We are not first time cruisers but we're not avid cruisers either. Our favorite is Princess. We also enjoyed Celebrity but we travelled concierge so I don't think that's a fair comparison.
This was our first time on MSC. We have many friends who have sailed on the Divina. Their opinions have been mixed. Some loved it, some hated it. We thought the itinerary was appealing and thought we'd see for ourselves.
I'll start with my major complaint. We booked this cruise because of the itinerary - 3 days in Bermuda, 2 overnight. I don't know when the itinerary changed but we found out that it had changed to 2 days, 1 overnight the day before embarkation only from reading the Roll Call on Cruise Critic! Imagine my surprise. We were getting an extra sea day and a $25 credit. Whoopee! There was not one person we met on board who was happy with this.
Bring your earplugs for this cabin! It is right under the buffet. You'll be treated to the sound of chairs scraping on the floor above from 6 am till 2 am!
Small, small room. No couch, not even a chair. The only thing to sit on is a square hassock.
Enormous 6' x 6' mirror at foot of the bed. Tiny TV in corner.
Lumpiest pillows imaginable.
We toured Bermuda independently. It's a very beautiful island. Wish we had spent the extra day we were promised. We plan to return but not with MSC. Loved St George and the beautiful pink sand beaches.