Just booked MSC Divina for this Friday and know nothing about MSC!

[blueskadoo]

Hi all. We were scheduled to go on the NCL Escape leaving Saturday....but it sadly cancelled this morning. Still wanting to cruise, we checked out what else was in port, and the MSC Divina came up. Making some lemonade from these lemons, we booked the 6 night cruise in the Yacht Club. So now I'm realizing all that research I did on Escape...won't help much for MSC. 🙂I searched YouTube but that didn't yield much either. So a few of my big, possibly time sensitive questions are: 1. Do we need to get covid tested 48 hours before departure or is this done at the port? I thought no one was still testing on site, but the documents they sent us state otherwise. My second question is that I know some level of internet is included with YC bookings, but I need unlimited and as high of quality as I can get as I need to stay connected to home and the office. Do I need to pre-purchase/upgrade to get some kind of discount? Finally, just a curiosity more than anything else, the boat stops at Port Canaveral on Sunday and some people get off, and others get on. I'm assuming I get to stay on the boat just like if I was in Nassau and didn't want to get off the boat. And of course...if there's something I'm missing or something I wouldn't know to ask about, please tell me. I'm excited for a new adventure...but the planner in me is nervous!! Thank you all in advance. 

[rusky123]

You will have to upgrade the internet, the free YC one is limited. You can stay on board at any port, MSC often pick up at different ports.

My 1st YC experience was on Divina, a 3 week transatlantic , I loved it. The YC restaurant is the other end of the ship but we did not mind at all, the walk did us good and the food and service was superb.

The minibar in the YC is free and will be replenished daily, tell your butler what your favourite tipple is and it will be well stocked. 

The theatre entertainment on MSC is not as good as NCL imho, but there is always something to do and somewhere to go.

MSC is now our first choice, but we also do other cruise lines, we just go with the itinerary and dates to suit us.

I cannot comment on the COVID testing in the US, but we have to do a 48 hour test before we embark the Seaview in Barcelona in 3 weeks. We are taking our children and grandchildren, 12 of us in total, I doubt the YC restaurant will be a haven of tranquility ☺️
 

Have a great cruise blueskadoo

 

[AngryBirdah]

Hopefully those with more direct experience will weigh in, but to give you something to start working with...

• Yes, you need a negative test within 48 hours (assuming you're vaccinated).  They may test at the port as well, if they want to.  Prior to Spring Break they were testing everyone, but lately it seems to just be the non-vaccinated.
• The two internet levels are the Browse (included in Yacht Club) and the Browse+Stream, which would be an upgrade.  From research I've seen, the speed is actually the same between them... so it's not that Stream adds speed, but instead just unblocks access to streaming sites (Netflix, YouTube).  If you purchase add-ons prior to the cruise they are cheaper.
• I'm having trouble finding the itinerary you're sailing on... but in general, MSC will offer back-to-back cruises, so a 7 night that is made up of a 4-night followed by a 3-night, for example.  In general, I believe they make everyone disembark at Port Canaveral (for customs/immigration/security reasons), but they streamline the experience for those due to get right back on (especially in Yacht Club).

Have fun.

[deliver42]

I've been on the Divina in the YC prior to Covid. The ship is beautiful, and in the YC they treat you like gold. The only downer in the YC on the Divina is that the YC is in front of the ship, and the YC restaurant, LeMuse is in the back. Good food and excellent service.

[blueskadoo]

49 minutes ago, AngryBirdah said:

 

• I'm having trouble finding the itinerary you're sailing on... but in general, MSC will offer back-to-back cruises, so a 7 night that is made up of a 4-night followed by a 3-night, for example.  In general, I believe they make everyone disembark at Port Canaveral (for customs/immigration/security reasons), but they streamline the experience for those due to get right back on (especially in Yacht Club).

Have fun.

So it’s an odd 6 night itinerary that leaves Friday, goes to Ocean Cay (I think?) and then comes back to PC on Sunday, and leaves again for Nassau. You can book to just do Friday- Sunday, or Sunday-Thursday, or like me Friday to Thursday so sounds similar to what you described. 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

8 minutes ago, blueskadoo said:

So it’s an odd 6 night itinerary that leaves Friday, goes to Ocean Cay (I think?) and then comes back to PC on Sunday, and leaves again for Nassau. You can book to just do Friday- Sunday, or Sunday-Thursday, or like me Friday to Thursday so sounds similar to what you described. 

