Wansbrough

So.....how did it go? 😁

None that I am aware of.

The only ATM I remember seeing was midway along the corniche, I didn't spot one in the port area but then I wasn't really looking for one. Are you not able to get some before you leave or in Dubai? Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

Once you have checked in and have your sea pass you are free to come and go even if its day 2. We embarked on day 2 and could have gone back ashore but wanted to settle in, explore the ship and get the muster out of the way. If you come out a day early, either stay in Dubai or embark that day so day 2 is free to explore Dubai. As we boarded day 2, we had a day in Dubai at the end of the cruise instead.

Once you have checked in and have your sea pass you are free to come and go even if its day 2. We embarked on day 2 and could have gone back ashore but wanted to settle in, explore the ship and get the muster out of the way. If you come out a day early, either stay in Dubai or embark that day so day 2 is free to explore Dubai. As we boarded day 2, we had a day in Dubai at the end of the cruise instead.

Costa Toscana Dubai and UAE Preamble Costa Toscana Postcard #1 - The Journey to Dubai Costa Toscana Postcard #2 - Dubai & Embarkation Costa Toscana Postcard #3 - A Christmas Sea Day Costa Toscana Postcard #4 - Muscat, Oman Costa Toscana Postcard #5 - Muscat, Oman Costa Toscana Postcard #6 - Abu Dhabi, UAE Costa Toscana Postcard #7 - Abu Dhabi, UAE Costa Toscana Postcard #8 - Dubai, UAE Costa Toscana Postcard #9 - Dubai & Disembarking

Sorry but I can't help you with this one, they are not something we show much interest in because my wife is vegan and there is nothing in them she can eat. And to be honest, the food in the MDR was so good we were more than happy to eat there.

We were picked up at 8:00am from the cruise terminal for a 12:10pm flight so I would say easily. There were taxis outside the cruise terminal if that is your plan.

We were given a specific embarkation time but did arrive about an hour earlier because of the pre arranged car from the hotel. The cruise terminal was pretty much deserted. We embarked on the 2nd day in Dubai and I think most of those getting on in Dubai had done so the day before. I have just remembered something that was unusual for Costa, we were given our cruise cards in the terminal.

I have just looked back through my photos and there appears to be one near the entrance to the Mutrah Souk

We missed Doha and I can't remember seeing one in Muscat. We did make purchases in Muscat but used Dirhams

It came onboard in the suitcase so don't know if they are x-rayed or not. Yes, I was made to feel a little uncomfortable about the situation but after buying her some argon oil onboard at a bargain price it seemed to pacify the situation. No, she didn't take her own hairdrier, she seldom uses one even at home.

My wife brought her hair straighteners onboard Toscana......guess who forgot to pack the adapter. 😊

I would say as long as your labels are attached it should not be an issue. Both times we have embarked at the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, we have handed over our cases as soon as we have entered the building at ground floor. All that is done at that stage is to just double check you have the correct papers. BTW, as people are boarding throughout the night, the buffet will remain open until about 3:00am. The new terminal is excellent and if you cabin looks out over the marina it is an amazing panorama at night.

No mini bar in our cabins on Firenze or Toscana, looks like it may become a thing of the past like the table cloths in the MDR.

Interestingly, the Italians were not the largest contingent as there were a lot of Indian passengers who were the largest nationality onboard. I got this from one of our waiters. I always try and get specific passenger mix from the waiters but wasn't able to this time. They have it broken down on a pin board in the galley/servery area.

We loved it, perhaps bigger than we would normally like but being as capacity was low it sort of balanced it out. The only area we were not keen on was the Infinity bar at the back, it felt cramped and was also not the easiest to get to. Not a patch on the equivalent bar on Costa Firenze. The Colosseo is a revelation, fantastic idea. However the theatre viewing isn't too clever, we always sat upstairs and unless you have a front row seat viewing is not that good plus there are only seats to the side. We never sat downstairs so can't comment if it was any better. Food, restaurants were all very good, probably the best I have had in 9 Costa cruises dating back to 2007.

I will be boarding Costa Toscana later today and will be blogging over the coming week if anyone would like to read. https://www.wansbroughs-cruise-blog.me.uk/2022/12/costa-toscana-postcard-1-the-journey-to-dubai/

Just back from a river cruise on the Ganges with a 4 night pre-cruise trip to India's Golden Triangle India's Golden Triangle & Ganges Voyager II Preamble Ganges Voyager II Postcard #1 - The Journey to New Delhi Ganges Voyager II Postcard #2 - New Delhi Ganges Voyager II Postcard #3 - New Delhi, Transfer to Agra Ganges Voyager II Postcard #4 - Agra, Transfer to Jaipur Ganges Voyager II Postcard #5 - Jaipur Ganges Voyager II Postcard #6 - Jaipur, Transfer to Kolkata & Embarkation Ganges Voyager II Postcard #7 - Kalna Ganges Voyager II Postcard #8 - Matiari Ganges Voyager II Postcard #9 - Murshidabad, Baranagar Ganges Voyager II Postcard #10 - The Ganges, Khusbagh Ganges Voyager II Postcard #11 - Mayapur, Chandannagar Ganges Voyager II Postcard #12 - Kolkata Ganges Voyager II Postcard #13 - Kolkata & Disembarking

Its actual name is a Magrodome. 😁

We have enjoyed every Costa ship we have sailed on. Magica, Serena, Atlantica, Pacifica, Fortuna, Deliziosa, Mediterranea & Firenze We are also looking forward to Toscana in a few weeks time. Do we have a favourite? Probably Atlantica which unfortunately is no longer part of the fleet although still 40% owned by Carnival.

https://www.mycosta.com/en/login.html

Are you not immunized? If you are, since October 8 2022 all guests immunized guests will no longer be required to take a pre-boarding antigen test for cruises in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the UAE. That is unless your cruise is 14 days or longer.

Just picked these up on Twitter. What an earth are thinking? Is anyone going to take this seriously?

"the cruises are being cancelled as a result of international restrictions" I wonder what they mean by that? We had our Venezia cruise cancelled which was the same itinerary they referenced ( Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt). We are now booked on NCL Jade doing similar ports except its not doing Egypt. I'd love to know more but I guess its all smoke and mirrors.