goatmouthb Cruise Review on MSC Divina on Dec 09, 2017

MSC Divina Cruise Review

goatmouthb

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 4

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Sail date: December 09, 2017

Ship: MSC Divina

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We paid for the Aurea Experience. I had the receipt to show proof, but we were denied all amenities until the ship could confirm this with the main onshore office. Of course the office was closed over the weekend so it took four days for them to fix it. Basically, we paid a lot of money for things we never received. Even after they ‘fixed’ this, we never received some things and they still charged us for drinks even though we had the all- inclusive drink package. I caught a serious food borne illness. It ruined an already bad experience. The buffet food is not hot. It is not kept chilled or hot. It is just set out in dishes. They do not use steam tables. The cold meats and eggs are not kept on ice even. Specialty dining is from a set menu. Basically everything you order from a specialty restaurant is slightly nicer pre- cooked buffet food kept in warming carts. Included in the package was a one hour massage that lasted 20 minutes! I had my make up done one night in the ship’s salon on they cut my face! Plus my make up was noticeably crooked. I looked like a clown. The housekeeping and food staff are incredibly nice and accommodating. The customer service staff, sales staff, store clerks, and excursion staff are blatantly rude. The cruisers are about 9% Americans. Every one that I talked to agreed that the staff treated the Americans very poorly. As in, it was obvious they hated Americans. Our government still donates approximately half a million dollars a year to Italy. Why. I could not find a single American staff person. Most barely spoke English. I paid $70 for an internet package that they said expired the first day, so basically, I paid $70 for 1 hour of internet. Among the cruisers was a gaming agent from Vegas. He did the casino machines did not pay out like they should. I believe that from my personal experience. The ship was beautiful, but failed to meet every other basic expectation. They try to steal from their customers and get away with it by being out to sea where there are no laws.

15 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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Jackwatters 6 years ago

your review was biased and untrue, probably give up cruising- maybe it’s not for you.

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rachelgross13 6 years ago

I just got back from a 7-night cruise on the Divina. Felt EXACTLY the same way about the crew- restaurant, bar, and hotel crews were great! Reception and excursion staff were particularly unhelpful, rude, not accommodating, and provided very poor customer service (with the exception of 1 or 2 encounters/individuals from these services). Asked for a Bahamas beach recommendation from a shore excursion agent and she said "you realize my job is to sell these excursions?" and did not provide us with any more information. One of my 12-drink voucher packets must have fallen out of my bag at some point (SO disappointing), and three separate reception staff members provided absolutely NO support or assistance in any way shape or form, I was told that I couldn't speak to a manager. The best reason they came up with for providing no sort of solution or compensation was that I might be a liar. Meanwhile, I told a bartender and she immediately offered compassion, which was far more than I got from anyone at reception (the ones who are supposed to offer the most customer support and service, not the least). We overall still had a great cruise and very relaxing vacation, but the poor customer service on top of the NONSTOP Christmas music (repeated same 5 songs over and over and over) and overcrowded public areas really put a damper on the trip and experience.

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LWLillie 6 years ago

Oh Pshaw..😄

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LWLillie 6 years ago

I'm baaaack!!! 😆😆😅😅😅

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coffeequeen 6 years ago

Thank god for that

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LWLillie 6 years ago

Ha! I beg the differ. You've done only 1 cruise??? And you saying let the grown ups talk????? 😂😂😂😂 I'm done here.😂😂😂😂😂😂

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LWLillie 6 years ago

Like I stated before in PLENTY of posts is that with MSC is a hit or miss thing. "Italian American" food it is NOT the same as Italian food. Trust me on that one. But for you to say and whine about being the minority in the ship and to say that because you are an American they hate you and obviously they hate Americans and all that nonsense about the USA donates $ and you couldn't find an American staff?? That's just absurd and way out of line. Just stay away from Mediterranean/Italian cruises and stay with "American" cruises and hopefully you'll be treated better so you can't say they hate you. Next time do a better research on ships. Or just stay with the ones you've done. And THANK YOU, I am soooo flattered that you think I'm so young!!! I get that all the time!!😍💋😍💋😍💋

