree with you totally about Carnival it has gone downhill rapidly. We have 2 cruises booked on Msc Divina.

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sharecruises

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Is it true no jeans in the dining rooms for dinner?

 

And are most of the men in suits on formal night?

 

On Divina...from Miami...there is no real difference between MSC and Royal from what I saw

 

On most nights you can wear nice jeans, khaki pants, etc...sports shirt, bahama shirt etc

 

on the "formal /elegant nights' it is dressier but long sleeve shirt with tie and slacks will do for guys...women can go all out or just wear pants and fancy top, or a nice dress...many guys wear suits or sport coat

 

 

just no shorts in dining room (tho I saw some last time LOL)

 

my first, more "Euro" cruise was dressier but it has gotten more casual

 

On the 3 night sailing we had white night in place of formal night

 

One thing MSC doesn't tell you (poor pre cruise info and frankly bad info from the fort lauderdale office) is that they apparently have 3 theme nights on the US sailings - the "white hot" night (LOL borrowed from NCL - wear white, deck party, glo drinks, glo sticks, animation staff in "white wings' and such).....

 

plus an Italian night - where the cruisers are invited to dress in red/green/white = that will be the Italian night in dining room, waiters dressed, wave napkins - Tiramasu parade

 

plus....I am told...a 60/70/80's night (great for us Boomers LOL)....think love in, hippie dippie, maybe disco queens, should be fun

 

on the ship - it is like any other cruise, just a prettier ship and better entertainment and often a better price haha

 

No shorts, tank tops for guys in dining room is about it- buffet is of course casual and you can wear shorts there all night

 

hth

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Name Of The Game

Name Of The Game

Posted
Posted

One thing MSC doesn't tell you (poor pre cruise info and frankly bad info from the fort lauderdale office) is that they apparently have 3 theme nights on the US sailings - the "white hot" night (LOL borrowed from NCL - wear white, deck party, glo drinks, glo sticks, animation staff in "white wings' and such).....

 

plus an Italian night - where the cruisers are invited to dress in red/green/white = that will be the Italian night in dining room, waiters dressed, wave napkins - Tiramasu parade

 

plus....I am told...a 60/70/80's night (great for us Boomers LOL)....think love in, hippie dippie, maybe disco queens, should be fun

 

 

hth

 

Yes, it would be nice to know all this in advance. How does the cruise line expect passengers to pack properly to participate if they're not notified beforehand? Thanks for the information. :)

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Did you mean Gold Card, at 43 points, which offers the 10% discount? I have the Silver with the 8% discount, until our upcomming 5th cruise this April.

 

Hi, no just the silver, cause some of mine were the 4 night and the 3 night inaugural....you are doing great with gold :)

 

I think I might have to go do some transatlantic, repo and/or Euro cruises to ever make it to the Black Card LOL

 

Each time I have seen many many first timers from USA /Canada on these ships. Now with Divina we might see more repeaters at the Past Guest party :)

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American Bear

American Bear

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My wife and I booked a back to back on the Divina starting May 3, the balcony prices were lower then other cruise lines ocean views!

This will be our first time on MSC.

We thought about it for awhile before buying cause I'm not into set dinner times! Carnival changed to anytime dining like NCL, and its the main reason we stopped going on RCL!

I also agree that MSC needs to do a much better job of getting info out!

Americans want to know what they're buying, especially for thousands of dollars!

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My wife and I booked a back to back on the Divina starting May 3, the balcony prices were lower then other cruise lines ocean views!

This will be our first time on MSC.

We thought about it for awhile before buying cause I'm not into set dinner times! Carnival changed to anytime dining like NCL, and its the main reason we stopped going on RCL!

I also agree that MSC needs to do a much better job of getting info out!

Americans want to know what they're buying, especially for thousands of dollars!

 

The trade off is - MSC offers great shows every night = at fixed time

early seating - sees shows after dinner

late seating - sees shows before dinner

 

I was really bored by the shows on my last Carnival cruise - bingo bingo then a short 8 person "show" with no sets, just flashing lights...none of them could even be cast on MSC shows - they just were not talented (Playlist)...plus "hasbro game show".. and passenger talent show/? Ouch

 

With 2 weeks on board you could try the specialty restaurant/s....and maybe the buffet/pizza on a couple nights on a port day

 

Yes...I think we all agree that MSC falls short on their website and their pre-cruise info, details etc ...hopefully they will improve - the Fort Lauderdale office is always waiting for some info/approval/facts/whatever from "Genoa" or so they say LOL

 

One problem we have here is that there are NOT that many reviews/travelogs, trip reports on MSC...I always wonder if there are great forums with all sorts of info and detail - but all in Italian haha

I bet they do have forums on the cruises - we just can't read them

 

that is why it is nice when people share here (in English LOL)

 

MSC USA posted menus (may change but give you an idea)

 

so that is a good step forward :)

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cruising22

cruising22

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As Amondo says, you'r hooked:) Welcome to the club:D

 

We have booked our very first Caribbean cruise and we will do a 14 night B2B on the......yeah MSC Divina:) Can't wait to fly over the Atlantic and explore the Caribbean waters.

