Our First Costa Cruise 12/16-12/23 "Fortuna"

[kwpatel]

My family just got back from the 12/16-12/23 cruise on the Fortuna. At first I was very worried with the few bad reviews that I read so I went in expecting the worst.

 

Can’t really comment on check in since we had a suite and bypassed the majority of the lines. However one issue that I did see if they you didn’t have luggage tags you had to stand in line to get tags then drop off your bags then go into the terminal to check in.

When you get onboard they direct to the buffet on deck 9, however you get no information on when you can go to your cabin. So we just figured our cabin would be ready at 1:30… and it was.

 

The service in the dining room was just ok. No one in the dining room went above and beyond no one was rude to us, but no one in the dining room was very personable. The wait staff just did their job and didn’t really care to get to you know. One of the things we enjoy when we cruise is to chat with the staff to get to know them better, but most people were very stand offish.

The Pasta and beef dishes were excellent. However the fish dishes were horrible. Every fish dish they brought out tasted the same regardless what the menu item was. Dinner was between 1 and half hours to two hours. We really didn’t feel this was too long. At times it was nice to have time between courses. We did go to the club restaurant the last night and we wish we would have gone before. Since the food and service were excellent. We would have easily gone a couple of times if we knew the club restaurant was so superior.

 

Our family did go on some shore excursions so if any one wants any info on that I can get into detail later

 

One thing that my wife and I agree on is that the European passengers were not rude. The rude passengers were certain groups of fellow Americans on board. I will just leave it at that, since I am sure I will piss people off if I expand upon this topic.

 

The shows were just ok. However my family had great fun watching the Mr. Pizza contest. We did enjoy the music in the different bars.

 

I think this cruise line is a step up from Carnival and NCL, however nowhere near our favorite which is Celebrity. However it’s not fair to compare Costa to Celebrity… We would return if the price is right. However there are many other choices to cruise on before we would consider Costa again. Not a great time. not a bad time, I guess I could say an above average time.

Let know if you want any other details.

[Dolphin Girl]

Glad you had a good time! I do have a few questions, so thanks for the info.

 

What time did you get to the port for boarding?

Did you receive paper cruise documents or were the e-docs? Our TA said Costa does both and not sure which we would have. I really hope they are paper, especially with the luggage tag problems you mentioned.

 

What were your ports of call? If the Eastern Caribbean did you go to the Dominican Republic or to St. Marteen or Caicos. If you went to DR, what did you do and what were your impressions? What did you do in St. Thomas: beach (which one(s)), sightseeing, shopping, etc.

 

Since you were in a suite, did you utilize the butler services or just the standard cabin steward? If so, what kind of things? Our group of 6 is going early March and are excitied about it.

 

Thanks for your review and any info you can provide.

 

Debbie

[kwpatel]

Glad you had a good time! I do have a few questions, so thanks for the info.

 

What time did you get to the port for boarding?

Did you receive paper cruise documents or were the e-docs? Our TA said Costa does both and not sure which we would have. I really hope they are paper, especially with the luggage tag problems you mentioned.

 

What were your ports of call? If the Eastern Caribbean did you go to the Dominican Republic or to St. Marteen or Caicos. If you went to DR, what did you do and what were your impressions? What did you do in St. Thomas: beach (which one(s)), sightseeing, shopping, etc.

 

Since you were in a suite, did you utilize the butler services or just the standard cabin steward? If so, what kind of things? Our group of 6 is going early March and are excitied about it.

 

Thanks for your review and any info you can provide.

 

Debbie

 

We did indeed stop at at the Dominican Republic. We took a tour of city of San Pedro, Cigar Factory and the Caves. The Caves were great, however the tour of San Pedro not so great. Also be aware of the travel time. You take a nearly 45 minute tender, then nearly a one hour bus ride to San Pedro... make sure to hit up a washroom before you leave for this one.

We also had enough time to spend a couple of hours on Catalina Island and we were impressed with that set up.