Just go with the flow and enjoy.  Make sure you are dropped off at the Yacht Club white tent.  Don’t rush the documentation…sit down have a glass of bubbly and chill.  Get there around 11:00 AM and plan on having lunch in the YC dining room after you’ve been given the orientation from the Concierge.  Take some time and sit in the Top Sail Lounge and have a cocktail before lunch.  Sit back and enjoy.  All the rest will come easy.  

[kelleherdl]

The ship will need to go to zero count on Sunday in Port Canaveral when the two-day concludes, so you will need to do the back-to-back shuffle.  It’s well escorted so it’s really not that inconvenient.
 

The only standard COVID testing at the pier is the required test for ‘non-fully-vaccinated’ children under 12.  Note:that is one of the changes that kicks in later in April.  I think the age cut-off goes down to 5. The required testing for kids is free.  There is availability of testing for adults whose test results aren’t in or it was taken too early.  That testing IS NOT FREE. There is the option of a off-port testing center that does immediate result rapid antigen tests and is cheaper  I have no details on that.

 

I have found the internet in the YC on Divina to be quite good, but I have never had to do things like Zoom calls so I never upgraded to the streaming option.

[dsnutz]

1 hour ago, blueskadoo said:

So it’s an odd 6 night itinerary that leaves Friday, goes to Ocean Cay (I think?) and then comes back to PC on Sunday, and leaves again for Nassau. You can book to just do Friday- Sunday, or Sunday-Thursday, or like me Friday to Thursday so sounds similar to what you described. 

We’re hopping onboard Sunday, can’t wait!

[perakcruiser]

15 hours ago, blueskadoo said:

My second question is that I know some level of internet is included with YC bookings, but I need unlimited and as high of quality as I can get as I need to stay connected to home and the office. Do I need to pre-purchase/upgrade to get some kind of discount?

Upgrade NOW before you board. Not just because it is much cheaper pre-purchased. There is usually just one internet dude on board and he will be extremely busy and regularly suddenly disappears. So if you want to upgrade your internet for work, the last thing you want is standing in a long line. And even the line is not long it can take ages.

[ericfromri]

16 hours ago, blueskadoo said:

Hi all. We were scheduled to go on the NCL Escape leaving Saturday....but it sadly cancelled this morning. Still wanting to cruise, we checked out what else was in port, and the MSC Divina came up. Making some lemonade from these lemons, we booked the 6 night cruise in the Yacht Club. So now I'm realizing all that research I did on Escape...won't help much for MSC. 🙂I searched YouTube but that didn't yield much either. So a few of my big, possibly time sensitive questions are: 1. Do we need to get covid tested 48 hours before departure or is this done at the port? I thought no one was still testing on site, but the documents they sent us state otherwise. My second question is that I know some level of internet is included with YC bookings, but I need unlimited and as high of quality as I can get as I need to stay connected to home and the office. Do I need to pre-purchase/upgrade to get some kind of discount? Finally, just a curiosity more than anything else, the boat stops at Port Canaveral on Sunday and some people get off, and others get on. I'm assuming I get to stay on the boat just like if I was in Nassau and didn't want to get off the boat. And of course...if there's something I'm missing or something I wouldn't know to ask about, please tell me. I'm excited for a new adventure...but the planner in me is nervous!! Thank you all in advance. 
 

 

 

 

.  I spent 65 days on Divina between November and the end of February 22.  The front desk service is extremely bad.  Almost like talking to Mussolini.  There are a few staff members that are wonderful the best being a bartender named Bernard who usually works in jazz on deck seven.  

Edited April 5, 2022 by ericfromri

[dexddd]

So they have canceled yet another, now 4/9 sailing of the Escape?  They really need to get that under control other than slowly killing folks with less than a week cancels each week, week after week.

 

Divina YC will be great for you.  Better than Haven on Escape if you had that booked.  As a PP said, just worry about having paperwork and any tests ready.  Hit the white tent and all will go well.

