Last Updated on February 26, 2025
Do you dream of an island getaway? A place to ease the stress of everyday life for a brief time? How about getting there on a cruise ship with the glamor of the golden age? That is precisely what I did recently, and it was outstanding.
Sailing from the port of Miami, MSC Divina is one of the Fantasia class ships in the MSC fleet. With its maiden voyage in 2012, Divina brought to life an elegance inspired by the legend of Sophia Loren.
With 1751 staterooms, it can accommodate between 3500 to 4200 guests. The various decks are all named after Greek gods and goddesses, some of them being complicated to pronounce. Luckily, one of the crew members quickly let the names impressively roll off her tongue.
While many people like to cruise on newer, larger ships, I liked the Divina. The balcony stateroom was highly comfortable. On most occasions, when I was in my stateroom, I spent time on the balcony, absorbing the enchanting views of wherever we were.
There was always something to do onboard with a variety of food and beverage options in addition to lovely shops and entertainment venues – including an intimate theater and casino. One of my favorite places to relax with a latte was in the atrium. There was always music, ranging from piano players and saxophonists to small bands. One of the most interesting performers was a very talented saxophonist who played a polka. It was impressive.
The theater offered several sensational shows. On the first night, there was a fabulous tribute to ABBA. Later in the week, I was even more impressed with productions featuring dance and music and some of the best aerialists and acrobatics I have seen in a long time. Overall, I rate the ship’s entertainment as excellent.
On to Paradise
Like many other cruise lines, MSC has its own private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Divina docked here for an overnight stay, allowing two days to explore the island and experience its beautiful beaches and blissful natural surroundings.
The island’s lighthouse is visible from several miles out. From my balcony, I was able to watch the process of gliding through the blue-green waters using the lighthouse as a compass. Splashed against the gorgeous sky with some wispy clouds above, the view of the landmark stood tall and welcoming. Watching and realizing how skilled a team must be to dock a boat this size up to the pier was fascinating.
Once permitted to disembark, I and many of the other passengers couldn’t wait to go exploring. While I had the fantasy of playing in the water on the first day, it was a bit on the cool side, so I satisfied myself by walking the trails around the island and wading in the water at the beach.
I found it most interesting that Ocean Cay reflects MSC’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and conservation efforts. This island was formerly an industrial site now restored to its natural beauty. A building currently under construction on the island will showcase these efforts and bring attention to the need for these types of endeavors from the cruise industry.
The MSC Lighthouse
As noted, the lighthouse is a beacon for those approaching the island. At its base sits one of the island’s restaurants. To its left is one of the island’s seven beaches. As you might expect, many guests flock to this area upon disembarkation.
The highlight for me pertaining to the lighthouse was the evening light show. As Divina is docked here for an overnight stay, there is an evening party at Lighthouse Beach that included a DJ, dancing, and libations – with everyone invited to attend. At the end of the party, the lighthouse show begins. In a blaze of synchronized music and LED lighting creativity, guests witness a fantastic display against the dark skies and sparkling stars over this small Bahamian island. It is quite the show!
Stingray Encounter
As for any cruise, several excursions are available to guests, depending on your interests. While many appealed to me, the one I could not resist was the Stingray encounter.
With about 30 other passengers, I climbed aboard a yacht captained and crewed by local Bahamians. The vessel took us a few miles away from Ocean Cay to another much smaller deserted island. Here, among the rocky shore which also houses a small shipwreck, I waded in the water surrounded by stingrays. It was one of the most extraordinary experiences I have had.
Climbing off the back steps of the yacht into Bahamian waters, we headed closer to the shore of the deserted island. The crew advised us to shuffle our feet so as not to step on or harm any of the stingrays. I wasn’t in the water for more than five minutes when I first encountered a Southern Stingray.
Native to the warm waters of the Bahamas, they are abundant, vary in size and are surprisingly gentle. I was somewhat skittish with them swarming around me, brushing up against my legs and rising to the top of the water for pets.
It may sound unbelievable, but they enjoy the human touch – and, of course, the food. The crew stocked squid, shrimp and crab – the Southern Stingrays’ favorite treat. The first time you touch a ray; it’s a bit of a jolt. However, once I got accustomed to it, I was amazed at how soft and smooth they are.
“Why didn’t you get stung,” one might ask?
It’s because stingrays are born with only one stinger. Once it’s gone, it does not regrow. When asked, the crew explained that this group – known as a fever – came to this area because of the regular feedings. The rays were extra friendly on this day because storms had prevented some of the feedings a few days prior.
