MSC Divina: A Disappointing Experience

MSC Divina Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 43

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5
Verified Review
MSC Divina

11 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 26, 2023

Ship: MSC Divina

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10196

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

The MSC Divina's shortcomings, from its outdated design to its subpar food and service, left me with a disappointing overall impression. While the ship may appeal to those seeking a budget-friendly cruise option, I would strongly advise discerning travelers to consider alternative options for a more enjoyable and memorable vacation experience.

Embarkation

2 out of 5
Expect long lines and a precarious embarkation process

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
The quality of food served onboard the MSC Divina was consistently below expectations. The buffet options were often bland and repetitive, while the main dining room meals lacked variety, size and finesse.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
Fitness center is really good (probably the only good thing on the boat)

Entertainment

2 out of 5
The stage shows were decent, musicians and DJs were merely a so-so.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5
The staff-to-guest ratio on the MSC Divina seemed inadequate, leading to long lines for drinks and extended wait times for service in both the restaurants and bars. This staffing shortage also manifested in the form of housekeeping delays and a general sense of disorganization.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5
The MSC Divina's layout is a labyrinth of decks, with a confusing arrangement that often requires passengers to ascend and descend multiple floors to reach destinations that should be within easy walking distance. This constant up-and-down movement not only wasted time but also proved to be particularly challenging for older guests or those with mobility issues. The ship's interior design feels claustrophobic and lacking in natural light. The extensive use of dark colors and the absence of large windows create a gloomy atmosphere that does little to elevate the overall ambiance. The ship's vibrations were noticeable throughout the voyage, a testament to its age and lack of proper maintenance. These vibrations were particularly pronounced during rough seas, causing discomfort and disrupting sleep for many passengers.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Casablanca, Morocco

1 out of 5

Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands

3 out of 5

Funchal, Madeira

5 out of 5

Malaga, Spain

5 out of 5

Marseille (Provence), France

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5
A 1.5Hr line around the cruise to disembark, a lost luggage that appeared an hour later without any reason.

Traveler Photos

 The cleanliness on the ship was unsatisfactory. The windows were in poor condition, with the interiors coated in a layer of grease and the exteriors covered in salty, sticky residue. I narrowly avoided being hit by a falling roof on the main pathway of floor 7, just beside the reception area.
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8 Comments

oldman327     11 months ago

I've been on many cruise ships in the past 35 years. I can only talk about cruise lines I've experienced. Carnival, Disney, Royal, Norwegian, and MSC. They all have something wrong. Typical of all cruise lines to have something wrong. I tried MCS for the first time in march 2022. Next month I'll be sailing on the Divina. This would mark my 4th MSC cruise. I am looking forward to it and will come back to this review and let you all know my experience. Normally, I don't judge by others' experience, but by my own personal experience. Not to say I disagree with you, but everyone has expectations.

WhippetMum    1 year ago

The Divina was a disappointing cruise for me too. Hope your next cruise is much better.

dataseeley    1 year ago

I thought the ship layout was good and the fact that it wasn't a "smart ship" is a plus. Sorry you didn't get a good experience.

javawoody    1 year ago

Thanks for your comments

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Oops sorry 😞 thanks

cruising2004    1 year ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

PaulzyJC    1 year ago

They didn't share what happened with the falling roof panel. What happened, and how was it resolved?

sopha    1 year ago

Several things you mentioned are consistent with several cruiselines. Not MSC exclusive.