Just off the Divina - Ask Away!

[OceansOfTravels]

Currently sitting in Fort Lauderdale airport reminiscing what was easily my favorite cruise to date. I did the 7 night Western route and stayed in a Bella OV cabin. If anyone has any questions about the ship, the ports, the overall experience, etc, please leave them! :)

[thegraminator]

We are doing the Western on the Seaside next June and wondered if you could share your experience in each of the ports. It's been a while since we have done this itinerary .

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Divina . We loved our first cruise with MSC this past July on the Divina and are anxious to try the Seaside .

[shackman61]

So glad to hear that you had a great time. We are on the Divina, leaving 9/30 and so looking forward to it. We have heard that there are 2 formal nights, can you confirm and also which nights were they? Your favorite bar? Favorite pool? We are on the Eastern route so we only have Nassau in common. Did you do anything in Nassau, if so what? We are thinking of just going to Junkanoo beach. Thanks for your help.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

So glad to hear that you had a great time. We are on the Divina, leaving 9/30 and so looking forward to it. We have heard that there are 2 formal nights, can you confirm and also which nights were they? Your favorite bar? Favorite pool? We are on the Eastern route so we only have Nassau in common. Did you do anything in Nassau, if so what? We are thinking of just going to Junkanoo beach. Thanks for your help.

 

Hi Shack,

If you are on the Divina Sept. 30th...why don't you drop by the Roll Call and say Hello?? You can also sign up for the Meet and Mingle...if you like Champagne and cocktails and meeting some very interesting people!:)

[Proseccoandsun]

Hope the OP doesn't mind my input, I sailed 2 weeks ago...if you are Eastern Caribbean, it will be different formal nights than the Western (which is first full sea day and second full sea day - Sunday and Thursday for us - for formal nights). But yes, there are 2 formal nights, 1 white night, 1 Italian night (wear red, white, and green) and 1 flower glory (70's theme) night.

 

The Divina is beautiful and the staff is wonderful. I hope you have a terrific cruise!

 

So glad to hear that you had a great time. We are on the Divina, leaving 9/30 and so looking forward to it. We have heard that there are 2 formal nights, can you confirm and also which nights were they? Your favorite bar? Favorite pool? We are on the Eastern route so we only have Nassau in common. Did you do anything in Nassau, if so what? We are thinking of just going to Junkanoo beach. Thanks for your help.

[riclop]

Glad you liked it.

[Shadow9612]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed!

 

Could you comment on whether smoking was noticeable indoors (eg casino). I've been asking on recent threads because I'm considering booking a cruise on Seaside next year, but I'm sensitive to smoke so trying to get an understanding first.

[AZbeachboy]

So glad to hear that you had a great time. We are on the Divina, leaving 9/30 and so looking forward to it. We have heard that there are 2 formal nights, can you confirm and also which nights were they? Your favorite bar? Favorite pool? We are on the Eastern route so we only have Nassau in common. Did you do anything in Nassau, if so what? We are thinking of just going to Junkanoo beach. Thanks for your help.

 

Same as what Ross said above. Sign up for the M&M. We look forward to seeing you on the cruise. Peace and Aloha.

Edited September 3, 2017 by AZbeachboy

[AZbeachboy]

How was check in. There is a difference in what people have said and what my docs say. Some say we don't get the cruise card until we check in. Docks say there is a check in desk before we board.

[LMaxwell]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed!

 

Could you comment on whether smoking was noticeable indoors (eg casino). I've been asking on recent threads because I'm considering booking a cruise on Seaside next year, but I'm sensitive to smoke so trying to get an understanding first.

 

Smoking is not allowed in the casino or anywhere else indoors except for only one indoor venue allows smoking, Cigar Lounge, and it has doors / enclosed.

[OceansOfTravels]

We are doing the Western on the Seaside next June and wondered if you could share your experience in each of the ports. It's been a while since we have done this itinerary .

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Divina . We loved our first cruise with MSC this past July on the Divina and are anxious to try the Seaside .

