Silhouette LIVE (1/12) w/ Side by Side: A Royal Week on Celebrity and MSC

[Ex-Airbalancer]

An actual newspaper! 
I stop getting them years ago , I hate the smell of the ink now , gives me a major headache 

I have been offer them for free and still turn them down 😉

[HoosierCruzer19]

22 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Divina Pro Tip:  Ashish at the One Pool bar makes an incredible rum punch.  Careful though. Don’t let the smooth taste fool you. I watched him make it and it’s got enough rum for a pirate party

 

Thanks for the suggestion! Will definitely try one of the rum punches during sail away on Friday! We will also let Ashish know that his mixology skills come highly recommended (and with a suitable potency warning)!

[PTC DAWG]

31 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

An actual newspaper! 
I stop getting them years ago , I hate the smell of the ink now , gives me a major headache 

I have been offer them for free and still turn them down 😉

Fascinating. I miss newspapers..and I try not to hate anything..

Edited January 17, 2023 by PTC DAWG

[GenerationX]

27 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

An actual newspaper! 
I stop getting them years ago , I hate the smell of the ink now , gives me a major headache 

I have been offer them for free and still turn them down 😉

My husband jokes that I’m probably the only person under age 70 who still has a print subscription to the St. Louis Sunday paper.  When I start reading it he asks if he should also fetch me a martini, a pipe of tobacco and a pair of slippers 😂

 

I just have a thing for the printed word.  I’ve resisted kindle/ebooks too.  
 

Plus we have lots of small animals and sometimes foster housebreaking rescue puppies, so having a big box of newspaper around the house still comes in handy for us!

That being said, I’m about to contradict myself and say that one thing I’ve really missed from Celebrity on this ship is having the app with the daily schedule and all the restaurant menus for the entire cruise in it.  There is an MSC app but it doesn’t work for Divina and my understanding is that even on the supported ships it doesn’t have as much functionality as the Celebrity app.

 

I want to do the sushi restaurant for dinner one night of the cruise and I didn’t like that I couldn’t just whip out my phone and  look at all the dinner menus and schedules for the cruise and decide which day I didn’t mind missing the suite menu and what time I could book without missing something I want to attend. I also forgot how fast a paper daily gets torn and beat up when you have to carry it around and keep referencing it all day in Caribbean humidity.

 

Oh but back to the topic at hand, this newspaper they deliver is a stapled photocopy of the actual paper, so if you sail MSC and are interested in trying a physical paper, it may not bother you!

[Stem to Stern]

Would the gentleman in the fancy white gloves have access to all of the restaurant menus?  I did some pricing on their website.  Do you think I would get the same stellar service as yourself if I was in a Yacht Club Interior stateroom?  It looks spacious.  Your Welcome Dessert was a super nice touch!👍

[dock]

We’ve never even considered MSC but will be looking into YC for sure. Enjoying your review. Thank you. 

[hcat]

3 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

Visual overload.  Way, way too much pattern happening in the cascading stairs pic you posted.   However, after further review of your stateroom pics, I have to say that it is not that hateful.  I am making lemonade here:  1.) I love that they have Aqua Panna still water on board, 2.) The mirror in the shower probably makes the bathroom look much larger, 3.) Walk-in closet is definitely a plus, 4.) Zebra pattern combined with all of the mauve (goes well with gray and greige wood finishes) is not as bad as I envisioned.  Find any other cactuses?  Are there views of the sea from the Yacht Club?

 

I Personally cannot get past  GAUDY !   (And bordello bedroom!)

Also difficult for folks like me who have visual issues..bad 3nough are the walj throughs on E Class ships..Creepy Forest et.

[Jim_Iain]

Charla -  need to apologize.   I've been calling you Carla in error - Blush Blush...  

[hcat]

Food looked good and plentiful

Scallops this week in Fl  were  among the highest priced seafood...prices are out of control!

 

Have you browsed the regular buffet in comparison to X?

What do regular cabins  cruisers do for dining?

Is there a spa class or healthy dining like AQ?

Did you book any spa?

 

Sorry so many ques?

We would not do a Gaudy Glitzy ship but some of the others look nice!

 

I do not think you would enjoy Cunard...we loved it but not much party!

[RichYak]

32 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Charla -  need to apologize.   I've been calling you Carla in error - Blush Blush...  

