Divina extreme reviews, is it the Divina, or the Reviewers!

[jkgourmet]

I'm beginning to think that MSC is for the more sophisticated traveler who is able to plan and execute their own responsibilities and who doesn't expect everything to be just how it is in their home country.

 

Where's the "I approve" button?

[steph7021]

I'm beginning to think that MSC is for the more sophisticated traveler who is able to plan and execute their own responsibilities and who doesn't expect everything to be just how it is in their home country.

 

 

Yep! I agree totally! Although, customer service is a bit blasé for being in the business of "customer service". A sense of concern would go a long way. That was my only real complaint on the Armonia.

[Elmartellama]

Is it ethical to sell a cruise on short notice to someone who would be cutting it too close to get a visa if needed?

 

Oh boy, what should they do? stop selling the cruise when they feel like it's "no more Visa time"? To begin with, someone might not just need a new visa and still be able to book the cruise.

 

And the most likely explanation for you needing a Visa to enter Brazil is that the USA requires a Visa to any Brazilian citizen who wants to enter the USA.

 

We just did a recent cruise on the MSC Fantasia out of Venice recently and I had terrible nightmares about losing or having our passports robbed. Out of curiosity, when we boarded I asked the security official in Venice if a national ID was enough, and she told me that a government issued ID with a picture was valid (this was after the check in). Maybe it was because we are European citizens never leaving the European Union / Schengen area, and we had filled in the passport information via the MSC Web check-in along with the national ID number.

 

The fact was that, even if we might have boarded anyway, we always kept the passports protected, just in case. And of course we got them several months in advance.

 

It's not MSC job to pray and hope that they receive your valid IDs on time. It's not their problem, and that's what anyone would think even if they can't tell it to you because you are their customer. Breaking international laws has nothing to do with customer service.

[American Bear]

Oh boy, what should they do? stop selling the cruise when they feel like it's "no more Visa time"? To begin with, someone might not just need a new visa and still be able to book the cruise.

 

And the most likely explanation for you needing a Visa to enter Brazil is that the USA requires a Visa to any Brazilian citizen who wants to enter the USA.

 

We just did a recent cruise on the MSC Fantasia out of Venice recently and I had terrible nightmares about losing or having our passports robbed. Out of curiosity, when we boarded I asked the security official in Venice if a national ID was enough, and she told me that a government issued ID with a picture was valid (this was after the check in). Maybe it was because we are European citizens never leaving the European Union / Schengen area, and we had filled in the passport information via the MSC Web check-in along with the national ID number.

 

The fact was that, even if we might have boarded anyway, we always kept the passports protected, just in case. And of course we got them several months in advance.

 

It's not MSC job to pray and hope that they receive your valid IDs on time. It's not their problem, and that's what anyone would think even if they can't tell it to you because you are their customer. Breaking international laws has nothing to do with customer service.

 

 

We totally agree with you.:)

Most countries copy whatever restrictions the US has placed on their citizens traveling to the US!

We even copy the picture page of our passports, and the visa page/stamp etc. page just in case! Then we hide them in a different place then our passports!:D

[WhiteWineInTheSun]

We totally agree with you.:)

Most countries copy whatever restrictions the US has placed on their citizens traveling to the US!

We even copy the picture page of our passports, and the visa page/stamp etc. page just in case! Then we hide them in a different place then our passports!:D

 

Another option, if you use your phone to take pictures, take photos of these items before you board, then delete when you've finished travel.

 

It is not MSC's (nor any cruise line's) responsibility to keep tabs on whether a passenger has the appropriate paperwork if they haven't boarded with it. From a business perspective, they have to establish a guideline, and no papers, no boarding seems extremely logical. I'm sorry you don't see it that way.

[frozentundra24]

I'm just wondering how far in advance the poster applied for visas?

 

 

 

One good thing is that this thread has prompted me to check again whether I need visas for my upcoming trip - and confirmed for a third time that I don't need any. I am sure that in my paranoia and OCD-ness I will be checking at least twice more before I leave.

 

 

Lol...causing me to do the exact same thing...I'll prob check 10 times before we go.

 

 

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[American Bear]

Lol...causing me to do the exact same thing...I'll prob check 10 times before we go.

 

 

We are Americans! So this is for Americans!:)

We did a back to back on the Divina, visiting San Juan, St Martin, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Nassau, and the only ID's we needed on these Islands was your ship card, and a government photo ID such as your States Photo Laminated Drivers License!:)

 

Most cruise lines will suggest you also have your American passport (that is valid for at least six (6) months beyond the end of the cruise) to re-enter the US, not as a necessity, but just to quicken the process! It will also make things much easier if you were to miss your ship, and get stuck in a foreign Island!:)

[Bosjoe]

Lol...causing me to do the exact same thing...I'll prob check 10 times before we go.

