Cruised the Costa Med. from 1/16/05 to 1/23/05

[knarf]

Some short choppy info. from our trip. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like, We got to port at 12:30 and was on the ship by 1:00 . The line was not real long. moved quite quickly. "They" started boarding at 11:30 A.M. at least that is what the sign said when we got there. Gee, if we got there then I could have started eating sooner !!!!!! This was our 5th cruise -3 on the Princess and one on the Zuiderdam(HAL). Price was good for the Costa so we thouight we'd try it. The ship was beautiful. Staff very friendly, food we thought was good. Service in the dining room was good BUT maybe not as good as the other two lines that we were on. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad but just not as fast as the others. I felt our waiters had too many tables to service-not sure but seemed slower. Sailed the Eastern Caribbean- St Thomas Nassau, Puerto Rico, La Romana (Dominica Republic) and their private island -Catalina. You get to the private island at 8:00 AM. , stay until 4:30PM and leave to go to La Romana at 5:00. Get to La Ramana at 6:00 PM and leave there at 10:30PM. It really seemed like a waste of time because at LaR you had to take a taxi into a shopping area($4.00 taxi fee) and the people we talked to that took the taxi said it was a waste of time because there were only a few shops. Like I said we didn't go into the "town" or whatever it was. so this info. is second hand. When you get off the ship there is nothing around-just a nice little park area. I know this doesn't make much sense but we were disappointed . The ship had a excursion to an amphitheatre for a show of some type. Ship had a really nice exercise room with many different types of equipment. We really missed the personal choice dining feature that the other ships had. We had first sitting-5:45PM. which we had requested-but was spoiled from eating whenever we wanted to on the other cruises. Very few children on board ( the reason being that school was in session and the kids had just gone back from vacation. The crowd was definitely older( majority was 45 to ???) The balcony room was very nice and much much storage space in the room. Balconies extended out about 5 feet. There were two chairs and a little table(more like a night stand) on each balcony and it would have been crowded with 3 chairs and the stand. All the balconies seemed like they were the same size on each deck( at least that's what it looked like to me. In Puerto Rico they dock at old San Juan. You are there from 4:00PM to 1:00 AM. Crazy times.!! We knew that ahead of time from reading these boards( and what a super great source of info these boards are. ) We scheduled a 2 hour tour with Debbie from Legends of Puerto Rico Inc. She takes people on tours of her island. Super nice young lady and you see many parts of San Juan that you would not see otherwise. It is a walking tour and each person has his own "coconut flashlight." Very relaxed trip and very interesting. Found out about it on these boards-thank you somebody. It's http://www.*****.com if you want to see her web site. We felt disembarkation went very well. We were the last group off the ship. Our flight was at 2:00PM. We left the ship at 10:00 AM and was at the airport at 10:35.We took a taxi -much much faster than using their transfers. The cab cost $12.75 for the two of us. We went to Fort Lauderdale on 1/15/05 because of the poor weather in NW PA. We wanted to go a day early . We stayed at the Shearton at the airport area It was very nice but food was very expensive and there was no where near-by to walk to !! But here again the price was right. Do you get the impression that I am cheap- no just thrifty so that I can have money to cruise again( soon I hope). Sorry I rambled around. Not a good "typer" either. Feel free to ask questions if I didn't answer yours. Sincerely, Knarf (Frank backwards)

[cjl]

:D Scheduled for same trip in 2 weeks.Enjoyed your comments. Do a large percentage of people participate in Toga night?Was wondering on variety of seafood any comments. thanks cljl

[AmyChistopher]

We are sailing the same ship on March 6th and wondering the same thing, do we have to participate in toga night?

 

What things did you like about the cruise ship in general?

was there any food or perhaps a drink that you really enjoyed?

[gfmoore68]

Thanks for the info Knarf. We are going on the same cruise on March 13. I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind.

 

what nights were the formal nights, and seafood night? I have been informed that Friday is Toga night.

 

Costa shows excursions for La Ramana on thier web site, Would have any information about these? Are they day or evining? We thought about golfing the Theeth of The Dog course but have been recomended to go to the Island and skip the Mainland. Any info you have would be great.

 

I am looking forward to our trip. Costa just doesn't make it easy to find out info about thier cruises. Thank God for this board or I would be confused.

[Ms.Bee]

Hello Knarf, Ms. Bee here.....

 

We will be cruising the Mediterianna 4/3/05 and doing the Western Carrib. We are also from Northwestern PA. The winter has been long and cold, we are anxiously awaiting the sight of the ship. Sounds like she is beautiful!!