For all the times people on CC referred to Iain as Lain, I think you deserve a pass 😂

[Wink87]

42 minutes ago, RichYak said:

For all the times people on CC referred to Iain as Lain, I think you deserve a pass 😂

I admit...I was one of them! Oh well...even I've been called worse!😁

[GenerationX]

59 minutes ago, RichYak said:

For all the times people on CC referred to Iain as Lain, I think you deserve a pass 😂

 I concur with this. No apology needed or offense taken! Also @Jim_Iain I think back when I was a rookie and doing one of my first reviews, I thought it was Iain who was doing all the posting and referred to you as him. So I think we’re even now! 😂

[GenerationX]

Tonight is Notte Bianca (white night) on Divina and there’s a big party planned.

 

I’ve decided if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

 

Or, in more appropriate Italian terms…when in Rome, dress as the Romans decorate!

 

 

Edited January 18, 2023 by GenerationX

[FLCruiser97]

8 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Tonight is Notte Bianca (white night) on Divina and there’s a big party planned.

 

I’ve decided if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

 

Or, in more appropriate Italian terms…when in Rome, dress as the Romans decorate!

 

 

Did they tell you there was a white night before you sailed? How do you find out these things? I'm looking at a HAL cruise and they are talking about an "orange" party.

[MarKay525]

16 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Tonight is Notte Bianca (white night) on Divina and there’s a big party planned.

 

WOW! Very nice - have a blast tonight.

 

[asnaleah]

You look beautiful Charla! Thanks again for taking the time to share your experiences with us! 

[GenerationX]

It’s a beautiful morning to be nursing sprite and ice water on my veranda.

 

My butler has been really good about restocking my ice bucket and bottled water at turn down and this morning it is a life saver.

 

We’ll go further back in time later today and talk about my amazing early evening last night at the One Pool and second dinner in Le Muse.

 

But first, I wanna tell you all about the most ridiculous cruise ship party I’ve ever been to. 

 

MSC does not play when it comes to their white night pool party.  Apparently they throw a party like they decorate a cruise ship. Extra. Extra. EXTRA.

 

While as mentioned above, I’m not much of a fan of over the top decor. On the other hand, I love an over the top party.

 

I think every crew member who could sing, dance, do a backflip or play an instrument showed up in full white party attire at some point to perform.

 

After the performances a DJ started and the ship’s entertainment team got the dance floor started.  I’ve had some really great party nights on Celebrity (as evidenced my my hangover nursing on the retreat sun deck on day 2 of my prior cruise).  This party though was like south beach at sea.

 

Looking at how crowded the deck was, I’d say 70% of the adult passengers on the ship were at that party (and, at least at 11pm at night, had enough sense to not bring their small children).  Even better, 90% of said attendees had RHYTHM!  And got out on the dance floor nonstop for almost 2 hours!

 

Alcohol consumption seemed to abound, but I didn’t see anyone getting to the point of being a sloppy mess.

 

When I pulled myself away from the dance floor a little after midnight, I was actually the early bailer.  So I can’t represent or warrant whether the fun took a turn for a hot mess later on.

 

When I got back to my room, I cooled off on my veranda drinking wine and eating cake and prosciutto and, while the sound didn’t carry inside the room, out on the veranda I could still hear echoes of the party still going strong.

 

Oh, you’re probably wondering how on earth I ended up with wine, cake and prosciutto at midnight.  Well…

 

When I got back to the quiet refuge of the yacht club and came in my room, I saw that butler Kevin’s turndown game seems to be escalating with each passing night.

 

At dinner tonight I was way too full to have dessert and be in any fit state for a dance party afterwards. Rohan and Z then suggested that I just tell them what I’d like for dessert and Kevin could come collect it and deliver it to my room at turndown so that I had a little snack after the party.

 

I took them up on that and when I got back post-party I saw that Kevin did in fact deliver my chocolate cake.  Plus a glass of wine. And meat and cheese.  With preserves and honey, just how I order my cheese plate at the restaurant.

 

After I finish my sprite I’m going to go find some recovery breakfast and then hang out by the one pool.  Then maybe have a chat with the gentleman from future cruises (NEVER thought I’d be saying that about any other line than Celebrity).  This afternoon we arrive at Ocean Cay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mnpurple]

I'm glad we were directed to your review from the MSC Board. My husband and I will be in Divina YC in about a week. I hope we get Kevin for our Butler because he sounds grreat! And I also made note of Ashish at the One Pool bar to try some rum punch!  It seems that Divina YC is more attentive than when we were on Seaview this past spring.  I loved the Swarovski staircases, they are really beautiful when the sun is shining on them.

