Costa Deliziosa Cruise HUGE Disappointment

Sooo disappointing. Our 11 day trip from Savona Italy was seriously sabotaged by the poorly run, poorly managed Deliziosa. We absolutely couldn't believe it. Normally, I am very happy with food, accomodations, travel experiences, and find other's reviews to be at fault once I experience it myself. I have much lower expectations I find, than others, but in this case, I can't be positive. The food was awful. Staff was indifferent and rude. The common areas were uncomfortably warm. The cruise consisted of mosty europeans, and we were shocked at their rudeness, butting in line, and pushy, (literally), rudeness, and coldness. English is definitely not favored with them, or Costa. The communication was difficult, and you had to listen to 5 languages for everything you did. The cruise activity director was a chubby older lady, approx 60, who you only saw in the evenings for the shows. It was just...weird. NOT your typical light hearted, fun cruise. So strange. European humor, old style 70's type dancing, really codgy and ...stupid. EVERYTHING cost euro's...even the pool table. You didn't have ANY activity on board w/o paying, and nothing made sense. I don't even know how to explain it. I beg you to sail on another cruise company...just don't support Costa. They don't deserve your business.

I'm booked on Deliziosa next spring. This review had me really worried until I started reading things like English not favored (sic), 5 languages (that's well-known to any knowledgeable agent), 70's dancing (have you seen a cruise ship that doesn't- except the ones with no dancing at all, of which there are many), rude Europeans (as I write this, CC has a featured thread about table hogs on NCL), everything in euros.

I agree that Costa is not a good choice for many. Sounds like roxgro's travel agent should have gotten to know their customer better and steered them somewhere else.

Welcome to CC! Sorry your cruise was so bad.

Clearly a different crew to when we sailed on it December 2011, food was better than NCL!

Sooo disappointing. Our 11 day trip from Savona Italy was seriously sabotaged by the poorly run, poorly managed Deliziosa. We absolutely couldn't believe it. Normally, I am very happy with food, accomodations, travel experiences, and find other's reviews to be at fault once I experience it myself. I have much lower expectations I find, than others, but in this case, I can't be positive. The food was awful. Staff was indifferent and rude. The common areas were uncomfortably warm. The cruise consisted of mosty europeans, and we were shocked at their rudeness, butting in line, and pushy, (literally), rudeness, and coldness. English is definitely not favored with them, or Costa. The communication was difficult, and you had to listen to 5 languages for everything you did. The cruise activity director was a chubby older lady, approx 60, who you only saw in the evenings for the shows. It was just...weird. NOT your typical light hearted, fun cruise. So strange. European humor, old style 70's type dancing, really codgy and ...stupid. EVERYTHING cost euro's...even the pool table. You didn't have ANY activity on board w/o paying, and nothing made sense. I don't even know how to explain it. I beg you to sail on another cruise company...just don't support Costa. They don't deserve your business.

Sorry to hear that.

What was the itinerary?

Did you explore the ship?

Do you have photos to post?

Could you be more specific about the food?

What cabin did you have?

How were the shows?

Thank you.

I think you made a big mistake choosing Costa in the first place, but, of course there was not much English spoken, this is an Italian line.

European humour, there is no such thing. Europe has many nations each with their own language and humour. You can't lump all Europeans together into one big box.

As to the rudeness of the Europeans, if you had said the rudeness of Germans, French,Italians or British or of the many others, that would have been more valid.

Americans generally are among the most polite and courteous nations on earth, and also, generally, are Northern Europeans, British, German, Scandinavions. Southern nations, basically don't do queuing and in Italy you will be pushed out of the way if waiting in line. It's a culture thing, and I am sure you won't make the mistake of booking Costa again.

David.

I was on the Costa Deliziosa last month and it was fantastic. The food was great along with the service.

As far as English not being favored, well there was only about 150 English (as a first language) speaking people on board so naturally it is not favored.

Prices for things were in Euros as you were in Europe, I am not sure what you were expecting.

I agree with you on the rudeness part. Italians are not aware of anyone else but themselves. Most northern Europeans are quite different.

