Divina Questions

[mollygirl]

I will be on my first MSC cruise in two weeks and have a few questions about the Divina:

1. Do they show the NFL games?  If so, on the cabin TVs?  Elsewhere?

2. How is the coffee in the buffet and dining room?  Is it made from ground coffee or the concentrated liquid?

3. How are the slots in the casino?  Good, bad, or forget about it?

 

Thanks everyone!

[Zephyr173]

Hi Molly,

You will find the TV choices in the cabin to be rather slim.  As there are several cultural expectations to cater, there are many channels but each culture only enjoys slim pickings.

Your sailing will be in the Caribbean, so I would think that the sports bar will cater to more American flavours, and thus probably show NFL games.  I saw some football when in the Caribbean and in the Baltic Sea... Just not the same football.

Coffee is fine in the buffet, but did not see it made.

[Beamafar]

... and I'll add that, if machines on other MSC ships are anything to go by, steer clear!  Having said that, if you get 1200 points on a 7 night cruise, you'll earn a voucher for 30% off your next cruise;  you have to book within 2 months of receipt and sail within 9 months.  If you get 9999 points (heaven knows how much you have to play to attain that - I've never come close!)  you get a free cruise for 2.

 

You have to register your cruisecard and keep it in the machines while playing to accrue the points (you need to make sure every time that the machine is 'reading' your card - this will all become clear when you check it out and is not as complicated as it sounds).

[jmlh]

Are there places around the ship to get good coffee (other than the buffet and the dining room)?  I really like a great cup in the morning!

Edited January 5, 2019 by jmlh

[sfaaa]

I find coffee in buffet rather weak and quite often only lukewarm or run out.

Edited January 5, 2019 by sfaaa

[Zephyr173]

Caffe Italia on Deck 7, overlooking the reception area is your best option. Our early morning routine involves caffe corretto, which obviously doesn't happen at home, before going to work.

 

There are also espresso machines at Piazza Del Doge's pastry shop on deck 6 and, if that's your chosen experience, in the Top Sail Lounge.

[Zephyr173]

Caffe Italia on Deck 7, overlooking the reception area is your best option. Our early morning routine involves caffe corretto, which obviously doesn't happen at home, before going to work.

 

There are also espresso machines at Piazza Del Doge's pastry shop on deck 6 and, if that's your chosen experience, in the Top Sail Lounge.  If I recall, there is also an espresso machine at the Garden Bar, deck 15 aft and outdoors - that's not really a place for coffee so I wonder if they even care to warm it up.

[jmlh]

Thanks for your response.  Happy to hear that I will have some good coffee options.

[ssmea03]

19 hours ago, sfaaa said:

I find coffee in buffet rather weak and quite often only lukewarm or run out.

I'm pretty sure there is an espresso machine at the buffet bar too, cafe corretto is to be recommended. 

[Hlitner]

Since MSC is an Italian cruise line, they have numerous espresso machines around the ship (at nearly every bar).  Thus, you can get terrific espresso (they use decent freshly ground Italian beans).  Those machines can also make a very good Café Americano which is essentially watered down espresso and a great alternative to typical American coffee..  Once you try to move to American coffee it is "pot" luck (pun intended).   I was in coffee heaven, on the Divina, and could not get enough of their excellent cappuccino and lattes.

 

Hank

[Zephyr173]

If I recall correctly, they use first rate Illy brand coffee.  That’s good stuff☕️

[Hlitner]

On the Divina they were using Segafredo beans.   It is not my personal choice at home (I prefer Lavazza or Illy) but its a decent Italian brand.

 

Hank

[mollygirl]

Thanks for your replies.  Will hope for decent coffee ☕️.  Happy cruising!!

[NCTribeFan]

I was on Divina in December (my first on MSC).  Unfortunately, the Sports Bar is rather small, understaffed, and incredibly LOUD when folks are in there specifically to watch a game.  Good burgers, though!

 

I went one night to watch MNF, but left at halftime and went to the cabin to watch the 2nd half (and my alma mater was in a bowl game at the same time).  The cabin had ESPN and ESPN2, so both games were on, and in English.

 

The slots were like they are on every ship.  Mostly tight but some people seemed to be winning (not me!).  I did better at Roulette, which rarely happens, but I'm a conservative player.  Still, I didn't spend my entire gambling allowance, which is a "win" in my mind.   It was an 11-night sailing, so 2000 points needed for their future discount.  I didn't even reach 1000 and they actually post your table points to your card periodically (which the others lines I've sailed do not, & you never really know where you stand).

[mollygirl]

3 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

I was on Divina in December (my first on MSC).  Unfortunately, the Sports Bar is rather small, understaffed, and incredibly LOUD when folks are in there specifically to watch a game.  Good burgers, though!

 

I went one night to watch MNF, but left at halftime and went to the cabin to watch the 2nd half (and my alma mater was in a bowl game at the same time).  The cabin had ESPN and ESPN2, so both games were on, and in English.