Also in the evening we went to the Kandela show in La Romana http://www.kandela.com.do/

That was a great show and well worth the 40.00 per person.

 

In St Thomas we went to Megans Bay, this is a great beach and I would return there again. Also the best shopping is in St. Thomas. There is a tour that takes you around then to the Bay for a hour then will drop you off to shop, you'll return to the ship on your own...

 

San Juan was a bust, most of the stores were closed. The fort was closed... real bummer since it we were only there from a few hours in the evening.

 

 

 

Yes we had a butler, and he was useless. He really didn't offer to do anything for use. We saw in the book in the cabin the services he could provide, but he was real stand offish. The one good thing though is that during his hours 0700-2200, you can get any type of food delivered to your cabin. So we had full breakfast in the cabin and had a cheese plate delivered each evening. That is all he did. He never did come around the the last evening or the morning of debark, so he didn't get a tip. Also the cruise line only charged tips of 70.00 each for the two of us, then 35.00 for my 17 year old son and no tip for my 11 year old... We felt this was way to little so we gave some cash to the cabin stewardress if though she wasn't the best. However I guess we kinda cheated the dining room staff, but in our defense we didn't get the statement showing the tipping charges until 1:00am the last night.

 

Our cabin stewardress cleaned and turn downed our cabin. Also, she wasn't the best... we had candy on our pillows twice and never had any towel animals. Also she left the couch bed opend all day long. We asked her twice to put it away, but she just smiled and never did.

[Dolphin Girl]

Also in the evening we went to the Kandela show in La Romana http://www.kandela.com.do/

That was a great show and well worth the 40.00 per person.

 

Yes we had a butler, and he was useless. He really didn't offer to do anything for use. We saw in the book in the cabin the services he could provide, but he was real stand offish. The one good thing though is that during his hours 0700-2200, you can get any type of food delivered to your cabin. So we had full breakfast in the cabin and had a cheese plate delivered each evening. That is all he did. He never did come around the the last evening or the morning of debark, so he didn't get a tip. Also the cruise line only charged tips of 70.00 each for the two of us, then 35.00 for my 17 year old son and no tip for my 11 year old... We felt this was way to little so we gave some cash to the cabin stewardress if though she wasn't the best.

 

Our cabin stewardress cleaned and turn downed our cabin. Also, she wasn't the best... we had candy on our pillows twice and never had any towel animals. Also she left the couch bed opend all day long. We asked her twice to put it away, but she just smiled and never did.

 

Thanks for all your information! We have also booked the Kandela show in DR. One of the people in our group has difficulty walking more than 10 -15 minutes and getting up and down from a seated position. Is the walk from the tour bus to the amphitheater very far? I remember reading that the amphitheather provides cushions for the stone seating. Is this correct? Also did you notice any standard height seating available, either permanent seats or folding chairs, etc? I know there is no reserved seating, how full was the theater and how early did you get there?

 

We also are looking into Megan's Bay or Saphire Beach on St. Thomas. Shopping really isn't our thing! I have more "stuff" now than I need!!!

 

Gee, I was hoping the butler was really going to be something! Oh well, at least he (she) will bring us food, especially breakfast on the balcony!

 

However I guess we kinda cheated the dining room staff, but in our defense we didn't get the statement showing the tipping charges until 1:00am the last night.

 

Doesn't Costa automatically charge tips to your room? And if so, why were the dining staff omitted? Just curious. I haven't taken a cruise in a very long time, where we were responsible for handing out tips, other than "extra" amounts.

 

Again, thanks for your information! March can't get here soon enough!

 

Debbie

[abitaturbodog]

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We just booked this ship after an great cruise aboard the Mediterranea. I look forward to being able to compare the two ships!

