Have you sailed both Divina & Carnival?

[Ms_Pammy]

Good Morning All! Have a questions for anyone who has sailed the Divina out of Miami and Carnival Cruise lines.

We have only sailed Carnival and our favorite thing about them is hanging out on the lido deck by day with a few drinks and music playing and music/karaoke in the evening.

We really like that it can both be a party atmosphere or a laid back on - which ever you are in the mood for. ((:

How would you say the Divina and Carnival Compare? We are thinking about trying it out. Thanks in advance (:

[Mikesa1721]

Good Morning All! Have a questions for anyone who has sailed the Divina out of Miami and Carnival Cruise lines.

We have only sailed Carnival and our favorite thing about them is hanging out on the lido deck by day with a few drinks and music playing and music/karaoke in the evening.

We really like that it can both be a party atmosphere or a laid back on - which ever you are in the mood for. ((:

How would you say the Divina and Carnival Compare? We are thinking about trying it out. Thanks in advance (:

 

Good to see you over here Ms_Pammy!!! I'm glad you decided to take Kim's advice and post this question here. I think you'll definitely get more opinions here than on MSC's Facebook page.

To reiterate what Kim had mentioned, MSC is more relaxed and casual. Mornings and late afternoon on deck 14(AquaPark),,there is stretching, walking, and aerobics. Late morning to late afternoon,,there is music, games and other activities. You won't find the hairy chest contest or the mixology contest or bounce the ping pong ball into the champagne bucket type of games,,,but they do have some interesting games around the pool and give away much better prizes than a ship on a stick!!

In the evening, you can sit and watch a movie under the stars here or on certain theme nights,,enjoy live music, drinks and dancing, or have a cigar with Captain Scala during the White Party.

But what keeps us coming back besides the fantastic food and service is definitely the nightly entertainment. From live music in almost every bar and lounge onboard, to the, in our opinion,,"the best shows at sea". From Frank Sinatra, to the hopefully newly released "Music From La Traviata", to The Michael Jackson "Starwalker" show,,Wonderland, Pirates,,,etc. the production shows are incredible!!!

You can take a virtual tour of Divina here:

http://mscpodcast.msccruises.com/Podcast/VirtualTourFantasia/us_en/

And here is the Starwalker show I filmed back in May:

 

[YOUTUBE]DyIsC3PDok0[/YOUTUBE]

Edited September 10, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[jkgourmet]

We haven't sailed Divina yet, but this I already know: the drinks will be cheaper on Divina.

[riclop]

Mike put it very well , we have been on 7 carnival cruises and 5 msc cruises and have 3 more booked on msc, that will tell you something. MSC has better food much better pricing and the evening shows are no comparison to carnivals and there is plenty of music in the various lounges. If you like to drink you will find cheaper prices on MSC and the ship Divina is beautiful. Give it a try and if you don't like it you can resume carnival or any other line that you may choose.

[American Bear]

Good Morning All! Have a questions for anyone who has sailed the Divina out of Miami and Carnival Cruise lines.

We have only sailed Carnival and our favorite thing about them is hanging out on the lido deck by day with a few drinks and music playing and music/karaoke in the evening.

We really like that it can both be a party atmosphere or a laid back on - which ever you are in the mood for. ((:

How would you say the Divina and Carnival Compare? We are thinking about trying it out. Thanks in advance (:

 

These are only opinions of ours!

Carnival vs Divina!

The Divina is a prettier ship then any ship in the Carnival fleet including the Dream class which we sailed on last year!

Carnival is younger, louder, and more of a party atmosphere!

Drinks bought individually are less expensive on Divina!

But you can order a bottle of 'hard liquor' booze for your cabin on Carnival that you can't on Divina!

Divina's drink packages are much better then Carnivals(less expensive, and all you want means 'all you want'-no maximum, and the premium pkge. includes just about anything you'd want)!

You can purchase a 'faster to the fun' on Carnival, can't on Divina!

 

Food,,,,subjective,,,,,we're high ranking loyalty club members on most major cruise lines so we don't have an ax to grind, (we love cruising on every line),,, we think they're all about the same, all have something good as well as something to complain about!

 

MDR's- larger, less flavorful portions on Carnival. Divina's shrimp cocktail, coconut shrimp, and gelato are the best at sea!

Buffets- we thought they are equal, Guy's burgers, and Carnival's fish and chips are very good, while the Divina's pizza is the best at sea!

Carnival's employees sing and dance during the week in the MDR, while in the Divina's MDR there are 2 parades of deserts by the waiters during your cruise!

 

Entertainment,,,again subjective, and different!

Carnival's entertainment is a few comedians, a few not really good shows, and the cruise usual of karaoke-game contests-etc. we honestly are tired of them after all the years!