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goatmouthb 6 years ago

On day three, they power washed the balconies. After that, despite many of us complaining, none of our adjoining balcony doors locked for several doors down, in both directions. The doors banged for days and we had no privacy. I liked the couple next to us, but they ended up having domestic violence issues, so a lock would have made me feel better. In the other side,the couples were smoking marijuana. I didn’t mind so much, but again, a locking balcony door should have been a mandatory safety fix. Every time I complained, they shrugged me off, and actually asked why I was complaining. We only saw results if my husband complained, as he became very angry and assertive. We are paying customers. There is no need for us to have had to get to that point. When disembarking, someone was yelling extremely loud, calling the MSC Davina a, “rat trap” and saying the workers were forced into sweat shop conditions. Obviously we weren’t the only ones who left feeling this way.

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goatmouthb 6 years ago

The guy in line behind me at check-out already contacted his lawyer because his plumbing backed up for THREE days with no fix and he slipped and fell. The man behind him in line said it was his first and last time cruising with MSC. A couple we met in the elevator said they too had food poisoning. The list goes on. To dismiss a horrific experience because you’ve had a good one is like living with your head in the sand. The food is mediocre at best. I grew up in an Italian American area. I know what Mediterranean food SHOULD taste like. If this was served at a local restaurant, it would have been my first and last trip there. Instead, I was trapped. Every where I post my honest review of the Davina, I get trolled by people claiming they are from Italy, the Davina is amazing, and that I am lying. Spare me the accusations. If you don’t want to believe an honest review, move along and let the grown ups talk.

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LWLillie 6 years ago

To say that it was obvious they hate Americans.. And that the government still donates $ and so on and on.. Wow! Im like wow! I am an American that cruised with MSC Divina, twice! I didn't care if ONLY 9% are Americans or not. I'm Cruising to have fun and to enjoy my cruise. They were NOT rude at all! Wonderful staff, in overall. Delicious food. And yes, they spoke English. So sorry you had this bad experience but Mediterranean style cruises like MSC, are not for everyone. I was in Costa cruises twice (Italian) and I was one of the few of the "Americans" and some of the passengers were rude but not bc of that I'm gonna say bc I'm an American; that's why they hate me.🤔 Heck, I enjoyed my cruise to the fullest!!! To each his own is Beautiful!👍😉😆🌞

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bigcrtt03 6 years ago

Also on the Divina 4 times. Everyone's experience is individual. We just came back from a 15-day cruise on the Divina December 16th, we had a wonderful time. The weather was good had a little rain a few days, it was cool one sea day. Had trouble with my bill a few times went down to the service desk and had it correct it. If I had paid for something that I did not get I would demand a refund and I will get it. I work hard for my money as most people do and I don't like giving it away. I had a 30-minute massage on the deck, it was very good highly recommended. Did not go inside the spa did not have makeup done so I cannot comment on that. I enjoy the food it is Mediterranean Fair for the most part. The bonfire can be hectic especially on a sold-out Cruse like the one I was on. So we had most of our meals in the main dining room the black crab. I enjoyed 90% of the meals as did most of the people that was sitting at the table with me. If there's something I don't like as far as food goes again I complain. But there are other choices on the menus so getting something you like to eat it's not that hard. Some people seem to have a dark cloud hanging over them, from the sounds of your review you just might be one of those people.✌⚓🚢

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woodworks32129 6 years ago

MSC, is awesome, they upgrade me from an interior to an ocean view at no cost. Food was good in MDR. Specialty restaurant (we did the sushi) was a great deal and very good. Staff was very friendly we were give 2 bottles of wine for free to enjoy in our cabin (Pays to make friends with the crew). Got great service. They do cater to Europeans more than americans but I felt it adds a new dimension to the cruise. When we went they were still doing everything 5 times each in a differnt language which cut activties down but I think they changed that.

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chong67 6 years ago

I am going to find out on Jan 3 for 12 days.

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coffeequeen 6 years ago

I have been on the Divina 4 time and found nothing you said tobe true. Maye cruising isnt for you

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