 

This cruise, I was cruising with my grandmother, so we opted not to do anything too adventurous, as her health would not allow it. But in Ocho rios, we got beach chairs from Margaritaville right by the ship. They were pretty expensive ($12 each), and the beach wasn't all too great, but it was very close to the ship which was a plus. I had an amazing experience 3 years ago when I did the Chukka river tubing, which was loads of fun if you're looking for more adventure. In Grand Cayman, we took a taxi to Public Beach and rented chairs at Calico Jacks, which were $5 a chair and $5 for an umbrella. This beach was gorgeous and we really enjoyed ourselves. In Cozumel, since I had not only been there for a week in April, but the weather was pretty bad, we just walkwed to a favroite restaurant of mine, Pancho's Backyard, and got back on the ship to enjoy the empty pool. The same thing goes for Nassau, because my grandmother was not feeling too well, we jsut opted to enjoy the empty ship. I got off for about an hour to use some wifi in port but other than that, I just lounged around. I have been to each of these palces many times before though, so if you have any questions regarding possible beaches or activities, let me know!

[OceansOfTravels]

So glad to hear that you had a great time. We are on the Divina, leaving 9/30 and so looking forward to it. We have heard that there are 2 formal nights, can you confirm and also which nights were they? Your favorite bar? Favorite pool? We are on the Eastern route so we only have Nassau in common. Did you do anything in Nassau, if so what? We are thinking of just going to Junkanoo beach. Thanks for your help.

 

The formal nights were after both sea days, so Sunday night and Thursday night. My favorite bar was likely the Golden Bar/Lounge, I spent a good deal of my nights in there. I liked the aft pool the best because it was beautiful, but during sea days, it was packed. Same goes for the regular pool. I do not like indoor pools because of the humidity, so I did not even go in the covered pool, but it was rarely crowded, but was always full of kids. In Nassau, I just got off and used the wifi, then enjoyed the empty ship to myself for the rest of the day. Junkanoo is a great beach day option in Nassau, I have done it before and would've done it this time around if my gradnmother was feeling better. But, you will enjoy it. Just pack some water to drink and you'll be okay!

[OceansOfTravels]

Glad you liked it.

 

Best part: paying $20 for my next one (we won bingo :D)

[OceansOfTravels]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed!

 

Could you comment on whether smoking was noticeable indoors (eg casino). I've been asking on recent threads because I'm considering booking a cruise on Seaside next year, but I'm sensitive to smoke so trying to get an understanding first.

 

I only smelled smoke once inside, in the casino, and i thought weird of it because it is banned indoors, except for the cigar bar. Outdoors is a little different, many people will smoke outside, but with the strong winds I rarely smelled it. I am also sensitive to it, and given the fact that I was going on a European boat, I expected more than usual, but I was pleasantly surprised to not smell as much smoke as I would on a Carnival cruise ship.

[OceansOfTravels]

How was check in. There is a difference in what people have said and what my docs say. Some say we don't get the cruise card until we check in. Docks say there is a check in desk before we board.

 

You will get your cruise card when you check in at the desk to board, which was been the same for all of my cruises. If you are talking about your documents, then you will get those about a week before to print out. Like your luggage tags, boarding pass, etc.

[shackman61]

Thanks for all of your input OceansofTravel. I had heard about the aft pool already, but was hoping it might not be so crowded. :( Congratulations on the Bingo win!!!

[OceansOfTravels]

Thanks for all of your input OceansofTravel. I had heard about the aft pool already, but was hoping it might not be so crowded. :( Congratulations on the Bingo win!!!

 

Thank you! And it wasn't when we were docked, but on sea days, it was crazy. I would tan between the basketball court and the entrance to the exclusive solarium on Deck 16 because no one ever went up there, but when I got hot and needed to cool off, I'f go down there, and just have to use the showers next to the pool because the pool was so packed. But, this is the case of many cruise ships on sea days so it's all good, I would've dealt with the same thing on Carnival.

[AZbeachboy]

You will get your cruise card when you check in at the desk to board, which was been the same for all of my cruises. If you are talking about your documents, then you will get those about a week before to print out. Like your luggage tags, boarding pass, etc.

 

Thanks. The question was about check in not docs. Someone was saying you checked in your bags, went through security and then as you entered the ship you received your card which did not make sense.

 

This brings up another question. Do the porters take your luggage. The docs say you will put them in a luggage bay then go through security. Will porters take your luggage at this luggage bay as opposed to when you get out of your transportation.

[Shadow9612]

Smoking is not allowed in the casino or anywhere else indoors except for only one indoor venue allows smoking, Cigar Lounge, and it has doors / enclosed.

Wonderful!

