Food on Board Costa Mediterranea

Hi there

I am new to this board and me and my husband love cruising.

We have seen an offer for Costa Mediterranea and as the liner is Italian, I am a little concerned about the food. I love Italian but my husband is not very adventurous and in fact prefers plain english food. Would he be offered an alternative to Pasta and their sauces as he hates both? :)

We love to Fly, Cruise & Stay and have done this before. The offer we have been given is to the Eastern Med 7+7 cruise & stay at a very reasonable £759 from Bham, England.

Any suggestions if this cruise is not suitable due to the food ?

TIA

We did the Costa Med Transatlantic in November. The food and selection were extraordinary. Some of the menu descriptions were funny. I pointed out to the Maitre d' that what was listed as wild bear was probably wild boar. Much merriment as the waiters scurried around assuring all that Winnie the Pooh was not being cooked.

Sorry, but no "Roast Beef of Old England" or "Yorkshire pudding" but maybe a blood sausage in the Lido.

Enjoy, she is a beautiful ship.

We did the Costa Med Transatlantic in November. The food and selection were extraordinary. Some of the menu descriptions were funny. I pointed out to the Maitre d' that what was listed as wild bear was probably wild boar. Much merriment as the waiters scurried around assuring all that Winnie the Pooh was not being cooked.

Sorry, but no "Roast Beef of Old England" or "Yorkshire pudding" but maybe a blood sausage in the Lido.

Enjoy, she is a beautiful ship.

You have not been on the Costa Mediterranea then ?

I have spoken to the cruise booking agent and she said they cater for every taste so I would have thought they could offer some english alternative to the sauces and pasta inevitably provided on an Italian ship.

Sorry for my abbreviation. "Costa Med" meant "Costa Mediterranea", the ship you asked about.

Since we were Transatlantic with only 185 English speakers, the food was European oriented and superb.

Sorry for my abbreviation. "Costa Med" meant "Costa Mediterranea", the ship you asked about.

Since we were Transatlantic with only 185 English speakers, the food was European oriented and superb.

Thanks, I take it from that, that he should be able to get something other than Italian :)

I took a lot of food pictures on my mediterrania cruise. they are posted here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1748219

It would probably be more accurate to say they offer a variety of choices rather than cater to every taste. There is a pasta course at dinner, but it´s only one of several on the menu. I´m not very adventurous myself and do just fine.

At £759 you pay your money and you get what you pay for.

Its not all pasta - but wont for sure be gourmet cuisine.

Just dont go looking for an "English" experience - you will not get "P&O" style on an Italian ship. Food will not be a problem for a "plain eating" individual.

Go with an open mind - remember you paid bottom dollar for it and enjoy it for what it is. A bargain.

Thanks for that, I really don't expect 5* treatment on what is priced at a bargain basement offer but Costa Ships do look luxurious in their style, but as long as they can offer a non pasta and sauce option he will be fine.

My brother in law who would be travelling with us did voice concerns on the comments made about the smoking on board. He and my sister are non smokers and hate the thought of people smoking all over the ship.

Is smoking restricted to the decks or is it allowed in all the bars? If so is there a smoking section that is screened off. Obviously on a ship you are in an enclosed atmosphere most of the time, so if there are many smokers in the lounges it would be hard to avoid the passive smoking, so my question is how bad is it?

Costa is the most liberal line at sea when it comes to smoking. You cannot complain so here are the facts.

You CAN smoke inside your cabin as well as on your balcony. Costa Do do a great job of cleaning rooms (by reputation and previous posters)

You CAN smoke in most bars and lounges - indoors - and just as it was on other lines years ago, there are smoking areas in bars, lounges and clubs. - and smokers are absolutely justified in smoking in these areas.

You CAN smoke in the casino

You CAN smoke on upper deck, one half of the ship (varies from ship whether port or starboard)

There is a good chance on a mass ship in the Med you will get a lot of smokers - many British choose Costa now as they have very little option left when it comes to smoking.

Please dont go on your cruise and then complain about the smoke afterwards. It IS a liberal line on smoking - if it bothers you so much, do choose an alternative.

Now you know ;)

Costa is the most liberal line at sea when it comes to smoking. You cannot complain so here are the facts.

You CAN smoke inside your cabin as well as on your balcony. Costa Do do a great job of cleaning rooms (by reputation and previous posters)

You CAN smoke in most bars and lounges - indoors - and just as it was on other lines years ago, there are smoking areas in bars, lounges and clubs. - and smokers are absolutely justified in smoking in these areas.

