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

[Mark_T]

38 minutes ago, Cathy in Boston said:

Found this for you.  Hopefully this is still valid:

 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/617ac6f28abd337ac8fc5f75/t/62264424e0a64364affa6ab5/1646674982750/MSC+Divina+Main+Bar+Menu+2022.pdf

That is a great list for all the other bars, but it is not the Yacht Club list.

[jean87510]

So we are still at Hayhu aka YC in Mahahual/Costa Maya.  I don't think MSC goes to Costa Maya often but if anyone happens to be coming here and detests the hair braids, cuban cigars, trinket hawking...etc.. and loves a nice quiet area with good snorkeling, I highly recommend.  I cannot stand the chaos at the port area and when I found this spot, I fell in love.  People recommend Maya chan; however, they seat 200 as opposed to 40, not sure if wifi is decent, water is brown, no snorkel.  Both apparently have excellent food and drink.  I just know the selling feature for us is the reef plus blue ocean.

[psmarkle]

2 hours ago, George C said:

I went from wearing a tux to a sports jacket , now just dockers and shirt with collar .

 

I now just pack 1 pair of Khakis and 7 polo/golf shirts, then gym clothes and a couple of bathing suits...that's it!

[jean87510]

21 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

 

I now just pack 1 pair of Khakis and 7 polo/golf shirts, then gym clothes and a couple of bathing suits...that's it!

My husband does as well but he usually packs some socks and underwear...😉

[Cathy in Boston]

Ok, this came from a post back in May 2022 I believe.  A lot of the same from my previous post but the original poster @Two Wheels Only notes that YC menu is towards the end.  Also it is Meraviglia but I have to imagine it is semi-close?

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G4JIS39ptauZR29Run8IeJufNdWdGhrK/view

[Mark_T]

11 minutes ago, Cathy in Boston said:

Ok, this came from a post back in May 2022 I believe.  A lot of the same from my previous post but the original poster @Two Wheels Only notes that YC menu is towards the end.  Also it is Meraviglia but I have to imagine it is semi-close?

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G4JIS39ptauZR29Run8IeJufNdWdGhrK/view

In that one it is the last two pages and if they don't appear immediately just refresh the browser and wait.

 

It isn't the current list but for the purposes of seeking inspiration it isn't a bad place to start, but for someone currently onboard it should be possible to locate a paper menu or at least a QR code....

[DaKahuna]

7 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Speaking of wifi, we have the upgraded premium and it's perfect.  Watch shows every am at gym when I work out.

 

 Do you mind sharing what the cost was to do the upgrade?  i am looking to do the upgrade on our cruise.

 

[jean87510]

I was able to get a drinks list from the pool area.  This area has not really been available as the weather has been rainy and/or windy.  Today when we got back I went up there and ordered a salted caramel martini which was delicious!  I sat down and saw quite a few people that I have never seen in the TSL or the Muse.  It was really crowded up there.  I went to the TSL as it was too hot in the sun and that area was about 1/3 full.  I SUSPECT there were interlopers but I can't prove it in the pool area.  The hottubs were crowded as well.  

 

Got my bag of laundry ready for our butler.  Also checked out the menu for tonight.  Husband is thrilled surf and turf is on.  I am not that thrilled as a lot of the items have nuts, mushrooms or creatures who formally lived in water.  But I will find something!  

 

We had such a wonderful day at Hayhu.  When we got back to the port it was pandemonium with 3 ships.  I finally experienced the YC entrance!!!  I was shown to a separate entrance outside and it was just heaven!😇

 

So far other than the initial hiccups, I am really enjoying the ship and the YC experience.  I've looked forward for a long time and am glad I booked it.  My husband, although not a fan of attention or people helping him, really enjoys talking to the staff and likes the food plus the quiet.  

 

I think we have may have pier runners.  More to follow.

[jean87510]

Just now, DaKahuna said:

 

 Do you mind sharing what the cost was to do the upgrade?  i am looking to do the upgrade on our cruise.

 

I believe it was $59 pp?

[DaKahuna]

2 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

I believe it was $59 pp?

