AnonymousCruiser69

No, it is not customary to tip the check-in agent. You are likely to have the room you booked unless you pay to upgrade.

 

Tea and coffee are usually available free of charge all day in the buffet area. Plus juices at breakfast. Any other drinks you want then you pay.

 

Find information on your ports on the Ports of Call (sorry, I don't know how to link) or have a look on tripadvisor.

and tap water, at meal service and the buffet. that's it.

Welcome to cruising and cruisecritic. Soooo many questions. Not to chastise you, but for your first cruise it might have been advantageous to use a travel agent or at least do some pretty thourough research before booking. I'll try to answer what I can, though.

1. I booked a Guaranteed Inside Classic room directly through Costa. It seems that the Inside Classic rooms have sold out. Is there a chance I could be upgraded? Also, how can I ensure that we get one double bed as opposed to two singles?

Guaranteed cabins are just that - you are guaranteed, at a minimum to have a cabin in the category you paid for. Normally you will have no say on the configuration or location of the cabin. most cabins come as two singles that are pushed together to make a double.

you may not even find out the cabin number until you board. 'Guarantees' give the cruise lines flexibility which is why you likely got a better price than picking out your cabin.

Sometimes, cruiselines offer gtys at a better price to 'fill the ship' by selling better cabins in an opaque way. do not count on learning your cabin or being able to change it before you board. there are exceptions to every rule, of course - just don't get your heart set on an upgrade of changing your cabin.

i've booked gtys several times. sometime it works out for the best and sometimes i get exactly what i paid for.

2. Once guaranteed rooms are assigned, can you request a change within the same cabin category if you are not satisfied? (For example, a cabin with two singles instead of one double bed?)

See answer to number one. As I mentioned, though, pretty much all cabins have two singles that can be moved together by the steward to make a double. Just ask your steward when you board if this is not done. again, this is a peril of booking a gty.

3. Has anyone been on one of the Asian cruises from Singapore and which nationality is the most dominant on the cruise? Chinese? Singaporeans? Are there many Europeans or North Americans?

I have done a shanghai to Singapore cruise with costa. Demographic were very mixed. Lots of aussies, german and French. There were very few American and Asians. This can and will vary wildy, though.

5. Does Costa include toiletries in the bathroom or must we bring our own? Also, do they fold the towels in interesting and fun ways like other cruise lines?

There will be bath soap and a shampoo/conditioner combo. Body lotion also. The steward may or may not make towel animals. sometimes i get them, sometimes not. If you're messing, the steward may need to take extra time cleaning up vs. making towel animals.

6. Are port charges charged when you book the cruise or is that an additional charge on board?

Port charges are included in the price you paid. Depending on your itinerary, there may be charges for visa that the cruise line arranges for you. Note: the cruisline does NOT arrange all visas. You will need to do some research. I.E. if you are going to china you need to have your own visa.

7. I am a Canadian travelling with my wife. But my mother in law is interested in joining us. However, she is a resident of the Philippines. It seems that the rate for residents of the Philippines is four times what we paid. Does anybody know if I would be allowed to book another room for my mother in law at our Canadian rate? Or if she could be added to our room for the Canadian rate? Alternatively, I know there are a lot of US websites that will accept international bookings and offer the US rates. But will Costa accept the booking? I have heard that sometimes tickets will not be issued or passengers will be denied boarding.

Triple cabins are RARE and you will not be able to get a gty cabin grade for a triple. Not sure about the other parts to this question. If she books as a single, there is something in the cruise industry called a ‘single supplement’ – that can be anywhere from 0 – 100% (nowadays it is most likely to be 100%).

yikes. no excuse for rude customer service. i would've planted myself at the counter until i got the person's name.

sorry you had to miss dubrovnik.

i did some googling, trying to find out how far it is from greece to dubrovnik. i found this: http://ports.com/sea-route/port-of-katakolon,greece/port-of-dubrovnik,croatia/

it says 404 nautical miles. that's roughly 20 hours at top speed. you didn't say how long your delay was transferring the sick child.

to answer your question, yes, they probably could've made up the time. the port slot in dubrovnik would have had to be open AND they would've had to burn excessive fuel to make up the lost time.

on the bright side, dubrovnik has been there for a long time and it will probably be there for a long time in the future. and capricruiser is correct - there is a clause in the contract that says they can change the itinerary for any reason (and give you nothing).

