Just off the Divina! Ask away..

[cruise pup]

We were on the same cruise as Yellowdog (OP) and enjoyed it a lot, too. Entertainment was probably the strongest offering, and the food was great too. The shows were incredible, and in the evenings there were always 3-4 venues playing a variety of music. The only thing lacking in the entertainment arena was day time entertainment. I would have appreciated some more live music, performances, or lectures/classes mid-day to mix it up with the eating, swimming, and lounging (especially on sea days). We attended an Italian language class on one day (by accident!) and found it worthwhile. They also offered Chinese language classes but we didn't visit those.

 

We ended up going to the buffet most nights since much of what was offered in the dining room was offered in the buffet (with occasional slight variations like duck a l'orange being chicke a l'orange in the buffet - I like chicken better than duck anyway so WIN!!). The "no free lobster" was a disappointment but something we're used to coming from Carnival.

 

Lines in the buffet area were rarely a problem though we usually ate outside of peak times. The layout seems to help the flow and keep lines to a minimum, though it can take a while to get around to all the choices.

 

We have 3 kids (4, 10, and 11). Tried the kids club one day but it didn't stick. The 4 year old wanted his bigger sisters to go, but they didn't want to. I think they are too old for the 7-11 age group (which shared many activities with the 3-6 age group it seemed). Most of the kids looked excited about it and ours did enjoy it the one day they went.

 

Hot tubs and pools were surprisingly busy given how many options there were, but we had no problems hopping in the tubs occasionally. 4-5 pm and days we were in port proved particularly light traffic in the hot tubs.

 

Embarkation was rather slow but disembarkation was very fast.

 

I hit the casino for some slot play a few mornings when they offered $3 free play. I used my card, my wife's and my mom's so I scored $9 in free play each time. The first time I ended up with $0.15 and gave it to a stranger as I walked out of the casino. The second time I ended with $2.91 and cashed it out. Guess lady luck didn't find me this time around. The rest of the ship made up for this shortcoming. :)

 

There is still "free" lobster on Carnival. They only did away with it on the short cruises. NCL did away with it completely. I recently saw on the news that the lobster harvest has been poor and to expect prices to increase. It wouldn't surprise me if other lines do away with it and the fee goes up for the pay option.

[YellowDog]

I don't specifically remember ice tea but i believe lemonade was one of the juices in the juice dispenser at the buffet. Different parts of the buffet were open at different times but something was always available. The soft serve ice cream that is free is available in the afternoons near the entrance to indoor pool area. The other ice cream is also very good and not expensive at all. Hope this helps. Overall we enjoyed the Divina very much, so much so we have booked the Seaside for next year!

Do you have free ice tea or lemonade in the buffet????At all time when is open?? And if the answer is yes, you can ask it for free in the MDR??? And the ice cream is still free? thank you!!!:D

[momme224]

I have a daughter who is 3 and my other two are 7&8. Will the older ones be near the 3yr old in the kids club at all or are they completely separate?

 

Did you goto st marten? If so what beach do you recommend?

 

Are parents invited to watch the talent show?

 

Will a party of 5 be seated alone for dinner or with another group?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

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[YellowDog]

obviously the kids will be in different groups BUT the groups are right near each other most of the time. In fact, they combined for somethings like the dance parties and talent show.

We did go to St. Maartin. We just took the water taxi across the bay and the beach is right there. With kids, that was perfect. We got lounge chairs and umbrellas from a local...dont worry, they'll find you :). and we had bars/restaurants right behind us for drinks and restrooms. Personally I would not waste money on a beach excursion in St. Maartin. Its just not necessary. The parents are invited for sure. It was at noon on one of the last days and it was so cute seeing the kids on the big stage at the theatre. I can't tell you enough how happy we were with the kids club. At dinner we were a table of 6 and had our own table. My guess is you will too with 5. Hope that helps.

I have a daughter who is 3 and my other two are 7&8. Will the older ones be near the 3yr old in the kids club at all or are they completely separate?

 

Did you goto st marten? If so what beach do you recommend?

 

Are parents invited to watch the talent show?

 

Will a party of 5 be seated alone for dinner or with another group?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

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[laticsmon1]

Do you know what sports channels they have in the sports bar we are going in 2 weeks

[momme224]

Thanks!!! I have read that beach you went to has sewage issues.. did you notice anything like that? On the webcam

It looks like a beautiful beach!

 

 

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[mjonis]

They had free iced tea on the Divina in the Buffet. It was cloudy and tasted awful. Not sure what was in it, maybe it was flavored (like peach iced tea?) But it wasn't "plain". I personally didn't care for it, but it was there. Coffee was real hot (good thing) in the buffet. Only drink bottled water though in the buffet though as I witnessed two people taking their used water bottles and jamming them up into the nozzle to refill them. Totally grossed me out.

[YellowDog]

Thanks!!! I have read that beach you went to has sewage issues.. did you notice anything like that? On the webcam

It looks like a beautiful beach!