Can't wait to hear about your yacht Club experiaece, we have done this once before in Europe and there were not many english speaking people to talk to and are looking to do a B2B in September. We love the Yacht club experience and love MSC ships.

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American Bear

American Bear

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Since you have been on MSC before, would you tell us what goes on during the days on sea days?

I asked Bosjoe who on the Divina right now, and he said it was 'limited' during the day on sea days.

The May 3 cruise on the Divina has 3 sea days, and we can't get an answer out of MSC of activities during the mornings and afternoons on sea days.

We'd appreciate any info.

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Cruisergal1208 Great Review Rare

Cruisergal1208

Posted
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Of course I am not Sharecruises but I can report a few of At Sea activities from our December cruise.

Bingo, Winemaker Experience, Jewelry Making class, Shopping lectures, casino tournaments,Virtual World, 4D Cinema, F1 Simulator, Cocktail classes, Wine Tasting, Learn to speak Italian, Trivia, Movies on big screen, and other types of lectures. MSC will tell you that the Daily Program can and does change daily. You get it the night before so you can plan your next day as you wish. There were a few pool games also. It is a beautiful ship just to explore and people watch.

Enjoy your cruise.

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Bosjoe

Bosjoe

Posted
Posted
Since you have been on MSC before, would you tell us what goes on during the days on sea days?

I asked Bosjoe who on the Divina right now, and he said it was 'limited' during the day on sea days.

The May 3 cruise on the Divina has 3 sea days, and we can't get an answer out of MSC of activities during the mornings and afternoons on sea days.

We'd appreciate any info.

 

Hi there,

 

I'll get that to you soon. I brought home all the daily planners. Just a lil tired. :)

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neptuno

neptuno

Posted
Posted (edited)
From what I have heard it's no swim wear in the dining rooms for dinner but I haven't heard no jeans.

 

Originally aboard Poesia, MSC Caribbean was seemingly encouraging more elegant dress for dinner. Lately, with more Americans guests, the dinner elegance is challenged, and you will see jeans at dinner. But that is not the norm, and those who don't dress a bit for dinner will stand out. Generally speaking, dinner aboard Divina was more dressy than not. Fine dining is still a cornerstone of our cruise expectation, and we would vote for no jeans in the MDRs. As for the OP, elegance is one aspect that sets MSC above CCL, and keeps us returning to MSC as well.

Edited by neptuno
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Bosjoe

Bosjoe

Posted
Posted (edited)
From what I have heard it's no swim wear in the dining rooms for dinner but I haven't heard no jeans.

 

Jeans are perfectly fine, my cruise many wore jeans and khakis, I wore jeans several nights along with my table mates who were from the UK. No one will look out of place as some people might want you to believe. As the ship is being based in Miami, more laxed on the dress code compare to when it's over seas. Some people are stuck back in time. I just want to say to them go to Cunard, as they always like to use, go the the buffet for people who do not want to dress like them. :D

Edited by Bosjoe
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Bosjoe

Bosjoe

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Khakis yes, but jeans at dinner in the MDR??? Please, no. All one can do is to encourage you to be yourself, and enyoy your Carnival experience.

 

One thing before I booked with MSC Divina I asked about jeans. If they were not allowed i would have not gone on the ship. But they are, I am giving my experience and what happen during my cruise and what I observed. People in jeans do dress nicely as much as people in khakis. For someone to say you will stick out like a sore thumb is not true at all, now shorts on formal night yes you will be more noticiable.

 

All the people who wear jeans your very welcome at my table anytime, all those who want to stick up their nose and shake their head, there is another cruise line for you. :) Because the people I met on Divina were just so friendly and down to earth and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

 

Btw I never cruised Carnival. So you know for future cruises Celebrity allows jeans in the dinning room too.

Edited by Bosjoe
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neptuno

neptuno

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Let's try to clarify this issue. Smart jeans would be OK on deck on Divina, and even at lunch in the MDRs. However, dinner is special, and jeans are not recommended. Will one "get away with" wearing jeans at dinner? Yes. But that is not the point. It would be a shame to dilute the elegance of a fine dining experience for others. And, it would be more than a bit irresponsible to recommend to others that "jeans are OK" at dinner in the MDRs, at least on MSC. That is one aspect that elevates MSC above Carnival.

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cruiseguys2009

cruiseguys2009

Posted
Posted (edited)

We are sailing on the same cruise as you are Esty. Looking forward to meeting you! Jerome and I will be bringing our Tuxedo for the first Gala night as we love to dress up. For the second Gala night we will be wearing dark suits. We loved the White Hot Parties on NCL, so we are looking forward to wearing white on the night The Divina has it. Plus, there are two more fun bonuses. The Italian Night....and boy, a do I have Red, Green and White outfit to wear. Then the 60's-80's night. Disco Diva all the way!

 

We look forward to having so much fun on all our cruise adventures, even tho they are much talked about on the boards! :D

 

Looking forward to having a fun time with you!

Edited by cruiseguys2009
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