Be aware of the hidden fees!

MSC Divina Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

mariavendanog

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 34

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

Verified Review

3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 21, 2022

Ship: MSC Divina

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9049

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

We had a great experience overall. However I feel it is necessary to inform people that there are a lot of extra fees and payments on board that were not (in most cases) informed beforehand. We had a reservation with a balcony room that included a $100 voucher to spend on the ship. Well, on the first day we had the first surprise: Covid Test. Nowhere in the reservation said a test was needed, I even called the night before and I was informed that I will only need proof of vaccination. Once we passed security we were asked for a COVID test that of course we didn't have. At this point your only option is to pay for their Test which is ridiculously over priced: $90 per person for a rapid test. And if you have a kid unvaccinated they will make you pay almos $200 for a PCR. Since our group wasn't the only ones that were not aware of this, I have a feeling they do this on purpose so people will spend that money with them. Secondly, even when your reservation included the basic food on board no drinks whatsoever are included, this means that if you want a glass of water you will pay for it separately even when your lunch is covered. They offered many drinks packages so even if you do not feel like drinking alcohol you will have to at least purchase the basic drink package if you don't want to be thirsty during your trip. Keep in mind that they will say that the basic package is $45 but that is per person, per day so do your math... My mother in law registered her card since she offer to pay for an excursion we wanted to take. They kept charging her card every time for things that we couldn't figure out until we closed the account the final night of the trip. For example, there is a mandatory $49 tip per person that, of course, no one told us about before. To conclude, we had a great experience but before traveling with this company, please be aware that whatever good price you are getting here for this reservation, it won't be enough for your trip. If you are smart enough to get a Covid test before boarding, at least you will have to pay on board for the mandatory tip and a drinking package. Also the Wifi is not included and if you want any reception you pay a package per day. I payed almost $200 for it and it din't work at all, sometimes I couldn't even send an email. At the end of the day we ended up with a $1,200 bill! So keep this in mind.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Even though I called the night before to check what is needed to embark, we were never informed that a Covid Test was requiered, they only said proof of vaccination. However, when we were about to embark they we needed one and at that point we had to pay $90 each for a covid test that could have be less than $30 in Walgreens

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

13 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

kijay13 2 years ago

I don't understand this level of unpreparedness. Everything you have complained about not being told was clearly listed on the website for you to review. You do not have to buy an alcohol package, as they do offer a non-alcohol package that has a wide range of products. We are getting that when we sail. We also prepay the gratuities (which MSC calls a service charge). Grats are charged by every cruise line I have ever sailed or looked into. Recommend you do your research before your next vacation as all of the disappointment you blame MSC for could have been prevented by doing your due diligence. Not fair to blame MSC for you not being prepared.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Tina0973 2 years ago

Sea notes; what is hotel surcharge?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

GSpringer 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

SeaNotes 2 years ago

All fully COVID-19 vaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken no more than 2 days prior to ship embarkation. Guests must bring the valid negative test certificate with them to the terminal. MSC Cruises may provide additional testing, if necessary, at the terminal during embarkation or on board to protect our guests and crew. For your convenience, MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Hotel Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

SRAlbritton 2 years ago

Sorry you were not aware of the charges. Very important to read the contract. Glad that overall you had a good time.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

AuntPinkie 2 years ago

Appreciate your feedback.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

GabeNSteph 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Dadm 2 years ago

I am always amazed that some people think that after they put down a deposit on a cruise, they feel that is all that is required of them. Other than the constant money issues, you seemed to have enjoyed everything else.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

javawoody 2 years ago

Are you a first time cruiser? Information is on website

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

AFE8Ret 2 years ago

It amazes me how many people go cruising but are totally unprepared, when information is readily available!

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

CruzeFan 2 years ago

Thanks for the review. All of the charges that “no one told you about” are listed on the website and in the documents you must agree to when booking. It’s always important to read and understand what it is and is not included in the basic cruise fare. Unless you ordered bottled water, water, tea, coffee, and juice at breakfast are free. The daily gratuity charges are standard on all cruise lines.

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

WONDERFUL LAST MINUTE GETAWAY - BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Exceeded ALL of our expectations

Great weekend value