I think the survey says it all. I challenge anyone to take that cruise and leave with e sense of enjoyment. many travelers we spoke with who had been on an MSC cruise were appalled at the Staff attitude and lack of communication skills. I would not spend my hard earned money to go on this line again. Carnival and even Royal Carribean have a better product and everything from the ship layout to the staffing on their ships' are many more times more enjoyable and professional. There were too many instances of underage children in the 3-10 yrs old category who were left unattended and supervised. Running through people on deck, at the buffet lines, etc. This is an adult boat, and the lack of concern expressed by the ships' stewards and workers at the children running amok was disappointing as well.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Embarkation, was collectively very acceptable.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
As the ship is only 5 years old, the appearance of the eating areas was very fresh and clean. However, that is where the experience turns from pleasing to the eye to frustrating and disappointing. The beverage stations where located in the walkways between sections of the ship where multitudes of people congregated to compete for plastic cups and coffee mugs. Others not standing on top of each other, were trying to walk from one area to the next, and had to dodge these diners. Coffee was typically out, with the promise in broken English that a new pot was "moments" away. The obstructions in the Calumet/Manitou buffet areas were very frustrating. Floor to ceiling pictures with sharp bases 8-10" off the floor on the edge of the walkways were a definite trip hazard. Columns that really served no purpose forced the diners with full trays to continuously avoid each other. It was as if the boat had way too many people on it. The lack of English speaking staff made any inquiry disappointing. It took 3 people to find our dining seat o the first night, and the tables had numbers on them! Lobster was listed during the entire cruise, but it was unavailable after the 2nd night, and remained on the menu.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
The Sports Bar was the only on board area outside of the room that afforded any sports coverage. When I asked one of the Bar Staff if they could put more than 1 football game on the 18 tv's, they said they no control over the tv's, the Entertainment people did that. The big screen tv was useless on the Main deck as there was only one row of seating directly in front of it, due to the obstructions from the Aqua Park. Programming was typical cartoons at 9:30pm.....Really? the Fitness center had too little equipment, given the boat size and occupancy. There were only 5-6 working treadmills, limited exercise bikes...
Entertainment
We did not wish to partake in the listed activities or shows
Children's Programs
We have no children
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
We never met the room steward , like on Carnival, i.e. The entire Staff acted if it was their first cruise and was absolutely no help to us during the cruise. There was not one interaction that either my wife nor I had with the Staff resulted in a positive response or solution. My wife was asked to step aside from a display in the one of the Shops', while the attendant rearranged some products and then photographed them, while we were looking the items. Very rude! The Pool Staff stood by and watched a couple change a babies' diaper on the ledge of the Solarium pool area. No one seemed to give a s... Ships' personnel were standing around in the public areas smoking, hanging about. Pnce again, it appeared that the crew could not grasp the ships' occupancy and always seemed frazzled and unsure and unwilling to help. Pitiful.
Ship Quality
1 out of 5
The ships' layout was disappointing to say the least. The smoked glass provided endless viewing obstructions, and the "Pay to Play" sections of the ship made sure that walking around the ship seem sectioned and cut off. The "Power Walking " track was a joke as it turned into Dodgeball with the reclining chairs. There was no track, and walking was not possible after 9:30 am, too many people in too many chairs. There were smoked glass side panels angled along the main deck on the 15 and 16th levels that had no purpose except to force passengers to interact with each other while simply walking. The Divina ship was not designed for 2000 passengers. every area seemed over tasked, and claustrophobic. The aforementioned areas where the rich people were, limited the access of the passengers to simply enjoy the exterior viewing areas. MSC hierarchy needs to go take a cruise on the other Lines, and take notes.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin was very clean and size was as expected. The bed was phenomenal, making leaving the room to be frustrated with everything else more challenging.
Ship tip
If you have never experienced European people, reconsider. My wife and I have never met more in considerate, rude and mannerless peple such as these. They were disgusting in some ways, changing babies' diapers in pool areas, i.e. without a care in the world that someone else could be affected.
If a person wants to sail on MSC, spend $3000 and get Suite with a Butler and stay isolated form the crowds. I don't know what the Staff is like at the Upper Level, but they were not prepared for us.
We were on the Divina in June and we are back on her for Thanksgiving week. We loved every second of our vacation. I guess it's what you make of it. We have been on Carnival and Norwegian numerous times and this was by far our best cruise.
Just back from a week on the Divina and found it absolutely wonderful , some of the staff weren't overly friendly but most of them were very pleasant. Overall we had a very enjoyable time. As Kate says , it's what you make it.
I took a short 3 day cruise on Divina. Didn't see my room steward till the second day. It took till evening of the first day and six calls to get the adjacent room doors locked. We were not traveling with the people in that room. In fact they didn't lock the balcony one till the next day. I know everyone on a cruise is nice but I still like my room locked.
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