You CAN smoke in the casino

You CAN smoke on upper deck, one half of the ship (varies from ship whether port or starboard)

There is a good chance on a mass ship in the Med you will get a lot of smokers - many British choose Costa now as they have very little option left when it comes to smoking.

Please dont go on your cruise and then complain about the smoke afterwards. It IS a liberal line on smoking - if it bothers you so much, do choose an alternative.

Now you know ;)

Thanks for that. I am so glad I asked because I have allergies and when I am in the company of people who are smoking and the atmosphere is "polluted" it starts me sneezing and I can sneeze all night and this makes my sinuses bad too.

I think in the circumstances unfortunately I am going to have to give this a miss, I know too my brother in law and sister would not want to go either. I am surprised that they allow it as obviously they could always have restricted smoking to the decks (outdoors) like they do outside pubs and in that way they wouldn't be losing so much business. There are becoming more non-smokers now than smokers, so they must be losing a lot of customers. Also I am surprised they are allowed to get away with it within the EU, but then again Britain is always the first to obey the law ;)

I am sure when we went last time on a Thomson cruise, it was not allowed, so is it banned on all other shipping lines just so I know which ones to avoid?

Thanks for that. I am so glad I asked because I have allergies and when I am in the company of people who are smoking and the atmosphere is "polluted" it starts me sneezing and I can sneeze all night and this makes my sinuses bad too.

 

I think in the circumstances unfortunately I am going to have to give this a miss, I know too my brother in law and sister would not want to go either. I am surprised that they allow it as obviously they could always have restricted smoking to the decks (outdoors) like they do outside pubs and in that way they wouldn't be losing so much business. There are becoming more non-smokers now than smokers, so they must be losing a lot of customers. Also I am surprised they are allowed to get away with it within the EU, but then again Britain is always the first to obey the law ;)

 

I am sure when we went last time on a Thomson cruise, it was not allowed, so is it banned on all other shipping lines just so I know which ones to avoid?

Actually, in the US anyway, smoking is on the rise. 25% of adults smoke. I choose costa because of their smoking policy (and will NOT sail with anyone else). I'm sure I am not alone.

Actually, in the US anyway, smoking is on the rise. 25% of adults smoke. I choose costa because of their smoking policy (and will NOT sail with anyone else). I'm sure I am not alone.

Obviously I was referring to the people in the UK where it is banned from all pubs and public places. They are even considering making it illegal to smoke inside a car ! This has resulted (along with the price at £6 per packet) to people stopping smoking but as I say, my allergies make it impossible for me to suffer it, I start sneezing and I don't stop, resulting in a constant runny nose - very unpleasant. So I was glad when they banned it. However, I understand anyone that does smoke wanting to go on ships that cater for it.:)

To gwt this tread back on track.

Has Smoked Salom been banned yet or can you only eat iton one side of the MDR?

Ron

Actually, in the US anyway, smoking is on the rise. 25% of adults smoke. I choose costa because of their smoking policy (and will NOT sail with anyone else). I'm sure I am not alone.

You are definitely not alone:cool: but I also do land trips so I can smoke to my heart's content.

I have commented on another thread regarding the smoking policy on board Costa ships. Apparently my TA rang Costa and they said, due to safety concerns, smoking is restricted to the decks and not allowed in gangways, cabins etc. which from other comments I have read, proves that this is ignored by the Costa management who obviously do not want it broadcasted to non-smokers that they are allowing smoking in various areas. I think this is dishonest considering you are paying a lot of money and if like me, you have allergies, you should be informed that smoking is still allowed on board. As it is I have cancelled the offer we were going to take for a cruise on Costa.:(

I have commented on another thread regarding the smoking policy on board Costa ships. Apparently my TA rang Costa and they said, due to safety concerns, smoking is restricted to the decks and not allowed in gangways, cabins etc. which from other comments I have read, proves that this is ignored by the Costa management who obviously do not want it broadcasted to non-smokers that they are allowing smoking in various areas. I think this is dishonest considering you are paying a lot of money and if like me, you have allergies, you should be informed that smoking is still allowed on board. As it is I have cancelled the offer we were going to take for a cruise on Costa.:(

There is no secret and Costa management is certainly not ignoring this subject, there is so much information on all the Costa web sites, people can't be bother to look, instead they ask on cruising forums.

Here is Costa (UK site) smoking policy:

Smokers

Smoking is strictly forbidden in the theatres, restaurants and buffets (indoor areas), corridors, halls, lifts and stairwells. There are areas reserved for smokers in the lounges. Pipes and cigars may only be smoked in designated areas. In order to avoid creating fire hazards, please remember to extinguish cigarettes in the ashtrays provided and never throw lit cigarettes overboard.