Thanks for the replies. Nice to knwo the dancing was not a TA fluke.

 

On carribean cruises is there at salad bar on the buffet?

 

THANKS AGAIN

there was on mediterranea

This must be the cheapest 5 day cruise I've seen advertised. Inside cabin price for the 10th November sailing on Costa Mediterannea from Costa's website.

going to book it?

I thought I would mention that the two hour road journey from Savona to Nice Airport is spectacular and a fantastic way to end a cruise. We had really contemplated going to Milan or Genoa but this 19 euro trip was fantastic. Would definitely recommend taking this particular route home to the UK if possible .

was this a costa transfer? bought ahead of time or on the ship?

i don't dance, but lots of dancers on my 3 costa cruises.

such a nice size for a ship. i wish i would've had a chance to cruise on this one before she leaves the fleet. not going to happen, though :(

princess pizza, while good, is more like the pizza here in the US. costa pizza is more like what is found in italy. depends on your tastes. some prefer a really deep-dish (like genos in chicago). not sure what type is favored in OK, but regional differences are always interesting to me.

dancing is a big deal on costa - much moreso than the other lines i have been on. i don't dance, but i do enjoy watching.

pizza on costa:

genos deep dish pizza (chicago style):

my usual breakfast onboard. chocolate croissant is on your right. i wish i had a butler to bring me this RIGHT NOW.

I'm curious how the menu offerings differ from the mainstream US lines, and I'm concerned that there is little choice for dinner beside the dining room. Input? (We're booked on the Mediterranea in the Caribbbean)

 

Also, if smoking is allowed in the staterooms, do they smell?

 

p.s. I really enjoyed the posted review, it's very helpful as we try to determine our feelings about Costa :)

i took pics of the majority of my meals on costa. they can be seen here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1748219

carolyn, something like this maybe?

 

 

philip

lol! :D:D:D

Ask. You shall receive!

 

Carolyn

not one of the chocolate filled ones, but looks yummy.

hiring a car and driver in dubai is inexpensive. i suggest you look at the ports of call board for recommendations. there's plenty to see and do to occupy a day.

Hi, just want to make sure I have answered all the questions you've asked before I hope off Costa Luminosa tomorrow (I don't believe that the great-croissant-debate ever presented a specific question).

 

Please advise if you're still waiting for an answer to an aspect of the cruise and I'll do my best to track it down.

 

Thanks for the conversations!

 

Carolyn

you're correct. there was no question. most reasonable people would not expect the croissant on an mainstream, italian cruise ship to be of the caliber of a parisian boulangerie...

At least I trust you concede that the poll is, in fact, useful for Americans.

 

...

no. a recent poll found polls are 95% ineffective at providing real-life experiences. :D

You are mischaracterizing what I said. I didn't "postulate" the results may be flawed. Here is what I said:

 

 

And that's exactly what you are doing. Arguing. I conceded that the poll is not perfect, but when every single MSC and Costa ship (about 26) save one is rated lower than every other mass market ship (about 120), it seems to me that one could reasonably conclude the food on MSC and Costa is not as good as the food served on the other mass market lines. Stated another way, it is highly likely that I or any other American would find the food on Costa and MSC inferior to the food on other mass market lines.

 

Also, it is probable that many non-Americans would share that opinion...unless you believe that the American palate is so distinct, so incapable of enjoying Italian food, that in no way can it indicate to non-Americans what is good. And I don't believe that.

 

 

 

 

You have not convinced me that the sample size is "flawed", unrepresentative, or biased. How many individuals have to be polled from a large group (all mass market cruisers) for a poll to be useful? Perhaps some statistician can elucidate, but it seems to me 2500 opinions can give reasonable insight into what a few million think.

Look, you can argue all you want what the poll does or does not indicate because it may not be a truly scientific random sampling. However, I find nothing you have or others have written is convincing. I think the results do indicate something when all 26 MSC and Costa ships save one are rated lower than all other mass market ships.

cruisecritic is used almost exclusively by english speakers - Americans. that in itself makes the polls skewed. i never answered that poll.

I could not have responded better myself. Thank you.

 

Also, I think it is important to note how Americans react, and how that results in a review and scoring. The thread on the MSC Cruises part of the forum, is a good example - in my opinion - although not representative for all of course:

 

Look at the choice of wording.

