beaniebaby

Thank you so much for your replies. That's most helpful. Thank you.

I'm looking at flight options for this cruise. There is a return flight from Venice airport which is 11:40 am. It has the arrival time of the Magica of 9:00am into Venice. Has anyone any experience of what time they got to get off the Magica. Was it into port any earlier? Your input would be much appreciated.

We are sailing our first Costa cruise in September on the Classica.... we've sailed MSC before which is also Italian style. How would the two compare, if anyone has sailed both?

Sorry I have not sailed on MCS only Costa. We have done several Caribbean, Med, and Greek Isles cruises on Costa. We have been more than pleased with them. The last one in July on the Costa Medditeranea, which was fabulous. Looking forward to Dubai now. I'm sure you will like them.

The cruise was great. Fortuna is just a nice size with lots going on. Food was not as good as we've experienced before on Costa, but I think they changed some of the wait staff prior to the cruise, which made things a little slow in the MDR, but it did improve as the cruise went on. Also, they had a new Head Chef for our cruise, so I guess the rest of the kitchen staff had to get used to his ways, but again by the end of the cruise everything was OK. Quality wise it was all good.

Don't know your itinerery, but our was a repositioning cruise so most of the ports of call will be different to yours. Muscat is great, Dubai & Abu Dhabi were OK for what they are. Hope you like the Italian experience, we do & have sailed with Costa many times.

Hope you enjoy.

Yes that's good to hear, thank you. Yes we have been on Costa before and do like the Italian style. Plus the all inclusive :)

Just back before Christmas from Costa Fortuna, Savona to Dubai. Didn't notice any unadvertised packages as such, other than some, if you like, 'Special Purchase' wines which were much cheaper than the normal wine list. Also they have wines by the caraffe, which are better value than the bottles.

The problem with the Costa drinks package, is that if there are 2 people in the cabin, you have to buy 2 packages, which doesn't represent good value if like your husband, the second person doesn't drink.

Hi, just wondered how your cruise was? Due to go next week and can find no reviews anywhere, just curious. We have booked the all inclusive package too. Hope you don't mind me asking you? :)

Hiya,

 

What dinner sitting and restaurant have you picked for the cruise? I've picked second and the upper deck of Raffaello restaurant.

Hi, we haven't selected any. We only booked the basic package with no choice. Not too bothered really as we will just make plans with what we are given. We have been on several Costa cruises in the past. The last one being in July on the Medditeranea. It was a Greek Island cruise. Fabulous! We really enjoyed the all inclusive package. It certainly is the way to go. Looking forward to this cruise, as I guess you are too.

Hi Beaniebabe, I can reassure you on the itinerary you will be able to board at 3 p.m but cabin not available to use until after 7 p.m. You will find most people will eat in the dining room that evening as they are dressed, so bear that in mind with your change of clothes earlier in the day. I am surprised Costa still have that info on their literature as they told us it was a mis print and this was when we cruised on 30th November ! We were not looking forward to the long wait to embark, so pleasantly surprised when we could at least get on board for something to eat and drink and a little sleep on the loungers at 3 p.m !

Many thanks for that information. Feel a little better now as we thought we would be in for a long tiring day. Good idea to have a nap on the sun loungers. :)

Hi looks like we too are on the same cruise on the Fortuna on the 24th. We also arrive approx. 8am in the morning and just looking at the boarding info. It says we can not board until 8pm. It will be a long day so are hoping we will at least be able to board earlier even if we can not access our cabin.:)

What a fabulous review, I think it is the best one I have ever read. The details and photos are amazing. Well done.