help with transatlantic cruise

[ameliaw]

hello all! we have been avid cruisers since 1981. our last 21 being on carnival. we are seriously considering the costa mediterranea sailing on 11/5. want to know if it will fit us. some info: ages 51 and 52, both smokers, like casinos, drink a little, like to dance, love good food and are not "snootty cruisers",( get along well with most people). would just like to know if costa is a good fit for us. thanks,amelia

[gary750]

We have been sailing since 1983 and have been on 45-cruises. We have sailed with Costa 7-times and have done three TransAtlantic cruises on Costa including the Mediterranea three years ago. You will have a great time, it is a fun ship the the people do not go to sleep at 9:00 like they do on Holland America. We have had more fun on Costa than we every had on Carnival, it is non-stop fun and don't miss the toga night.

[CtheW0rld]

i you like carnival, you should like costa. very similar products.

 

i would expect a majority of europeans on the transatlantic - so if that bothers you, reconsider.

 

a note on smoking: costa is the only mainstream line left that allows smoking in your cabin (a major consideration for me). i simply will not book a cabin that i cannot smoke in. i do not need to walk around with a ciggie on the entire ship, but the cabin is non-negotible.

 

i'm on the carib. cruise right after the TA. i would love to add the TA but right now prices seem VERY high. transatlantics usually have a pretty big discounts but not this particular sailing. i did a TA on carnival a few years ago where i only paid $50/day - traveling solo - for an inside.

[ameliaw]

thanks for your replies. sounds like this is definately worth a try. it will be our first TA and really didn't want to go on the carnival breeze ( too many smoking rules now).i thought costa might be worth trying and from your posts seems like a good fit. thanks, happy sailing, amelia

[kasi1979]

If you book we can meet onboard. We are booked on Costa Mediterraneas TA in november.

Our first TA but really looking forward to these relaxing seadays...

[canny_cruiser]

I'm just off this ship. Quite a lot of smoking areas which should suit you but as for "good food", you may be disappointed. The lunchtime buffet was the poorest I have seen on any of the lines I have sailed with. I can usually find something from which I can rustle up a meal but I actually went back to my cabin on several days and ordered from the limited room service menu. The dining room was also open for lunch but generally closed about 1.15pm - as I was second dinner sitting it was too early for me to have lunch then. In the evening, in the main dining room, there were perhaps 3 memorable meals out of 13 dinners. My only visit to the dining room for breakfast resulted in my first taste of Eggs Benedict-less (or maybe Eggs Un-Benedict)- chef had omitted the ham, though the poached eggs were perfect!

 

It was my first Costa cruise and, despite being exhorted by the daily newsletter to register for the Costa Club, I never did it as I dont think I`ll be back aboard. Fortunately, I met some great people and it was an interesting port-intensive cruise so all was not lost. Would have been a different story on a TA crossing where much of the day is spent thinking about the next meal!

[ameliaw]

thanks again ya'll. we are kind of foodies, but can probably find something to eat.just the thought of going on a TA, and smoking policy, will probably sell me on this cruise. kasi- will probably see you there. happy cruizin, amelia

[OleSalt]

Perhaps a Roll Call is in order. There seem to be a few people contemplating the TA

[Dancer Bob]

I did the Atlantica's repositioning to Miami last year. I agree, Costa's food is at best 4-star. It had been catered in Italy and there was a strong emphasis on seafood, which generally isn't my favourite. But I always managed to find something I liked; some of the fresh pastas were quite good.

Like gary750 says, it is not a ship for people who go to bed early.