There is no secret and Costa management is certainly not ignoring this subject, there is so much information on all the Costa web sites, people can't be bother to look, instead they ask on cruising forums.

 

Here is Costa (UK site) smoking policy:

 

Smokers

Smoking is strictly forbidden in the theatres, restaurants and buffets (indoor areas), corridors, halls, lifts and stairwells. There are areas reserved for smokers in the lounges. Pipes and cigars may only be smoked in designated areas. In order to avoid creating fire hazards, please remember to extinguish cigarettes in the ashtrays provided and never throw lit cigarettes overboard.

Well, as with everything to do with rules in life, some obey and some probably can't be bothered if they have lit up in one area and move down a corridor to another. From comments I have been reading many areas smell of cigarettes and this is something you cannot avoid when smoking is allowed in designated areas and people move around.

As i say, I phoned the TA and he knew nothing about the smoking problem and was told no smoking is allowed in any areas other than on the decks and that came from the "horse's mouth", Costa. As I say, they probably know many people ignore the rules and they don't want to deter people from booking, but as I have an allergy I feel it is best for myself if I don't book on a ship where smoking is allowed "inside". I am sure when we went on a Thomson cruise some 3 yrs or so ago, there was no smoking inside, only on the deck.

Well, as with everything to do with rules in life, some obey and some probably can't be bothered if they have lit up in one area and move down a corridor to another. From comments I have been reading many areas smell of cigarettes and this is something you cannot avoid when smoking is allowed in designated areas and people move around.

 

As i say, I phoned the TA and he knew nothing about the smoking problem and was told no smoking is allowed in any areas other than on the decks and that came from the "horse's mouth", Costa. As I say, they probably know many people ignore the rules and they don't want to deter people from booking, but as I have an allergy I feel it is best for myself if I don't book on a ship where smoking is allowed "inside". I am sure when we went on a Thomson cruise some 3 yrs or so ago, there was no smoking inside, only on the deck.

There is no smoking problem. I have never seen anyone smoking outside of the designated areas.

Your TA and his "horse" no absolutely nothing about Costa, they can't even use the Internet to view Costa's Web site.

Ron

Well, as with everything to do with rules in life, some obey and some probably can't be bothered if they have lit up in one area and move down a corridor to another. From comments I have been reading many areas smell of cigarettes and this is something you cannot avoid when smoking is allowed in designated areas and people move around.

 

As i say, I phoned the TA and he knew nothing about the smoking problem and was told no smoking is allowed in any areas other than on the decks and that came from the "horse's mouth", Costa. As I say, they probably know many people ignore the rules and they don't want to deter people from booking, but as I have an allergy I feel it is best for myself if I don't book on a ship where smoking is allowed "inside". I am sure when we went on a Thomson cruise some 3 yrs or so ago, there was no smoking inside, only on the deck.

Your TA is talking rubbish - the website is clear.

and what has Thomsons got to do with Costa??

People on costa cruises do NOT ignore rules - they smoke in designated areas with ashtrays - Ive never seen anyone smoke in a non smoking area on board.

Smoke is not an allergy BTW - its an irritant.

You did right cancelling - I kind of suspected Italian cruising was not for you.

and now back to out regularly scheduled program: food, glorious food.

I just finished assembling a cassoulet using Julia child's recipe. i'm having friends up for dinner tomorrow night for a viewing of 'les miserables', complete with a classic French dish. onion tart for a starter.

we are also watching 'lincoln', and I have made mary todd Lincoln's famous almond vanilla cake for dessert.

Your TA is talking rubbish - the website is clear.

and what has Thomsons got to do with Costa??

People on costa cruises do NOT ignore rules - they smoke in designated areas with ashtrays - Ive never seen anyone smoke in a non smoking area on board.

Smoke is not an allergy BTW - its an irritant.

You did right cancelling - I kind of suspected Italian cruising was not for you.

I did not say smoke was an allergy, I said I HAD allergies and am allergic to smoke which as you say is an irritant. I wish people would read things properly before they jump down people's throats and as the TA I referred to was trying to sell me a cruise, I hardly think he would tell me lies about this if he wants to keep me returning to book further cruises, it was people on this very forum commenting on the smoking on Costa cruises that persuaded me it was not for me. The TA said he spoke to a Costa Cruises representative to ask about this subject and he told him that due to "health & safety concerns", "smoking was designated to the decks only". Obviously he was trying to persuade a travel agent that his cruises were healthy and safe for ALL passengers, a natural human reaction.

