MSC Divina Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,913 reviews

Disappointed Overall with our MSC Cruise Experience

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Divina
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Aussiecruises
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Mar 2015

My wife and I did a back to back Western/Eastern Caribbean cruise on the MSC Divina from March 14 to March 28, 2015. On the Western Caribbean cruise (March 14-21) we shared the ship with 2,000 vegans who, as a result of their large numbers, basically took over the ship en masse resulting in MSC changing our early dining without our consultation from 6pm to the 8.45pm time slot to appease the vegan cruises. We eventually managed to get the time changed back to 6pm but it took some effort in doing so. A positive was the check-in for the cruise which went extremely well and took little time to get through. At the time of our cruise reservation we requested a balcony stateroom. The stateroom was quite small overall compared to other cruise ships we had experienced. The bedding provided in the stateroom was extremely uncomfortable and it would behove MSC to undertake an urgent review of their staterooms in regard to the overall level of comfort on the MSC Divina and to improve it significantly.The bed was extremely uncomfortable as were the pillows that were provided in our stateroom. We thought about requesting a pillow change but soon discovered all the pillows seemed to be the same regardless. We have cruised extensively over the years with many cruise lines and have never experienced such a poor level of comfort previously. We had to ask our room steward to change the mattress cover as it was covered in pilling which was apparent even with a bottom sheet on top of the mattress cover. The other big disappointment for us was the dining experience and the entertainment or lack of it would be more accurate. We have always enjoyed the "fine dining" experience that comes with cruises but I would caution anyone thinking of cruising with MSC as the fine dining was a major disappointment with the quality of food and how it was cooked. So much so, we found ourselves dining in the buffet for a number of our meals which we have never done on any of our previous cruises. The buffet also fell short in that regard but at least if you did not like a particular dish you could find something a little more appealing as the buffet was extensive. We decided not to attend any of the speciality restaurants on the ship as we were unsure whether the quality of the food would be an improvement. MSC management really need to overhaul and greatly improve the fine dining experience also as it comes up very short of the other cruise lines in that regard. The third disappointment with our cruise was the lack of entertainment it offered. We would usually attend quite a number of the shows on previous cruises but did not attend one show during the 14 days we were on the ship such was the disappointing and unappealing nature of the one show per night offered. The positives for the MSC Divina were the public areas on decks 5 to 7 which were nothing short of spectacular. The Swarovski crystal covered glass staircase was spectacular and my wife and I took numerous photos we were so impressed with it. I thought the decor of the ship overall in the public areas was stunning and I would have to say probably the best of all the ships I have cruised on in that regard.

The ports we visited on both cruises were wonderful although due to rough weather our port stop at Falmouth Jamaica (March 16) on the Western Caribbean cruise was changed at the last minute to Ochos Rios in Jamaica which we had already visited on a previous cruise. Sadly it has very little to offer in my opinion and its main claim to fame according to the locals is that it is the birth place of Bob Marley but I believe Kingston Jamaica also claims that title. We were looking forward to visiting Falmouth as we had organised a guide to take us to nearby Montego Bay and to tour the sights of Falmouth for the entire day so we were disappointed with the late change to the itinerary which we discovered when we embarked on the ship. However, Georgetown in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico made up for that disappointment on the Western Caribbean cruise as did Philipsburg- St Maarten, San Juan - Puerto Rico and Grand Turk - Turk and Caicos Islands on the Eastern cruise. The only port that my wife and I did not think worthwhile other than Ochos Rios was Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and many of our fellow cruises agreed. Perhaps MSC should look at that particular port for a possible change as in my opinion it did not warrant leaving the ship to see it. Overall I would rate MSC poorly in comparison to the other cruise lines my wife and I have been fortunate enough to cruise with extensively but that is part and parcel of the cruise experience and the joy one gets from travelling. Having said that, I would not undertake a cruise with MSC again as I think there are better cruise companies out there which do it better and are seen to go the extra mile for their guests. MSC may learn that in time.

Cabin Review

Cabin 11

I have already mentioned my disappointment with the cabin (see review above) in regard to the overall comfort or lack of it in our particular case. MSC should review urgently the poor standard of comfort they afford to their guests with the pillows provided and the lack of comfort with their beds. They are woeful and I ended our 14 day cruise with major back issues as a result. Overall the comfort level of our cabin was terrible and I have rated it accordingly.

Port Reviews

Miami

We spent the day prior to the cruise wandering around South Beach which is an interesting place. There are quite a lot of restaurants and souvenir stores throughout the area to visit.

Great Stirrup Cay

Very forgettable place unfortunately. MSC stop at this port as part of its Western Caribbean cruise experience but personally given my time over I would not have bothered to disembark at this port stop.

Ocho Rios

It's main claim to fame is that the locals claim it's the birth place of Bob Marley. However, it seems Kingston Jamaica also claims it's the birth place of the great singer. There is not a lot to do in Ocho Rios and I didn't particularly enjoy the place overall.

Grand Cayman (Georgetown)

Georgetown in Grand Cayman has a beautiful beach called "7 mile beach" and it is definitely worth a visit. The place is beautiful with turquoise waters and white sand and has to be seen to be believed. I would certainly like to see it again on another cruise in the future.

Cozumel

My wife and I celebrated my birthday at Mr Sanchos Resort in Cozumel and did some shopping for Mexican souvenirs. Cozumel is a very interesting place and we thoroughly enjoyed the sights the town has to offer.

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