 

 

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No. I didn't. I thought it was great. Scenic and the kids had fun.

 

 

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[YellowDog]

Do you know what sports channels they have in the sports bar we are going in 2 weeks

 

 

They don't really have channels like we do, but they did get a lot of NFL games. Lot of soccer as you can imagine, if you are looking for an obscure NBA game or something you won't get it...but in two weeks...no way they don't have the super bowl.

 

 

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[irenedee]

Did you use the Spa? If so what was your experience. Do they offer special pricing on port days?

 

With thanks

 

 

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[briceand4]

Hello, thanks for posting here. We sail on the Divina on Jan. 19th. Less than a week away. I was wondering if there is anywhere to buy water bottles (not sparkling) on the ship? Thanks, Alice

[YellowDog]

Hello, thanks for posting here. We sail on the Divina on Jan. 19th. Less than a week away. I was wondering if there is anywhere to buy water bottles (not sparkling) on the ship? Thanks, Alice

 

Yep. All the bars have them. I friend who traveled with us got the water bottle package, I dont remember the details of it, but she said it was well worth it and a good deal. Im sure the specifics are on the MSC website.

[YellowDog]

Did you use the Spa? If so what was your experience. Do they offer special pricing on port days?

 

With thanks

 

 

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We arent big spa people, but my wife usually likes the thermal spa areas that have the stone loungers, the whirlpool etc.) and she was pretty disappointed in those offerings on the Divina. Saying it was much better on the NCL Getaway the year before. One of the other friends we travelled with however really liked the steam room. They did have specials and my understanding was that the spa prices overall were much cheaper than other lines overall. for the special they were always in the daily thing just like on other lines.

[RC Dancers]

Entertainment was probably the strongest offering, and the food was great too. The shows were incredible, and in the evenings there were always 3-4 venues playing a variety of music.

 

Of course tastes in entertainment vary, but we were disappointed with the lounge music compared to our past Divina cruise. La Luna was the folk music couple, Golden Jazz was the older style (40's-50's) jazz band and the band in Black and White mostly played Latin Jazz which was usually mellow in nature.

 

We would have preferred a more current band in at least one of the lounges.

 

The entertainment team on our previous cruise was much better at the line dances.

 

This is just our opinion though.

[briceand4]

Do you know if there is somewhere to eat lunch on boarding day other than the cafeteria? Thanks

[Homosassa]

The dining room is closed. I think the Sports Bar may be opened .

[RNELL]

Hello,

 

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. I will be going in June, 2017. I think the adults only deck is on deck 18. I have the aurea experience which includes unlimited

access to it. My Question is The chairs in that area that look like pods are usually rented, I was not sure if I would have to pay to use them or not since

I have the Aurea Experience. I am not sure if you know the answer or not,but

if you do, I would appreciate it.

 

Thank You

[Cap'n Ron]

Hello,

 

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. I will be going in June, 2017. I think the adults only deck is on deck 18. I have the aurea experience which includes unlimited

access to it. My Question is The chairs in that area that look like pods are usually rented, I was not sure if I would have to pay to use them or not since

I have the Aurea Experience. I am not sure if you know the answer or not,but

if you do, I would appreciate it.

 

Thank You

The pods have to be rented, but the lounge chairs are included on deck 18 if you have Aurea. I can't remember the price, but I think I saw $30 a day for the pod chairs, which seems steep to me.

 

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[ginger123snaps]

I have boys who will be 9, 9, and 8 next year. Do you have any feedback for me regarding the kids club for that age group? If you have the activities schedule from the juniors kids club i would really appreciate it. Wondering how their kids club compares to Royal Carribean, Carnival, NCL, or Celebrity. We have sailed all of these and my boys have loved the kids club on each line.

[NoStrings1129]

We're huge fans of the Quest game show on RCI. I heard MSC has it too, or something similar. Did you go to that particular show? and if so, how was it?

[AEckhardt]

We're huge fans of the Quest game show on RCI. I heard MSC has it too, or something similar. Did you go to that particular show? and if so, how was it?

 

 

 

I'm not sailing till next month but from YouTube videos I've seen, it looks like the evening events are heavily attended and Quest can get quite rambunctious!

 

 

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[disneykins]

First MSC cruise on Divina in March, we have Inside Fantastica experience and are both Black card member (matched our NCL Platinum). Do we each get a meal for 2 in Eataly? Or is it just one meal?

What are the other upcharges on Divina, I've read that there is some seating on the pool deck that is for a fee? And the water slides?

 

Ship looks beautiful and we're hoping this will be a new experience that we'll return to in the future.

 

Thanks Debbie and Tony

[dexddd]

What terminal did you sail out of?

[caribbeanboy]

Where can I find the menu for Eataly and Galaxy?

[YellowDog]

What terminal did you sail out of?

 

 

If I remember correctly, F

 

 

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