squeaky13

We have purchased the all- inclusive package for drinks on MSC and were deliberating on it for Costa. However, it wasn't clear to us beforehand what was included IN the package and NOT IN the package.

Once we boarded the boat and was able to ask specific questions- we realized it was NOT worth it for us to do the All-inclusive package for a few reasons:

1. Everyone in our cabin had to get all-inclusive (2 adults/2 kids) This is common on all cruise lines. However, once we figured out (below) what was not included, it financially did not make sense.

2. Did not include ice cream (MSC- includes unlimited gelato) on the Costa Fortuna there was no option free or purchase anywhere for real ice cream- they sold pre-packaged ice cream cones from a vending machine- not part of inclusive package.

3. Hot chocolate NOT included in package either (I don't think Cappuccino or Expresso was either- but not 100% sure). The kids like the hot chocolate. This was included on MSC

4. Ready for this one... BOTTLED WATER was served in a GLASS, you would never get the bottle with the package. So for excursions or to bring back to your room- no bottle!!

We ended up buying the soft drink package, and a beer package and a water package... all provided discounts to out right buying it. And we used every one before the end of our cruise. The all inclusive was NOT a deal for us at all. Either for me (I like 1-2 mixed drinks, but enjoy bottled water and cappuccino) or for the kids - how much soft drinks can you drink :( they enjoyed hot cocoa and gelato as part of the MSC all inclusive package.

Costa Fortuna April 2015

We did not get FREE water as an American on Costa Fortuna last April :(

It was NOT worth it for us to do the All-inclusive package for a few reasons:

1. Everyone in our cabin had to get all-inclusive (kids)

2. Did not include ice cream (MSC- includes unlimited gelato) on the Costa Fortuna there was no option free or purchase anywhere for real ice cream- they sold pre-packaged ice cream cones from a vending machine.

3. Hot chocolate, expresso- NOT included in package either

4. Ready for this one... BOTTLED WATER was served in a GLASS, you would never get the bottle with the package. So for excursions or to bring back to your room- no bottle!!

We ended up buying the soft drink package, and a beer package and a water package... all provided discounts to out right buying it. And we used every one before the end of our cruise.

Costa Fortuna

The Magica goes from Venice to Bari, Santorini, Athens, Corfu, Dubroknik and back to Venice.

The Jade goes from Venice to Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Olympia and back to Venice.

Venice- Departure port is a bit of a hassle (bridges, luggage) but down the canal is fantastic view (if its coming in or going out- not sure)

Bari- have been 2x- one time we did the city tour - on own- but often you're in port on a Sunday in this town- which means things are closed. Last time we did the excursion to the little houses- and it was OK- happened to be a national holiday and it was overwhelmed will crowds. an OK cruise port.

Corfu- we walked on our own- we liked Corfu a lot.

Santorini- See if other ships are in port if so - expect MASSIVE lines

Mykonis- never have been

Olympia/Katakolon- worth a visit with an excursion to see Olympia. Sleepy little town otherwise.

Athens- great city, lots to see and do. Best with transport or excursion because port is not near Athens city center.

Dubrovnik- lovely city, really easy to tour on your own. One time we were docked another it was tenders. The tenders were a bit rough (it was raining that day) and people were concerned getting on and off. See if you're tendered or docked. Still a great city though.

With Athens and Dubrovnik I'd go with the Magica.

We've traveled quite a lot of MSC, and although not perfect, our kids now 12 and 14 had sailed free. As an American, this was a key sales feature for us, from a cost perspective.

We decided to try Costa this time, and although we had a great trip, and it was nice to compare cruise lines, ships, and on-board logistics, there was a huge deal breaker for us for future Costa ships. The DINNER BUFFET was non-existent! With kids, we don't want to sit down for a 2 hour meal every night, occasionally we like to - 2-3x a trip but every night is just painful.

The restaurant meals were long, with very limited choices. My kids chose the kids- Cod meal every night, and some nights it was good some it was dry. We did the 4euro pizza, 3 nights- but that gets tiring. It was a huge let down. So there is supposedly an ice cream machine for free ice cream... NOPE, broken- behind a wall- "under maintenance". Some of the workers on the ship didn't even know it was even there, its been "under maintenance" for so long. Oh and right next to under maintenance machine- was a pay for ice cream vending machine.

They did have an ice cream social on the day at sea, and by the last 1/2 hour, there was no ice cream left. For some ice cream isn't a deal breaker, but its a disappointment for kids on vacation.

We found the food to be limited- lunch buffet, portions smaller in all respects, and buffet lines longer because they rope people in, to wait in the line , verse being able to just pop in and pick up a roll. We did notice the wait staff on Costa (Italy/Malta/Spain) had mostly Indian servers. One MSC we had more eastern European waitstaff. I did find the wait staff in the restaurant brusque, a bit impertinent and really not caring whether we liked something or not. When I did not like the dinner entree, they did not offer anything or comment on it.

Beautiful clean ship, boarding was much smoother than MSC, with the ID cards showing up in room verse the pictured version on MSC. We did find the boat had narrower spaces in the public area (lines). The safety drills were longer (as you can expect after Concordia), with 3 times being counted as we waited, and lined up in rows.

I found this board immensely helpful and wanted to give back to others like me that maybe don't post much but do a lot of reading.