I can tell you from first-hand experience that being so close to these graceful creatures – the way they swim and move through the water – was one of the best things I’ve done in my travels.
Touring Nassau
The city of Nassau represents the country’s capital and largest city. The Bahamas became a Commonwealth realm in 1973 and today has a population of around 400,000. While separated from the UK, it still recognizes the King as its Monarch though there is a Prime Minister as well as a Governor.
One of my excursions was city highlights tour. While aboard a tour bus with several stops along the way, I discovered a little about the island and can’t wait to return and learn more. Our tour guide Julian doubled as the bus driver. He was a true Bahamian and very proud to talk about his city. He was engaging, fun and genuinely made the excursion very entertaining.
While time didn’t allow us to spend a great deal of time at many places, I was able to pass by some of the oldest churches and cemeteries in the city, some dating back to the early 1800s.
We traveled over the Sidney Poitier Bridge, named after the famous actor born in the Bahamas. I saw the Government House, built in 1800 and passed through city neighborhoods all of which have a community park and a community health clinic.
I was able to see the famed Atlantis Resort and shop at the local straw market. Here, I experienced the fun of examining handcrafted clothes and other items and bargaining with the locals, which they enjoy immensely. I even bought a couple of dresses for a great price.
Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase
Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 and sits atop Bennet’s Hill – the highest point on the island. It was built to protect the Nassau harbor and is shaped like a paddle-wheel steamer. Walking around the fort and realizing the history that lies within those walls was amazing. What stories could they tell if they were able? Would it be stories of Spaniards or Pirates – both of which have quite a history in the area?
One of the most breathtaking parts of the tour was the Queen’s Staircase. Built in 1793 by 600 enslaved people, the staircase transcends the area from the top of the hill behind the fort into the city streets. It is 66 steps, chiseled through limestone, allowing an escape route from the fort to the streets. Through time and erosion, it is now technically down to 64 steps. However, it’s still known to the locals as “The 66”.
One must take caution when taking these steps, but what an experience. Their proximity to a makeshift waterfall and the area’s humidity make them slippery. At the bottom, there is a long alleyway leading to the street. The limestone walls rise above, with trees, vines and other vegetation growing along the stone. With the rays of sunlight breaking through the greenery, it is simply stunning.
John Watling’s Distillery
Another tour highlight was our stop at John Watling’s Distillery. When you arrive, you see a beautifully designed and elegant historical mansion in true Bahamian fashion. The inside sports a boutique rum distillery with a fascinating story, not to mention some of the finest, smoothest rum I have tasted.
The tour is brief, perhaps 10-15 minutes, but well worth the time. Stefan, our native tour guide, did a phenomenal job of explaining the history behind the distillery, dating back to the pirate days of the Bahamas. It was in the early 1700s when the Bahamas was first established as a British colony. Framed maps on the wall date back 300 years.
Mr. Watling was known as the Pious Pirate, a type of Robin Hood personality. Though he was in fact a pirate, he was very religious and his piracy gains to give them back to the church. I learned that this is the only micro-distillery in the world that five churches and their respective cemeteries surround. Other countries have banned this practice.
The distillery tour was fascinating. The group started off with a tasty sample of the island’s signature drink – the Bahama Mama. The first stop was the well – the distillery’s water source, which has its own filtration system. The well is 74 feet deep and 8.5 feet wide, built over 200 years ago. Rum – made from hand-cut sugarcane molasses – is fermented for two to ten years. Another interesting fact was that John Watling’s Distillery uses oak barrels from Kentucky and Tennessee, which previously housed bourbon varieties to age their rum. Using these barrels adds some latent notes to the fermenting process of the rum.
The bottling process is all done with human hands. Bottling, labeling, and packaging – with not a machine in sight. It’s a small operation but churns out several varieties of rum. Guests walk through the display room (en route to the bar where the tour ends) with the option of purchasing their very own bottle. The rum produced here is some of the smoothest I’ve had the pleasure of trying. Sadly, it’s not available to ship to my home – YET. That means I’ll have to return to Nassau again in the future!
Cruising to a tropical getaway
Cruising is an excellent way to travel and see places worldwide. Guests not only experience service and luxury aboard ships, but also enjoy port visits. I am a cruise enthusiast, enjoying all the aspects of this type of vacation.
For me, this Bahamian cruise was relaxing, enjoyable and enlightening. There are more ports of call to explore. I can assure you I will return to the Bahamas. I know there is so much more to see and do, and I can’t wait to experience it!