Thomson's was mentioned as the other cruise I have been on without any smoking problem.

Smoking is a very controversial issue with "smokers" and I suspect people on here vehemently defending Costa's record are smokers because they do not want to see it banned altogether. I have no problem if people want to smoke, I do have a problem myself with sitting under the atmosphere with smoke drifting towards non-smoking areas in a confined area which you are on a ship with all doors at night usually being kept closed and so I avoid all public places where smokers are allowed to smoke. Smoke "drifts", it stinks up the place, gets into your clothes and your hair and I have never smoked, so why should I be forced to sit in it even if it is only allowed in "designated" places.

As I say, smoke drifts but I have no problem if people want to stick to a Cruise line that tolerates people who still want to smoke. As with Spain, who used to thumb its nose at EU rules in pubs and restaurants, they are now being dragged into accepting the rules due to the public pressure and police authorities. If Costa is obeying the H & S rules I have no problem with them encouraging smokers.

In any event, you are right, although I have travelled on an Italian liner in the past when I was much younger and obviously did not know that my allergy problems were being exacerbated by sitting in smoking areas, I have a choice and will be exercising it.

I choose not to aggravate my health problems now I am much older, it is a free world, you continue to smoke and sit in it if you like. I prefer to sit in a clean oxygen when I am socialising. Each to his own I guess. :cool:

During a couple of weeks on Costa Mediterranea Europe and Transatlantic I did not notice ANYONE smoking indoors in spite of the passenger load being Italian, German and Spanish. I confess I avoid the Casino as a matter of course, but did not notice any smoking except a little bit on the outside deck by the pool.

Maybe I'm just not that picky.

I did not say smoke was an allergy, I said I HAD allergies and am allergic to smoke which as you say is an irritant. ...

it is a medical impossibility to be allergic to smoke because smoke is not an allergan. smoke is an irritant.

enjoy your cruise, whichever line you choose.

I did not say smoke was an allergy, I said I HAD allergies and am allergic to smoke which as you say is an irritant. I wish people would read things properly before they jump down people's throats and as the TA I referred to was trying to sell me a cruise, I hardly think he would tell me lies about this if he wants to keep me returning to book further cruises, it was people on this very forum commenting on the smoking on Costa cruises that persuaded me it was not for me. The TA said he spoke to a Costa Cruises representative to ask about this subject and he told him that due to "health & safety concerns", "smoking was designated to the decks only". Obviously he was trying to persuade a travel agent that his cruises were healthy and safe for ALL passengers, a natural human reaction.

 

Thomson's was mentioned as the other cruise I have been on without any smoking problem.

 

Smoking is a very controversial issue with "smokers" and I suspect people on here vehemently defending Costa's record are smokers because they do not want to see it banned altogether. I have no problem if people want to smoke, I do have a problem myself with sitting under the atmosphere with smoke drifting towards non-smoking areas in a confined area which you are on a ship with all doors at night usually being kept closed and so I avoid all public places where smokers are allowed to smoke. Smoke "drifts", it stinks up the place, gets into your clothes and your hair and I have never smoked, so why should I be forced to sit in it even if it is only allowed in "designated" places.

 

As I say, smoke drifts but I have no problem if people want to stick to a Cruise line that tolerates people who still want to smoke. As with Spain, who used to thumb its nose at EU rules in pubs and restaurants, they are now being dragged into accepting the rules due to the public pressure and police authorities. If Costa is obeying the H & S rules I have no problem with them encouraging smokers.

 

In any event, you are right, although I have travelled on an Italian liner in the past when I was much younger and obviously did not know that my allergy problems were being exacerbated by sitting in smoking areas, I have a choice and will be exercising it.

 

I choose not to aggravate my health problems now I am much older, it is a free world, you continue to smoke and sit in it if you like. I prefer to sit in a clean oxygen when I am socialising. Each to his own I guess. :cool:

My apologies if you felt was "jumping down your throat" - no offence intended. I was merely advising you that it may not be the line for you.

I have an allergy - I carry an Epi-pen as it is life threatening.

Your travel agent is however conveying wrong information - (albeit it he is passing on Costa info) It is wrong and the policy is on Costas website as GMT posted. Next time you are talking to them you might want to let them know they are passing on wrong information.

I am happily now a NON smoker incidentally - :)

I WILL return to Costa - but only on one ship (which you might want to note for future reference) NeoRomantica - smoke there is handled very well and ventilation excellent. The beautiful martini bar there is totally non smoking. Its a stunning ship - and my family as non smokers -did not feel it effected them at all.

Bon Voyage!