[rocknrobin]

Debbie - Sapphire Beach is gorgeous - chair and umbrellas are available to rent and there's a "shack" for burgers, fries, etc. The water is beautiful - we went on our own and spent the entire day there - it was great. Taxis are available to get you back to the ship - I forget what we paid, not too much, and there was (if I recall) a $3.00 fee to get on the beach? Anway...it was lovely and that's where we're going to be on our day in St. Thomas!

[mtl kid]

Every time we go to St Thomas we always head out to Sapphire Beach, it is simply one of the nicest beaches around. Here is a link I found on the net.

http://lrichters.smugmug.com/gallery/1228174

 

I do not know who these pictures belong to but they are wonderful to look at.

[Dolphin Girl]

Every time we go to St Thomas we always head out to Sapphire Beach, it is simply one of the nicest beaches around. Here is a link I found on the net.

http://lrichters.smugmug.com/gallery/1228174

 

I do not know who these pictures belong to but they are wonderful to look at.

 

 

Thanks! You're right, great pictures!

 

Sapphire Beach is gorgeous - chair and umbrellas are available to rent and there's a "shack" for burgers, fries, etc. The water is beautiful - we went on our own and spent the entire day there - it was great. Taxis are available to get you back to the ship - I forget what we paid, not too much, and there was (if I recall) a $3.00 fee to get on the beach? Anway...it was lovely and that's where we're going to be on our day in St. Thomas!

 

Thanks for the info, if we spend time at a beach, I think it will be this one. Coki Beach looks good to, but we are 1 of 4 ships in port that day, and I think it will be too crowded!

 

Debbie

[kasi1979]

Just a thought I had while reading the above info. Actually hand sanitizer, as well as towel animals seem to be an American thing. They are absolutely unknown in Europe. We usally wash our hands before dinner or any other meal...

 

Sorry, just noticed the difference in expectations and wanted to share, as it is nothing I missed.

Also sweets in normal staterooms are on your pillow every gala night...

[kwpatel]

Just a thought I had while reading the above info. Actually hand sanitizer, as well as towel animals seem to be an American thing. They are absolutely unknown in Europe. We usally wash our hands before dinner or any other meal...

 

Sorry, just noticed the difference in expectations and wanted to share, as it is nothing I missed.

Also sweets in normal staterooms are on your pillow every gala night...

 

Maybe true about towel animals, But as we peeked into open cabins in the evening there where some towel animals, so our cabin stewardness just didn't make them

[sakapfet]

We usally wash our hands before dinner or any other meal...

 

quote]

 

 

It's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

So when are the best times to wash your hands?

• before eating or touching food (like if you're helping cook or bake, for example)
  
• after using the bathroom
  
• after blowing your nose or coughing
  
• after touching pets or other animals
  
• after playing outside
  
• before and after visiting a sick relative or friend

Now you have the when and the why of hand washing. But did you know that a lot of people don't know how to get their paws perfectly clean?

1. Use warm water (not cold or hot) when you wash your hands.
   
   
2. Use whatever soap you like. Some soaps come in cool shapes and colors or smell nice, but whatever kind that gets you scrubbing is the kind you should use. Antibacterial soaps are OK to use, but regular soap works fine.
   
   
3. Work up some lather on both sides of your hands, your wrists, and between your fingers. Don't forget to wash around your nails. This is one place germs like to hide. Wash for about 10 to 15 seconds - about how long it takes to sing "Happy Birthday." (Sing it quickly two times or just once if you go nice and slow.)
   
   
4. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

[kwpatel]

Thanks for all your information! We have also booked the Kandela show in DR. One of the people in our group has difficulty walking more than 10 -15 minutes and getting up and down from a seated position. Is the walk from the tour bus to the amphitheater very far? I remember reading that the amphitheather provides cushions for the stone seating. Is this correct? Also did you notice any standard height seating available, either permanent seats or folding chairs, etc? I know there is no reserved seating, how full was the theater and how early did you get there?

