Could have been better and worse
MSC Divina Cruise Review to Caribbean
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 4
Helpful Votes: 133
Caribbean, Cuba and Antilles
Sail date: December 20, 2018
Ship: MSC Divina
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
This was my first MSC cruise and this Divina cruise was selected for their itinerary and cost. The kids cruise on MSC for a lot less than what other cruise lines charge, even as a 3rd and 4th passenger. But if they cruise for less.. where do the make it up?? Food and service. Two most important features on a cruise. After cruising with Celebrity, RCCL, Princess, the food and the service is below the standards set by the other lines.. And the service was slow and the staff seem to be overworked (understaffed) but if you go in knowing what to expect, you will have a good time. Will we cruise again with MSC? probably. We are looking at Mediterranean cruise in the summer... it's paying $6700 on RCCL or $3700 on MSC... You have to choose....Embarkation
It was the only ship in the port on a Thursday and left at 6pm so embarkation wasn't chaotic or crowded
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Honestly, people take cruises for the ports visited and the food. And the food was average at best. First two night, the main dining food was inedible and made us worry about the rest of the 8 nights left on the ship... but the food did get better. Still, nothing to write home about. The desserts were very good every night. The Drinks on US promo was great offer except for the execution. So there are different items included in the promo, depending on if you are at the bar, lounge or the dining room... bar in the pool has different things included than a bar inside the ship. In the end, we can't complain about getting free drinks... just would have been nicer if it wasn't so darn confusing. Even the wait staff were confused on what was included or not.. was charged wrongly twice.
Onboard Activities
The kids had fun and we even tried bingo once and trivia contests.. it was okay. The bowling alley is a joke. No one is there to enforce any rule. so we waited and waited and the people kept playing.. and my kids got tired.. then one night we returned.. one was broken..
Entertainment
The main stage shows were definitely not our taste. I get that MSC is an Italian and eurocentric cruise line but if you are going to cater to North American market with US/Canadian travelers, don't leave them out. Italian night had singing and dancing to Italian music.. another night was rendition of an opera... Yeah... no one from our traveling group went to any shows... Again.. think about who is on board.
Children's Programs
First time our 5 year old daughter wanted to go to any type of Kids club on any cruise lines (She has been on 4 cruises already) She loved the first three nights.. but then she got bored. Still she had a great time.
Service and Staff
Our waitstaff and room steward were fantastic. Gede and Dodik were great. Our steward was never seen but room was always cleaned and had fresh towels. But there were some encounters of rude staff. Ones that come to mind is the Aurea spa desk staff. she was curt and just unpleasant to talk to. Then there was a time I held a door for another staff (in uniform) that was coming out and she said nothing. Just common courtesy would be nice.. maybe she was having a bad day.
Ship Quality
The hallways for the staterooms have turns and bends... I have never encountered that before, can get you turned around very easily. The public areas are not big at all for ship that's only 6 yrs old. lot of compartmentalization of stores and areas... The Swarovski crystal stairs actually are pretty awesome in person. That's really about it.
Cabin / Stateroom
We had an odd problem with our room. At sea days. there is clunk.. bonk.. clunk.. noise coming from the walls. As if the ship tilts due to waves, something would squeak. We ended up sleeping with our noise canceling headsets most of the night. The bed was okay for the missus but not for me. I ended up sleeping on the pull out sofa.. which had the memory foam bedding which worked out better for me.
Ports of call
Don't go to Darkwood beach and bar... both of our families who went there were overcharged. They ask you to sign the receipt Eastern Caribbean Dollar and when you tip them in ECD.. they charge the tip in USD... but Lovely beaches in Antigua so I will definitely come back.
Thumbs Up
1
People were rude and the town was dirty.. seriously.. we were walking around for about 20 minutes, looking at shops and just wanted to get back on the ship.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Trip to the Baths in Virgin Gorda. Beautiful and interesting location with the rock formation. The beach/water was quite rough and going through the caves took FOREVER.. (over an hour) due to so many people. I would come back and stay in Virgin Gorda and return when no cruise ships are in town. :)
Just resort for the day at Divi Little Bay resort. Great location. Fantastic beach, only about 10 minute drive. Food at the resort was good too. Look at your receipt. THey automatically added 15% tip to our bill... I accidentally double tipped them... oh well...
Disembarkation
One of the best disembarkation process ever. we were off the ship in 1 hour.