MSC Divina December 28 to January 7, 2024. B2B in the YC

[Mark_T]

21 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

The one we are going to is on the 16th floor right above us. 

I'll be interested in your thoughts about deck 16, we were on 15 in June and decided to try 16 for our cruise next month.

 

Main motivation was it is nicely placed so it is only one deck up to the pool and breakfast, and one deck down to the lounge.

 

Only a minor point really of course.

 

 

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, Mark_T said:

They do not credit unused OBC, possible exception if it came from cancellation of something you purchased before boarding, but if it is just the promotional OBC that came with your reservation it is use it or lose it..

 

Mark, does this include OBC from our TA?  In addition to a small sum from MSC, our TA included some OBC.  I usually 'wash it' through the casino but as you know this is our first MSC cruise so not sure if my usual charge to the room, gamble some, cash out the rest will work or not.  Not seeing much else, after WiFi upgrade, to spend the OBC on. 

 

[Mark_T]

9 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Mark, does this include OBC from our TA?  In addition to a small sum from MSC, our TA included some OBC...

The best advice is to talk to the concierge once onboard as with the TA OBC it seems to make a difference how it was obtained by the TA, or at least that is the way it looks from the mixed reports of it being refundable/non-refundable.

 

Either way your backup plan to wash it through the casino should work just fine.

 

9 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Not seeing much else, after WiFi upgrade, to spend the OBC on. 

Just try to avoid the retail outlets on deck 7 or your wife may find something to use it up for you 🙂

 

Seriously though it is a challenge we will face as well, as we have a lot of OBC, all of it from MSC so we know it is non-refundable. 

[ConnieTact]

12 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

The best advice is to talk to the concierge once onboard as with the TA OBC it seems to make a difference how it was obtained by the TA, or at least that is the way it looks from the mixed reports of it being refundable/non-refundable.

 

Either way your backup plan to wash it through the casino should work just fine.

 

Just try to avoid the retail outlets on deck 7 or your wife may find something to use it up for you 🙂

 

Seriously though it is a challenge we will face as well, as we have a lot of OBC, all of it from MSC so we know it is non-refundable. 

I usually buy make up and perfume on the ‘20% off’ day! 

[Mark_T]

3 minutes ago, ConnieTact said:

I usually buy make up and perfume on the ‘20% off’ day! 

The various retail discount days can help for sure.

[jean87510]

We used some OBC last night for the pizza they make plus gelato.  It was pretty good and cheaper then South NJ.  I'm used to $20 pizza that we pick up.  I believe ours were $8 per pie for a plain?  We got 2 as my husband can eat a lot but one can work.  We just sat on deck 7 and people watched.  Then we went to deck 6 for the gelato.  We felt like a serious casual t shirt and shorts night which is why we opted for the pizza   I have really long hair and it takes me a while to dry it so sometimes it's just easier to wet braid it and be comfortable for the night.  

[Mark_T]

3 hours ago, jean87510 said:

We used some OBC last night for the pizza they make plus gelato. 

That's a good point, we tended to walk past La Cantina di Bacco, as in YC you can just order pizza from the room service menu for free...

 

...but it does make for a good casual dining option, especially if you have spare OBC....

[DaKahuna]

6 hours ago, Mark_T said:

The best advice is to talk to the concierge once onboard as with the TA OBC it seems to make a difference how it was obtained by the TA, or at least that is the way it looks from the mixed reports of it being refundable/non-refundable.

 

Either way your backup plan to wash it through the casino should work just fine.

 

Just try to avoid the retail outlets on deck 7 or your wife may find something to use it up for you 🙂

 

Seriously though it is a challenge we will face as well, as we have a lot of OBC, all of it from MSC so we know it is non-refundable. 

 

Thanks for the suggestion to talk to the Concierge.  If it becomes necessary, I will be sure to do that.

 

Glad to hear the casino option may work.  That's my preferred way of doing it anyway.  

In hindsight, prepaying gratuities may not have been a good choice as that would take care of some of the OBC. 

 

Yes, I am sure the wife will take advantage of the retail outlets at some point.  