 

For the Kandela show there is a little walk from the ship to the bus. However there are people with wheelchairs there. Also there is a walk from the parking lot to the amphitheather, but they did let a bus go up closer after the show to take people who needed it. The seats are cement/stone with no backing. They rent mats for $1.00 Also the place was maybe a quarter full if that much...

 

 

 

Doesn't Costa automatically charge tips to your room? And if so, why were the dining staff omitted? Just curious. I haven't taken a cruise in a very long time, where we were responsible for handing out tips, other than "extra" amounts.

 

Yes they charge the tips to the room, however I didn't know it would be half price for my teenager and no tip for my boy... If I had know that before the last night I would have given extra to the dining staff...

[millineumwoman]

anti bactieriel hand sanitizer is great, bath and body works has all kinds (little ones that you can actually carry in your pocket or purse even on the plane) they did have a couple guys handing out some hand sanitizer cloths. oh bath and body works has a sale on right now you can also order online (they also take victoriasecret credit cards both in store and online fyi)

[Gaynors]

Yes, we brought our own hand sanitizer with us. It never hurts to come prepared!:eek:

[G.M.T.]

It doesn't really apply to cruise ships, but when travelling to exotic places I always lived by the old British colonial rule:

 

If you can't boil it,

cook it,

peel it,

forget it.

 

Ron

[Slippery when wet]

Just read your post and thank-you for all the info!

We are sailing next week, having never heard of Costa, but they had a special that weekend, kids sail for free!

FIrst time on this forum, I just signed up....I posted a thread, but now I can't find it!

I have a bunch of questions...

Shore excursions: Did anyone do the submarine tour in St. Thomas? also looking into the Snorkelling. iS Christmas cove good? or perhaps windsong sailing and snorkelling?

- what is the kids club like? my kids are 14 and 18, oldest a boy, youngest a girl.

- Is there a Karoke bar?

Glad to hear about the hand sanitizer. We will definately be bringing lots.

- Do they have entertainment on the pool deck during the day?

- was it difficult getting a deck chair?:confused:

[Slippery when wet]

Very interested in hearing what shore excursions you did and your reviews of them!!

We are a family of 4, 2 kids aged 14 and 18

Thanks...leaving Jan 12th

[millineumwoman]

they had karoke 2 nights check the today every day and it will tell you what is going on in each lounge/bar.

some of the teenagers looked like they had fun at night in the disco, yes they had entertainment on the deck right next to the hot tubs/pool (main one) (ring toss, horse betting, dancing, bingo,fitness) by the adult pool was mostly adult arts and crafts(tshirt painting etc.)and water fitness.

italian lessons are in the ballroom(just b4 the casino)

 

as for excursions, check the ports section as there will be more info on all kinds of excursions there and peoples thoughts on them. talk to your kids as a family and see what they would like to do, like be adventeurous, beach day, shopping or culture. some will include all 4.

[trinkets]

The Pasta and beef dishes were excellent. However the fish dishes were horrible. Every fish dish they brought out tasted the same regardless what the menu item was. Dinner was between 1 and half hours to two hours. We really didn’t feel this was too long. At times it was nice to have time between courses. We did go to the club restaurant the last night and we wish we would have gone before. Since the food and service were excellent. We would have easily gone a couple of times if we knew the club restaurant was so superior.

 

 

Hi there is a group of us going March 9th on the Fortuna... I am wanting to know which restaurant is the club restaurant? and also did it also serve seafood and steaks and is it formal?

My cousin and I were on the Magica last year and loved it, we talked about it so much our husbands wanted to go this year so we are...

Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

[Dolphin Girl]

 

Hi there is a group of us going March 9th on the Fortuna... I am wanting to know which restaurant is the club restaurant? and also did it also serve seafood and steaks and is it formal?

My cousin and I were on the Magica last year and loved it, we talked about it so much our husbands wanted to go this year so we are...

Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

 

I see you are sailing on 3/9/08 on Fortuna! Come over and join our roll call. We would love to have you join us and chat a little!

 

Debbie