MSC Divina Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This was only my second cruise, and my first cruise was to Alaska, so in some aspects I lack a point of reference - for example, it's hard to compare Caribbean to Alaskan excursions. However, I will describe and compare as thoroughly as possible. I will follow the CruiseCritic "formula" for reviewing this cruise.
Embarkation:
The port of Miami is pretty big. I can only compare this to Tampa (where I live) and Vancouver from where my Alaskan cruise left. I researched parking options ahead and decided to go with the more expensive option of parking right by the cruise ship terminal. Friends of mine used an independent offsite parking lot and had a good experience. They paid about 50% less than the 140 dollars you pay for the one week at the port.
Cabin Review
Balcony Stateroom
I stayed in cabin 12093. It is one of those cabins that has a oversized but slanted balcony. I loved it!!! I loved our cabin and our balcony!
There were no descriptive reviews for this cabin online, and when I chose this cabin I was a little worried about the somewhat obstructed view and that the cabin would be too dark. Nope. It's fine. Sure the view from inside the cabin is a little obstructed but you can still see the water and what's more important to me, you can HEAR the water.
I tried to persuade my steward to get me a lounge chair because this cabin calls for one but it wasn't possible. Nevertheless, I spent quite a bit of time on that balcony, reading, drinking coffee or cocktails. Most of the time, the balcony is shaded so to me that was a huge plus.
The cabin itself was standard, which, as cruise ships go, was large. There was a couch (some people wondered).
The bathroom is normal, and the shower door can be pushed into the shower, so you'll have a little more room. As usual, there is a cloth line. There are shampoo and shower gel (?) - not sure, I didn't use them. But they were there.
There is plenty of storage. 6 drawers in the closet, I believe; maybe 12 hangers. A safe, of course.
The mini bar doesn't have anything special in it. I want to point out that they have two large bottles of water (1L). The uncarbonated water is less than 4 dollars, so I drank a couple of those over the course of the week. A coke was 2.50 I think.
There is a small flat-panel TV. You have the option to view your bill, book excursions, watch PPV videos, watch TV (TNT, some news channels, some Spanish channels, and others... I didn't spend a lot of time watching TV). Channel 6 is the ship channel where they give you general information about upcoming shows or procedures and such. The cruise director has a morning show from 6 to 12.
The hair drier is installed in a desk drawer, if you're wondering.
There are two American and two European outlets at the desk.
Port Reviews
Cozumel
Went with the all inclusive package at Mr. Sancho's (US$ 55 per person).
Worth every penny!!!!!!
Taxi to the resort was US$30-35 total for 6 persons each way.
The bouncy floats were US$12 per person and the perfect activity for the kids while the adults stayed on the beach and relaxed.
The beach is beautiful, the service excellent, the food and drink superb.
Nassau
Printed out a walking guide from Frommer's at home and went on a self-guided sight-seeing tour that took about 2 hours. Went to Senor Frogs to appease my teenage son ;-) then to the straw market, which was fun.
Enjoyed the day.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Took a taxi (US5 per person and way) to 7-mile beach, spent the day at the beach and returned to the ship. Chair rental under a tree on the beach also US$ pp.