By euro's, I don't mean I was surprised by paying in Euro's but meant that everything was costly...we had to "rent" everything, vs. it being available to us as part of the cost of the cruise as I am accustomed to. I don't mean to lump everyone together in the rudeness, push you out of line part of my comment, but ... I don't know the various cultural differences amongst the Europeans. I just know it happened alot and it was shocking. About it being an Italian line, the cruise ships I've sailed on in the past were also Italian, ect, this made no difference. Our companions on this cruise who have sailed Holland and Louis out of other European ports verified that this was indeed a very different and disappointing cruise line compared to their positive european cruise experiences.

...old style 70's type dancing, really codgy and ...stupid.

We have been on the Forturna and the Fascinosa among our sixteen cruises on a variety of lines. The dancing opportunities on both ships were vast. There was ballroom and Latin dancing (salsa, waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba, bolero, nightclub two-step, cha-cha, and more) in at least three different lounges, as well as modern club-type dancing in the disco on both ships. Leaving aside for a moment the fact that all of that is about as far from 70's type dancing as one can possibly get, if you were looking to do free style dancing to your favorite Joan Jett and Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, well then, sorry, wrong cruise line.

English is definitely not favored with them, or Costa.

On the Fascinosa we encountered exactly four other Americans. Why should English be "favored" by Costa? Their passengers speak a variety of languages. The ship personnel shouldn't be expected to "favor" any language. Every staff person we conversed with, from our waiters to our cabin steward, to the front desk personnel, to the casino dealers, to the bartenders all spoke wonderful English.

The cruise activity director was a chubby older lady, approx 60...

What was the point behind including a description of her physical appearance? What exactly bothered you? That she was chubby? older? approx 60?

roxgro,

I'm sorry you had a 'bad' cruise; and while I'm not a big fan of Costa after my recent Costa Victoria cruise, the majority of of your comments/complaints are such that they lend no credence to your post. Generalizations are unhelpful and border on prejudice. Much is subjective (I do agree, however, that Costa should employ only svelte, attractive, blond, twenty-something cruise directors who fawn over me 24/7).

Exercise of 'due diligence' on your (or your TA's) part, would have informed you of the things you found disappointing... and probably have resulted in a decision not to book the cruise.

An Italian cruise line with a ship sailing from Savona is going to market the cruise to... Europeans! "Dorothy, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." (or Arizona)

It seems you have suffered from cruise 'culture shock'. If you want to put: pushing, shoving and 'butting in line' in perspective, live (as I did) in Korea for six years... or come visit me in China - I assume on your cruise nobody was spitting on the dining room floor after doing a 120 dB 'lugie hork'; or, urinating by the pool the middle of 'Lido Deck'. Be thankful for small things.

Sincerely,

BB

P.S. No one here speaks English either.

This time last year we were on the Costa Mediterranea cruising the Mediterranean. We (Australians) were two from a handful of English speaking cruisers on board. We asked if there were others who would like company at dinner, but the rest were at the second sitting, so we were happy enough to sit alone. The Maitre' d' obviously had some sympathy for us and throughout the cruise sent us several bottles of wine to enjoy.

No complaints from us.

After that cruise finished we were booked on the Atlantica and the Maitre'd' messaged the Maitre'd of the Atlantica asking him to take good care of us. On this occasion we were seated with the only other two Aussies on board and again were plyed with alcohol each evening.

Happy cruisers....we are off again next month on the neoRomantica.

Love Costa...:D

roxgro,

 

I'm sorry you had a 'bad' cruise; and while I'm not a big fan of Costa after my recent Costa Victoria cruise, the majority of of your comments/complaints are such that they lend no credence to your post. Generalizations are unhelpful and border on prejudice. Much is subjective (I do agree, however, that Costa should employ only svelte, attractive, blond, twenty-something cruise directors who fawn over me 24/7).

 

Exercise of 'due diligence' on your (or your TA's) part, would have informed you of the things you found disappointing... and probably have resulted in a decision not to book the cruise.