I only smelled smoke once inside, in the casino, and i thought weird of it because it is banned indoors, except for the cigar bar. Outdoors is a little different, many people will smoke outside, but with the strong winds I rarely smelled it. I am also sensitive to it, and given the fact that I was going on a European boat, I expected more than usual, but I was pleasantly surprised to not smell as much smoke as I would on a Carnival cruise ship.

This is very reassuring. Thank you for your extensive feedback. I don't mind outdoors since the wind helps (as you say), or I can always move somewhere else outside. However, indoors in the casino is a main concern, or walking through various public areas. So based on what you and LMaxwell are saying, it looks like it'll all be ok !

[Proseccoandsun]

Depending on what you're looking for, we've done a few excursions in the western Caribbean both with MSC and independently. We usually like to explore the islands a little more than the beaches. I think I'd do the beach with all the water activities with the kids, but since it was us as a couple, we did:

 

Jamaica - we've done horseback riding with MSC and it was a great experience. Last month, we used Marvyn's Paradise Tours in Ocho Rios and they were excellent! Private driver for a very reasonable price took us to The Blue Hole for swimming, cliff diving, and swinging form ropes. Then we went River Tubing and to a local favorite for lunch. I highly recommend them!

 

Nassau - we've done MSC's snorkeling excursion and enjoyed it but it's easy to get around there. This time we used Adventure Water Sports and went parasailing. They were also great to deal with and flexible (ship changed hours in port). Seaside is supposed to be going to MSC's private island by next summer so not sure what will be offered. We're planning on sailing next August and looking forward to it!

 

Grand Cayman - the stingrays can't be missed! We did them twice and will probably see them again next summer with our kids along with a stop to the Sea Turtle Sanctuary. We booked through MSC for the convenience and prices were comparable to independent companies.

 

Cozumel - we did the cavern snorkeling and swimming in Playa del Carmen and it was a really amazing experience. It was a long day, though. But because we had to take the ferry and there's only one an hour, I'd stick with MSC for Playa del Carmen tours just for peace of mind. :)

Happy Sailing!

 

We are doing the Western on the Seaside next June and wondered if you could share your experience in each of the ports. It's been a while since we have done this itinerary .

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Divina . We loved our first cruise with MSC this past July on the Divina and are anxious to try the Seaside .

[OceansOfTravels]

Thanks. The question was about check in not docs. Someone was saying you checked in your bags, went through security and then as you entered the ship you received your card which did not make sense.

 

This brings up another question. Do the porters take your luggage. The docs say you will put them in a luggage bay then go through security. Will porters take your luggage at this luggage bay as opposed to when you get out of your transportation.

 

We got out of our van from FLL, walked over to the porters, left our bags with them, and we got them later that night before dinner, so before 6PM. So yes, I gave mine to the porters and my luggage made it onboard the ship just fine.

[AZbeachboy]

We got out of our van from FLL, walked over to the porters, left our bags with them, and we got them later that night before dinner, so before 6PM. So yes, I gave mine to the porters and my luggage made it onboard the ship just fine.

 

Thanks, That is no different that other lines. MSC communications seem to lack. I think they need new technical writers to write their material. It seems they just have some executive in Italy writing their stuff who do not understand context and syntax in US English. It a bit awkward in the least. Thanks so much for answering my questions and I happy you had a wonderful cruise. Peace and Aloha, Jim

[OceansOfTravels]

Thanks, That is no different that other lines. MSC communications seem to lack. I think they need new technical writers to write their material. It seems they just have some executive in Italy writing their stuff who do not understand context and syntax in US English. It a bit awkward in the least. Thanks so much for answering my questions and I happy you had a wonderful cruise. Peace and Aloha, Jim

 

Yeah, I had a similar experience with the loyalty match program. I sent my Carnival points to match for MSC and I was happily surprised to see that I was given Black status. However, a week before the cruise, I was told I was silver. I was not "upset", because it was free and very generous of them to do in the first place, but I was very confused, as I had the confirmation email for both my completed status change and an email of all the things I was entitled to being a black member, and the MSC phone rep, who took 1.5 hours to answer, said that it was an error and I was indeed silver. Again, not complaining about being silver on a line I had not stepped foot on before until last week, but I don't understand the mix up in communication. I think as they begin to become mainstream, especially in the US, where there is much tougher competition, MSC needs to improve upon its communication and hotline systems.