Costa Cruise Lines?

[AK29]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with Costa Cruise Lines specifically going to the Western Carribbean? I have read some mixed reviews... If you have gone cruising with them how is the food/customer service/rooms? I notice that they do not stay very long in the ports (6 hours) as compared to other cruise lines which are between 8 - 10 hours is this enough time to go on exercisions and return back in time.

thanks for your feedback.

[lor74]

I have never sailed with them, but from the many reviews that I have seen, you will be disappointed if you have already sailed on a 5* line: Princess, RCL, Celebrity, HAL.

[ssainani]

costa is a pretty crappy cruiseline

still better than sitting at home though ... but there's better options out there if you can spend more


please elaborate.


there's nothing to elaborate on ... it's the cheapest cruiseline so you get the lowest quality cruise and the lowest quality fellow passengers

as well it's very italian based .... a big chunk of the passengers are italian ... and the cruise is obviously catered to their needs

everyone smokes as well

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/march-break-mediterranean-cruise-ideas-806104/#post9650544

[Pete_Coach]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/march-break-mediterranean-cruise-ideas-806104/#post9650544

It is very nice to quote yourself but you never answered the question in that thread either.
OP, go to www.cruisecritic.com if you haven't yet and there is a tremendous amount of information there with people who have personal and recent experience on all cruise lines. The specific cruise line forums are often biased towards that particular line but there is lots of info regardless. The review section is quite helpful as they seem to be realistic. I found it extremely helpful when we were choosing our first cruise.
Costa Cruise Line is on nobody's top ten list, if that is any indication.

[izzybear]

We've sailed on Costa to Western Carribean. We were VERY disappointed by the food quality and the cabin size. We were very impressed with the kids club. It was very well run. our kids enjoyed the club even MORE than the Disney Line's kids club. The itinerary was unispired. Turks and Caicos was the only port of call that was impressive, every other port was boring! This being said, if the price is right (ie. dirt cheap) and it's all that is within your budget, grab it! I wouldn't pay more than $400USD p/p per week.

[gavbo]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with Costa Cruise Lines specifically going to the Western Carribbean? I have read some mixed reviews... If you have gone cruising with them how is the food/customer service/rooms? I notice that they do not stay very long in the ports (6 hours) as compared to other cruise lines which are between 8 - 10 hours is this enough time to go on exercisions and return back in time.

thanks for your feedback.

My dad works part-time selling cruises. He says Costa is on the bottom in terms of quality and they have a lot of extra charges like for water and iced tea which is normally free on other cruises.

If you are just going to pay for the cruise and not spend another dime than Costa would be for you I guess. But if you want to enjoy your vacation I would pick another cruise line.

[Arrgh]

Can go to http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=138

Costa seems to be the cheapest. Yes it is Italian based. But when sailing out of FLL, for Caribbeans, most of the passengers will be from N. America.

Yes the port stays can be shorter, and they can charge extra for some of the things that would've been free, but if you don't need ice tea, or cappucino other than breakfast time, you'll be fine.

We're going on Costa Fortuna next March. Even if it's the lowest quality cruise, you are still on holiday. The meals are all cooked for you. You can have sit down dinners or go to buffet. There are shows, activities, pool, spa facility to use. Some ports to go to. It'll still be a very good vacation.

There are some economy AI resorts in Cuba or DR where the food won't be great, but it's still a vacation in warm weather. So as long as you are not expecting 5* service (and that's how some people have complaints), you'll be fine.

[izzybear]

I forgot to mention, the entertainment at night was excellent. The cirque du soleil inspired show was more enjoyable than the actual cirque du soleil show that we saw in Toronto! I was disappointed with the quality of pasta, surprising in that Costa is an Italian cruise line. If you do book at a great price, make sure you get a higher category of cabin as the cabins are tiny in the lower categories.

[harlab]

We've sailed on Costa to Western Carribean. We were VERY disappointed by the food quality and the cabin size. We were very impressed with the kids club. It was very well run. our kids enjoyed the club even MORE than the Disney Line's kids club. The itinerary was unispired. Turks and Caicos was the only port of call that was impressive, every other port was boring! This being said, if the price is right (ie. dirt cheap) and it's all that is within your budget, grab it! I wouldn't pay more than $400USD p/p per week.

Costa is a sister cruise line of Carnival. They share the ships design, especially for newer ships. I would recommend going on Costa only if the price is lower than on other cruise lines.

[AK29]

thanks for all the feedback!

I was attracted to Costa b/c it was the only cruise that fit with the date we had to leave and had all the ports I wanted (bahamas, jamaica, grand cayman and cozumel).

But an oceanview room is over $700/person.

I think I will keep looking...:)