Just back from Divina...my review. Any questions???

[moondance55]

great post very helpful thank you.... Is their a HAPPY HR.???

 

We didn't drink at the bars, so I don't know for sure, but I think there has been a happy hour mentioned on another thread. The one "secret" I do know is that on the first sea day which is the Captain's Gala, all the bars on decks 5,6, and 7 offer free drinks from 5:15 to 6:00 PM. Originally I was told by a passenger that you could order anything, but that has apparently changed...we had a choice of pre-poured drinks, including martini, virgin punch, rum sour,or champagne.

[joybaby]

We did self assist. We were meeting at 6:45 and they called us 5 mins. later and we went right through customs since we were early, in our car at 7:10.

Very organized.

Breakfast starts at 6 but we only went for a cup of java, then stopped for breakfast on the way home.

[maryann2]

We are scheduled for early seating for dinner but may try and change it to late. As usual, early is too early and late is too late. Can't win! And early dining means missing sail-away!

How full was your sailing? Was it always crowded?? Should we show up at the port around 11AM? That's what we usually do.

Thanks, Bob

ps - We did an Alaskan cruise out of Vancouver last year and absolutely loved Vancouver!!!

Every one I met when I said I was from Vancouver said the same thing. Surprised people a bit as I still have my English accent.

 

Was able to see sailaway even though I had early seating and it was beautiful as just starting to get dark.

 

I did not find the ship crowded at all except in the MDR at breakfast as the tables are really too close together and heard that it was crowded in the buffet at breakfast.

 

I was at the port around 11am and boarded at 12. Cabins were not ready until 3pm.

Can you tell us more about the tea at the Good Hope Estate? Thanks.

I chose this excursion as I have been to Montego Bay before and did not want to go to Dunns River Falls which seemed to be one of the more popular excursion. The river rafting looked like a cool excursion to do.

The tea itself was okay. Cucumber sandwiches scones cookies and spicy chicken and tea. The tables were set outside in the garden which was nice and we watched the hummingbirds flying backwards. (That was one of the trivia questions LOL).

The house itself was small but had lovely views all round and was built to take advantage of the wind and still had the original furniture.

[CTBob]

Bob,

I think others have already answered but I will add my 2 cents.

 

Plenty of time between the end of early dinner because the show doesn't start until 9 PM.

We didn't buy any bar drinks, but we enjoyed the music in the Jazz Bar and the Divina Bar.

Skipped the meet n greet.

We just wing it, no organized excursions...We rented a car at all stops except GSC and son rented a scooter in Cozumel.

At the buffet I liked the bacon, sausage and fried eggs at the egg station...the ethnic corner at the back was good...I also liked the large assortment of breads.

No trays, but the plates are large platters

All the way to the back was usually uncrowded.

Thanks, I don't usually eat a large breakfast but I go crazy and have bacon or sausage with eggs when on a cruise. Thanks for being so helpful. Bob

[CTBob]

We didn't drink at the bars, so I don't know for sure, but I think there has been a happy hour mentioned on another thread. The one "secret" I do know is that on the first sea day which is the Captain's Gala, all the bars on decks 5,6, and 7 offer free drinks from 5:15 to 6:00 PM. Originally I was told by a passenger that you could order anything, but that has apparently changed...we had a choice of pre-poured drinks, including martini, virgin punch, rum sour,or champagne.

Now THIS is good information!! I usually enjoy a drink before dinner and will buy a couple of coupon books for drinks but "Free" always tastes better. Bob

[TipsyT]

Thanks for taking the time to share your review! Did you by any chance use the sauna and steam room in the spa? If so, could you please describe the area? I am especially interested in the privacy around the showers. I had read that the men's area was pretty much visible to the public when the main door was open. I'm hoping this is not the same case for the ladies.