Divina's shows are different, and very good, a combination of dancing, acrobatics, and singing to a different theme every night! Alice, Pirates, and Michael Jackson are very well received, with many audiences standing to applaud! The show performers will also greet you in the galaxy disco after the final performance!

During the week there are several theme nights on Divina such as white night(similar to Carnival), 60's-70's-80's night, and Italian night where passengers and workers dress accordingly!

You'll find many bars around the ship with live entertainers also!

 

Smoking, (good or bad depends on whether you smoke)the Divina has the least amount of areas to smoke of any ship we've been on! No smoking on balconies, Carnival added but not strongly enforced, no smoking in the casino ion Divina, or in any of the inside bars! There is a dedicated enclosed smoking lounge(dk 6 middle of the ship), and one side of the top deck where smokers are allowed(forgot where)!

 

There is a sports bar on the Divina as most Carnivals, and an out door movie screen on Divina at the pool that plays concerts and movies! We watched a Tina Turner concert one night before the movies, so many people dancing!:)

 

Whatever your choice, have a great cruise!:D

Edited September 10, 2014 by American Bear

[flahagan]

Mikesa, thanks so very much for the video - brought back so many fabulous memories! I can't imagine anyone not thinking this is just one terrific product. I'm thinking that the next cruise, I'm going to BOTH shows each night, they were just that good.

[Mikesa1721]

Mikesa, thanks so very much for the video - brought back so many fabulous memories! I can't imagine anyone not thinking this is just one terrific product. I'm thinking that the next cruise, I'm going to BOTH shows each night, they were just that good.

 

Just watch out for the guys with the red noses that follow you to your seat and imitate your every move. They got me last time,,,,it's payback time for them in January!!!!!!:D:D

[flahagan]

Here's the link to the video of some of the entertainment that I'd put together after our cruise.

[Ms_Pammy]

Thanks everyone for the awesome feedback, I posted this same thread on Carnival’s page and received pretty much the same feedback! She really looks like a beautiful ship!

 

Question about the lido deck (not sure what it’s called on Divina) & the night life (beyond shows)

 

Lido deck - We love that on carnival you can be there all day, it feels really tropical to us as we love listening to music, having drinks, chatting with fellow cruisers, lido deck party

 

 

For night life we like a Variety – piano bars, karaoke, drinks and hanging out.

 

Would you say this is the same atmosphere on Divina for these?

:)

[Mikesa1721]

Thanks everyone for the awesome feedback, I posted this same thread on Carnival’s page and received pretty much the same feedback! She really looks like a beautiful ship!

 

Question about the lido deck (not sure what it’s called on Divina) & the night life (beyond shows)

 

Lido deck - We love that on carnival you can be there all day, it feels really tropical to us as we love listening to music, having drinks, chatting with fellow cruisers, lido deck party

 

 

For night life we like a Variety – piano bars, karaoke, drinks and hanging out.

 

Would you say this is the same atmosphere on Divina for these?

:)

 

The "Lido Deck" on Divina is deck 14 or The "Afrodite Deck". This is where you will find the AquaPark. Throughout the day there is music, games and activities as well as "theme night" deck parties in the evening.

You may want to also go to the "Garden Pool" on deck 15 (Mercurio Deck), where music is played throughout the day. This is a great place to relax, have a drink, and soak up the sun. A very popular hangout during our sailing this past August.

For night life,,we loved the Golden Jazz Bar,, The Black And White Lounge, and The Galaxy Disco. You will find everything you mentioned above and then some in these and other venues onboard. Like we stated,,most venues offer "Live" music, there are very few venues offering "canned" music. I think you will notice a huge difference in the entertainment offerings aboard Divina as compared to Carnival!!

[Ms_Pammy]

The "Lido Deck" on Divina is deck 14 or The "Afrodite Deck". This is where you will find the AquaPark. Throughout the day there is music, games and activities as well as "theme night" deck parties in the evening.

You may want to also go to the "Garden Pool" on deck 15 (Mercurio Deck), where music is played throughout the day. This is a great place to relax, have a drink, and soak up the sun. A very popular hangout during our sailing this past August.

For night life,,we loved the Golden Jazz Bar,, The Black And White Lounge, and The Galaxy Disco. You will find everything you mentioned above and then some in these and other venues onboard. Like we stated,,most venues offer "Live" music, there are very few venues offering "canned" music. I think you will notice a huge difference in the entertainment offerings aboard Divina as compared to Carnival!!

 

Thanks again! :)

[GOLDENBONNY]

Good Morning All! Have a questions for anyone who has sailed the Divina out of Miami and Carnival Cruise lines.

We have only sailed Carnival and our favorite thing about them is hanging out on the lido deck by day with a few drinks and music playing and music/karaoke in the evening.

