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Should I take a Costa cruise?


Treatsea
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I've been cruising for several years. I like to try new cruise lines to sample different styles of cruising. I've been wondering if I should go on Costa. I'm American, so it would not be the most natural choice compared to other cruise lines. I'm up for an adventure, but I know that it would be different from other cruise lines. Before I'd think about going, I'd want to know if I would be prepared to face the differences, and anything that could prohibit me from enjoying the experience. I'd appreciate insight anyone can offer on the matter.

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Depends what cruise lines you like. The short answer is "Carnival for Europeans", with more emphasis on nightlife than food. If you're looking at Europe, the experience will vary wildly depending on ship, itinerary and time of year (avoid European school holidays unless you really like kids). If you've already traveled in Europe and hated it, then Costa is probably not for you. But I'm on Deliziosa in January with an American group, it's our 13th Costa cruise, and there are a lot of loyal American customers.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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Depends what cruise lines you like. The short answer is "Carnival for Europeans", with more emphasis on nightlife than food. If you're looking at Europe, the experience will vary wildly depending on ship, itinerary and time of year (avoid European school holidays unless you really like kids). If you've already traveled in Europe and hated it, then Costa is probably not for you. But I'm on Deliziosa in January with an American group, it's our 13th Costa cruise, and there are a lot of loyal American customers.

 

I would be more likely to try a cruise in the Caribbean (or another destination) and not Europe.

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I've been cruising for several years. I like to try new cruise lines to sample different styles of cruising. I've been wondering if I should go on Costa. I'm American, so it would not be the most natural choice compared to other cruise lines. I'm up for an adventure, but I know that it would be different from other cruise lines. Before I'd think about going, I'd want to know if I would be prepared to face the differences, and anything that could prohibit me from enjoying the experience. I'd appreciate insight anyone can offer on the matter.

 

 

 

Short answer No. Not because costa would be European, which is in itself a weird statement as I am still looking for he common European characteristics shared between for example Sweden, Germany, Italy and Greece.

 

But a clear no because of quality, service and value. They are doing pretty much what NCL, RCI and others do just worse.

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Short answer No. Not because costa would be European, which is in itself a weird statement as I am still looking for he common European characteristics shared between for example Sweden, Germany, Italy and Greece.

How about Italy and Greece holding out their hands and Sweden and Germany counting out the billions of Euros into their hands:

 

 

But a clear no because of quality, service and value. They are doing pretty much what NCL, RCI and others do just worse.
But Costa are doing at a much lower price.

 

PS. How is the TA going or how did it go.

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Short answer No. Not because costa would be European, which is in itself a weird statement as I am still looking for he common European characteristics shared between for example Sweden, Germany, Italy and Greece.

 

But a clear no because of quality, service and value. They are doing pretty much what NCL, RCI and others do just worse.

 

How does MSC compare?

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Yes if you want a completely different experience, no if you like the same old, same old cruise lines.

 

Forget the moaners and groaners, you will never know unless you try for yourself.

 

Having tried most lines over the years, Costa & MSC are different from the American Lines, me, I love them all and hope to keep trying different things till I'm 100.

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But a clear no because of quality, service and value. They are doing pretty much what NCL, RCI and others do just worse.

 

I don't agree with this. I have found NCL and RCI to be better on entertainment. But, food (what's included in the fare) is of similar quality (albeit different) on Costa, and service varies a lot across any ship depending on who is providing the service. When you consider that Costa prices are typically lower than other lines they do represent a good value.

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How does MSC compare?

Haven't sailed on Costa, but twice on MSC.

I loved both times. Both were from Florida. Poesia and Divina.

Enjoyed beautiful ships, nice cabins, great entertainment (everyday Las Vegas style shows), even opera.

Great pricing.

One downside is food. Breakfast and lunches in buffet were ok to good. Not a huge problem for me, but meat was constantly tough and not the best cuts. We don't go to evening buffets, but our son went and was disappointed.

We really enjoyed international flare and possibility to have conversations with European guests.

 

Our first cruise on Poesia had more of Italian flare. On Divina it was clear that MSC does everything to be more like other American lines. Smaller scale entertainment was mostly American style. On Poesia we had a real Italian tenor Giuseppe. On Divina soprano and tenor were great, but not Italians (I believe they were Ukrainian).

 

I suppose Seaside will be even more americanized. I am American (naturalized) and nothing wrong in that, but we took these cruises to experience a bit of Europe...

 

MSC does a lot to make sure service is upto American pax liking. They even hire people who already worked on RCCL and other ships sailing in North America. They introduced free water at dinners first at NA sailings.

 

All in all we will cruise with then again, but will not drive all the way to Florida as we do sometimes now to experience "Europe in Caribbeans". :)

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Just finished my Costa Diadema cruise. Food, restaurant, ship layout, entertaintment etc aren't up to standard. I tried Norwegian Jade for my Norway cruise before & found it better than Costa in Mediterranean. I won't book Costa cruise anyomre in future, for sure.

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Just finished my Costa Diadema cruise. Food, restaurant, ship layout, entertaintment etc aren't up to standard. I tried Norwegian Jade for my Norway cruise before & found it better than Costa in Mediterranean. I won't book Costa cruise anyomre in future, for sure.

 

You pay for what you get.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Also, I find it interesting that on Cruise Critic Carnival is usually accepted as a quality, good value line, and Costa isn't, despite selling at similar price points.

