Nope, it wasn’t my stateroom on my MSC Divina cruise. But I can dream, can’t I?

I did get to see the Sophia Loren Suite (Room 16007) and it is terrific. Just as I would have expected since it was designed by the legendary actress who is also the MSC fleet’s godmother.

Located within the Divina’s famous “ship within a ship” – the MSC Yacht Club – the suite has a rich luxurious red sofa and chairs, plus a lush red carpet topped by a swirly figured carpet in the living room.

Situated far forward on the ship, the suite has balcony openings from both the bedroom and the living room. A bottle of champagne was cooling in a bucket when I was there, with two glasses ready for a toast.

The bed has a plush red headboard, white bedcovers with a red fabric throw on the bottom of the bed and red pillows for accents. A replica of the special dressing table used in Sophia Loren’s own dressing room has been fitted for an extra touch of glamour.

My favorite décor items are the stunning black-and-white photographs of Loren’s most memorable movie roles decorating the walls. Movie buffs will love that, especially the one of Loren hoisting her honorary Oscar in 1991. She also won a 1962 Academy Award for best actress in Two Women.

In the Yacht Club Library, you can browse through a selection of Sophia Loren’s favorite novels. I think it would be fun to read the same 20 classics that sparked her imagination. Books often reveal something about the person who cherishes them so it might be possible to discover a little more about one of the greatest cinematic legends of all time.

Seems hard to believe Italy’s own Loren will turn 80 this Sept. 20.  Maybe she will want to celebrate with a cruise aboard the MSC Divina. My birthday is in September as well and a cruise sounds divine to me.

By Jackie Sheckler Finch