 

Thanks for the posting, We have never crused Costa. We are also wondering about the formal nights (how many and what nights?) And, is there a seafood night (lobster)? Also, did you happen to have any excursions that may of included a "dive-in team" to take you snorkeling? We will have balcony rooms too (standard balcony cabins), would we be able to order breakfast from room service? We love to eat breakfast on the balcony and watch the world go by....... Do many people seem to go dancing, or should I say how is the night life on the ship?

Thanks again for the info. and Buon Giorno, Ms. Bee

[Ms.Bee]

Hello Knarf, Ms. Bee here.....

 

We will be cruising the Mediterianna 4/3/05 and doing the Western Carrib. We are also from Northwestern PA. The winter has been long and cold, we are anxiously awaiting the sight of the ship. Sounds like she is beautiful!!

 

Thanks for the posting, We have never crused Costa. We are also wondering about the formal nights (how many and what nights?) And, is there a seafood night (lobster)? Also, did you happen to have any excursions that may of included a "dive-in team" to take you snorkeling? We will have balcony rooms too (standard balcony cabins), would we be able to order breakfast from room service? We love to eat breakfast on the balcony and watch the world go by....... Do many people seem to go dancing, or should I say how is the night life on the ship?

Thanks again for the info. and Buon Giorno, Ms. Bee

[hhiguy]

Just got back from our first Costa cruise the 1/23 Western Carib Route.

 

Here are some specifics

 

2 Formal nights Sunday and Friday. Saturday is Toga Nite. Thursday is Italy night take something Red, White and Green to wear that evening.

 

Lobster night is Friday you can order 2 Lobsters or a surf and turf combination with Prime Rib.

 

Room service in Veranda Cabins is continental breakfast. anything else costs extra.

 

Key West is too short you leave at 1:00PM. All the action in that town is after 5.

 

Food and service are great. Don't fail to catch the two production shows on the formal nights. They are "Time Machine" and "Solid Gold". They had a Russian Acrobat show last week, also don't fail to see if available. One thing you won't get a comedy show. This is because about 25% of the passengers are non-english speaking. They substitute with singers and musicians.

 

Paul Rutter the cruise dirrector on my cruise was terrific.

 

They offer a $29 Welcome aboard package. A bottle of Prosecco (Italian Champagne) and Canapes on embarking and a fruit basket every evening. Also a invitation to a special reception with the Captain. Quite a lot for that small sum.

[gfmoore68]

Thanks for the info. hhiguy. I wonder if this dinning schedule is the same for the Eastern Caribbean. the lenth is the same but different at sea days.

[AZshasha]

I will be sailing on the Atlantica on March 13th. I will be going with 34 family members and wondering what is the largest tables they have in the formal dining room

[knarf]

Thanks for your questions- try to answer them the best I can. Formal nights were Monday and Friday night. We ate in the dining room on Monday for one of the formal nights and the second formal night we decided to eat in the Alternative dining room ( which is the buffet dining area-which they set up to be guite nice with linnen tablecloths and linen napkins- they try to make it a little nicer than it is on the other evenings, but dress is still optional -shorts to dresses. The Friday night buffet and in the dining room is lobster night. In the buffet area you could have has many lobster as you wanted. And from past experiences in the dining room they always brought you whatever you wqnted-so if you want two lobsters in the dining room I am sure all you do is ask for One evening I ordered two main entrees. Don't be bashful they aim to please. Sat. nite was toga night and that was held in the Osiris Theater. It was called THE ROMAN BACCHANAL Guest Talent Show. We didn't attend so I can't say how many wore togas. In the dining room at our 5:45 sitting only a very few people dressed in the toga outfits!! The ship provides sheets for you in your cabin on Toga night if you want to dress like Julius Caesar-but I was afraid to because I thought I might get stabbed on the way to the forum-I mean dining room !!!!! Maybe people dressed in the toga for the theater but they didn't for the dining room(as I said only a few.) Each night in the dining room one of the entrees was a seafood dish, but there were probably 4 or 5 other entress to choose from if you didn't want seafood. My wife and I thought the food was good, but we may not be the best judges because we are Kings, Hoss's , Perkins, Crackerbarrel, Applebees. mom and pop restaurant, type of "eat out-eaters". Our dining room table was in the front of the dining room as you entered so we didn't see all the dining room tables, but the biggest table around us sat 10 people. The ship has at least 10 little lounges with room to dance . On this cruise I guesss my wife and I just took it very easy-sat around our balcony, read alot, and didn't bother to do much of the evening shows. This was our lazy relax trip-so sorry to say can't say much about the nightlife unless you want me to go into detail of our room life...oops TMI. I hope I answered some of your questions. Sorry I didn't get back to everyone sooner but it was -18 degrees the other night -so we just thawed-out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arrivederci ! Knarf

[knarf]

I forgot to mention Italian Night which was on Wed night. If you have some Italian colors wear them in the dining room. It is a fun night in the dining room with singing of Italian songs, and waiters dancing with the guests. music over the PA system, waiters doing a real cute dance along with Dean Martins "Amora!!" It was really fun to watch. They do this dance on the second level of the dining room so if you are in the first floor area go out to the middle so you can see these guys do their thing-real cute !!

