Costa Atlantica - Just Back

[ColKlink]

Hey All

I just returned from the March 11th to the 18th sailing of the Costa Atlantica. Here is my review - I must warn you it is a little long, showing both positives and negatives. Here we go:

 

The ship - positive - The ship looks great, it is in prime shape. I love the amount of balconies, the pool set up and the gym. For the price this ship is really nice. WiFi in the room was great - only 10.00 per hour and the speed was decent.

 

The People -Neutral- Canadians and Europeans. Warning if you try to save a chair by the pool even with a bag or personal clothing on it Europeans will take it. They do not abide by our rules for the pools. A German man yelled at our kids for playing in the pool. I told him to sit down and asked him what his problem was and he yammered at me in German for another 5 minutes. There are many Europeans smoking in the common areas. The Canadians were great (I am biased as I am Canadian). Overall the mix was ok I guess the good equalled out the bad. Thus Neutral.

 

The employees - Positive - All of the employees were excellent. Our cabin steward was outstanding, the casino dealers and fun staff were top notch. Our waiter stunk but I think he was not the norm as the other tables that were with us had great service.

 

The shows - Neutral- They were ok - nothing to write home about.

 

The food - Negative - I am not a food snob by any means. It was not the greatest, but not the worst either. The American fare (hamburgers, tacos etc. were good). The pasta was good. Breakfast was bland and many of the signature dishes at supper were bland also. My last two cruises on Costa (Magica and Fortuna) had much better food. But remember you get what you pay for, so no real complaints here.

 

The Drinks - Negative - Not one good Pina Colada the whole cruise. The drinks were not well made (I think their mix is sub standard). They had many happy hours throughout the ship which helped with the cost.

 

Embarkation/Deembarkation - Positive- Very smooth getting on and of the ship everywhere. Very organized.

 

Key West - Positive - Went fishing on the Tortuga IV with all the kids. They did a great job I totally recommend their services.

 

Ocho Rios - Negative - Docked at the industrial pier (Not the international pier that is protected from vendors hounding you) and had to walk around tonnes of Jamaicans to get the Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville. Margaritaville was nice but the beach is very small and there are many Jamaicans hounding you on the beach. Do not go there for the beach because it is not worth it. It is our 4th time stopping in Jamaica and if I never stop there again that would be fine with me.

 

Grand Cayman -Positive- went to Royal Palms at 7 mile beach. $16.00 for the cab and if you throw a towel down the rest is free. Excellent beach, great snorkelling of the beach (kids and I saw Barracuda).

 

Cozumel - Positive- Went to Mr. Sanchos. Excellent time! Did the all inclusive. They had excellent food, drinks and their beach is beautiful. The kids spent a large portion of their day in the water park (well worth the money). I took a camel ride for 60.00 which was cool. Free snorkelling (excellent fish) and kayaking. I definitely recommend Mr. Sanchos!

 

We will be using Costa for the Meiterranean, but not for the Carribean any longer. We will be using Carnival again for the Carribean next March Break. Even with kids go free their were to many Negatives and neutrals for my liking. I will spend the extra cash for my kids to eliminate many of the negatives and Neutrals for my next cruise.

[G.M.T.]

Hey All

I just returned from the March 11th to the 18th sailing of the Costa Atlantica. Here is my review - I must warn you it is a little long, showing both positives and negatives. Here we go:

 

The People -Neutral- Canadians and Europeans. Warning if you try to save a chair by the pool even with a bag or personal clothing on it Europeans will take it. They do not abide by our rules for the pools..

 

The longer the review the better it is.

 

With regards to deck chairs / sun longers, I have often see them reserved with some "personal" item and they have been empty for hours on end. You say they do not adide by your rules for the pools, but they are abiding by Costa's rules (taken from the Costa Catalogue):

 

Deckchairs and sun loungers

These are found on the outside decks. We would request that you

do not leave personal possessions on them when not using them.

Towels are also available by the swimming pools. The use of sun

loungers, deckchairs and towels is free of charge.

 

Ron

[toadies2]

I agree that there are people that will take advantage of the lounges/chairs.

HOWEVER, I do believe that you should be able to put your things down on a lounger, go get something to eat from the buffet, or go for a swim, without it being an issue.

I'm sorry but I perfer my things to remain dry ie. camera, sarong, or clothing and I found that anything that was put on the deck did not stay dry (whether it was from the pool splashing over the sides due to rough waters, things being spilled, or people getting in and out of the pools).

[ColKlink]

I get what the policy states Ron, but when you have to defend your wifes chair from someone (with her clothes and bag on it) because she is taking your daughter to the bathroom then something is wrong. We woke up early enough to get chairs by the pool and use them all day, I do not defend anyone who wakes up at 11am and expects to take someone elses lounger because they were to lazy to get their butts up in the morning. If we abandoned it and never stayed there that would be one thing but to wait for someone to go to the bathroom and try to take their chair that is another. Also this happened a number of times not just once, so it was not an isolated incident. This was my 7th cruise Ron, I have seen the difference and this was a blatent disregard for people that actually woke up early enough to get their family a lounger.

[G.M.T.]

But on the other side there are people who go for as two hour lunch, then maybe more ships activities so the lounge is "reserved for hours. No way.

 

I totally agrre with Costa policies, the louges are there for everone, not just the early risers.

 

I agree if some is off to the toilet that the lounger should be kept, but if I see a lounger empty fore longer than 1/2 then I will ask a Costa crew membner to remove the items. This is also stated in the daily TODAY program.

 

This is not just a cruise ship problem, but a holiday problem in general, there are standing jokes about the deck chair fights between the Germans and the British in Spanish resorts.

 

Ron

[daniel007]

We have booked to travel on the Costa Atlantica around the Caribbean.We have never sailed on Costa before and would appreciate if you could answer a couple of questions for me.

1:How many formal nights did you have,and do men make an effort with Tux or is it less formal and just shirt and trousers?Is this ship more smart casual in the evenings or do people make a big effort to dress up?

2:Can you get jugs of water at the table at dinner or do they charge you?

3:Can you bring non alcoholic drinks back on board from ports?

Hope you have the answers.Regards.