 

TIA,

Trish

[ZoeyVictoria]

Thank you for the very enjoyable review :) We sailed on the Divina in May as a couple, and will be returning with family on October 18. If you can please answer one more cabin question.... We were in an inside on deck 9 in May. We absolutely loved the cruise, but that was the tiniest cabin either of us have ever seen. The part that was a bit upsetting was that all of the pictures we saw on the MSC site showed a chair, which would have been impossible in our cabin. We have eight people in four inside cabins on deck five in October. I think we know better, but I am hoping you can tell us that there was enough room for a chair in your cabin? I have purchased some metal hooks, so we can at least hang up a few things that won't fit in the closet this time. Membership in Overpackers Anonymous might also be helpful :D

[moondance55]

Thanks for taking the time to share your review! Did you by any chance use the sauna and steam room in the spa? If so, could you please describe the area? I am especially interested in the privacy around the showers. I had read that the men's area was pretty much visible to the public when the main door was open. I'm hoping this is not the same case for the ladies.

 

TIA,

Trish

Sorry tipsy,

we didn't use the steam room or saunas. I did, however take advantage of the 50% off promotion (on the last day while in port at GSC) in the Aurea Spa getting a nice 60 minute Bali Massage for $63 + the 15% service charge, and there was a private shower in the massage room itself.

[moondance55]

I felt like our cabin, 5050 was about average for an inside cabin, and yes we had an armless upholstered chair, an oval glass coffee table next to it, and a padded ottoman that fit under the desk. Really our only negative was the extremely noisy mechanical and running water sounds.........

[riclop]

Thank you for the very enjoyable review :) We sailed on the Divina in May as a couple, and will be returning with family on October 18. If you can please answer one more cabin question.... We were in an inside on deck 9 in May. We absolutely loved the cruise, but that was the tiniest cabin either of us have ever seen. The part that was a bit upsetting was that all of the pictures we saw on the MSC site showed a chair, which would have been impossible in our cabin. We have eight people in four inside cabins on deck five in October. I think we know better, but I am hoping you can tell us that there was enough room for a chair in your cabin? I have purchased some metal hooks, so we can at least hang up a few things that won't fit in the closet this time. Membership in Overpackers Anonymous might also be helpful :D

 

Your cabin was and will be 138 sq ft, before you were on deck 9 now deck 5 you will get noise like MOONDANCE stated so you will be going from small to small with noise.

[moondance55]

Our cabin was just like this, except no upper beds on the wall, and our floorplan was flipped left to right from this...meaning our chair and table were on the left and the desk and tv were on the right as you entered the cabin.

 

http://jamcruise.com/assets/images/inventory/DI_02e03_Inside_db_530x280_tcm5-58373.jpg

[AmoMondo]

Thanks for taking the time to share your review! Did you by any chance use the sauna and steam room in the spa? If so, could you please describe the area? I am especially interested in the privacy around the showers. I had read that the men's area was pretty much visible to the public when the main door was open. I'm hoping this is not the same case for the ladies.

 

TIA,

Trish

 

Haven't sailed on the Divina yet but have used the thermal area on all other MSC ships I've been on. The shower itself normally faces away from the door and has a curtain, so you can't be seen when the main door is opened. There is also a more private area for changing there. The rest of the changing room is probably visible if the door is left open. In my experience there is not a lot of footfall past the door, nor do people leave it open. I can never recall there ever being more than 2 other people using the changing room at the same time as me. I think the extra charge puts people off using it. I certainly would not allow fears of privacy put you off using the area. Be prepared that a lot of Europeans will think nothing of stripping off in front of you in the changing room. Heck I once encountered a guy stark naked coming out of the sauna in the common area. Just dropped his towel in front of me (I'm female) as he headed into the shower to cool off. Wouldn't have minded as much if he'd been young and attractive.......needless to day it was the exact opposite situation!

[ZoeyVictoria]

Our cabin was just like this, except no upper beds on the wall, and our floorplan was flipped left to right from this...meaning our chair and table were on the left and the desk and tv were on the right as you entered the cabin.

