MSC Divina goes upscale in the Caribbean

MSC Divina is preparing for her North American debut on November 20, when she departs on her maiden voyage from Port Miami and begins sailing the Caribbean year-round, with alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. 

The ship sports two unique Eataly restaurants, the upscale Ristoranti Italia and Eataly Steakhouse, fashioned after the famed Manzo steakhouse in Eataly’s Manhattan location.

Eataly, the popular Turin-based chain with 16 locations worldwide, partnered with celebrity chefs including Mario Batali and Lidia Matticchio for the restaurants.

It’s also the first ship to offer Aqua Cycling at sea, "taking spinning to new heights" with Hydrorider aquatic cycles made of stainless steel that can be placed in pools to allow cycling under water.

Also for the first time in the Caribbean, MSC Divina offers luxury suites with butler service and high-end wines and spirits, as well as the one-of-a-kind Sophia Loren Royal Suite designed by the screen legend herself. 

A hundred days before its Miami launch, the MSC Divina is offering a 3-in-1 promotion through Thursday: a $100 per stateroom shipboard credit, a $100 per person future cruise credit and a reduced deposit of $100 per person.

The offer is available until August 15, for new retail bookings on six-night sailings and longer, for travel from Nov. 23, 2013 through Oct. 11, 2014 (excluding Dec. 28, 2013).

The Divina also has announced a series of baseball cruises on the Divina, featuring former Major League Baseball stars and baseball clinics, hosted by former New York Yankees star pitcher Stan Bahnsen.

Onboard the November 23 cruise, for example, will be Frank Howard (two-time, American league home run king, Dodger’s Rookie of the Year), Ferguson Jenkins (Texas Rangers hall-of-fame pitcher), Tommy Davis (National League batting champion, Los Angeles Dodgers), and Kevin Seitzer (All-Star third baseman for Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians)

Ken Griffey, Sr. (Cincinnati Reds All-Star), Art Shamsky (New York Mets "Miracle Mets") and Cookie Rojas (All-Star shortstop, Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals) will sail January 12; Rudy May (starting pitcher for the Angels, Orioles, Expos, Yankees), Jim Fregosi (All-Star shortstop with the California Angles and manager for four teams) and Amos Otis (All-Star, Gold Glove center-fielder for Kansas City Royals) will be aboard February 8.