Divina, Jan 18-Feb 1!!

[camofwilliamsburg]

jkasm:

There are so many dancing venues. During the day you have the pool area where they play games and do dance lessons. Here is a break down of where you will find music:

1) Divina Bar: decks 5 and 6 They have Great Classics from 5:30 until latae, which are old favorites performed by Elegance Trio and Igor

2)Plaza del Doge: deck 6. Here they have shopping kiosks around the outside of this circular lounge, this is also where the pastries and gelato can be bought. There is music there from 5:15 until late. There was a lot of classic rock tunes and Mambo music. I believe 2 bands were there, Duo Devotion and Trio Latin Mambo.

3)La Luna Piano Bar- Deck 7 from 6:30 to late, all requests from a wonderful duo.

4)golden Jazz Bar-deck 7: This is where they had the dueling pianos. They were only hired for 4 weeks, so I do not know what MSC will have here when their contract is up.

5)Black and White Lounge- deck 7, aft,: Montecarlo 2night Band, usually from 6:30 to 10:30, and then they did games and group dancing and other things in this lounge.

6). Galaxy Restaurant: deck 16: there was a sax performer, I think this was in the disco, not sure.

7)The Garden Bar: deck 15: from 7:45 until late-a single singer

 

On many nights the Latin Mambo group were at poolside for parties and sail aways.

As for the crowds: each week changes so I will not comment on that. There was always room on the dance floor for those wanting to dance! One week was more crowded than the other though, but the crowd will vary.

 

As for your docs, they should come within 10 days of your trip. Do the express check in before the docs come. Make sure you print out the documentation with the bar scan code to make things easier.

 

If you used a TA I would go through them for the pre-cruise booking of your drink vouchers. You should not pay for them before, just have them put it on your account while onboard. This way you get those $$$ spent towards your MSC club points. You get 1 point per night spent on the ship and you get points for spending also, tips not included and casino not included. They can add up to help you get to the next MSC Club membership level. IF you do not use a TA call customer service and have them walk you through pre-ordering the voucher package. There are 2 on the list, read the descriptions carefully. One is for 15 vouchers and the other is for 12.

 

Tigger89:

I am not sure which cruise you are going on, eastern or western.

Since I was at all these ports before we did nothing adventurous this time.

 

I would suggest that you contact Courtney Taylor in Jamaica if you wanted to do anything while there. We just went to the most beautiful private beach with his driver, Jacob Taylor Beach, but his driver told us we could have gone down to Ocho Rios to do the Blue Hole or other adventurous stuff. They always get you back in time. I just did not want to spend 3 hours in a van round trip. We wanted just close, and quiet.

For Cozumel, I had contacted the front desk, Miquel, at Playa Azul and was allowed to come to that hotel to use their chairs, pool and beach with the stipulation of buying a drink or food there. It was a 12$ cab ride and I thought it was very nice. Not loud, but quiet area. It was a bit rocky entrance which is most of Cozumel unless you go to Paradise beach ( which I hate, too crowded). For grand Cayman, we walk to Eden Rock to snorkel. It is right off the dock area , takes about 10 minutes to walk to. You get out of the dock area, turn right and walk around the bend. You will see a bar/restaurant with deck chairs and small beach. You can rent the snorkel stuff there. They have a rock to walk down to get into the water. Great fish right there!!

For San Juan: We go to the beach at Old San Juan hotel. Very beautiful. WE have done the forts. You can also get off the ship and walk to the left to go into a rum factory that gives you one free frozen drink, YUMMMY!!!

FOr St Maarten, we have done all the beaches there, so we just take the 16 minute walk to the beach right there. There are beach, bars,restaurants and shops.!

Edited February 8, 2014 by camofwilliamsburg

[tigger89]

jkasm:

There are so many dancing venues. During the day you have the pool area where they play games and do dance lessons. Here is a break down of where you will find music:

1) Divina Bar: decks 5 and 6 They have Great Classics from 5:30 until latae, which are old favorites performed by Elegance Trio and Igor

2)Plaza del Doge: deck 6. Here they have shopping kiosks around the outside of this circular lounge, this is also where the pastries and gelato can be bought. There is music there from 5:15 until late. There was a lot of classic rock tunes and Mambo music. I believe 2 bands were there, Duo Devotion and Trio Latin Mambo.

