{{***MSC-DIVINA***LIVE***August 23rd - 30th***}}

[Cruisergal1208]

I would go the The Top Sail Lounge every morning to get my girlfriend a Caffe Mochiatto,,butler had to carry it back to our stateroom every time. I guess it would be nice not to have to climb those stairs.

 

Same here. It didn't matter what time of day. If I wanted to take any kind of drink back to the cabin, one of the butlers in the TS insisted on carrying it for me. One day, hubby wanted some smoked salmon and not just those little canapes and the butler there at that time came back after a few minutes with a plate full of rolled smoked salmon. We both could not finish it!!

 

Just saw where you booked another Divina cruise. Did you get one of the square cabins or stayed with the YC3 suite?

[Mikesa1721]

Same here. It didn't matter what time of day. If I wanted to take any kind of drink back to the cabin, one of the butlers in the TS insisted on carrying it for me. One day, hubby wanted some smoked salmon and not just those little canapes and the butler there at that time came back after a few minutes with a plate full of rolled smoked salmon. We both could not finish it!!

 

Just saw where you booked another Divina cruise. Did you get one of the square cabins or stayed with the YC3 suite?

 

We have the Sophia Loren Suite booked for January,,just a short 3 day sailing. This was the only time I was able to reserve this suite. Then we are back in stateroom 16008 for 2 weeks for a b2b to the Eastern Caribbean again, and then Bermuda. The Repo in October 2015 is what I am now debating over wether to try and see if one of those square cabins might be available. After all is said and done,,it's up to the boss to decide where she wants to sail on the ship.

[American Bear]

Do you have any pics of those staterooms Cruiser??? I'd love to see what they look like. Our cousins vowed to never stay in "steerage" again and they want to book the Yacht Club for our April trip,,I think the square stateroom would be perfect for them and our nephew.

 

'Steerage' LOL!!!:D

[Mikesa1721]

'Steerage' LOL!!!:D

 

A pic that Maureen posted in this thread describes it perfectly,,,,, made me laugh so hard it brought me to tears!!!

 

Edited September 2, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[Aussiegrlfl]

Wow Mike the pics are great........maybe one day I'll get up there...........why didn't your cousins like "steerage"?.........should I be afeared.....:D

[Mikesa1721]

Wow Mike the pics are great........maybe one day I'll get up there...........why didn't your cousins like "steerage"?.........should I be afeared.....:D

 

Aussie,,,they had our 3 year old nephew with them so trying to walk with him through the chaotic buffet lines, or getting him some pool time was difficult for them. We had them up in the Yacht Club on a few occasions just so he could

swim. Our cousins will be sailing with us again in April and have vowed to sail in The Yacht Club this time.

[riclop]

Thanks again for the great pictures Mike.

[Mikesa1721]

Thanks again for the great pictures Mike.

 

Thanks Riclop!!!! Appreciate that!!! I made the mistake of using my GoPro for a lot of these shots and because I had it set to "wide",,some of the pics looks like they are taken with a fish eye lens. I had my DSLR but only brought a 50mm and a 100mm-400mm lens with me. I really need to look into purchasing a wide angle lens, something with a shorter focal length. I have a few more sailings to get it right at least.:D

[plucasana]

Mikesa1721, you mentioned in another post, that you ate breakfast near the one pool area. Do you happen to remember if there were rolls/croissants/marmelade and such? (Like my breakfast sweet :o)

 

Thanks a lot!

[Mikesa1721]

Mikesa1721, you mentioned in another post, that you ate breakfast near the one pool area. Do you happen to remember if there were rolls/croissants/marmelade and such? (Like my breakfast sweet :o)

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Yes Pluca,,,everything you mentioned is available at The One Bar buffet. Kim had croissants with jelly every morning. You can also request items which may not be available at the buffet. There were several times we saw children having pancakes which are not a buffet item, but were brought by request.

[rad798]

Hey Mike, I saw you posted about the GSC Cabana over on the PVT. Island Page. Figured I would ask here since not sure how often you check that page.

 

You mentioned you reserved a large cabana. What is the difference between a large cabana and a small one? Do you have any pics by chance?

 

I called about a month ago and reserved a cabana for our October trip. Nothing was said about large or small cabana and the confirmation e-mail just says " 1.GSC02:Cabana on the Cay 10/17/2014 1 249.00".