 

The slots were like they are on every ship.  Mostly tight but some people seemed to be winning (not me!).  I did better at Roulette, which rarely happens, but I'm a conservative player.  Still, I didn't spend my entire gambling allowance, which is a "win" in my mind.   It was an 11-night sailing, so 2000 points needed for their future discount.  I didn't even reach 1000 and they actually post your table points to your card periodically (which the others lines I've sailed do not, & you never really know where you stand).

Dear NC - Thanks for the good info!  Hoping to catch some of the NFL playoff games on the 20th.  I will check to see if they will be on ESPN.  Don’t know if you are a Bears fan, but that loss sure was painful to watch!  Will try my luck in the casino, but money sure can fade fast in there.  Kind of takes the fun away in my opinion.  My 1st MSC cruise out of 50+ cruises - should be interesting.

[Lidolounger]

12 hours ago, mollygirl said:

Dear NC - Thanks for the good info!  Hoping to catch some of the NFL playoff games on the 20th.  I will check to see if they will be on ESPN.  Don’t know if you are a Bears fan, but that loss sure was painful to watch!  Will try my luck in the casino, but money sure can fade fast in there.  Kind of takes the fun away in my opinion.  My 1st MSC cruise out of 50+ cruises - should be interesting.

Bears fan here...painful is an understatement 

[Hlitner]

None of the Playoff games are on ESPN (various games are carried by CBS, NBC and Fox).  And a smiling Eagles fan here 🙂  No way do the Eagles deserve to even be in the playoffs, but then luck has its rewards.

 

Hank

[Reds4life]

As far as the slots, I was on Divina on 2017 and Adventure of the Seas in 2018 and Divina was definitely the better ship for slot payout. Plus, the casino was non-smoking. I'm not a huge slot player, so I appreciated the free $3 per day during the "happy hour" in the morning usually. I'm not sure if they still do that though. 

[mollygirl]

1 hour ago, Reds4life said:

As far as the slots, I was on Divina on 2017 and Adventure of the Seas in 2018 and Divina was definitely the better ship for slot payout. Plus, the casino was non-smoking. I'm not a huge slot player, so I appreciated the free $3 per day during the "happy hour" in the morning usually. I'm not sure if they still do that though. 

Can you explain the “free $3 per day”?  I am not familiar with that.  Thanks.

[Beamafar]

For a specified hour, you get a free $/€3 play on the slots;  you can't cash this out, but you get to keep any winnings from it.  I've often seen it available late at night.  We rarely bother with it unless we're already in the casino at the time that it's on.

[milocoman]

We were on Divina over Christmas 2017 and games were playing for sure. We got there early and sat in a booth. It just so happened to be the kids favorite spot in the ship due to the bowling, unlimited cheese sticks, and chicken wings!! We spent a lot of time with Ivy in that room.

[Hlitner]

5 hours ago, Reds4life said:

 As far as the slots, I was on Divina on 2017 and Adventure of the Seas in 2018 and Divina was definitely the better ship for slot payout. Plus, the casino was non-smoking. I'm not a huge slot player, so I appreciated the free $3 per day during the "happy hour" in the morning usually. I'm not sure if they still do that though. 

The Divina's casino now permits smoking (and it can get smoky) in about half the casino (the side with many of the slots).  Table players get to relax on the non-smoking side.  Much of the smoke finds it's way up to the Luna Bar...which just happened to be my favorite watering hole (because it had a great rock duo).

 

Hank

[Reds4life]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

The Divina's casino now permits smoking (and it can get smoky) in about half the casino (the side with many of the slots).  Table players get to relax on the non-smoking side.  Much of the smoke finds it's way up to the Luna Bar...which just happened to be my favorite watering hole (because it had a great rock duo).

 

Hank

Sorry to hear that Hank. I found it pretty relaxing to play without any smoking. In not used to smoke in indoor places since it is against the law in Ohio. 

[NCTribeFan]

Although there was smoking allowed in part of the casino (and, naturally, the smokers on that side didn't restrict themselves to the smoking area and walked around with lit cigs), the side with the tables was totally nonsmoking and there are slots on that side as well.  No smoking at the casino bar, either, which certainly helped.  There was much less smoke than any other ship casino I've been in.  I mostly sail Carnival and they've taken a huge step back by now allowing smoking everywhere in their casinos. 

 

Ha, no, I'm a Browns fan.  And they actually won a few games this year even though I didn't really want them to draft Mayfield (I hope he's just immature and not really just a total egotistical jerk) but have to admit, he's better than we've seen in a very long time!

[mollygirl]

15 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

Although there was smoking allowed in part of the casino (and, naturally, the smokers on that side didn't restrict themselves to the smoking area and walked around with lit cigs), the side with the tables was totally nonsmoking and there are slots on that side as well.  No smoking at the casino bar, either, which certainly helped.  There was much less smoke than any other ship casino I've been in.  I mostly sail Carnival and they've taken a huge step back by now allowing smoking everywhere in their casinos. 

 

Ha, no, I'm a Browns fan.  And they actually won a few games this year even though I didn't really want them to draft Mayfield (I hope he's just immature and not really just a total egotistical jerk) but have to admit, he's better than we've seen in a very long time!

Browns fan here as well.  I think Mayfield has potential - time will tell.  At least they finally had a decent season.  I remember the good old days with Bernie Kozar and Vinny Testaverde.