3)La Luna Piano Bar- Deck 7 from 6:30 to late, all requests from a wonderful duo.

4)golden Jazz Bar-deck 7: This is where they had the dueling pianos. They were only hired for 4 weeks, so I do not know what MSC will have here when their contract is up.

5)Black and White Lounge- deck 7, aft,: Montecarlo 2night Band, usually from 6:30 to 10:30, and then they did games and group dancing and other things in this lounge.

6). Galaxy Restaurant: deck 16: there was a sax performer, I think this was in the disco, not sure.

7)The Garden Bar: deck 15: from 7:45 until late-a single singer

 

On many nights the Latin Mambo group were at poolside for parties and sail aways.

As for the crowds: each week changes so I will not comment on that. There was always room on the dance floor for those wanting to dance! One week was more crowded than the other though, but the crowd will vary.

 

As for your docs, they should come within 10 days of your trip. Do the express check in before the docs come. Make sure you print out the documentation with the bar scan code to make things easier.

 

If you used a TA I would go through them for the pre-cruise booking of your drink vouchers. You should not pay for them before, just have them put it on your account while onboard. This way you get those $$$ spent towards your MSC club points. You get 1 point per night spent on the ship and you get points for spending also, tips not included and casino not included. They can add up to help you get to the next MSC Club membership level. IF you do not use a TA call customer service and have them walk you through pre-ordering the voucher package. There are 2 on the list, read the descriptions carefully. One is for 15 vouchers and the other is for 12.

 

Tigger89:

I am not sure which cruise you are going on, eastern or western.

Since I was at all these ports before we did nothing adventurous this time.

 

I would suggest that you contact Courtney Taylor in Jamaica if you wanted to do anything while there. We just went to the most beautiful private beach with his driver, Jacob Taylor Beach, but his driver told us we could have gone down to Ocho Rios to do the Blue Hole or other adventurous stuff. They always get you back in time. I just did not want to spend 3 hours in a van round trip. We wanted just close, and quiet.

For Cozumel, I had contacted the front desk, Miquel, at Playa Azul and was allowed to come to that hotel to use their chairs, pool and beach with the stipulation of buying a drink or food there. It was a 12$ cab ride and I thought it was very nice. Not loud, but quiet area. It was a bit rocky entrance which is most of Cozumel unless you go to Paradise beach ( which I hate, too crowded). For grand Cayman, we walk to Eden Rock to snorkel. It is right off the dock area , takes about 10 minutes to walk to. You get out of the dock area, turn right and walk around the bend. You will see a bar/restaurant with deck chairs and small beach. You can rent the snorkel stuff there. They have a rock to walk down to get into the water. Great fish right there!!

For San Juan: We go to the beach at Old San Juan hotel. Very beautiful. WE have done the forts. You can also get off the ship and walk to the left to go into a rum factory that gives you one free frozen drink, YUMMMY!!!

FOr St Maarten, we have done all the beaches there, so we just take the 16 minute walk to the beach right there. There are beach, bars,restaurants and shops.!

 

Hi we are doing both b2b as well. You are the first person who has posted about this cruise so sorry for all the questions.

 

Judith

[cruiseguys2009]

I checked the Daily's from our December cruise and found the promotion for Brunch in the Galaxy Restaurant from 10:00am-2:00pm for $28pp. There was no mention of a special buffet at high noon. Hope this helps.

 

 

Yes, this is what I was talking about. High Noon is just an expression I used. I just heard from a friend that was on the ship last week, that the Brunch is spectacular up in Galaxy and it is just like the old fashioned "Midnight" Buffet's on ships from days gone by. But it's in the daytime. It is a bit pricey though, as it's $28.00 per person, with the normal free buffet just one deck below it. But I guess with the ice carvings and carving stations and omelet stations, it is probably worth the extra cost. Plus the view is super fantastic.