 

 Thank you. I'll budget $60 pp and see how it goes. 

 

[jean87510]

2 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you. I'll budget $60 pp and see how it goes. 

 

It should be on your cruise planner.  Remember it's per device not pp.  Sorry if I confused you.  Also you can call to add as well.

[maggieq]

On 12/30/2023 at 6:39 PM, DaKahuna said:

I cannot figure out what is so wrong with putting on a pair of long pants and a shirt with a collar for dinner in a restaurant.  Maybe I am just old fashioned. 

 

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.  😞 

[DaKahuna]

2 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

It should be on your cruise planner.  Remember it's per device not pp.  Sorry if I confused you.  Also you can call to add as well.

 

Not showing an upgrade price on cruise planner, just a price to purchase.  

I am looking to do it on board in order to use up some OBC.  

 

[jean87510]

Finally made it to our first show.  I was prepared by videos and reviews that shows on MSC can be a little different which is fine.  Not everyone likes my music which is 80s heavy metal.  We happened to join another couple escorted by their butler to the special seating area on deck 6 forward.  Some observations.  I was surprised at people just walking in and out of show during its entirety.  I also was surprised at the amount of loud conversations around me.  The act was billed as a magician but honestly it was a rope trick, shadow puppets and some rings.  It was a little strange.  We did get up to leave not because of the oddness plus the talkers, the people 3 rows ahead of us face timing very loudly in French, or others.  I have a bad sensitivity to strong colognes and perfumes especially when trying to diguise body odor.  I truly do not understand the need to swim in this.  Either get a daily bath and/or use deodorant.  I kept coughing and sneezing and we finally left.  

Unfortunately for me I slipped badly on the wet floor outside the YC on deck 15.  I currently have ice on my arm and hip.  I am avoiding medical as there is no way I'm sitting down there.  So far nothing feels broken, strained or sprained.  I did share with my butler as he got me the ice.  

[morpheusofthesea]

14 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

Finally made it to our first show.  I was prepared by videos and reviews that shows on MSC can be a little different which is fine.  Not everyone likes my music which is 80s heavy metal.  We happened to join another couple escorted by their butler to the special seating area on deck 6 forward.  Some observations.  I was surprised at people just walking in and out of show during its entirety.  I also was surprised at the amount of loud conversations around me.  The act was billed as a magician but honestly it was a rope trick, shadow puppets and some rings.  It was a little strange.  We did get up to leave not because of the oddness plus the talkers, the people 3 rows ahead of us face timing very loudly in French, or others.  I have a bad sensitivity to strong colognes and perfumes especially when trying to diguise body odor.  I truly do not understand the need to swim in this.  Either get a daily bath and/or use deodorant.  I kept coughing and sneezing and we finally left.  

Unfortunately for me I slipped badly on the wet floor outside the YC on deck 15.  I currently have ice on my arm and hip.  I am avoiding medical as there is no way I'm sitting down there.  So far nothing feels broken, strained or sprained.  I did share with my butler as he got me the ice.  

  I loved your observation in the first parts of your post, but removed my love reaction when I read of your injury. Love your attitude. Godspeed.

[DaKahuna]

@jean87510 I hope you did not sustain a lingering injury and that your recovery will be swift and painless but fear you are going to be sore in a couple of places tomorrow. 
 

Get well soon. 
 

[Stem to Stern]

Enjoying your report.  

I hope you are doing okay after the fall.

[Mark_T]

6 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Unfortunately for me I slipped badly on the wet floor outside the YC on deck 15. 

Sorry to hear that.

 

In June last year we noticed the humidity in that area and a little dampness near the doors to the pool area, but no issues between the elevators and the YC entrances.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

 

 

[momofmab]

Hope you're feeling better!  Those floors are very slippery!  I noticed they had large fans drying the floors outside of our YC on deck 16, near the jungle pool.  It always felt very humid in that area.

 

We also noticed rude behavior in the theatre - people getting up, kids running up the aisles and people talking through the whole performance.  After attending 2 performances, we stopped going because it was just so distracting.  Not sure if it's a cultural difference or what.  I felt bad for the performers.