 

http://jamcruise.com/assets/images/inventory/DI_02e03_Inside_db_530x280_tcm5-58373.jpg

 

Yes, that is the chair we are looking for. The cabin on deck nine was too small for that chair, we could barely squeeze between the end of the bed and the minibar. I don't know how it could be possible, but the previous cabin was shorter than the one pictured. Thanks so much for your help. The MIA chair was a joke for the entire week in May :p

[houstoncruisers2001]

Bob,

 

No trays, but the plates are large platters

 

Personally, I don't think I've ever been on a ship that had trays.

[joybaby]

Yes, that is the chair we are looking for. The cabin on deck nine was too small for that chair, we could barely squeeze between the end of the bed and the minibar. I don't know how it could be possible, but the previous cabin was shorter than the one pictured. Thanks so much for your help. The MIA chair was a joke for the entire week in May :p

 

I was on deck 12 midship, interior and there was no chair or oval table, It was tight bet. the bed and the minibar. We didn't spend much time in the room and we adjusted just fine.

[ZoeyVictoria]

I was on deck 12 midship, interior and there was no chair or oval table, It was tight bet. the bed and the minibar. We didn't spend much time in the room and we adjusted just fine.

 

We had a wonderful time; the size of the cabin was more of a source of amusement than anything else. The issue was that we have taken many cruises and know to do our research, but this time (and for the first time) the cabin was not as represented in the descriptions and photos that we saw individually and repeatedly. We spent the week joking about, "Where is my chair?", so it will be fun to see whatever differences between cabins there might be. My SO wants me to ask if the chair is there at the expense of having no fridge/minibar, but I don't want to push my luck :D

[joybaby]

We had a wonderful time; the size of the cabin was more of a source of amusement than anything else. The issue was that we have taken many cruises and know to do our research, but this time (and for the first time) the cabin was not as represented in the descriptions and photos that we saw individually and repeatedly. We spent the week joking about, "Where is my chair?", so it will be fun to see whatever differences between cabins there might be. My SO wants me to ask if the chair is there at the expense of having no fridge/minibar, but I don't want to push my luck :D

 

Like many of the lines, they have multiple configurations so it is always a surprise. I booked my next cruise w/ them through a TA from MSC. I think they are the folks that know the ship the best.

[FLBeachwalker]

Moondance, thank you for all the info.

We would like to self assist off the ship also. Could you please tell me which deck the exit is on. Also are the elevators very crowded that morning with people lugging their suitcases to breakfast and then off the ship? Thanks again!

[moondance55]

Moondance, thank you for all the info.

We would like to self assist off the ship also. Could you please tell me which deck the exit is on. Also are the elevators very crowded that morning with people lugging their suitcases to breakfast and then off the ship? Thanks again!

 

beachwalker,

 

the people who self-carry off their luggage leave before anyone else, about 6:30 AM so the breakfast is just starting when they get off. The exit to shore is on deck 5 I believe. I couldn't tell you about the elevator situation at the self-assist time since I was eating breakfast in the buffet, followed by a nap by the pool since our deck was not called to disembark until 10 AM.

Sorry I can't be of more help...

[joybaby]

Moondance, thank you for all the info.

We would like to self assist off the ship also. Could you please tell me which deck the exit is on. Also are the elevators very crowded that morning with people lugging their suitcases to breakfast and then off the ship? Thanks again!

 

Deck 5. Elevators are busy, so forget breakfast and go to your assigned area.

You will be off about 7.

[FLBeachwalker]

Thanks Moondancer and Joybaby.....hmmm.....rethinking this process - not sure I want to skip breakfast and fight the crowded elevators :( Moondancer your last morning sounds better!

[maryann2]

I had booked a transfer to Fort Lauderdale airport. This did not show as available pre-cruise but was available on board. $30 by sail and sign card.

We had to be out of our cabins by 7am.

