2019 Western Mediterranean and Transatlantic Cruises on MSC
Day 8 MSC Seaview & Day 1 MSC Divina - Civitavecchia, Italy -- November 6, 2019
Please click here for video of our day boarding the Divina.
Today we get off the Seaview and get on board the Divina at Civitavecchia, Italy. Fortunately, they were docked right near each other so we didn't have far to go. For some reasons, Seaview delayed docking time for two hours and did not get in port until 9:00 instead of 7:00 so everything was pushed off two hours. It must have been an anxious two hours for those who were planning a day trip into Rome and those who needed to catch an early flight out from Rome.
For us, we were not in a hurry so we just waited on board until the rush of people debarked from the ship before getting off. It was a breeze to pick up our luggage and walked over to the next terminal for our boarding procedures to get on Divina. This is a nicer, newer terminal and we were done in no time other than a couple of our people from Taiwan who had locked their US proof of visas in their checked in bags instead of being able to show them to the officials. With the help of MSC staff they were able to pull the visas from the US government site fortunately.
This was the first time that we did not receive our cruise cards when checking in. We were told that they would be waiting for us in our cabins.
Seaview sailing into port with an NCL ship nearby.
Divina, here we come!
Checking in at the new terminal.
Wide open space.
Spacious waiting area on the second floor.
Much better than the tent when we sailed on the MSC Splendida in 2012.
Getting ready to board the Divina with a final glimpse of Seaview docked right behind.
Another beautiful ship!
The two MSC ships at Civitavecchia port.
Lunch at the buffet. There are two buffet restaurants on this ship but we usually ended up in the one on deck 14.
Bar at the buffet
Sis and I got the free drink package on this cruise so this was important for us.
Later, we found that they really didn't respond well using these.
Originally, we planned on sharing an inside cabin with the four of us together, but after considering the long voyage, we decided to book a separate cabin for sis and I. It turned out that it didn't cost us much difference anyway and our new cabin came with a balcony and also the basic free drink packages. It was like we hit a jackpot! Husband and son also got lucky having an upgrade to a balcony cabin one deck below. Others in our group remained in their inside cabins without upgrades. I wonder if it was because we had sailed MSC before with status?
Much more spacious with just the two of us.
Husband and son had a cabin with the same set up also on starboard side. The only thing was we were in the aft of deck 11 and they were in the front of deck 10. A long way between the two cabins.
Looking out at Civitevecchia.
Another beautiful day!
This ship gave me a different feel from the Seaview. It is smaller, older and a little more classic.
More English speaking passengers on this sailing and much less Italians.
The crystal staircase.
While waiting for the muster drill inside the theater, I saw a couple walking in and sat a few seats away from us. They looked so familiar but I wasn't sure. It turned out that it was indeed Dave and Maryann, a couple we have met on two other NCL cruises. What a pleasant surprise! They were also assigned at a table right next to ours at dinner.
We will be on this ship for 18 nights from Civitevecchia to Miami. This will be a more relaxing sailing with enough sea days for us to recuperate from our port days. There will also be new ports that we have never been before. Can't wait for this journey to start!
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. -- Jeremiah 9:23~24
Rebecca
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the terminal and ship. Last time we were in Civitevecchia the "terminal" was a big tent. What a change :)
You manage to pull great upgrades with regularity! Good for you! Ship photos are lovely I like the staircase, an example of how much nicer older ships can be. And the food looks to be a cut above the other ship, as well.
Sounds as if this will be a wonderful cruise!
I am going to enjoy your cruise!
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThere were some nice changes at the port of Civitevecchia. I remember when it used to be closer to the port gate with mostly big giant tents. Now they moved everything way out to the causeway across from the container port. Cars and buses had to drive around the Michelangelo Fort to get there. I believe it's the cruise ship port now.
We felt fortunate to have the upgrades. I was surprised at the food served. Food was the main complaint from former passengers on MSC but we found them quite decent, especially in the seafood section. Then I must say that the chefs on Divina were not as good as Seaview. Yes, this will be an interesting cruise!