As a family-owned company, no one understands families better than MSC Cruises. Family fun aboard the MSC Divina offers something special for everyone. Here, we outline some of our top picks for mom, dad and the kids.
When we travel our goal is to see as much as possible, reconnect as a family and experience different cultures together. Our seven day Caribbean cruise gave us the opportunity to do just that while also having loads of family fun aboard the MSC Divina. We enjoyed time together and individually on board and ashore with unique activities and ship amenities.
The MSC Divina offered ultimate family fun and helped us to create so many happy memories. We’re breaking down some of the best activities aboard the MSC Divina with our top picks for mom, dad and the kids.
The beautiful MSC Divina / Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Special Moments for Mom
MSC Aurea Spa:MSC Cruises offers a unique Balinese spa experience with their MSC Aurea Spa. I took advantage of the spa by indulging in a relaxing hands and aromatic oil massage. After my massage, I retreated to the other side of the spa and continued the relaxation in the Divina’s special aromatherapy steam rooms and saunas. The spa also offered beauty therapists, manicurists, pedicurists, hair stylists, yoga instructors, personal trainers and even a spa doctor; however, I did not take part in any of those amenities.
After my treatments, I rehydrated with a special vitamin-rich smoothie from the Spa Bar. The Spa Bar offers a color-coded menu of healthy and delicious smoothies all featuring tropical fruits and aimed at complimenting your treatment.
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Making time for Mom aboard the MSC Divina / Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Aqua Cycling: Exercise isn’t always a part of my vacation, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take advantage of MSC Divina’s innovative Aqua Cycling class. MSC was the first cruise line and ship to offer Aqua Cycling. The class involves stationary bicycles that go in the pool. I wore my bathing suit and participated in a 50 minute class on the top level of the deck, pedaling my way through the water — while cruising on the water.
AquaCycling on the MSC Divina / Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Wine Blending:Through Blend Craft Wines’ “Winery at Sea” program, my husband and I took advantage of some “adult time,” immersing ourselves in a full winemaking experience, using authentic vintner equipment — like beakers, tasting tubes, and droppers — to create a personalized red wine. By the end of the class we created, bottled, and named our very own custom bottle of red wine. It was a great activity for a date night.
Adventure and Excitement for Dad
Sports Bar:My husband was thrilled to learn there was a sports bar aboard the MSC Divina featuring a sports-inspired menu, a wide selection of adult beverages and beers, large televisions with sporting programs and two mini-bowling alley lanes. My husband enjoyed the sports environment and caught up on his favorite teams while on board the ship.
MSC Divina Sports Bar / Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
F1 Simulator:My husband had fun driving the simulation car which featured surround sound video screens and movement. The vehicle is an actual Formula One car and seats one. The car features an open cockpit, open-wheel racing with substantial front and rear wings. For just $9 my hubby was able to take the simulator for a spin on the sea.
MSC Divina F1 Simulator/ Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Pizza and Beer:More eating and drinking for my husband took place at La Cantina di Bacco. In the background of the cantina he was able to watch the ship’s master pizza-maker spin fresh-made pizza dough at Eataly Pizza. He ordered a meter of beer, which is a flight of specialty beers, to accompany this not-to-be-missed pizza. He claimed the ship’s pizza was some of the best pizza he had ever tasted.
Keeping the Kids Busy
Water Slide:The MSC Divina boasts gorgeous pools as well as a thrilling water slide for the kids. You must be 47.24 inches tall to ride the waterslide and parents must sign a release. The release gave the kids a wristband, allowing them to enjoy the waterslide for the duration of the cruise.
Waterslide on the MSC Divina / Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Do-Re-Mi Club:The Do-Re-Mi Club is MSC’s Kids Club. The Kids Club is designed for kids under the age of 12 and is broken down into three age groups: under 3, 3-6 and 7-11, each featuring age-appropriate activities and events for MSC’s youngest cruisers. We checked our boys, ages 9 and 7, into the Kids Club so they could enjoy activities designed specifically for their age while we enjoyed a little adult time. MSC Cruises is the only cruise line to have a partnership with LEGO, which is a prominent part of the Kids Club experience, and one of the more popular activities aboard the ship for my boys.
Do-Re-Mi, the MSC Divina mascot/ Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Game Room:The game room aboard the MSC Divina features large, arcade-style games such as Monopoly, Connect 4 and more. In addition, the game room is part of Virtual World which is where the F1 Simulator is located, as well as a 4D Cinema.
Kids Corner at the Buffet:There is also a dedicated Kids Corner in the Buffet on deck 14. The Kids Corner served a variety of tasty, healthy dishes geared specifically to children and was a popular choice for the boys. In addition to the Kids Corner, the kids enjoyed self-serve ice cream offered daily, as well as fun non-alcoholic drink options such as smoothies, milk shakes, soft drinks and fruit juices.
Special Kids Corner on the MSC Divina / Photo Credit: Linda Arceo
Family Fun Aboard the MSC Divina
With so many activities for mom, dad and the kids, you would think there wasn’t anything left to do as a family. But think again. Beyond individual activities, our family bonded while watching movies on the deck, participating in the nightly theme parties (formal night, Italian night and the white party were some of our faves) and watching MSC’s world class nightly entertainment shows like The Witches, Treasure Island and StarWalker — all of which are not to be missed. We also had fun playing our nightly game of “Name That Tune” in one of the lounges, watching the parades and talent shows and participating in some of the ship’s sporting events like ping-pong, corn hole and dodge ball.
What was so great about the MSC Divina was we could do as little or as much as we wanted. Fun for the whole family, if you are looking for a relaxing and family-friendly vacation, the MSC Divina will be an enjoyable experience for all.
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