MSC Divina Review

Good food but boring

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on MSC Divina
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B0308
2-5 Cruises • Age 50s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2016
Cabin: Balcony Stateroom
Traveled with children
Swarovski Staircase in the Atrium
The Pool deck was pretty at night when it wasn't swarmed with sunbather
Balcony on deck 11 in St. Maarten

This cruise was a great deal for a family with two teenagers, and we got two very nice balcony staterooms for a great price for the holiday season.

CONS: The ship had a very diverse crowd, which was quite interesting and nice, but keep in mind many cultures have different ideas of what is polite. As a very diverse crowd promises many languages, there were no comedy shows, because they would have to tell the jokes in 6 languages XD there were a few things to do on sea days like one arts and crafts table for an hour and a half in one of the restaurants, but most passengers swarmed the pool. The ship's layout in my opinion has way too many passenger decks, and not enough places and activities to facilitate this number of people. (over 4,000 people) On embarkation day, the process was decently quick and nothing too complex. When we boarded, like most passengers, we went to the buffet. This was the equivalent of the hunger games. At first, we assumed maybe the buffet was hectic because it was embarkation day, like most ships, but it did stay busy during mealtimes. This is understandable, but the ship description does include the statement "20 hour buffet" but if you go to eat during off hours (late morning, afternoon, before and after dinner times) you will only find pizza and a salad bar with maybe some fries and one type of pasta. The ship did also charge for almost anything they could. With the lack of sea day entertainment, the cruise line did offer some fun things, like a ship tour of the bridge, kitchen, etc. but it was fifty dollars!! Insanity!! We did find ourselves bored on sea days. because we aren't the kind of people that enjoy sitting around and eating for hours-on-end, but the casino sold void decks of cards and I enjoyed drawing on the balcony. The few activities that appealed to me were: Bingo (40 dollars, the machine broke and we all got a refund so at least we didn't lose money) T-Shirt coloring (I really enjoyed this, but I was sad to see people hogging some shirts for other people and the little girls who came with their parents and did not get to make one and cried) And the movies shown on the pool deck.

PROS: Ok so it is rare you find decent food in a dining room, but the food was actually pretty good (portions are small but you can always go find the same pasta in the buffet the next day) The buffet has the best pizza I have ever had on a ship, hands down. The rooms were very nicely decorated, and were very clean upon embarkation. The staff was friendly and happy, but they were not over-the-top enthusiastic, like service I have had on a Norwegian Cruise. The ship itself is very beautiful, the public areas were limited for the massive size of the ship though :/ I can say, that I never had anything horrible or repulsive to eat, merely just bland at the worst case scenario. The entertainment staff who organized activities by the pool or things such as arts and crafts or bingo were very friendly and generally fun people to talk to or be around.

Cabin Review

Balcony Stateroom

Cabin B1

They gave us a handicap room, so it was huge, but it was very clean, well decorated, and the cabin steward was very thorough and friendly.

Port Reviews

St. Maarten

We took a taxi to see the iconic Maho Beach. The beach was crowded and the bar was somewhat pricey but the airplanes landing right over the water is priceless!! I recommend going to Maho Beach for the view then going back to the free beaches near the ship in downtown Phillipsburg. (buckets of beer are available for cheap!)

San Juan

This was the most beautiful port I have been to in the Caribbean. Hands down. 100% recommend going to Fort Cristobal and then walking around San Juan and getting some puerto rican food. Would definitely go again and maybe even cruise from San Juan.

Miami

Embarkation was fine. Nothing horrible, standard. Disembarkation was really unorganized but once we were off the ship it was really quick.

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