phider

Well, I cannot agree about Princess. We are sailing with Princess for the last 7 years since our mid 30ies with our then 15 yo, and never felt it was for older crowd. I heard that in march there were 700 kids under 18 on Caribbean Princess. :) Maybe you were talking about HAL?

Maybe you are just old minded, and the 700 kids have really old parents?

Philip

They were 11 and 15. It was not kids free sale, but they were charged $99 or $49.

Well, I am not sure how the 2 kids you have gets calculated into the equation, but both a Costa and Royal C. cruise can be purchased for ~550$ per person.

You cant compare a liner on the same month, you have to compare the prices over a 6 months period at least, to see what the cheapest fair is between the two.

Philip

Thank you.

We cruised with all massmarket lines and cannot say they are very much alike. We find differences not in absence or presence of nightly buffet, but in activities, service, atmosphere. It is different for example on Princess vs Carnival. So I am interested in where Costa stands.

My conclusion, after reading a vast amount of posts and reviews, is that it really depends on your own profile.

Costa is probably for the younger client's, and Princess is for the 65+.

Philip

I agree completely with Projunior, especially about dancing. Most of the Americans complaining should never have been booked on Costa, it should have been obvious to their agent they wouldn't be happy.

The worst food I have ever had at sea was on Silversea, supposedly an ultra-lux line. Costa's food, I'm sort of in between- not a good choice if you want to waddle from one 4,000 calorie meal to the next, but better than anything I was able to get on land for the same budget.

Some of the reviews says the food is inedible. :eek:

Philip

Couldn't have said it any better myself. Hope some of the complainers read this.

I am really looking forward to my first Costa cruise on Deliziosa to make up my own experience.

Seriously, some reviewers seem to have put 1 star on Costa, because they thought they got their fingers hurt due to the "robish" handles on the cabin cabinets. It really does sound like American complainers to me. :confused:

Just for the record. I am not trying to dish Americans in any way, I am only trying to make the reviews relevant for others, which might not be American. It just seems over the top.

Philip

this poster is still mad about the quality of salmon offered on the breakfast buffet. take their comments with a grain of salt. it's been years and the complaining goes on. :rolleyes:

Thanks - I have noticed their complaining in other threads, and I am not susceptible.

Philip

Our last 7-day Costa cruise cost us $1,400 for 4 (2 kids) in OV cabin. And it was in spring break. The next cheapest cruise I had was with Carnival, 7-day cruise for 4, inside cabin for $2,000+. So Costa is cheaper, at least in US market.

 

I do not mind 7 languages. I do not mind "foreigners". I like long dinner. But I want to sit there enjoying something instead of holding the menu for 40 minutes with empty glass in front of me. Yes, it took the waiter 30 to 45 minutes before he even poured water for us. But for that $1,400 price tag, I did not complain.

What age was your kids?

Philip

You are right. They are not as cheap as some people like to make out. We've never had a really cheap cruise but perhaps some people book at the right time and get a good price.

 

I think the price you are seeing will come down before November so may be worth holding off for a few weeks before booking. It's not a popular time for the Med so are unlikely to sell out.

 

I personally rate Costa higher than Royal Caribbean for what it's worth. The only negative for us is that there's no buffet every night, only Main Dining Room.

Exactly. Cunard seems to be something people refer to also as a top class line. So again, I pay 2146,40 euros for 2 adults and 1 infant for 11 days with Costa on an Balcony cabin.

With Cunard for 12 days in a Balcony cabin for 2 adults and 1 infant.

Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises

Cruise Ship: Queen Elizabeth

Nights: 12

Dep. Date: 4th Oct 2013

Itinerary: Piraeus (Athen), Mykonos (Greece), Kusadasi (Efesos) Turkey, Rhodos (Greece), Santorini (Greece), Heraklion / Kreta (Greece), Katakolon (Olympia) Greece, Kerkira (Korfu) Greece, Messina (Sicilien) Italy, Napoli (Italy), Civitavecchia (Rome) Italy.

Price? 2505,33 euros.

Philip

I think Costa prices are cheaper than some other cruise lines for sure.

How so? I have checked several other cruise lines. For example, the highly beloved - by Americans at least - Royal Caribbean.

14 days on a Balcony cabin for 2 adults and 1 infant. Price? 2080,80 euros.

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises

Cruise Ship: Navigator of the Seas

Nights:14

Dep. Date:10th Nov 2013

Itinerary:Barcelona, Spain : Seville (cadiz), Spain : Madeira (funchal), Portugal : Nassau, Bahamas : Galveston, Texas.

For our Costa Cruise, 11 days on a Balcony cabin for 2 adults and 1 infant. Price? 2146,40 euros.

Granted, the price of 2146,40 euros does include the Extra All Inclusive drinks package for the 2 adults - however, this is only for 11 days and not 14 days, so that should be fairly neutral.

Cruise Line: Costa Cruises

Cruise Ship: Costa Deliziosa

Nights:11

Dep. Date:29th Nov 2013

Itinerary:Savona, Italy : Barcelona, Spain : Seville (cadiz), Spain : Casablanca, Marocco : Tangeri, Marocco : Lisabon, Portugal : Valencia, Spain : Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.

Philip

Well, its always something that the food isn't inedible as some reviews suggests.

Philip

It's good to hear that you have had a good experience on your Costa cruise. Regarding the food, how do you think it compares to some of the other cruise liners you have been with?

Also, I have seen a lot of people referring Costa as a discount liner - but when I compare the prices across liners, such as Princess Cruises, its not because I find it that much cheaper to be honest. Maybe 100-200 euros...

