GeorgeCosta

The tickets probably were for a VIP area at the pool deck with drinks and seats and so on. I saw it at Favolosa, not worth the money if you ask me... specially with that upper deck the pool at Favolosa has... that deck is less crowded at parties and is a good spot to just look.

The only theme night I really followed was the Italian and only because it is relatively easy and doesn't look too bad... being myself quite young I end up in all the parties usually.

I forgot about the Mask Evening, there was a nice party at the atrium though not many wore it and the party wasn't related at all to that, just the decorations.

Last summer on Favolosa in the Fjords we had White Night, Italian Night and Black and Golden Night. Mainly related to the night parties. We had deck parties with both Black and Golden and White, this last one was almost empty but it was the night that Barcelona suffered terrorist attacks so it could be related... I really like the ambience during the Italian Night both the special show and the dinner at the Main Dining Room

Hello again!

Regarding embarkations time I have never embarked in Savona so I cannot tell. As you are travelling with small kids you'll probably get priority boarding and get onboard soon. If not, both embarkations with Costa have been easy and took me around 1h both in Barcelona and Copehagen, again I am not sure about Savona but probably the same. The process is a bit different to other lines: security control, you'll get health forms to fill in while you wait to be called for check-in, check-in is done by numbers given to you at the entrance of the terminal where you give your luggage to the porters; when you are called you proceed to one of the desks, the Costa Card is not given to you there but awaits you in your cabin. After check-in it is the usual embarkation photo before taking the gangway to the ship.

A tip: if you have a drinks package included, you usually have one if you have booked either a Classic or Premium Cabin - keep your booking papers with you so you can show them in the buffet for lunch in case your cabin isn't ready yet and you don't have your Costa Card.

Regarding the ship, I have personally not sailed on Diadema but some friends of mine sailed this summer and came back very very happy. Keep in mind we are Spanish so we like noisy flashy things - pretty much like Costa - my advice is to try everything and see what suits you as there are a lot of options for everyone. I personally enjoy a lot dinners at the dining rooms as, on some nights, there are flashmobs by the waiters and the rest of the staff that are quite nice, specially on the Italian night.

Also regarding food I don't have complains with Costa, only with that menu they serve one of the nights designed by the Italian chef Barbieri, it is not bad but I don't like it, so that night I would suggest dining somewhere else.

Regarding open seating, you have Corona Blu Restaurant, same service as on the dining rooms but on a special section of the buffet, that is 19.00 - 21.45 and you also have the buffet dinner on Trattoria Lido Diana, same place but near the central pool, 19.00 - 21.30 those were the timetables in the summer, don't know if now they are any different.

As I recall from Costa Favolosa and Fascinosa there is tap water available at the buffet at any time of the day from a dispenser, there were also dispensers on the Lido Decks opposite to the Grill counter, don't know if the layout on the Diadema is the same.

I am someone that likes Costa so my advice is mostly positive and it is just my opinion after sailing with both Royal and Costa. And Diadema seems a very nice ship so just enjoy it, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

George

I have arraged various birthdays onboard Costa ships, just get to the maitre d' of your dining room on the first or second night of the voyage. He or she will show you the available list of cakes, they are big and we found them quite nice - the three we have tasted - regarding balloons I remember that our cabin was decorated when my little sister turned 12 but I cannot remember now whether we paid for it or not, anyway, ask either your cabin steward or the Hospitality Service Senior Specialist, a person that will speak English and that is readily available at certain hours consulting your Daily Programme or Diario di Bordo. Hope I was helpful!

Regards,

George