 

Water and Ice Tea in the Main Dining Rooms

 

#1:

I sailed on the MSC Musica and my family on the inaugural cruise of the beautiful MSC Preziosa earlier this year. In both ocasions, we all could not believe when we asked for regular iced water or ice tea during our meals at the dining rooms and were informed that we needed to buy bottled water and that iced water is not served.

What a petty way to get extra revenue from your customers.

I'm planing to sail on the MSC Divina in December out of Miami, but will not book until I hear from you if this unpleasant practice is still in place. All the rest was great, but for me this could be a deal breaker.

 

#2:

We had the same disappointment on our MSC Musica cruise November 2012 RT Venice. We were otherwise pleased, but could not believe we were not even served complimentary ice water. We also feel that this will affect our decision making for future cruises.

 

I am not trying to hang anyone out here, but this is fact, and it needs to be acknowledged when non-Americans read reviews. MSC Cruises even provides Americans with free daily vouchers for bottled water at the MDR, to complement the difference in culture and norm.

 

Philip

you can't paint all Americans with the same brush. it is the very vocal minority doing the majority of complaining. especially one, on this board (who i now have on 'ignore'.)

i have always asked for, and received regular tap water on costa. not a problem. nor have i ever starved on any cruise (although i did lose 5 pounds once on a carnival transatlantic).

i think some may be losing sight of what this food is: mass-produced banquet caliber food. i view this as true for all cruiselines with the possible exception of the very small ultra-luxury lines.

it is highly unlikely they will find a single bottle in your checked luggage - not that i would advocate a thing like that ;)

Just a point about cruisetrail photos of croissants: The "croissants" found on Costa ships just like those in any bar or pastry shop in Italy are Cornetti and have little relationship to French croissants. Cornetti are heavier than crossiants and come with fillings, creme, marmalade, chocolate, and even plain.

i love the chocolate ones. omg.

Thanks to all who have posted messages on this subject.

 

I am not able to access any site which will let me choose a dining time.

 

I think this has all been caused by the fact that I live in the UK and booked through a US Travel Agency. I am not even able to supply passenger details in advance because of this. My booking reference is not recognized by either .co.uk or .com websites.

 

Looks like taking pot luck when I join the cruise.

 

Locoman4244

if you can't access your booking number, i would be VERY suspicious of the travel agent. you should have access almost immediatly after your deposit was processed. did the charge go through on your card as 'costa'?

Wonder what might happen as far as dining is concerned with the following scenario.

 

I booked a Guaranteed Classic Balcony Cabin without realising about the new categories, so I am now expecting to be assigned dining at check in. ( I do not seem to have a choice)

 

However, it so happens that I have been assigned a Premium Balcony cabin. Wonder if this will mean that I will now have a choice of sittings ????

 

Comments appreciated.

 

Locoman4244

i agree with the previous 2 posters. your profile doesn't say where you are from, but if you are from the USA, you'll most likely be assigned early seating. costa is pretty good about knowing what time which nationalities like to dine. check your dining time (on key card) as soon as you board. if all else fails, do speak with the dining room manager.

On Friday, we're boarding Costa Luminosa in Barcelona, for a preview cruise before the ship heads for its Caribbean season out of Miami. Happy to check out anything you're curious about (though I encourage you first to read Kfowinst's terrific review -- she's just back, and it's here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1929150).

 

Otherwise, post away, and I'll do my best, Internet willing, to respond to you from the ship (if not, I'll respond when I'm back on land).

 

And if you have any advice, please feel free to include that as well!

 

Thanks.

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

i don't know if you've cruised costa before, but i offer this to all 1st time costa cruisers: don't expect it to be just like all the other lines. costa is 'different' (some would say not in a good way). go with an open mind and you'll have a great time.

Here is a link to some under water pictures of the side of the ship that was on the rocks.

 

http://www.giornalettismo.com/archives/1170599/le-prime-immagini-dello-squarcio-della-costa-concordia/

 

Google translation of the text:

 

"Here are the first pictures of the tear of the Costa Concordia. It was precisely the rock penetrated the sheet to help attach it to the bottom, and the lifting of the ship have come out debris, pipes and even a blanket. Pictures are taken from the first video showing the hitherto "hidden" of the Costa Concordia. Here they are."

erie pics. thanks for posting.