Special to The Montrealer

MSC Divina, named in honour of Italian film star Sophia Lauren; is the newest in the elegant Fantasia series. Launched in May 2012, she is the largest of the MSC fleet at 139,000 gross tons and 1,093 feet in length. She has a guest capacity of 3,959, based on double occupancy in 1,637 staterooms. She sails Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries in January, February and March; departing from Miami. The Western Itinerary stops in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the private island of Great Stirrup Cay, with two relaxing sea days. The Eastern Itinerary includes St. Maarten, San Juan and Nassau and two sea days as well. Many cruisers book back-to-back cruises; one airfare – two different cruise itineraries.

The MSC Yacht Club is a ship-within-a ship private club that offers guests luxury accommodations, a private sun deck, a private lounge and opulent Le Muse Restaurant. The club is located on the upper and desirable foredecks of the MSC’s flagships, The Fantasia, The Splendida and now on The Divina. It is designed as an oasis of tranquility with its own Concierge Reception and Butler Service, creating a unique private club. At the same time the guests enjoy full access to entertainment possibilities and world-class sports that only a large ship can offer.

In keeping with the ship’s dedication to Sophia Loren, the The Divina offers the Sophia Loren Royal Suite, designed by the legendary film star. Guests staying in suite number 16007 on deck 16 can “live like a star” in the suite designed for and with the help of Ms. Loren. Rich reds, specially designed lamps and a wild heather and red carpet have been chosen by her, while photographs of her most memorable roles decorate the walls. A replica of the dressing table Ms. Loren uses in her room has been fitted, allowing guests to get ready like a film star.

Dining

MSC Cruises thrives on Freshly Prepared Cuisine. This allows MSC to offer their quests a wider variety of dining and menu selections, from delicious Italian specialties and gourmet offerings to a wide range of more traditional options.

Traditional Dining

The MSC Divina offers formal dining rooms with Traditional Dining at the same times for each meal, with attentive service provided by your waiter throughout the cruise. First seating starts 5:45 and Second seating starts 7:45. Dining times in The Black Crab and the Villa Rossa Panorama Restaurants are on request at time of booking and will be confirmed upon embarkation.

Alternative Dining

Following the successful launch and rave reviews of the first two Eataly restaurants at sea on board sister-ship MSC Preziosa, MSC Cruises has two new Eataly restaurants and a marketplace on board MSC Divina. 

MSC Divina features a 30-seat evening-only upscale Ristorante Italia, offering an ultra-high-quality ‘table d’hôte’ menu every night, and spectacular 115-seat regional steakhouse, Eataly Steakhouse, fashioned after the famed Eataly’s stakehouse in Manhattan.

In MSC Divina’s La Cantina di Bacco, the wine bar and pizzeria next to the Eataly restaurants, the best pizzas on the sea are now even better. All pizzas will now be made using Eataly ingredients, including the delicious metre-long pizzas in which guests customize their own toppings. The wine bar offers Eataly’s exclusive Vino Libero menu, produced by an association of winemakers who decided to free the wine from most of the chemical fertilizers, weed killers and sulphites, with particularly delicious wines on offer from famous wineries Fontana Fredda and Mirafiore.

Casual Dining

Casual dining where you can get a quick and satisfying bite is available in The Galaxy restaurant with its 360 degree views and also through Room Service.

Entertainment

The Pantheon is the main theatre and cinema, and the Divina also has an outdoor movie screen. The Casino Veneziano is guest favourite. The Divina has 16 lounges and bars throughout the ship, including the popular Cigar Bar.

Sports and Spa

MSC ships will keep guests active with basketball, paddle tennis, jogging tracks and state-of-the-art gyms. Some of these services available for a fee (i.e. Beauty salon and spa treatments): tennis court, solarium, basketball, shuffleboard, mini-golf, MSC Aurea Spa, gymnasium, yoga, jogging / walking track, aerobics. Thalassotherapy and volleyball. Davina has 4 pools (adults and kids), 12 whirlpools, a steam room and sauna.

MSC Cruises Kids

MSC Cruises offers complimentary children’s programs for 3 different age groups. Kids 3-6 can enjoy the Mini-Club, The Juniors Club for those 7-12 and the Teens Club for those 13-17. Staff organizes activities, shows and games, such as Arts and crafts, Dances, Treasure Hunts and Mini-Olympics. MSC also caters to the kids taste buds offering a variety of All-American to Italian cuisine. NOTE: Children under 3 years are only permitted in the Kids programs when accompanied by an adult who must remain with the child at all times. For family groups booking multiple staterooms one guest in the stateroom must be a minimum of 21 years of age.

Please contact your travel agent or visit the Sunwing website: www.sunwing.ca