We really like that it can both be a party atmosphere or a laid back on - which ever you are in the mood for. ((:

How would you say the Divina and Carnival Compare? We are thinking about trying it out. Thanks in advance (:

 

 

I love MSC much more . First of all MSC ships much cleaner , for me Valor was a bit of shock .MSC is not as loud as CCL and you will not find so many drunk people on MSC as you do on CCL. I cannot remember any point on CCL be better vs MSC . I would cruise CCL again if destination and price is right but I prefer MSC .

[CTBob]

I love MSC much more . First of all MSC ships much cleaner , for me Valor was a bit of shock .MSC is not as loud as CCL and you will not find so many drunk people on MSC as you do on CCL. I cannot remember any point on CCL be better vs MSC . I would cruise CCL again if destination and price is right but I prefer MSC .

I've never been on MSC but after reading this thread I think I'll book a cruise on the Divina for my wife's Birthday. Thanks to all who have contributed. Bob Edited September 11, 2014 by CTBob

[Mikesa1721]

I've never been on MSC but after reading this thread I think I'll book a cruise on the Divina for my wife's Birthday. Thanks to all who have contributed. Bob

 

Great birthday gift CTBob!!! Our first sailing aboard Divina was a Mother's Day gift for my girlfriend,,,now we are hooked!!!

[cruisetrail]

Lido deck - We love that on carnival you can be there all day, it feels really tropical to us as we love listening to music, having drinks, chatting with fellow cruisers, lido deck party

 

 

For night life we like a Variety – piano bars, karaoke, drinks and hanging out.

 

Would you say this is the same atmosphere on Divina for these?

:)

 

Very similar. This is what the Divina has been designed for.

Maybe less noise on upper decks.

 

Pros vs Carnival

If you don't mind canned music in the theatre, you will be more than satisfied with shows.

 

Cons vs Carnival (Breeze, Miracle, Splendor)

Food

Less open space

Comfort features like Spa & Thermal suites

[Myrtle Ave. Mayhem]

Fantastic question and funny that you should ask, as I sailed MSC Divina in April and then Carnival Splendor in May. As said before, preference and perception are subjective, but I loved both.

 

Simply put : MSC Divina is pure La Dolce Vita - Italian sports car sexy. Carnival Splendor was Working Class goes to the local mall - Ford/Chevy.

 

The WOW factor was turned up high on MSC Divina with the food, music, & entertainment. Dinners in the fixed seating dining rooms were nightly two hour social affairs just as dinner should be in Italia. The women AND the men were dressed up not in a stuffy formal way, but in a European/Latin American way, nightly. Most people made the effort of Bella Figura. Each night the dinners got better and better with creative menus. The table service was more reserved in a dignified European way, but tables were placed too close together, thus preventing servers easy access to the tables they had to serve. Entertainment and music throughout was sophisticated. Much of the pool side music was Latin or Euro House-ish.

I appreciated not hearing any Jimmy Buffet, Beach Boys, or rap all week long. There used to be Italian lessons daily but I'm not sure if they still do that. The only two negatives were my room steward who seemed to work in a state of perpetual deep confusion and the COMPLETE lack of control over the many children who had unlimited access to all areas of the ship morning, noon, and night.

 

Carnival Splendor was enjoyable because the vast majority of the fellow passengers were so friendly. This cruise sailed out of New York and was very well represented by working class Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Long Island & New Jersey ! A Fun Time was had by all and that's what Carnival promotes. Carnival has a reputation for obnoxious loud cruising and passengers but I thought that everyone behaved just fine. Never once saw a drunk person the whole week. My two room stewards made an impeccable team making it obvious that they took pride in their jobs and were genuinely interested in making my stay on board clean and comfortable.

The ship was immaculate at all times, in excellent condition. The food was plentiful and delicious. The crew were hard working, approachable, & professional. It was fine cruise product in a very basic All American way.

 

So for MSC - Molte Bene !

And Carnival - Awesome !

 

I hope that this gives you some perspective.

[jkgourmet]

Very similar. This is what the Divina has been designed for.

Maybe less noise on upper decks.

 

Pros vs Carnival

If you don't mind canned music in the theatre, you will be more than satisfied with shows.

 

Cons vs Carnival (Breeze, Miracle, Splendor)

Food

Less open space

Comfort features like Spa & Thermal suites

 

Cruisetrail, your signature does not indicate that you have EVER sailed on Carnival.

[cruisetrail]

My signature indicates what reviews I posted.

[jkgourmet]

My signature indicates what reviews I posted.

 

Which means the ships you toured, not necessarily sailed on, correct?

[GOLDENBONNY]

Which means the ships you toured, not necessarily sailed on, correct?

 

 

LOL :p