Philip

i posted photos of almost all my meals from my last costa cruise (nov 12). they can be seen here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1748219

Thanks, I have seen those, and really appreciate your effort to both take and post these. It gives a good insight into the actual standard.

I showed them to my wife, and we both agreed that it looked like reasonable quality.

This is what I don't understand. How can this produce the reviews some have made?

I do understand that this is not 5 star quality - but I really don't expect that either. We expect reasonably well made quality food, which provides you with an experience fit for the occasion, but not something overly complicated or individually made (I do expect that food is prepared to be served for a large number of people).

Philip

i think you answered your own question ;)

 

go and enjoy your cruise. i am american, have been on 3 longer costa cruise and i can see a point in some of the complaints, but i still disagree. i always say 'if you want it to be like home, stay home'.

Thanks a bunch for the quick reply. Some of the reviews are just very degrading, and I cant really think that it can be correct to the degree depicted in some reviews here.

If its the language barrier, then I can easily understand how Americans can put more weight to that, than Europeans, but some of the remarks are really harsh, as if you are going to be delivered with trash, such as food quality.

Philip

Hi

I have used quite some time to go through the Costa reviews on both CC and cruise.co.uk, and many of the bad reviews seems to come from Americans, or am I wrong?

The main reason why I am asking, is that I am going to my first Costa cruise in November with my wife and daughter, and I am uncertain about what to think from some of the reviews I have read. I have kind of concluded that it might not be accurate for Europeans such as myself. Example, being an European, it is quite normal that there are different languages over the speakers... that is a normal part of being European. Some reviews complain about this as a large factor, but that must really be an American issue, as I cant see any European having issues with this, unless you live under a rock.

Also, I don't understand why some reviews seem to suggest that Costa is cheaper than other cruise liners such as Celebrity, Princess and P&O.

I am going to be paying 2300 euros for a balcony cabin for 11 days, which would be the same on Princess, for example.

Anyways, would like to get some hints on whether I myself as an European can trust some of these reviews, that seems to come from Americans, which I cannot compare to my own lifestyle.

The food also seem to be something that is hugely complained about, but I still see a lot of other reviews where food is rated very high. Having been in the US a lot, I could imagine that these negative food reviews are specifically from Americans?

It could be an age thing as well, I am 35, and might not compare with a 65+ senior couple who expects a much less action packed cruise, as it seems like Costa is known for.

Thanks.

Philip

surely this cant be correct, yiou cant request a table for two/dining times unless you are in a premium balcony cabin. If this is the case I will be canceling my booking and i would imagine others would do the same:(

I really dont understand your reaction on this. Maybe you should cancel your booking immidiately.

The Classic option is a fair approach to give customers a way to take on a cruise for absolute discount prices. Although it also means that the ship potentially can be filled with people that may not be suiteble for others cruise experience.

If you want a garantee, I see 2 options

1. Immidiate cancel your booking and find another liner that can match your needs

2. Upgrade from the Classic to Premium, and pay up for the extra services you can benefit from, such as choosing your ser time.

Seriously, did you even check the price difference for upgrading?

Philip

Is there anything online about it?

I couldnt find anything? Prob we will just stick with the extra as I doubt our friends will want it and we are all dining together. If we ALL need to do the VIP - then we wont bother..

Any link to it available??

Hi Blondie

Two things. No, it is not available online - you have to call your travel agent or Costa directly.

Second, if you have to think twice about it, its probably not for you. My advice is that you stick to what you have ordered and forget that this is available. You don't always have to get the largest package - especially if you are on a budget.

Have a nice voyage!

Philip

When did the VIP package kick in? Is it available now? Does it include all drinks from the mini bar? Going this week - need to get the calculator out :rolleyes:

Can we upgrade from the Extra to the VIP on board???

Yes, it includes the whole mini bar. I am not sure if you can get the upgrade on board.

It is available now. I just purchased it for our cruise in November on the Deliziosa ship. We are mostly doing it for convenience.

Philip

Whats the Ultra AI?

 

Philip

I guess I will answer my own question. I contacted Costa regarding possible options for Deliziosa in November 2013, and received the following answer.

All Inclusive Young (AI) Package (€ 11.00 per day, per kid)

- Includes coverage for the 15% service charge

- All days, 24 hours a day

- Selection of soft drinks by the glass.

Extra All Inclusive (AI) Package (€ 19.50 per day, per person)

- Includes coverage for the 15% service charge

- All days, 24 hours a day

- All drinks available, excluding premium brands (red star items).

VIP All Inclusive (AI) Package (€ 40.00 per day, per person)

- Includes coverage for the 15% service charge

- All days, 24 hours a day

- All drinks available, including premium brands (red star items)

- Includes full access, use and coverage of the cabin mini bar.

The All Inclusive packages must be applied to all passengers traveling together with the same booking file number and must be applied to all passengers who choose to dine together.

Hope this helps, someone make a decision. My own conclusion is, that the VIP package, and the double up in price, is interresting, if you dont want to be limitted by the restrictions of the Extra package and the coverage of the mini bar. I guess it's a question of convinence, or if you have some extra requirements in terms of brands.

I like the availability of the VIP package, but the price makes it alot less interresting in terms of savings and value compared to the Extra package.

To complete the full service availability offering, it would have been nice, if Costa added a package in the middle of the two, with a higher charge then the Extra package, where you could choose a red star item, with a 50% discount per buy.

Philip

Maybe someone else has got an answer about my other question if the chocolate fountain is included in the Extra AI (as it was included in the Ultra AI).

Whats the Ultra AI?

Philip