Just back from Divina in the Med August 2015

[Two 2 Tango]

Just back from Divina, not sure why there seem to be so many negative reviews. From the start things seem to go incredibly well, we flew from Gatwick; bit of a long drive from home but the BA flight took off on time. Bit of a tip, take your own food for the flight; the in-flight meal doesn't get much worse. We landed early at Genoa and as if a miracle our bags came off together within the first ten bags. The transfer to La Spezzia is quite long about 1 hour 20 min, but when at the port were onboard in under 15 mins.

The cabin (12169) was large with a large balcony and good size shower room, it was kept clean throughout the trip but a bit of a negative was that the steward never introduced him/herself; and never appeared during the cruise.

The ship itself was to the usual high standard of decor and cleanliness, though some attention needs to be given to the toilets in the busy areas; though this can be a little down to the misuse by passengers.

Everyone is interested in the food, it is of a good standard in the MDR, and I wonder what some of the complainers eat at home. The buffet is busy at breakfast and lunch but we never had any problems finding a seat, it may seem strange to some people but you can share a table with others; you may meet some nice people. We found if you went to the back of the ship there was always plenty of tables, and some nice Asian food at that end. Our waiting team in the MDR "Radimin and Richard" were first class and I couldn't praise them higher. I did pass this on to the head waiter and hope they will get some recognition. Please, please, please use the hand gel for everyone's health.

We found the entertainment to be of a very high standard. We spent most evenings in the Piazza del Doge, just aft of the casino. The act there was "Carey and Daniel" don't miss them if you go on the ship before October. The bar waiting staff in there were very attentive, remembering your preferences and giving advice. Get the allegrisimo package it is well worth it. We didn't see all the shows but the ones we did see were first class, in particular the Michael Jackson tribute and the Witches of Paris.

Ports of call were Cannes, it does not advertise tenders but this is the way you get ashore; once there you are in the centre of town. We only landed at Palma around 2pm though it stays late, the afternoon can be a bit of a rush and the port is a way from the city. Next was Barcelona, the shuttle is 8:50 euro, it is walkable about 30 mins but the city is large and you may not have the impetus to walkback. We then had a day at sea before reaching Naples in the morning. The port is in the centre of the city and the ferry for Capri or Sorrento is next to the ship. You can get the train to Pompeii but the station is at the other end of town. You can get a taxi or the tram to the station but make sure you go to the lower level for the local train to Sorrento. The station for Pompeii stops at the entrance gate. Next port was Civitavecchia for Rome, there is not a lot at the port but there is a free shuttle bus to the port gate. Rome is about 1 hour 20 mins, though you can get the train in about half that time.

We landed back in La Spezzia and disembarkation was very smooth, cases were in a room at the side of the ship and the transfer bus was at the side of this. We arrived at the airport in good time and used the MSC free lounge and roof terrace. Boarding went well and we took off about 10 mins early, we made good time back to Gatwick and yet another miracle; our cases came off together within the first 10 bags.

Try not to make too much of negative reviews and don't knock it till you have tried it.

[Jenna1983]

Thanks! I sail 26 September and I'm glad to see someone positive! I am rather looking forward to meals because I spend so much time analyzing my food before I eat it (severe food allergies) that having someone be able to prepare it knowing what they are...is a vacation in itself. I'm the easiest person to please food wise: chicken and I'm good to go.

[Beamafar]

Thanks, Two 2 Tango. I've been waiting for a review of Divina in the Med. Great to hear everything went well. The information on the ports of call has been very helpful. I'll be checking out the Carey and Daniel act in the Piazza. I love that area of the Fantasia class ships but have found the entertainment ranges from great to bad depending on the ship. There's always the Black & White lounge or the Golden Jazz bar, too! Only two weeks to go for me, now!

[rusky123]

Nice review Two 2 Tango, I have done a few MSC cruises and could never understand some of the reviewers. After a cruise we had been on we read on the same cruise that 'All of the diners made a rush for the buffet after the main meal because there was no real food available in the MDR', absolute tosh. Rubbish, I was on the same cruise, we had a wonderful time in the MDR, the food was good and when I did have a little complaint about my prawns they were replaced instantly, and our waiters were amongst the best in over 35+ cruises. Water was available at all times as was the drinks service. OK MSC is a different experience to the mainstream cruise companies, AKA Carnival, but you get what you pay for.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review, we have been on the Divina 5x so you know we like it and also don't understand all the bad reviews.

[maureencruiser]

Totally agree, I love Divina and they have great prices for solos, compared to the other lines. I can't wait to get back on her! :)

[sidari]

Bea ... A trip to Nice on the train from Cannes is fairly cheap if you have the time, again depending on time there is a great old train that goes out of the city of Palma and over the mountain to a really nice town called Soller plus there is a tram from the station to the port area.

 

Been to Barcelona a number of times and Civittacechia 3 times including a trip by train in to Rome where we did the HoHo bus tour.

[portofrome]

Thanks for the review.

[Beamafar]

Bea ... A trip to Nice on the train from Cannes is fairly cheap if you have the time, again depending on time there is a great old train that goes out of the city of Palma and over the mountain to a really nice town called Soller plus there is a tram from the station to the port area.

 

Been to Barcelona a number of times and Civittacechia 3 times including a trip by train in to Rome where we did the HoHo bus tour.

