So enjoyed Divina that we're looking at Fantasia

[PaulnKarl]

We were on Oct 22 Sailing. I accept that the Divina is not everyone's cup of tea, but we went looking for something different and found it. Perspective is everything. We're British & American currently living in the USA. Cruised all the major USA lines so we were open - which I think is key to enjoying an MSC cruise. We don't use the Casino, but several of our tablemates did, who felt the Casino takes way much more than it gives - but that was about the only $$ neg. For the price we paid this ship is outstanding. As many have commented the bar prices are good, the prepaid coupons are excellent value, plus you don't pay the 15% gratuity. IMO the Coffee Cuddle (15 coupons for $28) was the best deal.

Highs - Entertainment. One of us used to be a pro dancer, so rated the dance company as the best we have seen on any ship. They do 14 shows a week, and we we're told, after the 2nd show rehearse until 2 a.m. for the following day. The shows did get repetitive toward the end of the week, but because the Divina is the only MSC in the area, its not possible for them to transfer acts between ships like the larger cruise lines do. That may change when the Seaside joins the Caribbean fleet. The vocalists were great, and Thursday afternoon at the opera, is unique to the Caribbean.

Highs - the pre-show antics of the entertainment crew were hilarious, way better than sitting through a pre-show bingo game inorder to get a good seat. The Captain came to the main stage several times during the week, and was very entertaining. His best line (on Gala Night) "Why is the Head Chef getting more applause than the Captain? Don't blame me if you wake up tomorrow in Miami."

Highs - Décor & cleanliness - though one thinks that so many mirrors are there to trick you. They succeeded more than once.

Highs - best night sleep in months (Oceanview deck 5)

Likes - six live music venues that continue to the early hours.

Likes - buffet is open until 2 a.m.

Likes - few announcements - which makes 5 languages ok.

Could Do Better - Dining Room Service - however, we were told this was the first season the MSC has hired Filipinos, and many were only on their 2nd cruise, so menu familiarity was an issue. Likewise MDR breakfast & lunch so-called "open" seating was very regimented, and not always friendly. Several time we were made to sit with people who wouldn't even make eye contact because they (presumably) spoke a different language.

Could Do Better - People flow in the buffet. Buffet food was great but the front sections became so congested, that it was hard to get to the rear sections where the food was often better. Great desserts tho'.

 

I could have stayed on this ship another week. We had great MDR table mates (5 + us) who came to dinner every night, and that added to the experience. It made us want to compare a MSC cruise in Europe so we're looking at the Fantasia (sister ship) in the Baltic next summer.

[BermudaBound2014]

What a great balanced review. Like you, we feel MSC offers a superb value for the cost.

 

The one thing I would caution you about sailing MSC in Europe is to play close attention to ports and time in ports. I REALLy wanted to make MSC work as we planned Europe for last August, but shorter times in port and some strange itineraries which do things like visit Rome but skip Naples (seriously, the almfai coast is a must do when on the west side of Italy). We ended up with rcl but I wouldn't rule out MSC in Europe or here in the states for the right price :).

 

Glad you enjoyed the divina- she's beautiful :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shukapaw]

Thanks for the review. Glad you had a great time. We're trying MSC this summer.

 

~Brian

[NoName]

Thanks for taking the time to share the details of your trip. Did you notice if they showed movies at night on the big screen by the pool? If so, what did they play? Did they have lounge chairs out for viewing?

 

Kim

[PaulnKarl]

Yes, they showed a feature movie each night - I think Spectre and the latest Mission Impossible were included. Most of the time they showed music videos. The Aqua park is more compact than other ships. and there are few seats in front of the screen - people just pulled up chairs from the sides. That said you could see the screen from the tables on either side ... and it was easy to bring food out from the buffet. Some nights there were 40+ watching.

[All-ready2cruise]

Super review, thanks for taking the time to give us your well balanced impressions and thoughts. We're very excited to cruise on Divina for our NYE cruise and will certainly keep an open mind, attitude is so important when trying anything new.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to share your information.

 

Cheers,

[PaulnKarl]

The late night snacks in the buffet were better than any ship I've been on in the last decade, and everyone said the burgers were great.We were also told that they changed the MDR menus during dry dock to make service flow better.

[Alexhardesty]

Thank you for the review. We leave on Saturday and cannot wait. Would it be possible to list the theme nights? We get caught off guard / unprepared on every cruise and hoping that we can try to be prepared this time.

[tencruises]

Thanks for taking the time for your review. It all sounds good to me... Just a question on room service, do you recall anything on the menu for kids?

[PaulnKarl]

We didn't use room service, but they do have a dedicated kids buffet, right at the back next to the Mediterranean buffet.

 

Theme nights on the Eastern Carib itinerary are:

Sunday - White Party

Monday - Gala Night/ Italian Night - green. white & red

Thursday - Formal Night

Edited November 3, 2016 by PaulnKarl

[PaulnKarl]

On Themes - there's also a Flower Power Party.

[tencruises]

We didn't use room service, but they do have a dedicated kids buffet, right at the back next to the Mediterranean buffet.

 

Theme nights on the Eastern Carib itinerary are:

Sunday - White Party

Monday - Gala Night/ Italian Night - green. white & red

Thursday - Formal Night

 

Thanks. That additional info is helpful to me also. I'll try writing a mini-review when I get back. Last few trips for me were Royal, Royal, Disney and Royal. Everyone has good things to say about this ship. I especially like that "clean" is popping up in everyone's reviews. That works for me.

[easyboy]

Thank you for your objective review.