2/5/06 Sailing on Costa Mediterranea

[SNAFL]

Going on my third Costa Cruise and this time I'm taking some newcomers to cruising. Wondering about activities for my in-laws who are in their late-70's. I know I've seen people playing Bridge before but do not recall if there is any organized Bridge games? Anyone know the answer?

 

Other firsttimers include my 9 year old nephew. Anyone else traveling with a boy around the same age? I know the kids programs on the ship are supposed to be wonderful & I'll encourage his parents to sign him up for that. Any other suggestions?

 

What about excursions? Only thing I've seen in Puerto Rico are the casinos :D so I'm wondering about shopping for everyone else and if we should do a city tour. In the Dominican Republic, we got off the ship and quickly back on so I'm telling everyone to just stay on the ship. Other opinions? I feel very comfortable in Nassau and St. Thomas and don't feel an excursion is necessary but.....

 

Finally, anything anyone with experiences on Costa wants to add regarding our upcoming cruise including suggestions - is greatly appreciated.

 

Audrey

[Fred&Lily]

I'm on the Mediterranea for weeks of Feb 12th and Feb 19th. The old part of San Juan is really nice in the evening. Take a taxi and spend an hour or two walking around listening to musicians below the fort walls. Families all walk together arm in arm... it's the old Spanish evening custom of promnading around the city square to the fountain and back. Large families gather around somebody with a guitar and sing. Lily and I - two typically uptight Canadians - love the place and have even learned after several cruise visits to join in and sing and dance in the street. It's very safe at night there so take the whole group and stroll around. I really do recommend doing the Old San Juan on foot after sunset.

[Host Star]

Going on my third Costa Cruise and this time I'm taking some newcomers to cruising. Wondering about activities for my in-laws who are in their late-70's. I know I've seen people playing Bridge before but do not recall if there is any organized Bridge games? Anyone know the answer?

 

Other firsttimers include my 9 year old nephew. Anyone else traveling with a boy around the same age? I know the kids programs on the ship are supposed to be wonderful & I'll encourage his parents to sign him up for that. Any other suggestions?

 

What about excursions? Only thing I've seen in Puerto Rico are the casinos :D so I'm wondering about shopping for everyone else and if we should do a city tour. In the Dominican Republic, we got off the ship and quickly back on so I'm telling everyone to just stay on the ship. Other opinions? I feel very comfortable in Nassau and St. Thomas and don't feel an excursion is necessary but.....

 

Finally, anything anyone with experiences on Costa wants to add regarding our upcoming cruise including suggestions - is greatly appreciated.

 

Audrey

 

there are many GREAT things to do in the dominican republic.. you should DEFINITELY take the nite excursion to casa de campo.. the entire experience is wonderful, the show is amazing and the ampitheater is just spectacular.. we were there two weeks ago.. you will miss a very special evening if you do not take this excursion.. during the day, the electric bike tour was excellent and we heard from those that took the horseback riding tour they also enjoyed it.. we also stopped at catalina island with the tender before returning from the ship.. the beach was lovely, water delicious and they had a great buffet, ribs were delicious :)... there are plenty of chaise lounges and umbrellas for shade, if you need it.. some people had taken the catamaran snorkel tour and said it was very good.. we did our snorkeling in St. Thomas, which was excellent..we took a cab to coki beach for our snorkeling..

[JimSentry]

We're going on our first Costa Cruise on 2/5. Hope it will be as nice as RCCL.

 

Appreciate any tips you might have being an experienced Costa Cruiser.

 

Thanks

Jim