 

We are booked for dinner up there in Galaxy on one night and also made reservations for both the Eataly Steakhouse and the Private Eataly Ristorante 7 course dinner. I will let everyone know how the food and service was in my review.

 

Thanks for the information on the Brunch.

[camofwilliamsburg]

Judith: No need to apologize. CC is a source of info and that is why I post. Ask away....

Are these the first times at these ports? What are your interests? What kind of things do you enjoy doing while in port? I can help through my experiences if I knew this. Everyone enjoys different things. If you want adventure and have not done Dunns River you should contact Courtney taylor. For 38$ pp in transport fees he will take you to Ocho Rios and bring you to the attractions ( additional fees). His driver did tell us that Blue Hole was less crowded and nicer. Tubing is always fun also. If you want Mysic Mountain, the ship offers that tour, but you do not get to experience all the attractions through the ship. If you do it on your own, your guide will get you through the crowds safely. I would suggest using Courtney Taylor anytime. Tell him CORI from cruise critic who used him on Jan 27th recommended him. I also submitted a nice review of him for trip advisor. He is honest and his driver was in love with his job and country. It showed.

Divina is fully operational while in ports ( lunches in dining rooms, games, trivia, .... ) so if you decided to stay on board you will enjoy that too.

 

I thought since I was doing the b2b also I would not be interested in the shows the second time. Not the case. They were so great I went both times, minus 2 shows. I did miss the Michael Jackson and the Sinatra on the second cruise, and I missed Opera night on the first due to not feeling well. When I saw the Opera night on the second cruise I was even more disappointed not to have seen this twice. They were that good! The shows, Witches of Paris, Wonderland and Pirates were so visual that it was fine to see it again and again....so much going on especially in the Pirates show that seeing it for a second time I just felt enhanced by the show. I was able to focus on other aspects of the show.

 

CruiseGuys: Never saw this, but it would not have interested me. Although I love their good food, there is too much of it all day that is free of charge to pay. I am sure they do a great job because all the free venues were excellent fare!!

Edited February 8, 2014 by camofwilliamsburg

[alli]

Camofwilliamsburg,

 

Thank-you for taking the time to post your review and to follow up answering questions. After numerous cruises on different lines we have booked Divina for the week of May 10th and look forward to a great cruise!

[jkasm]

camofwilliamsburg

Thank you so much for answering all of my questions in such detail. Very much appreciated!!!

Your review is amazing, it really makes me look forward to our trip!

Thank you again

[tigger89]

Judith: No need to apologize. CC is a source of info and that is why I post. Ask away....

Are these the first times at these ports? What are your interests? What kind of things do you enjoy doing while in port? I can help through my experiences if I knew this. Everyone enjoys different things. If you want adventure and have not done Dunns River you should contact Courtney taylor. For 38$ pp in transport fees he will take you to Ocho Rios and bring you to the attractions ( additional fees). His driver did tell us that Blue Hole was less crowded and nicer. Tubing is always fun also. If you want Mysic Mountain, the ship offers that tour, but you do not get to experience all the attractions through the ship. If you do it on your own, your guide will get you through the crowds safely. I would suggest using Courtney Taylor anytime. Tell him CORI from cruise critic who used him on Jan 27th recommended him. I also submitted a nice review of him for trip advisor. He is honest and his driver was in love with his job and country. It showed.

Divina is fully operational while in ports ( lunches in dining rooms, games, trivia, .... ) so if you decided to stay on board you will enjoy that too.

 

I thought since I was doing the b2b also I would not be interested in the shows the second time. Not the case. They were so great I went both times, minus 2 shows. I did miss the Michael Jackson and the Sinatra on the second cruise, and I missed Opera night on the first due to not feeling well. When I saw the Opera night on the second cruise I was even more disappointed not to have seen this twice. They were that good! The shows, Witches of Paris, Wonderland and Pirates were so visual that it was fine to see it again and again....so much going on especially in the Pirates show that seeing it for a second time I just felt enhanced by the show. I was able to focus on other aspects of the show.

