Three years later, we still remember this Mediterranean cruise – and the ship that surprised us.
Some journeys stay with you long after the suitcases are unpacked. Our Mediterranean cruise aboard MSC Divina was one of them. Although it happened three years ago, the memories are still wonderfully vivid: beautiful ports, warm summer evenings, spectacular views from the deck and that special feeling of waking up somewhere new. It was our second cruise, after MSC Orchestra, and one of the experiences that made us fall even more in love with travelling by sea.
MSC Divina has a personality of her own. Inspired by the legendary Sophia Loren, who is also the ship’s godmother, she carries a certain Italian elegance and feminine charm. Interestingly, we didn’t choose this cruise because of the ship. Quite the opposite – several people tried to talk us out of it, saying Divina was already getting old and newer ships would offer much more. But the itinerary was simply too tempting: Malta, Greece and Italy at the end of June, when the Mediterranean is enjoying its glorious summer. Neither the ship nor the itinerary disappointed us.
There was one disappointment before we even left home. Santorini, one of the destinations we had been particularly excited about, was removed from our itinerary shortly before departure. Instead, we were given more time in Mykonos, with the possibility of staying on the island until late in the evening. It wasn’t quite the journey we had booked, but sometimes a change of plans brings its own surprises.
A Beautiful Beginning in Malta
We arrived in Malta the evening before embarkation. Our boarding time was scheduled for 11 a.m., and flying in that same morning would have been too risky. Not that we minded – an extra evening meant more time to discover Valletta, and what a beautiful city it turned out to be! Its historic streets, architecture and harbour views made us feel our holiday had already begun. Malta deserves a story of its own, so I’ll save those impressions for another article.
The cruise terminal in Valletta was surprisingly simple, especially compared with the enormous ship waiting beside it. MSC Divina looked magnificent against the historic harbour. The waterfront promenade, with its cafés and lovely places to take photographs, added to the atmosphere. Before long, we were aboard and enjoying lunch at the buffet restaurant on an upper deck.
Having previously sailed on MSC Orchestra, we immediately noticed the difference in size. MSC Divina entered service in 2012, is approximately 333 metres long and has 18 decks and 1,751 cabins. She belongs to MSC’s Fantasia class. But numbers never tell you what a ship feels like. That is something you discover when you step aboard, and our first day was dedicated to exploring.
Swarovski Staircases, Live Music and Life on Board
One of the first things that caught my attention was the atmosphere. The famous Swarovski crystal staircases were as beautiful as expected, but I appreciated even more how thoughtfully the public spaces were arranged. Bars and lounges were spread across the ship, allowing different activities to happen without disturbing one another. In one bar you could enjoy one style of live music; in another, something completely different. You could simply wander around and choose your favourite place for the evening.
We usually travel with the MSC Easy drinks package, which makes the holiday wonderfully uncomplicated. Water, coffee, juice or a glass of wine – we could choose from what was included without constantly thinking about the bill. The shopping areas were conveniently located too. Divina might not have the enormous shopping promenades of newer ships, but we found cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries, souvenirs and other essentials. Drinks package conditions can change, so it is always worth checking what is included before travelling.
There was an arcade with games and even bowling. We didn’t find as many high-tech attractions as on the newest ships, but nothing essential felt missing. The pool areas were genuinely lovely, with space to enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine. There were no huge waterslides, yet the children had plenty of opportunities to swim and have fun. We appreciated having indoor and outdoor swimming options, especially during longer stretches at sea.
Divina was already an older ship when we sailed, and this story reflects how she looked and felt at that time. Facilities may have changed since. But we found her charming, comfortable and perfectly suited to a family holiday. The biggest and newest ship isn’t always the one that gives you the best experience. Sometimes a beautiful atmosphere, a good itinerary and enough activities to keep everyone happy are all you need.
Sailing Towards the Greek Islands
As we left Malta behind and headed towards Mykonos, the scenery became part of the entertainment. Some islands appeared as small shapes on the horizon; others rose dramatically from the sea. During the day we admired their coastlines from the deck, and as evening fell, little lights appeared in the distance. I remember thinking how beautiful this part of the world looked from the water – a completely different perspective from travelling by plane or car.
And then came Mykonos, where reaching the island turned out to be more adventurous than expected. Continue with MSC Divina, Part 2: Mykonos, Rome and the Beauty of Changing Plans. If you enjoy family cruise stories, you might also like our MSC Virtuosa journey – a very different ship and itinerary.
