MSC Divina Cruise Review
Taking a cruise during the COVID-19 pandemic seemed a little far out of reach knowing that my family would prefer to have our own space, especially with the virus still spreading amongst people.
However, I found myself wanting to stretch out of my comfort zone and take a trip that was out of the ordinary since I managed to travel to Las Vegas earlier in the year.
Since this was our first cruise as a family, it was exciting and daunting knowing that we’d have to find a way to take COVID tests before embarking on our journey.
Since they don’t require COVID tests anymore, I won’t go into much detail about it but let’s just say there was a lot of paperwork and hoops to jump through with our long drive from Virginia to Port Canaveral, Florida.
MSC Divina is part of the Italian-based MSC cruise line that has recently added locations other than Europe. I couldn’t deny that the price of the cruise to the Bahamas was more affordable than a plane ticket.
What MSC Cruiselines Provide for Guests
Just like any other cruise ship, MSC offers dining, entertainment, inclusive packages, cabins, and recreational activities. MSC seems to always add another cruise ship for passengers to explore many different places around the world.
Depending on the departure port and how many days you’re planning to be on board, prices and locations can vary.
My Experience on the MSC Divina
After dropping off our luggage and passing through the initial nervousness when it came to vaccine cards and tests, we were ready to board the stunning MSC Divina at Port Canaveral.
Exploring the Ship
If you have never been on a cruise ship, it can be overwhelming with several floors and finding your room. As we explored the MSC Divina, there were plenty of extravagant restaurants and sitting areas for entertainment.
As travelers on a budget, the luxurious restaurants seemed out of reach knowing that we never booked any special food or drink package. (Which I highly recommend to fully experience what MSC has to offer.)
Additionally, there was a limited supply of snacks served to guests, so it’s better to pack your own snack supply, especially if you’re staying on the ship for a week or more.
Once we followed big doors out to the decks of the ship, I was completely blown away by the view and the pool area with a water slide for kids and adults. There was even an adult-only area with a few games and lounge chairs.
Dining Experience
From specialty restaurants to an extensive buffet, MSC cruises ensure all guests receive their fair share of meals while they’re on the boat.
While the main dining room is open to all guests onboard, there are meal packages for fine dining that guests can specifically purchase when booking their cruise.
For MSC cruises, guests can choose from a variety of cuisine with stunning views of the ocean.
Since my family likes to travel on a budget, we decided to book our cruise without the special dining packages.
Even though sailing with MSC cruises can be done without special dining packages, I still think it’s worth looking into, especially if you’re wanting to experience fine dining and flavorful cuisine.
Eating at the Main Dining Room on MSC Divina
The extensive buffet onboard the MSC Divina provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a plethora of food options. Most of the people on board are likely to eat at the main buffet at least once as it’s free of charge and doesn’t require extra cost and planning.
However, the downside to eating at the main buffet is the crowds and having to sometimes wait in line. When receiving your information about the times and events taking place on the ship, keep track of the times that the meals start for the buffet, so you can go a little earlier and avoid the crowds.
Rooms Aboard the Ship
Couples and families can choose between a cabin or a suite while cruising with MSC Divina. Some of the rooms may have an ocean view with a balcony while others have a partial view. There are even special rooms reserved just for MSC Yacht Club members.
While booking our room onboard the ship, we had a hard time determining if we wanted to spend the extra money to upgrade to a room with an ocean view, and I’m so glad we did otherwise our experience wouldn’t have been as magical.
The room we upgraded to was the Grand Suite Aurea with one king-size bed and a pull-out couch.
Keep in mind that the bathrooms and the showers are pretty tidy with very little room to move around.
Cleaning Service
One aspect of my cruise experience that I found phenomenal was the kind and helpful staff, especially the cleaning staff that made a continuous effort to clean every room assigned to them during COVID.
The lady in charge of our room always made the effort to greet us whenever we would leave our room to grab breakfast or watch a live show. At the end of the day, the staff working onboard the ship is one of the most important and memorable parts of my cruise experience.
Internet and Television
One of the most disappointing parts about our time on the MSC Divina was the issues with the internet despite having to pay extra on top of the main cost of the cruise.
I decided to unplug for the whole time I was on the ship but the rest of my family paid for the main Internet package that allows web browsing, messenger apps, sending images, and unlimited data. However, the Internet seemed to kick them off multiple times despite the package saying 24-hour access.
I am praying that they have fixed the issue since our trip back in July, but whichever package you decide to purchase, make sure it fulfills all your needs. (The price of the package doesn’t appear until booking your trip.)
Watching television is bound to be a little iffy, especially when you’re sailing in the middle of the ocean. We noticed that the television only works when it’s near ports and is limited to certain channels.
So, don’t expect to always have a good connection when aboard the ship, instead try out their daily events and activities on the information packet given to you when boarding.
Interior Design of the Ship
One aspect of the MSC Divina that greatly caught our attention was the Swarvoski crystal staircase. I almost felt like I was in Las Vegas again with the grand staircase and the piano playing in the background.
While the staircase was a highlight of the interior design of the ship, there were a few other noteworthy designs with a shopping and dining area replicating Italy.
On the ship, you won’t find a shortage of lounges offering modern yet luxurious comfort.
Alongside a beautiful jazz room and casino, the auditorium offers luxurious comfort while watching magic shows and other performances.
Exterior Design
Since our sailing destination was the Bahamas, we didn’t have a lot of time at sea to take advantage of the deck activities. However, MSC Divina offers plenty of fun water activities for kids and adults.
Although it was a little difficult navigating where the main amenities were located at first, we managed to get the hang of it while exploring. The ship is spacious, leaving plenty of room for lounging and swimming while marveling at the breathtaking sunset.
Shopping
One of the things that we love to do while traveling is looking inside different shops. I was genuinely curious about what products the shops on the ship were selling as they could be the MSC brand or just random products.
However, most of the products ended up being snacks and travel essentials. The downside to the snack shops was the select times as I feel like they should be open almost 24 hours.
Private Island in the Bahamas
Since MSC Divina is fairly new to sailing outside of Europe, it was exciting to see what the private island was like in real life.
Although I felt like our experience sailing in Nassau was overwhelming, the private island of Ocean Cay seemed to be more our speed with a laid-back atmosphere. The best part was ordering two Bahama Mamas without having to pay extra.
Ocean Cay offers everyone an extensive buffet-style meal, shops, and water sports like jet skiing for water enthusiasts.
The island might be artificial compared to others in the Bahamas, but they are working diligently to create a tropical paradise for all visitors by planting lush plants for animals to thrive.
Review of MSC Divina
I can’t say this for all MSC cruise ships, but the MSC Divina made sure all guests had something to do aboard the ship. While the Internet and television didn’t work to cover the costs of the packages, it was a fairly enjoyable experience sailing with them.
There are a few things I would critique in terms of dining packages and rooms, but it was pretty decent for my first ever cruise.
MSC Divina Cruise Review: 3.5/5
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