 

We did pre-purchase the two meal dining but may use some of the OBC to have additional meals at Galaxy.  Still trying to find out if the restaurant is open for lunch or only dinner.  We both really like Japanese food and if it's good I can see us eating there more than just once. 

 

[DaKahuna]

6 hours ago, ConnieTact said:

I usually buy make up and perfume on the ‘20% off’ day! 

 

Which day is that normally?  

 

[Mark_T]

22 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

We did pre-purchase the two meal dining but may use some of the OBC to have additional meals at Galaxy.  Still trying to find out if the restaurant is open for lunch or only dinner.

It does open for lunch or brunch, but not necessarily every day.

 

Perhaps jean87510 can comment on how it has been this cruise on port days for example...

Edited January 3 by Mark_T

[ConnieTact]

14 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Which day is that normally?  

 

Recently on Euribia, it was on a day that lots of Germans got onboard in Hamburg. It was a Monday and Gala night. On Virtuosa, it was the day we boarded in Southampton. Best to just go to the Perfume and Make up shop and ask. They often have an offer of two items for 10%, 2 for 15% and 3 for 20%. So that’s fine if you want three items. They also do a 20% off day (even for one item) once a week. 
Also, for loyalty members there is a spend $50 and get $10 off on boarding day.

 

[jean87510]

10 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

It does open for lunch or brunch, but not necessarily every day.

 

Perhaps jean87510 can comment on how it has been this cruise on port days for example...

Looks like Galaxy and Butcher's cut are open on sea days for lunch 12 to 130.  I do not know the menu.

 

Edited to add we have had a 7 day cruise with 2 sea days.  Not sure if open Day 1 but will find out tomorrow.  

Edited January 3 by jean87510

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Looks like Galaxy and Butcher's cut are open on sea days for lunch 12 to 130.  I do not know the menu.

 

Edited to add we have had a 7 day cruise with 2 sea days.  Not sure if open Day 1 but will find out tomorrow.  

 

 Thank you.  I am interested if they are open for lunch on port days as well.  There are a couple of ports on our itinerary that I know we will not be leaving the ship and if we do it will be for only a very short period of time.  

[jean87510]

37 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you.  I am interested if they are open for lunch on port days as well.  There are a couple of ports on our itinerary that I know we will not be leaving the ship and if we do it will be for only a very short period of time.  

I'll ask tonight at Galaxy.

[George C]

On 1/1/2024 at 5:06 PM, maggieq said:

We think the same.  The baseball hats still rub me the wrong way.   However, times have changed and there’s more casual dress in the evenings than dressed up IMO.  😞 

We are with you are baseball caps , our favorite dallas restaurant doesn’t allow them or even shorts in dining room even when weather hits triple digits . As for OBC I will use whatever is left on Johnny Walker Blue 😁

[jean87510]

Day 7 sea day.  We skipped breakfast as I haven't been feeling that well.  Perfumes really trigger me and I keep sneezing and coughing.  I did take some zyrtec plus Ibuprofen and feel better.  I did jog this am at gym.  As it's getter colder as we approach Miami, we didn't use the pool area.  I did have a massage scheduled at 9am but spoke to the spa concierge to just change to a pedicure at 830.  Fyi, don't get this.  Bad selection with regular colors.  All 1980s colors.  No light pinks or white.  I do my own nails and get pedicures every 3 weeks as I destroy my feet with hiking, jogging, and biking.  She just painted them for $59!!!  I couldn't do the massage as my right arm is still sore.

 

One other thing I have noted is how crowded the gym is at 5-7pm almost daily.  I found the reason out.  Staff signs up to use the gym from 5pm to 10pm.  I went again with my husband to use the bike and stretch a bit with some light yoga.  It was absolutely mobbed.  I know people feel bad for staff but they do have their own gym and for 3000 plus passengers, the gym is pretty small.  Some had their name tags on which was how I knew they were staff.

 

We did eat at Muse for lunch.  Husband had a very rare Mediterranean delicacy called turbot.  We didn't know what it was and looked it up.  He said it was delicious.  Apparently not seen too much in US restaurants.

