Monday, March 17, 2014

ShipPreview: MSC Divina, So Divine

Christened by Italy's legendary Sophia Loren in 2012, MSC Divina is one of MSC Cruises’ four Fantasia-class ships and at 139,072 tons and with 14 passenger decks, she carries 3,502 passenger based on double occupancy, or 4,363 at full capacity. Those stats are impressive—she is a mega-size vessel—however, the layout is so well designed that MSC Divina never felt crowded during our recent seven-night cruise.

First impressions count and our initial one was that MSC Divina is an Italian beauty with an abundance of gleaming marble and brass. In a way, you could say the dĂ©cor is a bit retro, but my husband Mel’s description—“upscale warmth”—sums up the overall feeling. MSC Cruises describes it as the “Med Way of Life” and that sums it up for us. It only got better as the week went on.

Positioned in the fall of 2013 to sail year-round from the Port of Miami, you can typically expect to find about 70% of passengers on board from North America and 30% from the rest of the world. On our sailing the international passenger mix was a bit higher at about 40% and it added to the enjoyment of the cruise as we met many travelers from Norway, Germany, the British Isles, Japan, and of course Italy.

Come aboard for our review of MSC Divina and you’ll agree, she’s so divine.

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