One other item which was different.. You get your pass, (room key) which also opens your safe in your room. Be aware that if your spouse locks the safe with his/her key then they are the ones who have to open it . Whoever locks the safe with their key(pass) as to open it with their key(pass). You would think that either spouse could open it with their key. but it doesn't work that way. So men lock all the shopping money in the safe with your key and wife won't be able to get it !!!-but don't let her lock it up or YOU don't go to the casino !!

[Host Star]

Hello Knarf, Ms. Bee here.....

 

We will be cruising the Mediterianna 4/3/05 and doing the Western Carrib. We are also from Northwestern PA. The winter has been long and cold, we are anxiously awaiting the sight of the ship. Sounds like she is beautiful!!

 

Thanks for the posting, We have never crused Costa. We are also wondering about the formal nights (how many and what nights?) And, is there a seafood night (lobster)? Also, did you happen to have any excursions that may of included a "dive-in team" to take you snorkeling? We will have balcony rooms too (standard balcony cabins), would we be able to order breakfast from room service? We love to eat breakfast on the balcony and watch the world go by....... Do many people seem to go dancing, or should I say how is the night life on the ship?

Thanks again for the info. and Buon Giorno, Ms. Bee

just returned from the jan. 23 cruise on the Med.. a great cruise.. we all thought the food, service and entertainment was excellent.. it is a late nite ship.. lots of music in all the lounges, to listen or dance to.. there is a wonderful Italian singer in one of the lounges (the oriental theme one).. i've been on 27 cruises and this ranks at the very top.. staff was very friendly, everyone acknowledges you with a smile.. production nos. were fantastic, costumes, etc.. as good as a las vegas show

[Host Star]

Just got back from our first Costa cruise the 1/23 Western Carib Route.

 

Here are some specifics

 

2 Formal nights Sunday and Friday. Saturday is Toga Nite. Thursday is Italy night take something Red, White and Green to wear that evening.

 

Lobster night is Friday you can order 2 Lobsters or a surf and turf combination with Prime Rib.

 

Room service in Veranda Cabins is continental breakfast. anything else costs extra.

 

Key West is too short you leave at 1:00PM. All the action in that town is after 5.

 

Food and service are great. Don't fail to catch the two production shows on the formal nights. They are "Time Machine" and "Solid Gold". They had a Russian Acrobat show last week, also don't fail to see if available. One thing you won't get a comedy show. This is because about 25% of the passengers are non-english speaking. They substitute with singers and musicians.

 

Paul Rutter the cruise dirrector on my cruise was terrific.

 

They offer a $29 Welcome aboard package. A bottle of Prosecco (Italian Champagne) and Canapes on embarking and a fruit basket every evening. Also a invitation to a special reception with the Captain. Quite a lot for that small sum.

 

 

we were on the same cruise!!!...hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.. everyone in our party was impressed with costa, food, service, entertainment.. we were in a suite so full meals are served by your butler at no additional charge in the suite.. however,, there is an entire room service menu, besides the yellow breakfast menu, in all cabins, with items available 24 hours a day at NO charage,,,, soup, salad, sandwiches.. a nice selection..it is a large blue and white double page folder and says ROOM SERVICE on the cover

[AmyChistopher]

Thanks for all of the fantastic information. How is the casino? im asking for my husband? are there slot machines or poker tables by any chance?

We have been doing some research from past reviews. How are the daily events on the cruise? were there ever any movies playing? you gave one of the most positive reviews we have read. thanks so much. we are also cracker barrel,applebees kind of people

 

amy

[knarf]

Yes, the casino is very nice. I used to have a nice car BUt my wife lost it in the casino. So now we ride in my 1982 Toyota Truck !!! The casino has black jack tables, Caribbean Stud tables, 3 card poker tables and lots of slot machines-(10 cent to $1.00). I thought the casino was good sized.Plenty of lounge chairs around too. The islands we were on also had casinos too.(not far from the ship either) A couple of days they showed movies in the theater. They publish their daily activity paper each day ( it's called TODAY) If you'd like a copy of them email me . fportfilio@penncrest.iu5.org. Hope this helps. Sincerely, Knarf

[Ms.Bee]

Ms. Bee here again,

Thanks to all for the helpful info. about our ship, the Mediterrania. We are starting to get more excited about our 4/3 cruise each day now. Your feedback was great. We just got a copy of the shore excursions in the mail from our travel agent. (we requested them)

Could I ask another question? We were wondering about the pool areas......Do you need to get out early to secure lounges and is there music poolside? And we were also wanting to know about the sail-away party......just what to expect. We will have a wonderful time no matter what.....we are not fussy people, WE LOVE THE SEA!!! Ciao, Ms. Bee

 

We will have to get a Thread going here soon for our 4/3 cruise.........