[jean87510]

Day 8 Miami

 

We went to Galaxy using the duo experience and it was enjoyable.  Since I don't eat sushi, they gave me teriyaki substitutes for appetizer, dinner.  I got for dessert vanilla ice cream, my husband got green tea which he hated.  I did ask about lunch on port days and was told it depends on the sailing.

 

We found out what to do for the room switch and new cards plus excursion.  Pack up, keep passports and tickets plus a piece of paper that shows you are B2B.  We are meeting in TSL at 715.  Our hanging clothes will be transferred.

[jean87510]

Reading a few complaints on social media for non YC.  A couple I would love to hear both sides as it sounds far fetched.  We have been all over the ship and I have seen obnoxious guests and very polite crew.

[jean87510]

Another observation is the complete lack of courtesy by some of my fellow guests in not covering mouth when coughing.  I currently am on the excursion bus and have my shirt pulled up over my nose due to the typhoid Marys around me.  I get it people cough.  But speaking as someone who got the flu from coughers on a train from Naples to Rome pre cruise 2018, I wish people would just cover their mouths.  It's disgusting.  In line someone coughed and part of their mucous landed on my arm.  

[jean87510]

Day 8, Miami - Back onboard!!

 

WELL!!  What a day!  We went on the excursion to the Everglades and Gator rescue place.  This is a place I would visit on my own as the airboat ride was interesting.  I like what they do with the gators as these are guys who are rescued because they ate a dog or something else.  Rather then shoot them, they care for them.  We saw an osprey and a alligator in the mangroves.  

 

I probably wouldn't do this tour through the cruiseline as the tour guide was a crochety geriatric nightmare who drove everyone nuts.  Our bus broke down but was handled quickly.  Lots of standing around with vague sheep like expressions.

 

Getting back onboard was confusing.  We just followed the crowd then when the line became too long we saw a YC paddle in the distance and we rejoiced.  First time experiencing annoyed non YC passengers.  Did I care?  Nope.  I paid a lot for this experience.  It wasn't given to me.  We were greeted by the staff who all remembered us.  We went up to Le Muse for lunch, then headed to our cabin.  Of course my card didn't work so I headed to the concierge, then unpacked, then the gym to do my 5 mile jog then back to the room.  The room is 16033.  It was worth moving to.  Shower works well, we have all the toiletries finally.  Nice balcony, chair, loveseat.  Had to run back to Simone at concierge yet again to fix my Butcher's cut reservation tonight and my excursions at Ocean Cay tomorrow.  

 

This is a 3 day cruise so a lot of US citizens in YC that I saw at Le Muse.  Last cruise we were definitely in the minority as I didn't hear much English.  

 

 

[jean87510]

We have a blaring speaker box on the balcony next to us.  Had to call the concierge yet again.  The butler Rudy came into our cabin and we let him listen to the music so he handled it.  He said it's a big difference with 3 day and 7 day cruises!  He's right.  😁

[DaKahuna]

10 hours ago, jean87510 said:

 

We went to Galaxy using the duo experience and it was enjoyable.  Since I don't eat sushi, they gave me teriyaki substitutes for appetizer, dinner.  I got for dessert vanilla ice cream, my husband got green tea which he hated.  I did ask about lunch on port days and was told it depends on the sailing.

 

 

 Thank you so very much for checking.  I'll contact or have the YC Concierge contact them on embarkation day and find out what days they will be open when we are in port. 

 

 I love mochi ice cream almost as much as I love gelato.  Green tea ice cream is usually good but mochi green team is the best. 

 

[DaKahuna]

41 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

The room is 16033.  It was worth moving to. 

 Do you mind saying what your old room number was?  Hoping it's not served by your original Butler. 

 

 

 

[jean87510]

35 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Do you mind saying what your old room number was?  Hoping it's not served by your original Butler. 

 

 

 

It isn't.  I don't want to prejudice anyone as my experience may not be like others so if ok with you, I'm not going to share.  

[jean87510]

54 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you so very much for checking.  I'll contact or have the YC Concierge contact them on embarkation day and find out what days they will be open when we are in port. 

 

 I love mochi ice cream almost as much as I love gelato.  Green tea ice cream is usually good but mochi green team is the best. 

 

My husband loves green tea ice cream and said this was awful.  Maybe just a bad batch?