VacationCrazee Posted May 12, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 12, 2014 How does MSC Divina compare to Carnival cruises? I have never been on Celebrity or Princess (not my taste) but have cruised plenty on Carnival and a few on RCCL and one on Norwegian America (Hawaii). I see a lot of comparison to Celebrity and Princess (not up to either's standards). But how would you compare Divina to a Carnival cruise. I find Carnival cruises fun and energetic. Some of their antics are over the top but for the most part, when I don't want to watch or participate, I know how to remove myself. The food is pretty good and the service is fine. I do a lot of land vacations and do not need a lot of touchy-feely service. Bed, shower, food, sunlounger are my main concerns. Thanks. P.S. No wrong answer. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogchopper Posted May 12, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 12, 2014 How does MSC Divina compare to Carnival cruises? I have never been on Celebrity or Princess (not my taste) but have cruised plenty on Carnival and a few on RCCL and one on Norwegian America (Hawaii). I see a lot of comparison to Celebrity and Princess (not up to either's standards). But how would you compare Divina to a Carnival cruise. I find Carnival cruises fun and energetic. Some of their antics are over the top but for the most part, when I don't want to watch or participate, I know how to remove myself. The food is pretty good and the service is fine. I do a lot of land vacations and do not need a lot of touchy-feely service. Bed, shower, food, sunlounger are my main concerns. Thanks. P.S. No wrong answer. :p I'm low rent too and I'd love an answer to that question . I love carnival cruises, I'd say my only gripe with them is they have cut down on the number of shows and I love shows!! I actually find rcc cruises nice but a bit stuffy. So I do wonder how MSC is gonna compare to those. I will find out in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacationCrazee Posted May 12, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I too find RCCL a bit more "standoffish" in their activities. Most of RCCL activities are either singular or spectator in nature. Not a lot of group participation involved. Even the design of their ships (not the brand new ones, never been on them) is designed for people to maintain a sense of separate-ness. Carnival forces people to interact with each other. As a solo cruiser I like this. On Carnival I never feel alone. I am wondering if MSC is a bit too casual in nature for some of our more reserved cruisers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmoMondo Posted May 12, 2014 #4 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Can't speak for the Divina, but the rest of MSC is not very like Carnival. The design of their ships is very different and so is the decor. Not glitzy bright (Vegas like) colour schemes. More natural materials, highly polished woods and metals, lots of marble Nd toned down colour schemes. Quite elegant and some are stunningly beautiful. They also aren't known for being a party, fun ship either. That's not to say there isn't any, it is more relaxed and laid back and up to passengers whether they wish to particaipate or not. There is definitely (thank goodness) no "forced interaction". If there were, I'd stop sailing with them (and I sail solo) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacationCrazee Posted May 12, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I wonder about Divina in 2014. With the prices at this low rate, I would think they would get more carnival customers/bargain hunters than a normal MSC cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogchopper Posted May 12, 2014 #6 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I wonder about Divina in 2014. With the prices at this low rate, I would think they would get more carnival customers/bargain hunters than a normal MSC cruise. Yep,I'm one of those carnival customers :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Squirrel Posted May 12, 2014 #7 Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) How does MSC Divina compare to Carnival cruises? I have never been on Celebrity or Princess (not my taste) but have cruised plenty on Carnival and a few on RCCL and one on Norwegian America (Hawaii). I see a lot of comparison to Celebrity and Princess (not up to either's standards). But how would you compare Divina to a Carnival cruise. I find Carnival cruises fun and energetic. Some of their antics are over the top but for the most part, when I don't want to watch or participate, I know how to remove myself. The food is pretty good and the service is fine. I do a lot of land vacations and do not need a lot of touchy-feely service. Bed, shower, food, sunlounger are my main concerns. Thanks. P.S. No wrong answer. :p IMHO, Divina is better in every possible category than any of my Carnival cruises. Entertainment of any type, whether production shows, poolside bands, or lounge acts top Carnival by miles. We use to be very loyal Carnival cruisers. We left Carnival when the poolside music became two guys and a synthesizer. I hear now the poolside music is just a DJ. :( If they ever bring back the great live music and quit having passenger-driven evening entertainment, we would be back. I say this so you know we are not a family that thinks we're 'above' Carnival. Try Divina now while the price is right! Edited May 12, 2014 by Mrs. Squirrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikesa1721 Posted May 12, 2014 #8 Share Posted May 12, 2014 IMHO, Divina is better in every possible category than any of my Carnival cruises. Entertainment of any type, whether production shows, poolside bands, or lounge acts top Carnival by miles. We use to be very loyal Carnival cruisers. We left Carnival when the poolside music became two guys and a synthesizer. I hear now the poolside music is just a DJ. :( If they ever bring back the great live music and quit having passenger-driven evening entertainment, we would be back. I say this so you know we are not a family that thinks we're 'above' Carnival. Try Divina now while the price is right! Squirrel, I agree 100% with you. On our last Carnival cruise, the music was so loud you couldn't even think. We booked our March 2015 cruise with RCCL but after researching Divina we quickly cancelled and rebooked with MSC for a b2b in April. Sailing on her this weekend for a quick cruise fix and we can not wait! I've cheated and watched some of the MSC Divina show productions on you-tube and hope the Michael Jackson Starwalker show will be available! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacationCrazee Posted May 12, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I appreciate the input. I have not done a cruise for the least few years. I was a loyal Carnival cruiser having achieved Platinum status. I travel solo and when Carnival stopped giving solos a break on their bottom category cabins, I jumped ship bc at that point, land vacations were cheaper (and more enjoyable, impo). Anyhoo. I was kinda missing the cruise experience and stumbled onto MSC's incredible pricing. I am booked on b2b on Divina in the fall and am looking forward to it. My requirements and expectations for this cruise are not over the top. Worse case scenario, I will be bored. But between the evening shows and my many many books on my kindle devices, I will still enjoy myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Squirrel Posted May 12, 2014 #10 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Squirrel, I agree 100% with you. On our last Carnival cruise, the music was so loud you couldn't even think. We booked our March 2015 cruise with RCCL but after researching Divina we quickly cancelled and rebooked with MSC for a b2b in April. Sailing on her this weekend for a quick cruise fix and we can not wait! I've cheated and watched some of the MSC Divina show productions on you-tube and hope the Michael Jackson Starwalker show will be available! On the western itinerary, Starwalker was on Thursday evening at 7 and 9pm, so yes it is still on. If you didn't already know, I posted the dailies from my 4-26-14 cruise. They have dropped down on the MSC board, because it's not a thread that that garners discussion to keep it toward the top. Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikesa1721 Posted May 12, 2014 #11 Share Posted May 12, 2014 On the western itinerary, Starwalker was on Thursday evening at 7 and 9pm, so yes it is still on. If you didn't already know, I posted the dailies from my 4-26-14 cruise. They have dropped down on the MSC board, because it's not a thread that that garners discussion to keep it toward the top. Have a great time! Thanks Squirrel. This is only a 3 day cruise so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If not,,we'll catch the show in August. Just found out that my vacation consultant (PVC) will be onboard with us. Unfortunately he wasn't able to tell me which shows they will be doing the nights we are onboard. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calitexar Posted May 12, 2014 #12 Share Posted May 12, 2014 MSC Divina is very different than Carnival with much more formal attire and much less partying. The ship is beautiful and the entertainment fantastic. I've sailed everything from Carnival to Norwegian to Royal, Celebrity and Azamara. I really wouldn't say Divina is a close match to any. At current prices, she offers a great vacation value. That said, the sometimes standoffish service and inconsistent food will make it hard for her to compete if prices are raised to the level of others. Some on our cruise raved, but complaints were more frequently voiced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSC Cruises USA Posted May 12, 2014 #13 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Squirrel, I agree 100% with you. On our last Carnival cruise, the music was so loud you couldn't even think. We booked our March 2015 cruise with RCCL but after researching Divina we quickly cancelled and rebooked with MSC for a b2b in April. Sailing on her this weekend for a quick cruise fix and we can not wait! I've cheated and watched some of the MSC Divina show productions on you-tube and hope the Michael Jackson Starwalker show will be available! Hi Mikesa1721, We just learned that Starwalker will be the show on Sunday night during the May 17th sailing! We look forward to welcoming you aboard in just a few days! Best, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo hoho & a bottle of rum Posted May 12, 2014 #14 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Just got back from Divina Saturday. Absolutely beautiful ship. We had a great time. Only negatives I have is it isn't smoker friendly at all. You can smoke in the Cigar Lounge which is not very big and needs to have some sort of air filtration. It can get way to smokie even for a smoker. There's also a small section of tables on deck 14 but most of the time they're taken. Personally I would like them to designate part of the casino for smokers. The dress code is much dressier than Carnival. I like to get dressed up on occassion once or twice on a 7 day but not every night. We frequented the buffet and the food was very good. All in all we had a wonderful vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thecat3902 Posted May 12, 2014 #15 Share Posted May 12, 2014 We too are pretty loyal ccl customers and have tried other lines but we like carnival the best. Then again cruises are all good to me since you are on vacation. I am more worries about my kids having a good time since they love camp carnival and we sailed the breeze last time and have the water park to contend with. Cathy Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikesa1721 Posted May 12, 2014 #16 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Hi Mikesa1721, We just learned that Starwalker will be the show on Sunday night during the May 17th sailing! We look forward to welcoming you aboard in just a few days! Best, Fantastic!!! We can't wait to see the show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted May 12, 2014 #17 Share Posted May 12, 2014 We used to think CCL was low rent. After one Divina cruise, MSC is the new bottom feeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neptuno Posted May 13, 2014 #18 Share Posted May 13, 2014 We have to be careful to differentiate. Carnival has been our worst value ever. MSC has offered a decent value, just needs some managerial improvement. NCL once gave us the best value ever, but we got lucky and booked a great sale price. Still, never have been on a bad cruise! Most are good, some are better than others(just forget about Titanic and Concordia). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted May 13, 2014 #19 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Msc food is MUCH better than Carnival and the shows , there is no comparisons MSC rocks all lines and yes even Oasis/ Allure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodyWindy Posted May 13, 2014 #20 Share Posted May 13, 2014 ... Still, never have been on a bad cruise! Most are good, some are better than others... Who was it that coined the phrase "The worst day on a cruise is still better than the best day at the office."? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VacationCrazee Posted May 21, 2014 Author #21 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I am just reading these responses. I believe I will enjoy my b2b cruises on Divina because. . . . it is a cruise vacation. :p I think the bad reviews are more from people who already have in their minds what a perfect cruise is from their past experiences on other cruiselines and are put off by the difference in style. I have not cruised Carnival in a few years but during my 15+ cruises with them, I have seen many many downgrades in various offerings and services. My last couple of Carnival cruises, it seemed like the staff was just going thru the motions without any real attempt to inject the energy and rah rah fun that Carnival was previously known for. I have no first hand experience but from what I have read, most of the major cruiselines have cut back ridiculously in service while raising the prices. I understand the cost of fuel is thru the roof but perhaps if they stop competing with each other to design and build the biggest ship with the most stuff, they could get back to what they offered folks back just a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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