 

CruiseGuys: Never saw this, but it would not have interested me. Although I love their good food, there is too much of it all day that is free of charge to pay. I am sure they do a great job because all the free venues were excellent fare!!

 

Hi there are 9 of us cruising 6 of which have not cruised before. My husband, daughter and myself have we have not been to Falmouth, San Juan or Great

stirrup cay we enjoy doing most things don't have much experience in water sports though far too cold over here for that. I will have a look at courtneys tours for some ideas I'm sure it will be much cheaper than the ships tours.

 

Judith

[camofwilliamsburg]

MSC happen to do very well on tour pricing, unlike other cruise lines. Please look their choices over.

 

Courtney Taylor or any of his drivers will take you anywhere you want. There is time as he told us to do these things in other areas. Not much in Falmouth.

If you want to do a beach, we loved our private bit of heaven going to Jacob Taylor Beach. Doctors Cave is also a choice if you want beach, although they charge an entrance fee to get onto the beach.

If you want to be adventurous, ask him about tours to Blue Hole or Dunns River ( very popular, and very crowded). He will make suggestions.

You should look over the port info on cc and figure out what kind of activity you want to do in each port. Then I can help you more. What I like to do may not be what your group enjoys. Many love overall sight seeing and historical... I do not. So look it all over and then ask again.

[Mrs. Squirrel]

MSC does not have a spa pass in the Caribbean. The steam and sauna (separate sexes) are no charge....the spa does not have a hot tub like Poesia as Cam said but Divina does have hot tubs in the covered pool you can enjoy

 

Massages, scrubs, facials etc are all extra of course - like most cruise lines they have lots of "specials" and deals

 

Thank you for the reply. So when a spa package says it has 'access to the thermal suite for the duration of the cruise' that just means access to the steam and sauna that anyone onboard can enjoy?

[camofwilliamsburg]

Yes that is what it means. If you are gold card MSC club member you also get priority in those areas if need be.

 

If you are gold club member you can get Priority tender tickets from the guest relations desk the night before tendering. That proved wonderful although cutting through the lines made a lot of people angry. I thought, so be it, I was entitled to this perk and I was using it. I bypassed the wait by going over the roped off area and walking to the front of the line and showing the priority tickets to the staff. It allowed me onto the tender that was already boarding and not even the one those people were waiting for.

[sharecruises]

Thank you for the reply. So when a spa package says it has 'access to the thermal suite for the duration of the cruise' that just means access to the steam and sauna that anyone onboard can enjoy?

 

Yup...apparently they charge for the sauna/steam in Europe but not in the US

 

In Europe it makes sense to buy a Package...however in the US, they run a lot of spa specials - especially on port days, last day - so you might want to wait for a deal - check daily paper

 

The spa girls have tables set up first day and on various days/times to sell specials/etc

[Mrs. Squirrel]

Yes that is what it means. If you are gold card MSC club member you also get priority in those areas if need be.

 

Yup...apparently they charge for the sauna/steam in Europe but not in the US

 

In Europe it makes sense to buy a Package...however in the US, they run a lot of spa specials - especially on port days, last day - so you might want to wait for a deal - check daily paper

 

The spa girls have tables set up first day and on various days/times to sell specials/etc

 

Thank you both. CC is the best. Hope to return the favor after I cruise in April.

[Thyme60]

Many thanks for a very detailed review, we have 11 Days to go to our very first cruise, reading such a positive report it can't come quick enough ! Many questions answered by just reading this section :-)

[kunapets]

We enjoy dressing for formal nights. Wife in Cocktail dress and I usually wear a Tux. I think fewer man than women dress up. How may Tux's did you see?

 

Thanks Ken S

[JJJSM]

hello.. i just received a GREAT price for the Divina Oct 18th cruise.. having been on several cruises but none with MSC I am unsure what to expect... Do they work the same as the other cruise lines.. this price would include all meals... entertainment.. etc..?? how do the tips work?? have to pay for sodas?? kid programs? any info would be appreciated.. trying to decide if i want to book or not.. thanks..

