Parraboy

We might just be unlucky ones . Still waiting for our Australian agent to get it from costa and process it to us. We already in Europe minus our 4600 aud. 

Hi Guys

Still yet to receive a refund from Costa. Decided to do 14 days road trip Croatia and Slovenia instead. Lucky we still have our MSC cruise to enjoy.    Disappointing but plenty of worse things in life...

thanks..

Hi Guys

I dont want to create issues or angst for anyone. 

I rang Costa last night and they were not helpful referring me to my agent without any courtesy or consideration at all.  I contacted my agent today and they said they couldn't do anything until Costa advised them of what they were going to do. 

I know the sailing is November and on surface it is not an issue for most.  Personally, it is stressful as we leave Australia in week and last thing you want to be doing is planning and re arranging on the run in a foreign country.  Travel insurance wont touch it because the cruise company cancelled it and can and should refund all monies. 

So as it stands, just waiting for Costa to send something out.  In the meantime, everything fills up on remaining sailings in that vicinity and everything else that impacts on this such as train , plane, excursions, hotels are subject to cancellation or non refundable fare issues. 

mmmm .....   Sour taste happening LOL

Yes, I agree . I am sorry. 

Hi again

It just gets better and better.  Qatar will slug me $1600 AUD in fees to change return legs.  So I am sort of stuck departing Milan 24/11/2019.  So basically  have a window of an opportunity now to find something between 10/11 and 24/11 starting Venice and finishing Milan.   Looking at maybe another cruise ? I dont know. 

Hi GMT

Mate I booked with Cruise Geru an Australian cruise booking site.  I Rang Costa last nite and spoke to a rude lady who basically threw me under the bus " contact your agency '  do not contact us.   

Even if they give us our money back and 30% towards future cruises, I want to cruise in the Mediterranean that time of the year when we are there.  I am sure the 6000 passengers are scrambling to get the last remaining places on the cruises at that time.

Thanks 

Thank you FragileK.  

I suppose I just need to contact my booking agent in Sydney in morning,  And go from there. 

Hi

We are on a MSC Cruise that finishes in Venice 10th November.  We are spending 5 days in Verona, Italy then meant to Cruise from Savona 16th November  to 23rd November, 2019 on this one.  

Flying out of Milan 24th Nov back home.    Does anyone have a contact number ( toll free ) so I can ring now from Australia to get some information.   

Kind Regards

I have travel insurance but I want to Cruise that is the point.   Will it be a straight refund ?  Or how do they do this ?   Surely they need to compensate people like us that have had all their plans messed up...

Trying to get information now.   Wonder if there is another cruise leaving day day ? 

Thank you 

Hi Riana

We were sailing 16th November.    Is there a link we can read up ?  I definately have not received any emails from Costa .

Hi Everyone

It is 10pm Monday night here in Australia.  Have not received any emails, notices, NOTHING at all.  This is first I have heard about this.   This is going to be so disappointing.  I will have to change so much, flights, trains, accomodation, the lot.

Where do I start now.    I leave Australia Thursday week....  Is there a link somewhere to get more information ? 

Hi the Lake Girl

Our cruise is visiting :

Sun : Marseille France  8.30am to 5pm

Mon : Barcelona    8am to 7pm

Tue   Palma Mallorca   8am to 6pm

Wed Sea

Thur Civitavecchia 8am to 7pm

Fri La Spezia 8.30am to 8.30pm 

Sat :  Return Savona 

Very long days in ports, good hours and plenty opportunity to see things there.  Hence the mad panic becuase I havent got myself organised and not overly excited about the  Passpartour offerings...

Kind regards and thank you to everyone that helped me out so far.

Mate

Thank you.     Steve SMITH is the difference.  But appears both sets of openers cant bat to save themselves lately.  If we dont win the last one I will be disappointed.

Busy trying to find things to do in each port now.   So under prepared for this Costa trip. I can hear the whinging family when we arrive now.... 

Thank you so much Riana. 

LUCKY or CRAZY I havent worked it out.   Coming so far from Australia to Europe , I always cram all my leave together to maximise the adventure.     By the end of the 2 months, we are all glad to be apart from each other.   LOL 

Hi mate 

I am a fool.  Got my two cruises mixed up... How do I cancel the thread now....

thank you for your time and effort to reply.  I am sorry. 

