Sailing the Mediterranean: Our 7 Days Aboard MSC Divina

We were especially excited for the next chapter of our European adventure—a 7‑night Mediterranean cruise. It was the kids’ very first time at sea and our first cruise as a family, so the hype was real. We couldn’t wait to see how they’d take to life on the ship, the ports along the way, all of it. And luckily, it ended up being everything we hoped for.

Let’s backtrack to how I came up with the idea of cruising. My goal for this summer adventure was to cross off as many countries as I can from my bucket list, including Greece. But the logistics of getting from Rome to Santorini and back either by plane, train or ferry was a nightmare and not very cost effective.

But let me rewind to how the whole cruising idea even started. My mission for this summer trip was to check off as many bucket‑list countries as possible including Greece. The problem was figuring out how to get from Rome to Santorini and back again without losing our minds (or our budget) to planes, trains, and ferries. The logistics were not exactly pretty.

Cruising kept coming up as an option and when I did the math, it made the most sense. For seven nights, we didn’t have to worry about where to sleep or where to eat, and if we needed entertainment, all we had to do was go from one deck to another or walk from one end of the ship to the other. Not to mention, every day, or almost every day, we got to explore a new place and be transported to a new destination.

Cruising kept popping up as an option, and once I crunched the numbers, it just made sense. For seven nights, we didn’t have to think about where to sleep or what to eat. If we needed entertainment, we simply wandered to a different deck or strolled from one end of the ship to the other. And the best part? Almost every day brought us to a new destination, including two I’d been dreaming about for years.

Why We Chose MSC Cruises

Many international cruise lines sail out of Rome in the summer, but I ended up choosing MSC Cruises for two simple reasons: 1) every other line was at least $1,000 more for a similar 7‑night itinerary, and 2) MSC’s dates lined up perfectly with our already planned schedule.

Let’s take a moment to talk about MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) Cruises. They’re a Swiss‑Italian cruise line based in Geneva and the largest privately owned cruise company in the world. Thanks to their Italian roots, multilingual staff, and flexible embarkation ports, MSC tends to attract more European travelers than Americans. That did mean we ran into a few language barriers with fellow guests here and there, but honestly, it added to the charm of being on a truly international sailing and didn’t bother us at all.

Getting to and from the Cruise Terminal

Getting to the cruise port from central Rome is a bit of a trek, but it’s very doable. We opted for the budget-friendly train, which took us straight to the Civitavecchia terminal, and from there, the free shuttle took us right to the ship. It was simple, affordable, and a nice way to ease into cruise mode.

For the return trip, we originally ordered an Uber, but getting drivers directly to the individual ship terminals can be tricky due to congestion. After a bit of back and forth, we ended up striking a deal with a shared private transfer service heading to FCO airport for €100. It worked out perfectly, and the ride took about an hour.

First Impressions & Overall Vibe

Our sailing was on the MSC Divina, a ship with a glamorous, old‑Hollywood vibe inspired by Sophia Loren, and we felt it the moment we stepped onboard. Picture sweeping staircases lined with Swarovski crystals, polished marble everywhere, and cozy lounges with oversized velvet chaises. Despite all the sparkle, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, never stuffy or over the top. One detail we especially loved: every deck was named after a Greek god or goddess, a fun little nod to the region we were exploring.

Fantastica Balcony Stateroom

Our balcony stateroom was a comfortable size, with a double bed, a cozy sitting area with a sofa that converts into a double bed for the kids, a spacious wardrobe and a bathroom with shower. Traveling light with only carry‑ons meant we could tuck everything away into a corner or underneath the desk and keep the space open. The floor‑to‑ceiling balcony doors and seating on the private veranda gave us gorgeous sea views throughout the trip. The furnishing was a tad dated, but overall, the setup suited our family perfectly.

All About the Food

There were seven restaurants on board—two buffets, two main dining rooms, two specialty restaurants, and one reserved exclusively for Yacht Club suite guests—plus 12 bars and lounges, including a pizzeria and wine bar that also served coffee and gelato.

We’re big buffet people, and the two onboard options were our go-to for easy breakfasts, relaxed lunches, and the occasional mid-afternoon and late‑night snack. The food was surprisingly great, with a wide variety of dishes that stayed fresh and well-stocked even during the busiest times.

For dinner, we chose the early seating in the main dining room. Since cruise beverage packages tend to be overpriced unless you’re really committed to drinking your way across the Mediterranean, we kept it simple with the complimentary mineral water, juice, coffee, and tea. We did treat ourselves to a two‑night specialty dining package, though. For CA$348, the four of us enjoyed dinner at Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and another at the upscale, Asian‑fusion Galaxy Restaurant. The ambiance was great and the meals were good, but nothing that truly wowed us.

If I could choose again, I’d honestly skip the specialty dining. We found the food in the main dining room better. It was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented. We also loved the flexibility of ordering a second appetizer or main at no extra cost.

Pools, Spa & Relaxation

The ship has several pool areas, each with its own vibe. I counted five swimming pools including an infinity pool, and 12 hot tubs scattered across the ship. We spent most of our time at the covered Le Sirene pool, a calmer, more kid-friendly spot compared to the lively main pool deck where all the activities were happening.

There was a standalone water slide that starts on deck 18 and spirals down to deck 15. The minimum age is seven, but there’s no upper limit, so naturally I joined the kids a handful of times. It was super fun and such a great little break in the day.

And then there’s the Aurea Spa, which offers all kinds of relaxing, pampering treatments. I prepaid for a couple’s Swedish massage when I booked the cruise, and it was the best decision. We used it on one of our at‑sea days, and it was so good.

Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

The ship also has a sports court, jogging track, and fitness centre but let’s be honest, I am not someone who jogs or exercises, on vacation or otherwise.

Activities and Entertainment

There is truly no shortage of things to do or see on the MSC Divina. All day long, there were fitness classes and group activities you could jump into if the mood struck. We joined in the sail away deck party, tried a salsa dancing class and trivia, and played a lot of foosball.

The ship also has the Pantheon Theatre, a Broadway‑style venue with two showings every night. We caught one of the performances and really enjoyed it.

If you’re into games, there are two arcades on different decks, plus a 4D cinema, a F‑1 simulator, and a two‑lane bowling alley in the sports lounge. They do come with an extra cost, though. We pre‑purchased a €40 arcade package to share but skipped the rest.

We also took our time browsing through all the shops—the liquor shop, the watch store, the clothing boutique, the art gallery, all of it. And to my surprise, there was a little “sidewalk sale” on Deck 6 most days with special deals. I loved this concept and may have picked up a few things.

Casino Veneziano comes alive in the evenings and runs into the early morning, with daily lottery games for people like me who enjoy trying their luck without diving into table games or slots. Sadly, neither Radwin nor I walked away with a win, but it was still fun to play. The kids were especially excited to walk through the casino and get a little glimpse of where Dad works. Well, not here, but as a Pit Manager back home.

We also pre‑purchased the All‑Inclusive Digital Photo Package for CA$157, which turned out to be such a smart move. It meant we could finally get proper family photos taken by a professional instead of me being stuck behind the camera. It was lovely having everyone in the frame for once.

For Families & Kids

Jordan and Evelyn did join in on a couple of activities, including The Secret Game and MasterChef at Sea JUNIORS. For the cooking challenge, well apple-cookie decorating in their case, they showed off their creativity in a fun contest designed to impress the judges. Every master chef walked away with a MasterChef at Sea JUNIORS certificate to celebrate their efforts.

Port of Calls

Our first port was Mykonos, Greece and it was every bit as dreamy as we’d imagined. We took the Mykonos SeaBus or water taxi over to the town (Old Port/Chora) and spent several hours wandering its beautiful maze of streets, admiring the white‑washed buildings with their bright domes, window shopping, stopping for gelato, and making our way to the famous Windmills of Mykonos. We were genuinely surprised by how windy it was, but the breeze was a lovely reprieve from the hot summer heat.

Our second port was Izmir, Turkiye where we joined the Sensory Journey to Discover the Colours of Izmir shore excursion organized by the cruise line—a four‑and‑a‑half‑hour walking tour through this vibrant city. We explored Konak Square and its beautiful 1901 Clock Tower, then wandered through one of the world’s oldest Kemeralti Bazaar, a lively market filled with spices, leather goods, clothing, and endless treasures. The colours, the scents, and the kindness of the people made the whole experience unforgettable. We even stopped for a delicious, authentic Turkish lunch and later tried Irmik Helvasi, a traditional, popular Turkish dessert, from a street vendor.

The tour also included an unexpected detour into a designer knock-off shop, where they closed the doors behind us and asked everyone to put their phones away. It wasn’t frightening, just a bit weird. The staff were actually really friendly and chatty, and there was zero pressure to buy anything. It turned into a bit of fun, especially when Evelyn spotted a cute Chanel bag and we ended up haggling a good price for it.

Santorini, Greece was our third port and one of my bucket list destinations for as long as I can remember. Because the island’s port is too small for large cruise ships to dock, we anchored offshore and took a tender boat in. By the time we reached the pier, the line for the cable car had stretched to at least 200 people, probably more, so we opted to pay €10 per person and take the donkeys up the 600-plus steps to Fira. (I know it’s a controversial choice due to animal welfare concerns, and I’m not here to debate it—just sharing our experience.)

I was completely speechless when we reached the top. Seeing Fira for the first time, with its white buildings, blue domes, and winding stone pathways overlooking the Aegean Sea, felt almost too magical to be real.

We spent the afternoon wandering through Fira, popping into little shops, buying an armload of souvenirs, visiting the MATI Art Gallery, and enjoying a delicious Greek lunch. When it was time to head back, we took the cable car down to the port, watching the sea shimmer below us, a perfect ending to a place that felt straight out of a postcard.

Naples, Italy was our fourth and final port, and although I’d originally booked the Half Day Mount Vesuvius Adventure with Wine Tasting and Lunch tour through Shore Excursioneer, an independent company known for cruise‑friendly, worry-free on-time-return excursions, our plans shifted when the tour was cancelled. Instead of volcano views and wine, we found ourselves with an unexpected free day in the city, which turned out to be a lovely way to wrap up the trip.

With no schedule to follow, we wandered over to Palazzo Reale Napoli, the 17th century royal palace that once housed Spanish and Bourbon monarchs. Its grand façade and sweeping staircase alone were worth the visit.

From there, we browsed a few shops, soaked in the lively streets, and made our way to the Fontana del Nettuno, a dramatic 16th century fountain dedicated to Neptune. The heat was again relentless, so we grabbed much needed McFlurries and enjoyed them on our slow walk back to the ship.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a cruise that offers great food, solid entertainment, beautiful design, and plenty of ways to relax or stay busy, MSC Divina delivers. We stepped off feeling refreshed, well fed, and already thinking about when we could sail again.

Have you cruised with MSC before, or are you planning your first one? I’d love to hear what kind of cruise experience you’re dreaming of next.