MSC is the Greyhound of cruise lines

Item: MSC Divina
Rating: 3.2
Author: alesko21wbl

MSC Divina Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

alesko21wbl

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5

Verified Review

Mediterranean from Civitavecchia

Sail date: April 01, 2018

Ship: MSC Divina

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13142

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Ship and suites were tired. Reminiscent of an older Vegas casino. Staff was dour. Only formal dining room people were pleasant and customer oriented. Long lines at reception desk, phone was nver answered. Tour staff was combative. Most tours were a bad value. Poor tour guides, multiple languages on board diminishing information transmitted and little content. The disembarkation for daily tours was a nightmare. Hundreds of people pushing down one stairwell to be bottlenecked by one cruise card scanner before ship exit. A general and irritable cattlecall. All tours returned generally at the same time so onboard procedure was just as bad. Buffet lines consequently backed up with waits. Inside was a zoo. Europeans have a push, shove and no manners culture (at least this group at these prices). It was like taking a Greyhound bus from coast to coast. If price is all that matters, the cruise is ok. Too bad because it is a good itinerary.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Completely lacking in communication and disjointed.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Choices for drinks and venues were good. Food was mediocre. Pizza and pasta were the most consistent choices. Not all food on the ship is includd in the price. The specialty restaurants had much better food with quiet spaces but you pay lots more for that.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Pools and decks overcrowded and slamm d with kids and youths. Gym has inadequate amount of working equipment and zero supervision.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Professional entertainers. Repetitive underlying themes each night. Quit attending but impressive skills. Short programs.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Dour, combative. Overworked, understaffed. No customer service orientation except for formal dining room and tour desk personnel. In those two areas, the service and personnel were outstanding.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Design is typical of a large cruise ship. Public areas clean and well conditioned. Much better than suites.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

My suite was small. Only the bed to sit on. No chairs or sofa. Stained and worn carpet. Small bathroom. Stained tile in bath, like an old Holiday Inn room and cold feel.