 

 

We are Americans! So this is for Americans!:)

We did a back to back on the Divina, visiting San Juan, St Martin, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Nassau, and the only ID's we needed on these Islands was your ship card, and a government photo ID such as your States Photo Laminated Drivers License!:)

 

You might confuse some Americans, with this statement. Thats fine for getting off and on the Islands. But you still need a certified birth certificate and ID to get back into the states or a passport. This is for CLOSED LOOP cruises only.

[American Bear]

 

You might confuse some Americans, with this statement. Thats fine for getting off and on the Islands. But you still need a certified birth certificate and ID to get back into the states or a passport. This is for CLOSED LOOP cruises only.

 

You are right Bosjoe, I was talking about ID's needed to get on and off the ship at the different ports once you're on the cruise!:)

[AmoMondo]

And the OP was Smerican and needed a Visa yet many other nationalities don't to do that cruise.

 

Moral of this is to know what you need before you book and make sure you can get it before the sailing date.

[AmoMondo]

Sorry getting confused about which thread I'm on, was thinking I was on the review where the OP had issues getting his Visa to go to Brazil.

[American Bear]

Sorry getting confused about which thread I'm on, was thinking I was on the review where the OP had issues getting his Visa to go to Brazil.

 

 

 

No need Amo, your info on these forum threads like 'Bosjoe', 'Tim', and many 'others' always add terrific information for those new to MSC, and the Divina!:)

[American Bear]

Sorry I don't smoke!

So I happen to love the MSC Divina policy of No Smoking on Balconies, and in the Casino!

And we have had our share of cruises with Balconies where it seemed we were surrounded by smokers, or it seemed that way!:D

But we rarely see this wonderful benefit mentioned in reviews, and got us thinking if some of the 'extreme' negative reviews aren't just unhappy smokers!:D

Maybe their food tasted bad because it didn't have an ash tray taste?!:eek:

Or they hated the service cause they were having a nicotine fit?!:eek:

[sidari]

Bear ... On the TA to Miami last November smoking was banned in all cabins and on balconies and was only allowed in certain places ... The smoking room, certain parts of the Port side Outside decks! are you now saying this policy has changed ?

[Mikesa1721]

I don't think so Sidari,,I think American was speaking of "other" cruise ships he has been on in regards to smoking on the balcony. Smoking is only allowed in the Cigar bar and in the designated areas on the port side of the ship,,outdoors of course, at least it was back in May

Edited June 27, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[American Bear]

I don't think so Sidari,,I think American was speaking of "other" cruise ships he has been on in regards to smoking on the balcony. Smoking is only allowed in the Cigar bar and in the designated areas on the port side of the ship,,outdoors of course, at least it was back in May

 

Right you are Mike, the Divina's no smoking on balconies is terrific, and all other cruise lines should follow!:D

How many times we've opened up our balcony door 'on other cruise lines' only to be met with a cloud of smoke from nearby smokers!:mad:

Has anyone ever walked through a casino 'on another cruise line' and not smelled like smoke afterwards?!

As you can see from my comments, I'm an unabashed non-smoker! Sorry smokers!

Edited June 28, 2014 by American Bear

[driftingaway2017]

I too am very happy with the no smoking policy on Divina. I'm considering upgrading to a balcony on my Divina cruise in Dec cause of this policy. I love having a balcony but usually avoid them because of the chance of being next to a smoker. I have asthma & know I wouldn't use the balcony if someone were smoking nearby...

[American Bear]

I too am very happy with the no smoking policy on Divina. I'm considering upgrading to a balcony on my Divina cruise in Dec cause of this policy. I love having a balcony but usually avoid them because of the chance of being next to a smoker. I have asthma & know I wouldn't use the balcony if someone were smoking nearby...

 

 

Our favorite time cruising is sitting on the balcony and eating breakfast with room service, and the Divina no smoking on balcony policy makes that a very enjoyable, relaxing time!:)

We find it interesting that this is rarely mentioned in reviews by others about the +,-'s on the Divina!

To us, this is one of the top reasons we place the Divina as one of our favorite ships!:)

[nbemporat]

Im going on msc divina on august 9 and its my first time on a cruise ive heard alot of that cruise but i want to know if the food is good and service

 

 

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[American Bear]

Im going on msc divina on august 9 and its my first time on a cruise ive heard alot of that cruise but i want to know if the food is good and service

 

 

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Food, Service, and Dress are very subjective, and you'll hear extremes on the forums for every cruise line, and every ship!

