MSC Divina

[June Ingram]

Hi All -

I may have an opportunity to accompany a musical organization as a guest on a cruise on MSC Divina.

Does anyone have any experience with MSC Divina or with MSC Cruises ?

Thanks,

June   

[cunardqueen]

I did a 7 day fly cruise in 2005 with the Melody, a unique ship and nothing at all like the modern MSC  fleet.
For what its worth l really enjoyed the experience. The passengers were very multinational. The meals were served at a very quick pace, but its a company l would certainly consider sailing again with.
Do let us know how you get on and if you do eventually manage to get up the gangway.

[Adam Hodson]

Perhaps you could tell us more about your cruise on the Melody Myles? Why not create a topic?

[cunardqueen]

Well it started off "collect tokens from The Daily Express  newspaper for a cruise for £10" and a year later a 4am checkin at London Heathrow bound for Milan to board MSC Melody for a 7 day cruise. All we paid was £10 ! the flight alone was £175 it said so on the ticket, we were upgraded onboard from an inside to an outside grade cabin

What the organisers hadnt expected was the hoards of single travellers who wanted just that a cruise for £10.
They were offering partner tickets for £499, cabin upgrades and everything else for a fee, All we were after was the cruise for £10 and after a few false starts, the threat of sueing them it worked !
Originally it was to be with Louis Cruise lines.
What was ironic was the Melody was in the Port of Naples the year before when l was on QE2 on a cruise... Fate !

[Peter Mugridge]

Well it started off "collect tokens from The Daily Express  newspaper for a cruise for £10" and a year later a 4am checkin at London Heathrow bound for Milan to board MSC Melody for a 7 day cruise. All we paid was £10 ! the flight alone was £175 it said so on the ticket, we were upgraded onboard from an inside to an outside grade cabin

What the organisers hadnt expected was the hoards of single travellers who wanted just that a cruise for £10.
They were offering partner tickets for £499, cabin upgrades and everything else for a fee, All we were after was the cruise for £10 and after a few false starts, the threat of sueing them it worked !

That reminds me of the Hoover free flights instance...

[June Ingram]

Hi Myles - Thank you very much for your reply and input regarding MSC Melody.  Other musicians have been on MSC Divina and have liked it, so I am hopeful to be able to work out the arrangements and be able to go on the cruise.  Thank you very much for telling us how your cruise came about.  June 

[Adam Hodson]

Well, can't complain for a £10 cruise can you? 

[June Ingram]

News update.  I will indeed be going on MSC Divina for a cruise the last week of January.  I do wish it were QM2 or QV, but I do not want to pass up the opportunity.

I need all the suggestions and pointers I can get and they will be much appreciated. 

June 

[QE2forever]

I may have an opportunity to accompany a musical organization as a guest on a cruise on MSC Divina.

Does anyone have any experience with MSC Divina or with MSC Cruises ?

Thanks,

June   

Hi June, last February I made a short cruise on MSC Splendida, one of MSC Divina's sister-ships.

I found the ship impressive, very comfortable and very clean. The crew was friendly, and IMHO food was a good surprise. There was a reasonable amount of space for everyone on decks despite the large number of passengers, especially on the outside staircase overlooking the stern, a very quiet place away from the crowd.

On the negative side there are very few sea views from public rooms, compared to the ships's size. It looks like designers wanted the passengers to avoid looking at the sea! There are nice bars and lounges, but most of them are blind.

Other gripes were no hot plates at the buffet, just a plastic tray that also serves as a plate, which means you can't eat a really warm meal. Also, in the evening almost all bars are filled with very loud music (& people!) - don't expect anything close to a Cunard experience here!

I wanted to experience one of these mega cruise ships once and I think MSC Splendida is perfectly designed for the clientele she's aiming to. But to the question «would I cruise MSC again in the future?» I would say «no».

Hope it helps. Wishing you a great cruise,

Marc

[June Ingram]

Hi Marc -

Thanks again for your reply, good wishes, and description of your cruise experience.  I appreciate it and it does give me some things to watch for and to check out.  I am hoping for a Cunard experience sooner rather than later !

June   

[Adam Hodson]

News update.  I will indeed be going on MSC Divina for a cruise the last week of January.

June 

I hope you have a good time, June.

[June Ingram]

Thanks, Adam, for your good wishes !

[June Ingram]

If formal dress is suggested, does it mean evening gown or cocktail dress ?

If casual dress is suggested, is it cocktail dress, garden party dress, or skirt and blouse casual ?

Thanks,

June

[June Ingram]

Well, it is almost here.  I fly to Miami, Florida, tomorrow, and then will be on MSC Divina from January 24-January 31.  I will take lots of pictures and post when I return.  I do know a lot of my time will be spent "pretending" I am on our beloved QE2 !!   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Wonderful, June! I am quite excited for you and hope you have a wonderful time. Even just getting the sea breeze in your hair and watching the pilots and tugs will be great .

I hope you got a reply to the dress questions above, which somehow I only noticed now -- apologies!

Enjoy the Italian language, cuisine, wine and atmosphere... I am sure you will love it!