 

If lucky, Arthur and Kunal will still be in YC restaurant.  While the restaurant is aft and lounge forward, typically the butler will escort first night.  Other options are to walk outside then in or go down to first passenger deck and walk aft then up.

 

Pizza very good.  Order for room service.  You get a mini bar with option for one bottle of booze but refills of sodas, water, beer.  Some snacks are one only and butler plus notes will tell you this.

 

[blueskadoo]

@perakcruiser And now the total newb question…where do I pre-purchase it? Also, since I’ve got the “browse” level, do you get any credit for that and it’s an upgrade fee or do you just pay for the whole thing? And a second question, does the app work on Divina? I’ve read conflicting reports. 

Edited April 5, 2022 by blueskadoo

[perakcruiser]

@blueskadoo The pre-purchase normaly works online with your booking. But as yours is an upgrade I am not sure if you can do this by yourself or need to call them. 

 

The MSC for me app only works Meraviglia, Meraviglia plus and Seaside class ships. The Divina is Fantasia class. 

[Morgsmom]

14 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

Just go with the flow and enjoy.  Make sure you are dropped off at the Yacht Club white tent.  Don’t rush the documentation…sit down have a glass of bubbly and chill.  Get there around 11:00 AM and plan on having lunch in the YC dining room after you’ve been given the orientation from the Concierge.  Take some time and sit in the Top Sail Lounge and have a cocktail before lunch.  Sit back and enjoy.  All the rest will come easy.  

No bubbly at Port Canaveral to chill unfortunately.... just water/sodas and snacks

[blueskadoo]

New dumb question alert…I’m looking at the drinks and trying to understand if I have a beverage package? It says in the YC you can have drinks…but if I go out to say…the sushi place and order a glass of sake, will I pay? And can I order whatever (within reason) in YC? I’ve been assuming yes, but don’t want any huge shocks.
 

Edited to add: I’m trying to add a credit card to my account. It gave me the option once on the screen, I clicked the wrong thing and now it won’t come back. I’m assuming it’s at check in- I see passenger data and travel documents, nothing else where I can put a card on file. Any tips? I’ve tried refreshing, signing out, new browsers. Oh and I messed up my name and inverted it with last name first so it can’t link my booking. Jeez! 

 

Thanks again 

Edited April 5, 2022 by blueskadoo

[CGTNORMANDIE]

6 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

No bubbly at Port Canaveral to chill unfortunately.... just water/sodas and snacks

That’s awwwwful!  

[Robkat]

Feel so badly for you that your Escape cruise was cancelled!  We were on her in early Feb and had such a fantastic time, and loved the ship so much, we booked back in for two weeks later!  It's breaking our hearts to see her laid up in PC for all these weeks.

PS On our 2nd cruise, it was the eastern itinerary, and we pulled in and out of Puerta Plata with no problems, so we were dismayed when she had those problems coming out of there.

The Divina was our first experience with MSC in YC.  We loved it enough that we booked several more YC cruises on the Seaside, and then on the Seashore, coming up in a couple of weeks.  Think you'll enjoy the ship and the whole YC experience.  

As far as drinks, we've always been able to get anything we ask for.  But, when we're outside of YC, and ordering anything out of the usual at another bar, we'd show our card, and ask quickly "is that on our package".

That way, no "huge shocks".

And, as far as we can remember from our last MSC cruises, you can register your card when you board at a kiosk within YC.  Easy peasy, no bother.

Have a terrific time.

[blueskadoo]

Thank you all! Calming down and mostly just getting excited now. Just thought of this question...when they do the "zero count" on Sunday before we get back on, will they make us take another covid test? I read some people who were doing B2Bs on other lines (but much longer 7 nights) and the cruiseline made them test. Just want to anticipate appropriately. My gut says no, but I wanted to confer with the experts. 

 

[JT1962]

On 4/5/2022 at 10:24 AM, blueskadoo said:
 

Edited to add: I’m trying to add a credit card to my account. It gave me the option once on the screen, I clicked the wrong thing and now it won’t come back. I’m assuming it’s at check in- I see passenger data and travel documents, nothing else where I can put a card on file. Any tips? I’ve tried refreshing, signing out, new browsers. Oh and I messed up my name and inverted it with last name first so it can’t link my booking. Jeez! 

