Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
MSC Divina
★★★★+
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 421 out of 500
Accommodation: 162 out of 200
Food: 276 out of 400
Service: 308 out of 400
Entertainment: 76 out of 100
Cruise: 308 out of 400
Overall Score: 1551 out of 2000
MSC Divina Statistics
Size: Large Resort Ship
Tonnage: 139,400 tons
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Former Names: none
IMO Number: 9585285
Builder: STX France
Original Cost: $550 million
Entered Service: Jun 2012
Registry: Panama
Length (ft/m): 1,093.5/333.3
Beam (ft/m): 124.6/38.0
Draft (ft/m): 27.72/8.4
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel-electric (40,000kW)/2
Passenger Decks: 13
Total Crew: 1,388
Passengers (lower beds): 3,502
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 39.8
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.5
Cabins (total): 1,751
Size Range (sq ft/m): 148.5-568.3/13.8-52.8
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 1,125
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 45
Wheelchair accessibility: Good
Cabin Current: 110 and 220 volts
Elevators: 17
Casino (gaming tables): Yes
Slot Machines: Yes
Swimming Pools: 3
Hot Tubs (on deck): 13
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: Euros
A really stunning large family-friendly resort ship
Overview. This large, really elegantly attired resort ship has a trendy infinity pool and ‘beach’ zone, and will appeal to young adult couples, singles, and families with children and teens who enjoy an urban Mediterranean lifestyle, with a mix of many European nationalities.
The Ship. MSC Divina, together with sister ship MSC Preziosa are the largest ships yet for MSC Cruises. This ship features the latest in green-technology engines. Its exclusive area, the MSC Yacht Club, includes an expanded Top-Sail Lounge (an observation/lifestyle lounge and social meeting place), private sunbathing with integral dip pool, two hot tubs, and concierge services. Even more desirably, it has a private Yacht Club-only restaurant, Le Muse. Only Yacht Club-grade occupants are escorted to their cabins by their butlers. Housekeeping staff point passengers in the right direction, but no longer escort them to their cabins.
The interior decor is quite stunning. There are basically two decks full of public lounges, bars, and eateries, including a large two-deck-high theater-style showlounge, a nightclub/discotheque, library, card room, an Internet center, virtual reality center, shopping gallery, and large casino (inhabited by many people who can smoke at the bar). Drinking places include many lounges and bars, most with live music. One lounge in the aft section is for adults only, as is an aft swimming pool and relaxation deck. For a little music, the Golden Jazz Bar is a must (the walls are ‘stoned’). Additionally, there are conference and small group meeting facilities.
The ship’s focal point, however, is its gorgeous three-decks high atrium lobby with shimmering Swarovski crystal stairways and elegant, Art Deco-ish decor. The reception desk and financial services desk are located on the lower level, which also has a stage and seating in oh-so-comfortable oversized armchairs.
You can drive an F1 Ferrari racing car in a simulator, and experience seat-of-your pants rides in a 4D theater.
Niggles include the fact that all the lounges ‘flow’ into each other, and so the music from each one bleeds into the adjacent room.
Families. The ship is well designed to cater for families with children, who have their own play centers (a children’s club and jungle adventure playground), youth counselors, and activity programs. Facilities include a water slide, video arcade, and a 4D cinema.
Accommodation. There are nine types of accommodation, in numerous cabin price grades. Included are two Royal Suites, three Executive/Family Suites, and a mix of outside-view (with or without balconies) and interior cabins. The price you pay depends on the grade, size, and location you choose.
The ‘Yacht Club’ exclusive accommodation consists of some 67 ‘suites,’ housed in a key-operated access only area of the ship, and comes with full butler service, interactive TV, minibar, personal safe, hairdryer, and satellite-link telephone. Included in the suites is number 16007 - the Sophia Loren Suite, in rich reds, specially designed lamps, and stunning photos of her great movie roles, together with a replica of the dressing table that Ms Loren uses in her home.
Dining. There are two main restaurants. The two-level Black Crab has 626 seats on one level and 529 on the other, and assigned tables and seating for dinner. The second is the 766-seat Villa Rossa Restaurant. The focus of the cuisine is on Mediterranean fare, with regional and seasonal fare when available. Light ‘always available’ choices are also provided. The ship makes all its pasta on board, and prides itself on its Italian flair.
Occupants of Yacht Club accommodation grades eat in Le Muse, a private, quite intimate restaurant which looks out onto the aft infinity pool area. The service here is less hurried and much more personalized.
Other dining options. Eataly is a sea-gooing version of a chain of the same name, with its clear plastic chairs and diner-style décor.
Two large Lido-style self-serve buffet cafeterias (Calumet and Manitou - named after native Indian peace pipes and spirits; each has about 400 seats) are for breakfasts and lunches, and served, casual dinners. The buffets are open for up to 20 hours daily - so there’s always something to eat whenever you’re hungry).
Additional foodie-type places include La Cantina di Bacco (a wine bar and pizzeria), Piazza del Doge (for Italian pastries, coffees, and huge selection of gelato), an Italia Bar for coffees (the Italian Sagafredo brand is featured) and pastries, and Galaxy (an extra cost à-la-carte eatery located as part of the discotheque, it overlooks the entire mid-ship pool deck, and is good for a late-riser’s brunch (featuring several trendy tapas-like dishes).
A Sports and Bowling Diner features a classic American food experience (including sandwiches and burgers).
Entertainment. The 1,603-seat Pantheon Theater is spread over two decks. Because passengers really are multinational, the entertainment concentrates on shows that are highly visual, such as mime, magic, dancing, and acrobatics, and are performed to recorded music. A number of bands and small musical groups provide live music for dancing or listening in most lounges and bars.
Spa/Fitness. The large Aurea Spa and Wellbeing Center houses a beauty salon, numerous body treatment rooms (with Balinese therapists and 21 types of massage), a bar (for fruit drinks and smoothies), relaxation room, solarium, and a gymnasium with great ocean views. A thermal suite contains two steam rooms and four saunas combined with herbal aromatherapy infusions. This is the first cruise ship to have a halotherapy (Himalayan salt crystal) bed for body detoxing. There’s also a Shu Uemura Art of Hair Cabin. Gratuities to spa staff are at your discretion.
Sports facilities include basketball, tennis court, volleyball, a power-walking track, bowling, and shuffleboard.
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