MSC Divina Review

A Big City experience with no suburbs!

Review for the Mediterranean Cruise on MSC Divina
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brianinfrance
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Apr 2019

A Med cruise seemed attractive, as seemed the price. The experience was of living in a big city. Very slow embarkation, a process repeated at every port, i.e. every day with airport-style security on leaving and returning. Despite the excellent staff, mealtimes were often a stressful time. We could never be certain that a table would be available in the only restaurant open to us but we knew for a fact that the self-service buffet would be crowded, no seats, no tables, sometimes not much choice. There was always a feeling of imminent chaos as the restaurants were not able to plan for numbers ashore, new passengers and those remaining on board. Restaurant table meals were beautifully presented and served in pleasant surroundings. The menus looked exciting but the meals turned out rather bland.

Our drinks package was adequate but disappointing. Our deal gave us up to 6 Euros for drinks but anything slightly more interesting was at least 6.50, so the package was largely worthless. The Californian Cab-Sauv red was actually pretty good, however, and there was a range of budget cocktails but anything other than lager was off package. Entertainment was done by accomplished artistes but each show looked & sounded a bit like the previous one.

The cabin was fine, the housekeeper was discreet and skilful, nice linen and towels, fairly quiet. A balcony is only any good if you are in the sun, which was not often, we found, but that's the itinerary, not the ship's fault.

Cabin Review

Cabin balcony bella

Big enough for 2. Big comfortable bed, nice bed-linen, compact shower/WC, Spotless throughout.

Port Reviews

Genoa

Opposite the port gates there is a 12 euro bus tour. You will see all the interesting stuff in Genoa for a fraction of MSC's trips. A lively, majestic city, once fabulously wealthy. Still has a lot of class. Also a Macdonalds on the road along the waterfront for free WI Fi unless you like being royally screwed by MSC internet rates.

Rome (Civitavecchia)

Poor research on my part. My map was very poor. We had decided not to take the train to Rome or the MSC excursion. We wandered around looking in vain for the reputedly lovely old town. Followed signs but still failed to find it.

Palermo (Sicily)

Another miniature train around the town. A good visit, could not have walked around or seen as much .

Sardinia

We were misled into taking a 18 euro bus tour instead of the free shuttle. It worked out OK. Plenty of bars for free wifi, good coffee , nice cakes

Palma de Mallorca (Majorca)

A long shore day but having been often to Palma we stayed on board and enjoyed some sunshine as the ship became less crowded.

Valencia

A lovely and business-like city. Local government supplied free shuttle to bus terminus so we got the number 4 service bus straight to the cathedral for 1 euro 50. We enjoyed Valencia an will return by road

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