 

Many temper the cruise value in relation to the price of the cruise. They are willing to deal with an inferior product due to the its low cost.

If you want a mediocre experience at a bargain price-go for it. Otherwise, steer clear!;)

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Also, I find it interesting that on Cruise Critic Carnival is usually accepted as a quality, good value line, and Costa isn't, despite selling at similar price points.

 

 

This really depends on who you ask.

We stopped cruising with Carnival after three tries. Just couldn’t adjust.

Costa has same design/decor which we aren’t big fans of.

 

Also Costa is even heavier discounted than Carnival.... and this attracts not the best crowd.

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We just got back off a 20night TA Costa Cruise and loved it.

Service on board was great and efficient. I read all the reviews I could find about theDeliziosa and their TAs in general and here are some of the things that havechanged. The common restrooms were allvery clean and well stocked. The nightlyshows were very good and we only missed one or two. Yes, the main language onboard was Italian,but then the 2nd was usually English. A daily Ship Events paper was in English andthe menus were in English as well. Weate most of our meals in the main dining room on deck two, but also tried thebuffet a few times. Dining at the buffetwas like WalMart on Black Friday. Thiswas not Costa’s fault but our fellow passengers.

We met other passengers that had been on other Costacruises; some as many as 11 times. Weasked them what had changed and most said was the details. Things seemed worn and dirty, like where youwould put your hand on an upholstered chair. Most guests were charged for water, but US guests were not. German travel companies from what we heardhad sued Costa about their automatic tipping policy and won. Therefore, theGermans tip on service and are not automatically charged. We did not purchase a drink package but drankdailyJ

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Oh dear. Now I have turned into a chav because I cruise with el cheapo Costa.;p

 

I have never cruise in the Caribbean so I have no idea what the passengers are like. If you cruise with Italians or the French you'll probably find them loud. They have no idea about queue-ing. It is just not something they do. Yes, you'll see them in the buffet on port days making sandwiches to take ashore for the whole family and their kids run riot.

 

Solution:

1)Avoid the buffet, cruise so often with Costa that you be Diamond pearl and have all your meals in the Club restaurant.

2) Go outside school holidays because there will be less kids.

3) Pay lots more to get to places on a different line and go ashore with the hordes from said lines because it appears to me the Caribbean ports are swamped with liners everyday.

 

I think it is each to their own. We have amazing holidays with Costa and continues to go back time and again. The ships are spotless. We know what to expect of the food and it's not bad. For really good meals we look at eating ashore. We mainly entertain ourselves and can't be bothered with the shows. We always manage to find a bar where we like the music. The staff on the whole speak good English and are really good.

 

We'll try other lines at some point because the ports can become repetitive and Costa does not have a large presence in some of the areas we want to visit. For the moment we are pretty happy with what we get.

 

Alicat

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Costa is very good with their smoking policy, that's for non-smokers. There is no smoking inside except the cigar lounge ( I cannot remember whether there are ones on the small ships). They have designated outside areas for smokers. Usually something like a third of an outside bar area. People are still allowed to smoke on their balconies. As far as I am aware the casino is totally non-smoking. When you are off the ship in Europe it is a different story. So many smokers!

 

Alicat

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We just got back off a 20night TA Costa Cruise and loved it.

Service on board was great and efficient. I read all the reviews I could find about theDeliziosa and their TAs in general and here are some of the things that havechanged. The common restrooms were allvery clean and well stocked. The nightlyshows were very good and we only missed one or two. Yes, the main language onboard was Italian,but then the 2nd was usually English. A daily Ship Events paper was in English andthe menus were in English as well. Weate most of our meals in the main dining room on deck two, but also tried thebuffet a few times. Dining at the buffetwas like WalMart on Black Friday. Thiswas not Costa’s fault but our fellow passengers.

We met other passengers that had been on other Costacruises; some as many as 11 times. Weasked them what had changed and most said was the details. Things seemed worn and dirty, like where youwould put your hand on an upholstered chair. Most guests were charged for water, but US guests were not. German travel companies from what we heardhad sued Costa about their automatic tipping policy and won. Therefore, theGermans tip on service and are not automatically charged. We did not purchase a drink package but drankdailyJ

 

Wow! Becareful you could be soon getting hate mail because you like Costa (as I do).:o

 

In German the "automatic service charge" is included in the price we pay, there is no need to tip extra - unless the staff when above and beyond the call of duty.

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Wow! Becareful you could be soon getting hate mail because you like Costa (as I do).:o

 

In German the "automatic service charge" is included in the price we pay, there is no need to tip extra - unless the staff when above and beyond the call of duty.

 

Same as in Australia- depending on how you book. If booking through an Australian TA then its included in the price paid. The price paid is always more that what's quoted on the Costa site to cover this.

 

If booking directly through the Costa site or with an international web based company then no the service fee is not pre-paid and is added to the on board account.

 

Here its a matter of being aware what each booking method includes, looking at the discounts (if any) being offered, weighing up the perks associated with each offer (sometimes OBC etc) and current exchange rates.

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What about smoking, we're not but have been to Europe to see most are, or so it seemed.

 

When would Europeans have holidays outside of typical Christian holidays?

 

In Norway we have holiday for one week in the autumn. Usually around week 40 or 41. And we have one week in late february.

 

Summer vacations are usually from 23. June to 15. August.

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