 

Can I ask what your room number is? It looks a bit more spacious than what I'm expecting. 

[karmamule]

Despite having been on 3 MSC cruises we've never gone to one of their evening pool deck parties. Looks like we've been missing out! So much fun reading your adventures on the Divina so far. 😀

 

Oh, and you're in for a treat going to Ocean Cay when you're in the Yacht Club. They have a separate beach and restaurant that are wonderful. Try to catch the lighthouse light show in the early evening if you can!

Edited January 18, 2023 by karmamule

[GenerationX]

It’s about 9:30am and the ship is still a ghost town. I guess I’m not the only one who took a hit from that white party.

 

Sharing some pics from around sleepy Divina.

 

Theres a great looking adults only pool at the far aft of the ship. It’s been jammed packed with people up till now so I didn’t get a good look at it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

16 hours ago, hcat said:

I Personally cannot get past  GAUDY !   (And bordello bedroom!)

Also difficult for folks like me who have visual issues..bad 3nough are the walj throughs on E Class ships..Creepy Forest et.

Unfortunately I can definitely see the ship being challenging for those with visual issues. Outside of yacht club there are a couple of areas where the floor to ceiling mirrors have been put up in such a way that even without vision challenges, I nearly walked right into the mirror thinking that it was an entrance to another hallway. Only the sudden appearance of another impeccably dressed woman who looked just like me stopped me short. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Edited January 18, 2023 by GenerationX

[jerseygirl3]

I'm thoroughly enjoying your reviews and photos.  However, I don't think those who complain about the reduction in the quality of food and service on any of the cruiselines can be dismissed.  Given that you are enjoying a more entitled cruise experience, the comparisons are apples to oranges (or filet mignon to hamburger...LOL).  And it is a bit disconcerting that those in suites are "prioritized" to obtain a cocktail at a bar.  Sorry, but that seems a bit elitist to me.  Please don't be offended, because I am truly enjoying your experience.  My husband and I will never get to that level, but it is nice to get another cruise perspective.  

[jcpc]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on MSC, Charla.  Your comments are making me look forward to a fall sailing from NYC on MSC.  After sailing almost exclusively on Celebrity since they first started sailing (I think 3 or 4 Royal and Holland America cruises were sandwiched in between all my Celebrity cruises) I feel like I'm "cheating on" Celebrity.....LOL.  But I also definitely feel it's time to make a change.  The Retreat pricing on Celebrity is just way beyond what I want to pay and I do think their service has deteriorated (especially since after Covid).  I am looking forward to your next post.

.

[PTC DAWG]

2 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Unfortunately I can definitely see the ship being challenging for those with visual issues. Outside of yacht club there are a couple of areas where the floor to ceiling mirrors have been put up in such a way that even without vision challenges, I nearly walked right into the mirror thinking that it was an entrance to another hallway. Only the sudden appearance of another impeccably dressed woman who looked just like me stopped me short. 🤦🏾‍♀️

I’ve sailed Seaside when she was brand new..beautiful ship, different class than this ship.  Zero issues. 

[GenerationX]

My day so far:

 

After breakfast and ship walking I went to rehydrate at the one pool.

 

Today’s Yacht Club pro tip:  if you’re hurting for a pick me up, Hugo at the one pool makes a great latte AND he’s an amateur magician and if it’s not busy, he’ll show you a few tricks.

 

I was knocking back the waters when my butler showed up out of nowhere, mimosa in hand, to ask me what time I plan to head off the ship to the island so that he can escort me past any lines.

 

I wasn’t feeling a walk back to Le Muse for lunch so I grabbed a few things from the pool lunch buffet. The udon was good but I wouldn’t recommend if you don’t like spicy food. The chicken stir fry was also good and not as much kick.  The pork steak had ok flavor but was kind of dry and it seemed weird for it to be so thin and tough.  We Missourians have high standards when it comes to pork steak. 
 

There was also a fresh made pasta station that I didn’t try but smelled amazing cooking.

 

Once he saw that I was back on cocktails, Ashish came around with a much smaller (thank heavens) glass of his rum punch.

 

The yacht club manager Rafaello came by during lunch to see how everyone was enjoying the food and since it’s my first visit offered to take me on a golf cart tour of the island while we’re there.  So stay tuned for good intel!

 

We’re backing into port at Ocean Cay now so I’m off to change and pack my beach bag!