MSC Divina Review & Video Tour

The MSC Divina is one of MSC’s newest ships, debuting in 2012. The MSC Divina is a member of the line’s Fantasia Class ships and has been specially tailored towards the North American market as she begins her year round season in the Caribbean. As one of the larger ship’s in the industry, she has a great variety of dining options, activities, amenities, and entertainment options for her guests.

I recently had the chance to sail onboard the MSC Divina on a special three night preview sailing. The MSC Divina is truly a great ship, perfect for any cruiser looking for a classy, pampering, rejuvenating cruise experience. Here are my thoughts and impressions of MSC’s “diva.”

Dining Options

MSC Cruises is a cruise line that prides itself on their dining experience. From the food’s quality and preparation, which I will touch on later, but to her service as well, dining is an important experience for MSC.

The MSC Divina offers guests a wide variety of dining options, one of the widest arrays I’ve seen in awhile. The ship’s main restaurants, Black Crab and Villa Rosa, serve traditional Italian inspired dishes along with your usual cruise favorites such as lobster and shrimp cocktails. For a casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner, guests can find buffet style offerings in the Calumet and Manitou Buffets on Deck 14. The buffet is smartly laid out in an island style, greatly increasing the flow throughout the restaurant. As you enter the buffet, the initial offerings may seem sparse, but there are additional food stations (and plenty of seating) as you move aft towards the aft glass wall overlooking the ship’s wake.

While many guests will be satisfied with the complimentary dining options in the main restaurants, guests can also choose to experience MSC’s premium dining experiences for a small charge. The MSC Divina offers guests premium dining experiences at the La Cantina Di Bacco, a mixed bar and fresh pizza restaurant; Galaxy Restaurant, where guests can dine overlooking the Lido deck and the ocean beyond; Eataly Steakhouse, one of only two Eataly locations at sea; and the Eataly Ristorante, offering guests an intimate dining experience in an elegant atmosphere.

Guests sailing onboard the MSC Divina in the exclusive Yacht Club enjoy a designated, private restaurant, Le Muse. This exclusive restaurant offers some of the finest dishes onboard the MSC Divina. Le Muse is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is included in the fare of MSC Yacht Club guests.

The MSC Divina also offers a variety of mini restaurants and ala carte dishes throughout her many public rooms. Guests can enjoy American style finger foods, such as burgers and wings at the Sports Bar. Guests can also pick up some cool, refreshing gelato either in the Piazza del Loge or poolside on Deck 14.

Editor’s Tip: When sailing aboard the MSC Divina, make an effort to dine in at least one specialty restaurants. The premium experience of a specialty restaurant, especially of the restaurants onboard MSC Divina should not be missed.

Dining Quality

MSC Cruises is a cruise line that prides itself on their Mediterranean roots and cuisine is a major part of that lifestyle. Each morning, the ship’s galley prepares and bakes their own bread and pastries from scratch. Throughout the day, freshly made pizza is served around the ship alongside a freshly made pasta of the day. Basically, any grain based product found onboard was made from scratch that morning. Not only is this practice healthy for guests, but it truly raises the bar for cruise ship dining. Whether you are dining in one of the main restaurants, a specialty restaurant, or even the buffet, dishes are prepared with a focus on quality and not quantity. Each dish served onboard is carefully crafted to preserve the Mediterranean style MSC has come to be known by.

Entertainment & Activities

As one of MSC’s newer ships, the MSC Divina is packed with a variety of activities and entertainment options for guests of all ages.

The MSC Divina does not fall short when it comes to day time activities for all ages. During the day, guests can day dream in one of the thousands of comfortable lounge chairs sprawled out around the open decks. For those looking for a more refreshing activity, guests can enjoy one of the Divina’s three large pools, one with a retractable roof, another located mid ship in the open, and an infinity pool located at the stern. Guests will also enjoy the Divina’s water slide and outdoor sports court. One of my personal favorite activities onboard was the 4D Cinema, located in the Video Arcade. Here, guests can strap into a fully animated chair and ride one of many virtual coasters. This 4D Cinema is personally the best I’ve experienced at sea and was well worth the small charge. Next door to the 4D Cinema a truly European touch, a F1 simulator. It is no doubt that guests of all ages will be flocking to this virtual corner of the ship.

Guests can catch a variety of high energy, well produced stage shows or comedy acts in the ship’s main theater, The Pantheon. Guests can also find live music and bands in one of the ship’s many lounges scattered across decks 6 and 7.

For guests who want to continue the party into the night, the MSC Divina has a number of late night activities and venues. Guests can sing along with the dueling pianos in the Golden Jazz Bar, dance to the latest hits in Galaxy, enjoy a chilled drink at the Martini Bar, the Silver Lounge, or the Garden Bar. Guests can also try their luck in the ship’s casino, Casino Veneziano. Across from the casino, guests can enjoy live music and gelato in the Piazza del Doge. Additionally, catch a film poolside at the MSC Cinema’s outdoor big screen. With such a variety of nightlife options, guests can enjoy the night “a vostro comodo!”

Staterooms

MSC’s touch of elegance and modern design is not set aside in her smartly appointed staterooms. Staterooms onboard are laid out with a private bathroom at the entrance of the stateroom, a sleeping area in the center, and a seating and office area towards the exterior of the ship. In addition to spacious closets full of shelves, hooks, and racks, each stateroom also features an oversized vanity mirror on the wall across from the beds. The mirror is a perfect way for guests to make sure they look their best on elegant night. The desk area features a mini fridge, adequate desk space, and a mini flat screen TV. Across from the office area is a small seating area with a larger than usual couch and table perfect for an afternoon room service lunch. The majority of the MSC Divina’s outside cabins also feature private balconies. The balconies onboard MSC Divina seem a bit larger than the industry average and features comfortable furnishings perfect for gazing out over the passing sea.

Overall, the MSC Divina’s staterooms are very well designed, keeping guests’ comforts and needs in mind. Staterooms onboard the MSC Divina are the perfect stateroom away from home.

Service

MSC is a family owned cruise line and strives to make you feel like a part of their sea going family. Service throughout is very warm and hospitable, and greetings and smiles will find you at every turn. Crew members onboard the MSC Divina truly seek to provide you with the best cruise experience found at sea. No request is too small, no comment is too trivial – if your cruise can be enhanced by a crew member, odds are they will do what is takes to make sure you are not disappointed. MSC Divina’s crew is one looking to please, accommodate, and help you make the most out of your MSC cruise.

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