Our opinion from 14 days on the Divina is as follows,,

Service, laid back, not in your face trying to sell you, you won't hear announcements over the ships speakers every 3 minutes promoting something to buy, but the employees smile, if you say thank you they nod back, if you ask for something from your room attendant or Main Dining Room waiters they will remember how you like things, when we ordered room service every morning they were quick and remembered what we wanted even if we forgot something in our order suck as milk with our coffee, or a pitcher of ice water, etc.! We enjoyed their service!

 

Food, we found the buffet one of the best on ships cruising out of Florida on the main commercial cruise lines, the buffet food always had many choices and the service in the buffet keeping the area clean was impressive! :)

The MDR was equal in quality to RCL, Carnival, HAL, NCL, and a little less in quality to Princess, Disney, and Celebrity. We always found something to eat! :)

At the end of 2 weeks, we never 'pigger out' but I gained 10 pounds, so the food must have been pretty good!

Docked along side of the new NCL Getaway for several days we found their cruisers far more negative on their food then Divina cruisers!

[cruisetrail]

Im going on msc divina on august 9 and its my first time on a cruise ive heard alot of that cruise but i want to know if the food is good and service

 

 

 

Service (stewards, waiters) is good - as on all cruise ships.

Food - below cruise ship standards (limited options in the main restaurant and buffet, no alternative dining venues included in the price). It's the weakest part of Divina experience.

You'll have something to choose from but don't think (as a first timer) it's a norm for cruise industry...:)

 

I will post food review in MSC DIVINA CONFIDENTIAL thread.

[alli]

Im going on msc divina on august 9 and its my first time on a cruise ive heard alot of that cruise but i want to know if the food is good and service

 

 

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You might want to take Cruisetrail's opinions with a grain of salt. In his review he said Divina was the worst cruise he has ever had ( at the start he states he has cruised all major cruiselines).

 

My husband and I have also sailed numerous cruiselines ( 18-19 cruises in all. We've lost count) and we throughly enjoyed our cruise on Divina. We found the food and service on par with all the other lines. Yes, there were food items that we didn't like and food items that we thought were brillant. Every crew member was polite and catered to our needs. We didn't experience any problems at customer service though we had to visit the desk several times ( note, don't place your room key next to a battery...).

 

I was a bit disappointed in the salad bar at the buffet. But, then I'm a salad fanatic.As others have noted you won't find the servers parading around the pool deck hawking half melted drinks of the day on a soggy tray ( thank goodness). But they are there if you want to order a drink. They don't serve drinks in the theater. If that bothers you pick one up before entering for the show.

[nbemporat]

Thank you so much

 

 

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[American Bear]

You might want to take Cruisetrail's opinions with a grain of salt. In his review he said Divina was the worst cruise he has ever had ( at the start he states he has cruised all major cruiselines).

 

My husband and I have also sailed numerous cruiselines ( 18-19 cruises in all. We've lost count) and we throughly enjoyed our cruise on Divina. We found the food and service on par with all the other lines. Yes, there were food items that we didn't like and food items that we thought were brillant. Every crew member was polite and catered to our needs. We didn't experience any problems at customer service though we had to visit the desk several times ( note, don't place your room key next to a battery...).

 

I was a bit disappointed in the salad bar at the buffet. But, then I'm a salad fanatic.As others have noted you won't find the servers parading around the pool deck hawking half melted drinks of the day on a soggy tray ( thank goodness). But they are there if you want to order a drink. They don't serve drinks in the theater. If that bothers you pick one up before entering for the show.

 

 

You reminded us of another 'perk' we happen to like, while others may not, which is no drink service in the theater! :D

Who wants waiters walking in front of you during a show!

That being said, my negative comment on the show room would be aimed at the crowd, not the show, there was an enormous amount of phones/i-pads etc. taking video of the shows, and who wants to have your view of the show blocked by some rude person in front of you holding up a device in your viewing line to tape the show! I actually told the guy in front of me to get it out of my view! :mad:

I would guess that approx. 25% of the audience was taping video!:eek:

We decided to sit in the front row after that first show!:)

Edited July 2, 2014 by American Bear

[Elmartellama]

In the MSC Fantasia you cannot enter the theatre with drinks. There are many warning signs. Don't know if it is different in the MSC Divina.

 

I think that's better!

 

In Royal Caribbean we felt SO uncomfortable with this. You have to move to let the waiter pass, take orders etc. Give me a break, it's a theatre not a bar and you have the whole rest of the day to drink! We opted to sit in the middle of the row in order not to be bothered.

 

By the way, it is simply not true that you have a limited selection in the buffet. You might like the food or not, but you have like 30 different things to choose from!