 

Thanks again 

Don’t worry about trying to add the credit card on the website. That’s one of the IT issues I had. Just wait until you board, then there are several kiosks on the main decks where you can easily add your card. 

[Homosassa]

On 4/5/2022 at 11:24 AM, blueskadoo said:

 

Edited to add: I’m trying to add a credit card to my account. It gave me the option once on the screen, I clicked the wrong thing and now it won’t come back. I’m assuming it’s at check in- I see passenger data and travel documents, nothing else where I can put a card on file. Any tips? I’ve tried refreshing, signing out, new browsers. Oh and I messed up my name and inverted it with last name first so it can’t link my booking. Jeez! 

 

Thanks again 

You will register your credit card at a kiosk on board.

 

FYI Newby hint: Check if the credit card you plan on using has a foreign transaction fee.  All credit card transactions on MSC are processed through a French bank which means a  foreign transaction fee.

 

Call your credit card with your travel plans and speak to a person. Unless your card is flagged that a foreign bank will be sending a hold authorization, you have the  chance of your card declining the transaction.

[KIMMER322]

Just wondering how the OP liked MSC and Divina. I just booked MSC for fist time as well.

 

[cellfree]

2 hours ago, KIMMER322 said:

Just wondering how the OP liked MSC and Divina. I just booked MSC for fist time as well.

 

We have been on Divina two times, again in September, as well as the other MSC ships that have sailed out of Miami, have always enjoyed the MSC experience We now cruise between MSC and Carnival and appreciate the differences in the cruise lines. Enjoy your cruise. 

[blueskadoo]

On 4/12/2022 at 2:22 PM, KIMMER322 said:

Just wondering how the OP liked MSC and Divina. I just booked MSC for fist time as well.

 

MSC was awesome!! We really enjoyed the cruise ship, and the private island...wow. Just magnificent. Now, I will say I was very happy that we went with YC. I'm sure that it was a lovely cruise elsewhere on the ship, but being YC influenced everything we did heavily and enhanced our experience. We spent a lot more time in our room because the room was so nice (Grand Deluxe Suite) and then spent the rest of our time in the same few places. I don't think I even saw the buffet on 14....but I think that's a testament to how much the ship has to offer.  If there was any negative, it seemed like the language barrier was a little greater with our butler than on other lines.  At one point, I thought about using a translator app just so we knew she understood us. She was eager to be helpful (within reason- she wasn't going outside her parameters) but she'd not always really seem to understand. She was a newly transferred butler, so hopefully she'll improve as time goes on for future guests. Our assistant butler was a rock star and always would just be "there" any time we'd walk by, insist on escorting us everywhere, and always just would say yes. If you wanted something done quickly, you told him. We hope we will be able to find some time to go back soon and do it all again. I wish they would take a ship to Ocean Cay and park it there for a few days like ships do in Bermuda... 1 overnight simply isn't enough!

 

ETA: They did make us get off the boat when we returned for PC, and it was just as easy as everyone said it would be. They also make you take a covid test down in medical, but they were the rapid variety, and you are free to move around pretty much after its over. The "no news is good news" approach.

Edited April 19, 2022 by blueskadoo

[JT1962]

Glad you enjoyed it. Once you get aboard the ship, the experience is great. I agree that docking at Ocean Cay for multiple days would be great.

[phissy]

On 4/7/2022 at 5:25 AM, blueskadoo said:

Thank you all! Calming down and mostly just getting excited now. Just thought of this question...when they do the "zero count" on Sunday before we get back on, will they make us take another covid test? I read some people who were doing B2Bs on other lines (but much longer 7 nights) and the cruiseline made them test. Just want to anticipate appropriately. My gut says no, but I wanted to confer with the experts. 

 

We did B2B on MSC.  They provided Covid test for free and scheduled all those doing B2B for test onboard. We went to sport court, waited short line and had quick nose swab. Next day was disembarkation/ embarkation. 
Escorted off ship in morning to waiting area, then when zeroed out, all were allowed back onboard.