[jean87510]

45 minutes ago, momofmab said:

Hope you're feeling better!  Those floors are very slippery!  I noticed they had large fans drying the floors outside of our YC on deck 16, near the jungle pool.  It always felt very humid in that area.

 

We also noticed rude behavior in the theatre - people getting up, kids running up the aisles and people talking through the whole performance.  After attending 2 performances, we stopped going because it was just so distracting.  Not sure if it's a cultural difference or what.  I felt bad for the performers.

Ty.  Feeling sore this am but of course was able to do the elliptical for an hour.  😁.  I did take ibuprofen last night which helped.

[jean87510]

Day 6 Cozumel

 

We docked this am in Punta Lagosta.  I was a little disappointed as the marina for our excursion with Mystic Snorkel was closer to the International Pier.  I quickly researched cab prices which were between 8 and 12 total.  We were really running late as my husband overslept so grabbed a couple of croissants from the buffet (which alas ran out of coffee...🤨) and headed outside.  Of course the taxi drivers did the usual price gouging which I hate.  If you walk away from port, the price drops.  If you indicate in any way you are with cruise ship (confused vague stares, sliders, crocs, white socks, giant bag with plastic water bottles, ship towels and my personal favorite - dangling lanyard) you will be accosted when you run the gauntlet and overcharged with cabs.  We have stayed on Cozumel and the price is very different for non cruise people.  Even day trippers from Playa del Carmen dont get the increase.  Today I got the usual BS of $30 to take a 2.4 mile cab ride.  We kept walking until we found a guy who did it for $10 total.  

We had a great day with Mystic Snorkel.  They have increased their price to $71 pp and I would ask about venmo if you like that in lieu of cash.  We had 8 with us today and stopped at Palancar, El Cielo, Columbia and a 4th reef.  Lifejackets out to 1st stop then optional.  If you like small groups and don't like wearing noodles or Snorkel vests, I highly recommend.  We saw turtles, stingrays, a nurse shark plus a healthy reef.

Once we finished at 1, we headed back to the port.  We saw Pepe and he had our asst butler escort us back to ship.  We dropped our stuff off then headed up to the pool area.  I had a burger and fries.  My husband had some sort of shrimp plus skirt steak.  Had mojito plus the salted caramel martini.  We saw a little boy getting ice cream so both of us and another couple got some.  Pool is too cold.  Hottubs are still a little lukewarm.  We actually used the showers which were hot to rinse salt off from the snorkeling.  

I did use the laundry service as I hate dirty clothes in cabin.  I do use the metallic hooks and wash stuff in sink but there are certain items that just don't feel comfortable washed in sink and dried on a hook.

 

[jean87510]

Some pictures from today

[jean87510]

We have a lot of OBC to burn so are contemplating an everglades tour rather then sitting around TSL for hours on our turn around day.  Has anyone done this on turnaround day on a b2b?

 

Or do they credit OBC back?

Edited January 2 by jean87510

[Mark_T]

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

...Or do they credit OBC back?

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...

 

You probably know this already, but if you are on a B2B, purchased as two cruises, rather than one cruise that is also sold as smaller cruises then make sure you have used all the OBC associated with the first cruise.

[jean87510]

Just now, 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...

 

You probably know this already, but if you are on a B2B, purchased as two cruises, rather than one cruise that is also sold as smaller cruises then make sure you have used all the OBC associated with the first cruise.

Yes, that's what I was just told.  We have $200 so we opted to just book the in transit excursion to the everglades.  It starts at 745 am and we get back around noon.  Breaks up the day a bit.  Also discovered our butler team will move our suitcases and closet stuff to our new room.  The one we are going to is on the 16th floor right above us.  We were given the option of keeping the same room today but I declined.  The reason I did was the other room is bigger and I would not get the price difference.  If I did, I'd stay.  It makes no difference to me if we move our stuff around as we are slightly nomadic in nature anyway when we travel.  Plus I'd like to try a different room and floor.

 

We plan to visit the gelato shop and get some ice cream to burn up the rest of the OBC.