 

An Italian cruise line with a ship sailing from Savona is going to market the cruise to... Europeans! "Dorothy, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." (or Arizona)

 

It seems you have suffered from cruise 'culture shock'. If you want to put: pushing, shoving and 'butting in line' in perspective, live (as I did) in Korea for six years... or come visit me in China - I assume on your cruise nobody was spitting on the dining room floor after doing a 120 dB 'lugie hork'; or, urinating by the pool the middle of 'Lido Deck'. Be thankful for small things.

 

Sincerely,

BB

 

P.S. No one here speaks English either.

@Bill B

I had no idea that there were Ku Klux Klan meetings in China until I read your comment. How often do you attend them? Maybe you should just get out of China and find a job elsewhere - if you can. It can be very damaging to your sanity at the rate you are going.

@Bill B

 

I had no idea that there were Ku Klux Klan meetings in China until I read your comment. How often do you attend them? Maybe you should just get out of China and find a job elsewhere - if you can. It can be very damaging to your sanity at the rate you are going.

Never been to China, have you?:rolleyes:

This time last year we were on the Costa Mediterranea cruising the Mediterranean. We (Australians) were two from a handful of English speaking cruisers on board. We asked if there were others who would like company at dinner, but the rest were at the second sitting, so we were happy enough to sit alone. The Maitre' d' obviously had some sympathy for us and throughout the cruise sent us several bottles of wine to enjoy.

No complaints from us.

After that cruise finished we were booked on the Atlantica and the Maitre'd' messaged the Maitre'd of the Atlantica asking him to take good care of us. On this occasion we were seated with the only other two Aussies on board and again were plyed with alcohol each evening.

Happy cruisers....we are off again next month on the neoRomantica.

Love Costa...:D

That's a good story!

I only cruised Costa once, my first cruise on the Costa Riviera in 1985. I was 27 and went with a male friend, and we had a great time. I am American born, but of northern Italian heritage.

That being said, I cannot comment about what Costa is today, but having read reviews, I would probably take a pass on sailing with them. I prefer Celebrity and Cunard. However, unless Costa has lost it completely, the best maitre d's / restaurant managers come from northern Italy. I've experienced many of them them on many ships and at restaurants here in the USA and in London. They have NEVER failed to treat us well.

Learn a few words of Italian, otherwise speak English, be civil, and they will treat you like gold! Apparently you did that! :)

I recall staying at the Savoy hotel, London, on my first honeymoon in 1987. They upgraded me to a huge suite (past guest). As we are leaving the Savoy to continue to Paris, the concierge "Louis" (or "Luigi")- same name as mine, says to me: "Where are you going"? I said: "The Paris Ritz". He comes back to me: "Do you know Jack Klein"? I believe that was the name of the general manager. I said: "No, but I know he is the GM". Louis says: "Have a nice time".

We check into the Ritz. I paid for a $450 / night double room, and they give be a $1000 a night suite! That's in 1987 dollars. Where do you think that gift came from?

We Italians are what we are, and as one, and while I might never sail Costa again; when it comes to management, play your cards right and you will win big time!!!

Then, I could tell you about "Max", the restaurant manager on Bahamas Celebration last February. He used to work for Princess and others. Again, treated like royalty! And, of course, Augusto Fazio. He was actually on Costa Riviera on my first cruise, and I met him later on Regal Empress. Small world!

Well, we Italians are what we are. Not always a day at the beach, but the best ones will roll out the red carpet for you. Many Americans forget that "America" comes from an Italian name!

Best wishes on your next cruise! :)

Now that you mention it, I do recall that Costa's maitre d's do tend to be more customer-oriented than most.

Been away from the board for awhile. Hey, wasn't Costa supposed to have gone under by now?

Anyone who goes on a Costa cruise and is surprised by all of the languages used in the announcements hasn't done much research on the brand. Just got back from a land tour in Thailand flying there from USA on China Air. Wow. The world is a big place! When the pilot said something in Chinese and the plane was shaking, I figured it might have something to do with my seatbelt and turbulence. Holy Cow, I was right. I really can stay alive when I'm far from home.