MSC Divina Review

Coeliacs or Vegetarians beware - MSC Divina cannot accomodate you

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Divina
User Avatar
suewilly
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Feb 2014

This Caribbean cruise was a special treat for our 30th wedding anniversary and I specifically booked with MSC as they advertise in the Coeliac UK magazine saying that they cater for gluten free guests. As I am both gluten free and vegetarian I emailed the company in advance to check that they could cope with my dietary requirements and they confirmed it would not be a problem.

On board ship I spent a week explaining to the waiters, maître d'hôtel , head of catering (and anyone else who would listen) that I was vegetarian by choice and gluten free by necessity. None of the choices on the gluten free menu were suitable and although the maitre d (Juliana) was lovely and tried really hard to help, I spent the whole week eating a small supply of energy bars I had taken on board.

All attempts to negotiate meals that I could eat were rejected by the chef. For example I suggested that I could have a zuccini dish if they left off the breadcrumbs or a pasta dish if they left off the meat sauce. Each time I was told that they couldn't accommodate me because the food was already prepared. This is rather worrying as it suggests that the dishes served on board the MSC Divina are effectively 'ready meals' which cannot be altered.

Cabin Review

The cabin was lovely although when we did the lifeboat drill we were surprised to find that there was only one life jacket in the cabin. The second life jacket eventually turned up - hidden under the bed! So if you can't find your life jacket in the proper place for them, don't panic. Lie prostrate on the floor and reach as far under the bed as you can. :-)The cabin was clean and tidy and the staff who cleaned the rooms were lovely, very pleasant.We spent our 30th anniversary on board and had some anniversary cards on a shelf. When we came back to the room in the evening the cabin staff had decorated the bed with towels shaped into swans and scattered little hearts on the bed. This was a lovely touch.

3 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find an MSC Divina Cruise from $151

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.