kgd

Scheduled for next week's cruise on the Veendam. First time sailing with Holland. How formal (ie tuxes) are the gala nights or are most of the men just wearing suits

I have just returned from our cruise from Barcelona on the Costa Fascinosa and thought I would add a quick review.

 

Embarkation

We queued outside for 40 minutes to put our luggage in, it was very hot and the staff checked and boarding docs and passports. We then went upstairs and had to queue for another hour to "check in". There was only 2 check in staff and I note they only did the same as the other staff had done when they had taken our luggage which was to check our boarding passes. We then had to wait another 20 minutes to board the ship. All in all it had taken 2 hours from arriving at the port to get onto the ship despite us arriving at the time recommended being 11am. By this time we were all desperate for a drink of water having stood for 2 hours awaiting to get on ship but as we did not have our cruise cards we could not get a drink. (As cruise cards are given in rooms)

Muster

We were then herded down a corridor to a bar to watch the muster video, despite us not knowing our muster station (as this was on the cruise cards that we were yet to receive). We missed the first few minutes but when the video ended and then went straight to adverts for tours. By this time I was not going to sit through this advert as still desperate for a glass of water and we were vaguely shown the lifeboat points but advised that once we had our cruise cards we could go and find which one we were allocated to ourselves!

Unbelievable has this company not learnt anything from their disaster. I note that all other ports had full muster with life jackets, I think they do not leave themselves enough time at Barcelona to do the necessary.

Staff

I never met our room steward, I believe this is due to the tipping policy as you are not allowed to opt out the staff do not need to be nice to get their tips. When I was on a carnival ship the room steward told me they worked hard to get good reviews from customers as they could then get promotions. Perhaps Costa's should think about this.

Barstaff and restaurant staff all seemed very pleasant and helpful.

 

Overall after the first day where I was swearing off getting on a Costa ship again, I actually calmed down and enjoyed the cruise. They are very Italian dominated so not really for everyone who may miss having a conversation in English or prefer people with "English Manners" but I may try them again.

Thank you for the review. We are sailing out of Barcelona next month on the Fascinosa. First time on Costa for us. Sounds like it shall be interesting and different from what we are accustomed to.

Bill and Denise

While there appears to be a $500 per day limit for depositing into one's OBC cash account, does anyone know if there is a cash withdrawal limit of $500 per day at the casino?

Bill and Denise

[quote name='son3cruisers']That's correct! :)[/quote]

[php]Quote:
Originally Posted by kgd View Post 

What an interesting topic of discussion.

If I were to take out an OBC of $1,000 U.S., from what I have read on this post, I assume it will cost me $1,100.00 CDN and that is what would be charged on my credit card now. Assuming that I did not spend a single $ on this cruise (except for the daily gratuity charge), am I correct in thinking that I can go to guest services on the last night of the cruise and receive $1,000.00 cash in U.S. Funds.

Bill and Denise

Windsor, Ont.

That's correct! [/php][/php]

Thanks for your response to our question. Sounds too good to be true. This is certainly a "no brainer" As I see it, one should put as much as possible on their OBC cash account. Unless I am missing something, upon returning back to Canada, one simply converts the U.S. funds back in to CDN funds and they will make 15-20% depending on what the bank charges for the conversion.

Bill and Denise

What an interesting topic of discussion.

If I were to take out an OBC of $1,000 U.S., from what I have read on this post, I assume it will cost me $1,100.00 CDN and that is what would be charged on my credit card now. Assuming that I did not spend a single $ on this cruise (except for the daily gratuity charge), am I correct in thinking that I can go to guest services on the last night of the cruise and receive $1,000.00 cash in U.S. Funds.

Bill and Denise

Windsor, Ont.

Thank you to each and everyone for the wonderful and practical advice. I definitely will book tickets for the later bus. Better to be safe than sorry.

Bill and Denise

We will be arriving at Heathrow terminal 2 at 6:30 am on a Friday in early October. We have booked the 8:00 am National Express bus to Southampton and now am questioning myself, if there is enough time to catch this bus. We will have to clear customs, pick up the luggage and make our way to the central bus station.

I am now considering also booking tickets for a later bus. Will We have enough time to catch the 8:00 am bus? The next bus is around 9:45am. I am wondering if these buses to Southampton usually sell out. Should I purchase tickets for the 9:45 am bus and be on the safe side or take a chance that should I miss the 8:00am bus, just purchase tickets at the central bus station.

Bill and Denise

Keith- I enjoyed your review of the back to back cruise which you took. We are taking the same cruise this month. Can you advise if NCL has a formal night on the cruise. Are suits/ ties required or is dressing "smart casual" appropriate? Thanks.

Thank you for the information

Thank you to all for the valuable information that you provided

We have booked on Norwegian, two seven day cruises back to back on the same ship. On each cruise, we have been assigned a different room.After the first week cruise, do we have to disembark with our luggage and register again for the second cruise?