 

Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

[plucasana]

thank you so much mike!!!

[Mikesa1721]

Hey Mike, I saw you posted about the GSC Cabana over on the PVT. Island Page. Figured I would ask here since not sure how often you check that page.

 

You mentioned you reserved a large cabana. What is the difference between a large cabana and a small one? Do you have any pics by chance?

 

I called about a month ago and reserved a cabana for our October trip. Nothing was said about large or small cabana and the confirmation e-mail just says " 1.GSC02:Cabana on the Cay 10/17/2014 1 249.00".

 

Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

 

If you paid 249.00, that will be for a large cabana Rad798. We requested cabana #1 the second we boarded the ship with our concierge and was pleasantly surprised when our request had been granted. Here are a few pics from our cabana:

 

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There's a hammock which is not pictured as well as a shower behind the cabana. I'm so glad we had this cabana,,all nine of us were so happy not to be in a lounger or clamshell on the beach somewhere. It really made our day at GSC that much more enjoyable.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[Mikesa1721]

thank you so much mike!!!

 

You're so very welcome Pluca!!!!:D

[rad798]

Mike, thanks for the quick response and great photos. The beach in front of the first cabana pic does not look that crowded. Was it taken early in the day? Was the beach ever really crowded in that area.

 

Is the bar close by or do they have waiters coming by the cabanas?

 

Last of all, why do you prefer the number one cabana so much? Location?

 

Thanks again,

 

Roger

[Mikesa1721]

Mike, thanks for the quick response and great photos. The beach in front of the first cabana pic does not look that crowded. Was it taken early in the day? Was the beach ever really crowded in that area.

 

Is the bar close by or do they have waiters coming by the cabanas?

 

Last of all, why do you prefer the number one cabana so much? Location?

 

Thanks again,

 

Roger

 

Roger,,,The last pic is from the ship,,I had a 100mm-400mm lens and zoomed in as far as I could just to see the island before we actually set foot on it. The first two pictures were taken about mid afternoon,,between 1-2pm. The beach was never really crowded at all. It was so hot there that everyone seemed to be in the water most of the day.

It is about a 5 minute walk to the bar and to the buffet area for lunch. I do have a tip for you,,,bring some small collapsible cooler bags. You can fill them with beverages of your choice,,add some ice,,and then once you get to the island,,put them in the refrigerator. We sailed in the Yacht Club, so we went to the concierge desk and they handed us 4 of them. Since our drinks and mini bar is included,,we loaded them up with beer, soda, juices,,and never had to go to the bar once. Sorry,,no waiters taking drink orders,,,would be a nice touch though,,if they had golf carts to do it in I think??

As far as location,,,I have read countless threads of cabana locations from previous NCL posters and cabana#1 always seemed to be everyones favorite. It's the first cabana you come to, and like I said,,just a 5 minute walk back to board the tenders.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[rad798]

Mike, great tips there. I just wish we were in the Yacht Club.:( (By the way, great review and photos of the Yacht Club Area)

We are down in the low life steerage section. ;) Although, we were assigned a deck 11 aft balcony. :D Our first ever aft balcony and those balconies look huge. So we are looking forward to that and couldn't beat the price!

 

I know you checked in through Yacht Club and had the issue with the bloody mary mix but did you or your cousin's family see many people check in with bottle water or soft drinks. I know the rule is that none can be brought on board but it seems many have reported to take it on. I think we will try. So be it, if they take our $4.00 pack of water from us at check-in. It would be nice to bring some bottle water especially to take to GSC.

 

The no waiter deal is no big issue, just curious. As long as they don't run out of beer at the GSC bar everything will be ok. :D

 

Oh, one last thing, do you remember if the GSC bar serves wine? I am sure the girls in our group will be asking about that.

 

Thanks again,

 

Roger

[Mikesa1721]

Mike, great tips there. I just wish we were in the Yacht Club.:( (By the way, great review and photos of the Yacht Club Area)

We are down in the low life steerage section. ;) Although, we were assigned a deck 11 aft balcony. :D Our first ever aft balcony and those balconies look huge. So we are looking forward to that and couldn't beat the price!

 

I know you checked in through Yacht Club and had the issue with the bloody mary mix but did you or your cousin's family see many people check in with bottle water or soft drinks. I know the rule is that none can be brought on board but it seems many have reported to take it on. I think we will try. So be it, if they take our $4.00 pack of water from us at check-in. It would be nice to bring some bottle water especially to take to GSC.