[MSC Cruises USA]

hello.. i just received a GREAT price for the Divina Oct 18th cruise.. having been on several cruises but none with MSC I am unsure what to expect... Do they work the same as the other cruise lines.. this price would include all meals... entertainment.. etc..?? how do the tips work?? have to pay for sodas?? kid programs? any info would be appreciated.. trying to decide if i want to book or not.. thanks..

 

Hi JJJSM,

 

We'd love to see you onboard the October! The prices for MSC Divina include meals (except in the specialty restaurants) and entertainment. There are some activities that do have an extra charge, but fabulous nightly shows and more are included. Sodas are not included, but there are several beverage packages to pick from.

 

As far as tips, for your convenience MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Hotel Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided. The Hotel Service charge serves to ensure we maintain the highest quality standards of service to our guests. The daily amounts below have been calculated with this in mind and cannot be modified. However, should you wish to remove any of the daily Hotel Service Charge in the unlikely event that you do not receive satisfactory service, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relations Manager on board.

 

Regards,

[joyce&bob]

Just booked the 10/18 cruise....can you advise the dinner time options.

[Bosjoe]

I think alot are looking at those October cruises. $375 single rate inside. woohoo

[camofwilliamsburg]

Early seating is at 5:45 and late seating is at 8:30.

With early seating your show is at 9 and with late seating the show is at 7.

 

We also booked Oct 11 and Oct 18! See you there! We could not resist!

[Flip2cruise]

Although we had our card marked for the 14 days we did not need to exchange cards but we had to leave the ship. We all meet at 11 AM in the Black and White Lounge and then we were taken off, went thru customs and marched right back on. If you do not have your key card with both dates you would need to exchange them at this time.

We did get our obc combined for both weeks so it was not necessary to spend it all the first week. I would just make sure of this when on board.

 

If you want to do an excursion, you can of course. You would then just re-embark through the regular process. We walked right on and off, it as fabulous. It was the easiest disembarkation we have ever had!

An added bonus: You do not have to do muster on the second cruise of your b2b! .

 

Thanks for the b2b info. Im curious how they handle duty free liquor purchases. Some lines allow you to walk out of the shop with liquor in hand the final evening of the cruise.

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 7

[DENIE]

Great information!! Thanks for all of your posts. Wife and I are probably booking a November Southern Caribbean cruise on Divina and looking forward to it. Being unfamiliar with this line, we are reassured to see the positive reviews!

[cruiseguys2009]

Early seating is at 5:45 and late seating is at 8:30.

With early seating your show is at 9 and with late seating the show is at 7.

 

We also booked Oct 11 and Oct 18! See you there! We could not resist!

 

 

I know right? The prices are extraordinary! We are on May 3rd Divina Sailing, but also on The Celebrity Equinox November 10th....the Divina sails the mirror image of The Equinox one day later, at 1/3 the cost. However, we have the 1,2,3, Go Promo included so all our booze is covered on the Equinox........but, still. I am sure we are going to love The Divina.....who knows.....maybe Ken Muscat will have us convinced after our May 3rd Sailing.......I am looking forward to publishing yet another "ADVENTURE'S of JW AND JEROME" in May.

[camofwilliamsburg]

You can afford to buy your drinks with these prices! I am diamond on RCI with free drinks in the lounge from 5-8 pm and I pick MSC to go on!

MSC shows are the best, you will be spoiled.

MSC graciousness is felt the moment you step onto the ship.

MSC has the most beautiful ships, with Divina being over the top beautiful!

MSC is a wonderful cruise line with heart and soul unlike so many other lines.

[alpal1993]

Thanks for all the great words of encouragement on The Divina.I am starting to get very excited.Looking forward to my first Bellini.

[riclop]

Thanks for all the great words of encouragement on The Divina.I am starting to get very excited.Looking forward to my first Bellini.

Enjoy your cruise.