Having just checked that part of the trip. We have a train leaving Savona at 10.33am to Milan ... 

Hi A'te

mate we are catching train from Venice Mestre station to Verona leaving 12.02pm. That is why i booked a taxi.  I hope your right mate.....

Hi all 

we are booked on the msc magnifica . I was positive that disembark time was 9.00am Sunday in November .  Checked tonite and it is 9.30am. 

I booked non refundable train tickets from Venice to Verona departing 12.02pm.  I also have pre paid taxi voucher . 

How is the disembarking process in Venice . We always do self carry off and aim to be in first off where possible . 

Based on experience do I have any issues getting off and cleared and to the main train station and on that train in time . 

Kind regards 

Hi all 

we finish our cruise at Savona on the 6000 pax Smeralda . I believe it was originally scheduled for 9.00am but checked tonite and it was  now on web site being 9.30am. 

I booked and paid for non refundable train tickets to Verona departing 12.02pm .  I pre paid for a taxi to take us from the ship to the main  train station . 

Worried now . Never been on a costa before .  On  RC, MSC or carnival always self carry off and aim to be off ASAP .  

Can anyone see huge issues making this train ? 

Kind regards 

Hi All

Having looked at the actual tours in closer detail I am starting to get a little bit undecided now.  Nothing is jumping out at me.  Not sure if I can justify $1000 AUD for some tours I am not really excited about.   Would be happy to do it just want to do a few things to please all of us not just two.   ANYONE want a teenager or two ( toilet trained & self sufficient almost ) ..

Might have to look through your suggestions again on the new link you created.......    Starting to regret a two month holiday through Europe including two cruises.... what was Dad thinking ? 

Hi Riana

Your fantastic and have done a great job with this. Really appreciate it.  I hope I didn't offend you before as it wasn't my intention.  This is the most disorganised I have ever been on a cruise.  We are actually doing one from Venice on 3/11/2019 on MSC Magnifica then doing this one on 16/11/2019.   Most of my ports are sorted on Cruise 1 but not on this one unfortunately.  Little Aussie brain not working too well...  One part is saying just wing it and go with the flow when we arrive at port as they are such long port days  but then the smarter side says be planned as greater opportunity to see more and do more in these great cities.....  Some of the Ports on Cruise 1 are 5 hours only on MSC ... argh. 

To everyone who has contributed so far - thank you !

Mmmmm 

Bit side tracked along the way Ladies....  So no real consensus about these tours and value.  I am leaning towards them as it is 4 hour tours and gives you time to self explore as well.....  

Any one got an update on the Passpartour packages ?

Thank you..

Yes .  Basically there is at least one option

for each port  for people who Pre 

purchase the passepartour deal .  If I understand it ,  I should be in front if I do one tour per port .  

Be nice if someone comments in their experience using it . 

Hi Mate

COSTA PASSEPARTOUR

Hi Mate

We are obviously booked on that ship. I went to Costa and put in my reference no etc and my booking comes up with the options for extras etc.  This is located under the excursions.   It is bit pricey at $150 euro each but if you take one on every port it balances out. 

Just want to see what the general thoughts are with it .... 

Hi All,

Australian family doing 16th November, 2019 sailing on Costa SMERALDA from Savona.   We have previously cruised RCL, CARNIVAL and MSC and enjoyed them all.  This is or first venture onto a COSTA cruise and we were attracted at it was obviously a new ship and a great way to finish our Europe holiday before heading back home to Australia.

Couple of questions please ....

The Costa PASSPARTOUR is reasonably attractive at $150 Euro each person.   If I have read it correctly, we can select a excursion at each of the locations marked with the circle emblem for Passepartour...  No extra costs and in theory we can select seven tours for our $150 euro each ?     Sounds good value I think if those tours are basically what we are after.... Love to hear peoples thoughts on the value and pros and cons of the deal ?

Bit nervous that there is very little web traffic on the arrival of the new ship.... I know she is still yet to hit the water but I hope all is good.  Looks a magnificent ship and certainly will be a great experience hopefully.

Any tips or suggestions greatly appreciated.....

Parraboy

Sydney

Australia