 

The no waiter deal is no big issue, just curious. As long as they don't run out of beer at the GSC bar everything will be ok. :D

 

 

 

Oh, one last thing, do you remember if the GSC bar serves wine? I am sure the girls in our group will be asking about that.

 

Thanks again,

 

Roger

 

If I was sailing in the regular part of the ship,,that's where I would want to book. Those staterooms have huge balconies!!! Great choice btw!!! I've heard of people bringing on water and soda,,just keep it out in the open and not concealed,,they will take you to the naughty table like me. At least I know better for the next time thought right?? As far as wine?? I'm not sure,,,we never had a need to go to the bar,but you might want to check on your way to your cabana.

Deck 11 would be the deck above the people standing on their balcony:

 

Edited September 3, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[IJustWantToGo36]

If I was sailing in the regular part of the ship,,that's where I would want to book. Those staterooms have huge balconies!!! Great choice btw!!! I've heard of people bringing on water and soda,,just keep it out in the open and not concealed,,they will take you to the naughty table like me. At least I know better for the next time thought right?? As far as wine?? I'm not sure,,,we never had a need to go to the bar,but you might want to check on your way to your cabana.

Deck 11 would be the deck above the people standing on their balcony:

 

 

I am confused- to bring water or soft drinks on- do you put in a suitacse or put by itself?

[Mikesa1721]

I am confused- to bring water or soft drinks on- do you put in a suitacse or put by itself?

 

Just leave them out in the open. Once your suitcase is sent through the scanner, if security sees them, an officer will escort you to the naughty table where they will open your bags and go through everything!!! The security officer told me,,"next time,,just keep it out where we can see it and you can avoid having your bags gone through."

[houstoncruisers2001]

Deck 11 would be the deck above the people standing on their balcony:

 

 

We have the cabin about 4 or 5 down from the standing people in about a month. So excited to finally have a prime aft balcony.

[Mikesa1721]

We have the cabin about 4 or 5 down from the standing people in about a month. So excited to finally have a prime aft balcony.

 

Nice Houston!!! Those staterooms have very deep balconies. Perfect place to be during sail away!!!! Have a great time!!!

[Aussiegrlfl]

So Mike the mini bars only have certain drinks in them....can you request anything else.....or do they stick pretty much to the plan......we have the premium drink package.........hey we're Aussies.....you can't possibly expect anything less............:D....so we would need to stock up for GSC.....love the idea of packing a cooler.....thanks for that...........Mikey doesn't get around as much as he used to so the more beer we can bring into the cabana the less I'll be running to the bar........however........cruising, boozing, eating.....the exercise could be a good thing...........:)

[Mikesa1721]

So Mike the mini bars only have certain drinks in them....can you request anything else.....or do they stick pretty much to the plan......we have the premium drink package.........hey we're Aussies.....you can't possibly expect anything less............:D....so we would need to stock up for GSC.....love the idea of packing a cooler.....thanks for that...........Mikey doesn't get around as much as he used to so the more beer we can bring into the cabana the less I'll be running to the bar........however........cruising, boozing, eating.....the exercise could be a good thing...........:)

 

Aussie,,we had our butler only stock the beer Kim liked to drink,,,Mic Ultra. There are nips of Johnny Walker, Absolute Vodka and Gin as well as soda, juices, nuts and pringles. Have your room steward stock your refrigerator with only the beer you like to drink. Once you pilferage your stateroom fridge,,hit one of the bars in the morning and grab some more beers for the road. If you have the Allegrisimo Premium,,they'll give you a few to take with you. You'll definitely want to bring some water with you as well,,it is hot on that little island.

[Aussiegrlfl]

Thanks Mike......will do........now as we are in "steerage" should we go to the shore excursion desk as soon as we board to ask for our cabana #....we have done that before on the other lines........I truly wish GSC was our first stop............I find it quite maddening that we have the day to relax and party only to get back onboard and hit REALITY with packing etc to get off the next day............to truly make it a relaxing experience it should be first out of the gate.......and two sea days back..........now that's just my opinion......I'll have a chat with the captain about that when I see him......:D

Edited September 4, 2014 by Aussiegrlfl