 

Cheers, Dave. I've never been to Cannes and was just going to hang around the town but you've given me something else to consider. I'm planning to take the hydrofoil to Capri and I've an excursion booked for Florence and Pisa from Naples. We're in YC so staying onboard in Civi and looking forward to having the pool and hot-tubs to myself :D

 

Like you, I've been to Rome and Barcelona a few times - most of my cruises have been around the western Med :rolleyes: I've been to Palma once before but didn't do anything other than roam the streets so I'll be checking out your suggestion to take the train to Soller. We're due to arrive in Palma at 2pm and we're there 'til 12.30am so there should be ample time depending on the train schedule.

 

Thanks again ;) Only 12 days to go now. :)

[sidari]

Bea ... The train to Soller has some fantastic views and stops at a platform on the mountain and you can see where you end up from that point, the tram from Soller goes to Port De Soller which is also very picturesque. The Train starts next to the main station and not from it.

 

I will check to see if I still have the details of the train to Nice from Cannes, basically from where you get off the Tender walk around the harbour towards the town and the station is just a few streets back. be sure to put the ticket you buy into the machine before entering the platform to validate it, the route takes you by Nice airport.

 

Train Times ... http://www.trendesoller.com/en/cms.php/Timetable_and_Prices

Edited August 21, 2015 by sidari

[Beamafar]

Thanks so much for that detailed info, Dave. Much appreciated.

 

Most of our cruises have been with my parents with mobility problems so we have little experience of venturing too far :rolleyes: They won't be with us this time - you're inspiring me to push out from the comfort zone I've developed over time of staying close to the ship :D

 

I'd actually planned to stay onboard at Palma; the only thing I'd heard about in research was it's great for shopping. I don't enjoy shopping on cruises as my bags are usually over-weight before leaving home LOL I now have a bit more research to do for that port stop :cool:

[sidari]

Bea ... Taxi from ship to Soller train, taxi back to ship from Soller Train ... simples .... :D We went for a short break to Majorca on the first Ryanair flight from Liverpool a few years back and did the Soller train, its a bit odd at first because it travels through the streets with cars alongside. There is also an underground cave on the other side of the island called the Caves of Drach, link below. This place is also very good though i doubt you could do both in the same stop.

 

http://www.cuevasdeldrach.com/?lang=en

 

At Nice when you come out of the station if you turn left and walk a short distance you come to the main street where the trams run, turn right and follow that down towards the huge square at the bottom, the sea front is not far from there.

 

From where you leave the Tender you walk to the main road which is a short walk and i recall it comes out where the road bends, as you walk towards town around the harbour there is a large building, a church I think. Cross the road there.

 

I will check out the pictures we took and try and post them of the route to Gare De Cannes station.

Edited August 21, 2015 by sidari

[Beamafar]

Dave - I'm copying and pasting all your wonderful info into a file. I'll be following it to the letter - hope I don't end up down some cul-de-sac :eek: (:D)

[Beamafar]

Dave ................. I've managed to get prices in Euro and times for the train to Nice. That looks very do-able and reasonably priced, too. Same with the Soller trip. It's a real help with budgeting, too. I can't thank you enough (wish there was a 'huggy' smiley emoticon :))

[sidari]

Bea ... Found some pics of the route to the train station, I could mail them to you if you would like to contact me on the link below.

 

Still looking for the Nice pics, think they may be on a disc somewhere... :)

[Beamafar]

Bea ... Found some pics of the route to the train station, I could mail them to you if you would like to contact me on the link below.

 

Still looking for the Nice pics, think they may be on a disc somewhere... :)

 

👍 Great stuff, cheers!

[Lola the cat]

We are sailing on the Divia on Sept 19th. This is a makeup cruise for our trip on the Oceana in May. I had surgery and missed our cruise. This is our first time to see Europe and are very excited.

We read mixed reviews on the Divia the most negative being the food. We are Americans and our standards aren't so high. I Feel so much better after reading your review and think you for the tips!!

[Two 2 Tango]

We are sailing on the Divia on Sept 19th. This is a makeup cruise for our trip on the Oceana in May. I had surgery and missed our cruise. This is our first time to see Europe and are very excited.

We read mixed reviews on the Divia the most negative being the food. We are Americans and our standards aren't so high. I Feel so much better after reading your review and think you for the tips!!

 

You will love the ship, we have sailed on Oceana and it does not compare in terms of standards. I know I will face the wrath of the P & O groupies but have found the ships to be rather dirty towards MSC. The food is of a very good standard and you won't go hungry, if you don't see what you like on the menu there is always standard alternatives such as steak, chicken and pasta. We found our waiters to be superb in the MDR. If you enjoy a drink buy the allegrissimo package before you board and you will not have to pay the 15% service charge. You can also get coffee's and quality icecream with it. Bit of a tip if you like wine with your evening meal and do not need anything fancy just order a glass of wine and the waiter can book down 5 glasses and leave you the bottle. Be nice to them and they will be nice to you. Remember the food is paid for if you want to try other dishes for example 2 sweets then just ask.

Don't forget to check out the best singers on the ship, Carey and Daniel.;)

[timetosaygoodbye]

We are sailing on the Divia on Sept 19th. This is a makeup cruise for our trip on the Oceana in May. I had surgery and missed our cruise. This is our first time to see Europe and are very excited.

We read mixed reviews on the Divia the most negative being the food. We are Americans and our standards aren't so high. I Feel so much better after reading your review and think you for the tips!!

 

20. September we start with our cruise, i'm absolutely sure that you will love the ship ;)

 

Claudia