[ILov2cruise]

There were always plenty of chairs around the pools. Last April there was no live music around the pool area. After the cruise I wrote Costa and in their reply they said they were sure that the live poolside music would be in place by the time Costa returned to the states in Nov. So, hope the music is in place.

[AmyChistopher]

I hope the music is in place as well. is there anything else you wouldnt miss? any favorite drink or dessert?

amy

[cariad]

I'm just back from the 1/30 cruise on the Mediterranea. We were thrilled with our trip. The ship is beautiful, cabins spacious, service excellent and I LOVED the food. Live music at poolside and in lounges way into the night.

 

I don't like cracker barrel and kings, but I did love the food! Even the breakfast buffet was excellent with the best oatmeal, bacon and scrambled eggs I've ever had at buffet. They also do omelets and fried eggs to order-perfect!

What didn't I like?........well, the french onion soup..... and the dinner rolls were just okay. and surfin the net is too expensive........ That's about it.:D

 

The outstanding pasta was the one with veal ragout and creme sauce. I agree on the wonderful cold soups, especially the apricot and honey. Crab cake appetizer is also a must have. All the desserts I had were great, but for sheer bliss--don't miss the Baba ah Ruhm.

 

My favorite drink was the Bailey's Banana Colada.

 

The casino slots were tight, and I do mean tight. Most played the quarter slots, not the $ ones. Best payoffs seemed to be on the Italian Treasures progressive. I know that jackpot was hit at least 4 nites while we were on board. The other slots, if you don't start winning early and often, find another machine or quit for the nite. The same few machines seemed to hit consistently. Didn't play the table games. We did go to the Sheraton in San Juan for awhile that night......the slots were much looser there!!

 

This ship is soooooooo clean, that they would clean the slot machines between players! LOL!

[AmyChistopher]

that drink sounds yummy. will have to try it. thanks for the positive remarks. we are cruising on the mediterranea on March 6th and we are starting to get really excited. is there anything that you just wouldnt miss?

 

amy

[Ms.Bee]

Cariad, Ms. Bee here......

 

Yes, I agree with Amy, thanks for the positive and upbeat remarks about our ship. We will be cruising her on April 3rd. So glad to hear that there is poolside music. We so enjoy the days at sea. Just laying by the pool listening to a pool band is just wonderful.

The food sounds real good too. One thing I have come to enjoy on a cruise also are the cold soups.......never thought I would. The Baba ah ruhm sounds so yummy too, will have to try one of those. Thanks again, Ms. Bee

 

Amy,

you must be getting real excited now......your cruise is coming real fast! Are you on the Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise? We are Western on 4/3. You will have to let us know all about your cruise when you return. Have a wonderful time now.........Buon Giorno.........Ms. Bee

[cariad]

I had worried so much about going on this ship because of the negative remarks I had read, and must confess I may not have booked it on my own; but we were joining our relatives who had already booked. I am very happy we went ahead with our plans.

 

Make sure you tour the entire ship, it is ornate, but in my opinion-this is spectacular ornate! I also enjoyed the midnite buffet that was in the galley-your only chance to see it during the trip.

 

We hadn't planned on eating the breakfast buffet except for the first day..........but that was enough to hook us for good!

We always went to the dining room for dinner. And while some complaints I have read are about the length of time to serve--there is no other way I could eat and enjoy a 6 course meal(and I did skip salads most days) I hate having the courses served without any break in between.

 

We did Eastern Carribean and arranged our excursions in St. Thomas and Nassau when we got off the ship. There are many drivers there and it is about half the cost of the ship tours. We just made sure that our drivers were willing to take us where we wanted to go and each tour ended up about 2½-3 hours long.

St Thomas was our favorite port, and Nassau was worth it to see the Aquarium at the Atlantis and the general tour of the Island.

San Jaun, we walked and definitely enjoyed just walking around the Old City, seeing the old buildings, etc.....it is uphill and I'm not great on uphill climbs, but I did it and felt very good about myself for doing it.:D

 

Plenty of shopping and a shopping consultant if you like that-but I didn't do but about ½hrs worth the whole trip......there was just too much else to do.

[AmyChistopher]

we are going on the western on march 6th and yes i am getting very excited

 

amy