Went to breakfast in MDR at 7am,was able to leave hand luggage in a room near reception deck 5. Had to drop off the signed invoice there anyway.

After breakfast collected hand luggage and waited in the theatre as indicated in the program for my number luggage tags at 8.30.

Escorted off the ship. Really organised disembarkation.

Edited September 24, 2014 by maryann2

[LULUsMOM]

I had booked a transfer to Fort Lauderdale airport. This did not show as available pre-cruise but was available on board. $30 by sail and sign card.

We had to be out of our cabins by 7am.

Went to breakfast in MDR at 7am,was able to leave hand luggage in a room near reception deck 5. Had to drop off the signed invoice there anyway.

After breakfast collected hand luggage and waited in the theatre as indicated in the program for my number luggage tags at 8.30.

Escorted off the ship. Really organised disembarkation.

 

HI MARYANNE; YOU AND I AND NANCY USED TO HAVE DRINKS BEFORE DINNER EVERY NIGHTAT THE BAR ON DCK 5. I MISS YOU GUYS AND THE CRUISE ALREADY!! now I have to wait till December for the Norweigan Jade.

[maryann2]

HI MARYANNE; YOU AND I AND NANCY USED TO HAVE DRINKS BEFORE DINNER EVERY NIGHTAT THE BAR ON DCK 5. I MISS YOU GUYS AND THE CRUISE ALREADY!! now I have to wait till December for the Norweigan Jade.

Hi Vera, I replied to you on another thread also. So wish I was back on board:D

[Wooshers]

I was on that same cruise! This was my first cruise so I have nothing to compare it to....

 

I agree about the food, I had the steak one night and was very unimpressed. Kinda reminded me of something you'd get at Denny's. The lobster I thought was great and I had Risotto for the first time and thought it was delicious. Otherwise no other thing in the MDR impressed me much. The cold soups which I've heard so much about were lackluster, the best one was the strawberry one. Overall the meals didn't impress me much.

 

Also our waiter in the MDR wasn't overly impressive. The first night I ordered a cold soup and ended up with a tomato kind. I also ordered a salad that never came. We were never offered a drink(All week) other than a glass of wine the first second we sat down. Also I was under the impression that coffee and tea were free(the same stuff they serve upstairs)but Mom went to ask guest services and they said that it's not. Later we found out that that was probably not true. Mom did ask and get a coffee the last night in the MDR since a nice lady at lunch told her that was misinformation.

 

We did ask our steward to empty our fridge(Something I read about here) but it never ended up happening. Leaving a note woulda been a good idea because the guy was very hard to understand and probably didn't understand us either. But man he kept that room very clean.

 

The shows I was let down by tbh. I felt like it was the same show each night but with different costumes. They had no cohesive story and it just felt like they found ppl with some talents and just threw them out there to do what they do. Granted I thought the talent was great, but overall I suppose I was expecting more out of them. Would have been nice to see a magician or a comedian.

 

We booked guaranteed inside and ended up randomly getting a balcony on the 12th floor. It was a nice surprise I must say. I traveled with my Mom and she says she doesn't ever want to go back to an inside. It was great to sit out there whenever we felt like.

 

Overall I'd say for my first cruise I enjoyed myself but had a lot to complain about. The employees were kinda rude and I felt most the time avoided eye contact completely. Esp some of those vested ppl in the buffets.

 

We are going on a Carnival cruise in about 3 weeks so I'll have something to compare it to. Right now I don't think I'd sail MSC again unless the deal was very good.

 

I didn't not enjoy myself but then again I am pretty laid back and can be happy pretty much anywhere. It was certainly better than working. I think I've decided that I'd like to do one cruise a year, it's a great way to see places and having everything paid for by the time you get on is a HUGE plus for me.

 

I will say on day 6 I felt more comfortable. I was getting to know the ship better and understanding cruising a little better as well. I just need some more comparisons under my belt to fully understand how I felt about this cruise. :D