Are you treated different when sailing on a Classic versus Premium fare?

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

I'm looking at booking a week's Costa cruise around the Med. As I have never in over 120 nights at sea used a ship's room service (including breakfast), so the classic fare suits me best. Nonetheless, I have read about passengers being treated worse by guest relations for being on one fare than the other.

 

 

Is there any truth to this? If I shall be treated as a second class passenger aboard I am willing to pay the difference, but otherwise there is no incentive for me to book the higher fare.

[Salve]

I'm looking at booking a week's Costa cruise around the Med. As I have never in over 120 nights at sea used a ship's room service (including breakfast), so the classic fare suits me best. Nonetheless, I have read about passengers being treated worse by guest relations for being on one fare than the other.

 

 

Is there any truth to this? If I shall be treated as a second class passenger aboard I am willing to pay the difference, but otherwise there is no incentive for me to book the higher fare.

 

We have booked both types. Since they started "Premium" that's what we book. Never noticed any difference in treatment.

 

If I were you I would book "Classic."

[lambs2]

We booked a premium balcony cabin for our upcoming transatlantic on Mediterranea. I did notice on our check-in form online we have the choice of dinner seating times, table size and even which dining room to choose. I don't believe, from recent reviews I read, that those in classic cabins have these choices anymore.

 

Salve - which dining room do you think is the nicest on the Mediterranea? My husband wants to choose the upper level in the Argentieri dining room so we do not have to walk through the casino to get to the theater.

 

 

[Dancer Bob]

I am also not a room service person and on Costa, don't really care about dinner seating, so I book Classic when on my own. But I sometime travel with groups who want confirmed dining, so I also end up in Premium cabins. Never noticed the slightest difference in service.

[Salve]

We booked a premium balcony cabin for our upcoming transatlantic on Mediterranea. I did notice on our check-in form online we have the choice of dinner seating times, table size and even which dining room to choose. I don't believe, from recent reviews I read, that those in classic cabins have these choices anymore.

 

Salve - which dining room do you think is the nicest on the Mediterranea? My husband wants to choose the upper level in the Argentieri dining room so we do not have to walk through the casino to get to the theater.

 

 

 

 

Deck 3 Argentieri would be my first choice, along the railing to look down on deck 2 tables.

 

If you don't get that, talk to the maitre d ASAP, they can be very accommodating.

[AmoMondo]

I've booked premium on the last 3 cruises because I like to be able to choose my dining time and have room service at breakfast. Other than cabin location and earning more Costa points, I'm not aware of any other special treatment. I'm certainly not aware of ever getting any kind of privileged service over others. I very much doubt the crew notice whether you are classic or premium when they're interacting with you.

[CASPALL]

Plus 10% discount off your next cruise AmoMondo:)

Premium for me every time

Caryl

[AmoMondo]

Plus 10% discount off your next cruise AmoMondo:)

Premium for me every time

Caryl

 

Thanks Caryl, I'd forgotten about that.

 

Mairi

[Salve]

Plus 10% discount off your next cruise AmoMondo:)

Premium for me every time

Caryl

 

Yes, that's the best part!

[lambs2]

Deck 3 Argentieri would be my first choice, along the railing to look down on deck 2 tables.

 

If you don't get that, talk to the maitre d ASAP, they can be very accommodating.

 

Exactly what we chose, Salve! Thanks! Watched a video and so picked a six top which, on deck 3, appear to be along the railing and a couple by windows. No mid-room seating upstairs, which is our least favorte location. We had a table along the upper railing on our Atlantica cruise many years ago and enjoyed the views from up there!

 

Marguerite :)

[Salve]

Exactly what we chose, Salve! Thanks! Watched a video and so picked a six top which, on deck 3, appear to be along the railing and a couple by windows. No mid-room seating upstairs, which is our least favorte location. We had a table along the upper railing on our Atlantica cruise many years ago and enjoyed the views from up there!

 

Marguerite :)

 

Did you know that the Atlantica and Mediterranea are sister ships??

[lambs2]

Did you know that the Atlantica and Mediterranea are sister ships??

 

I didn't know that! I don't remember the Atlantica looking as lovely as the videos I just saw of the Mediterranea We had an inside cabin back then.FONT]

Edited January 26, 2015 by lambs2

[Salve]

I didn't know that! I don't remember the Atlantica looking as lovely as the videos I just saw of the Mediterranea We had an inside cabin back then.FONT]

 

 

Mediterranea is nicer in my opinion.

[AmoMondo]

Did you know that the Atlantica and Mediterranea are sister ships??

 

That's interesting. Of all my Costa cruises so far, the Atlantica was hands down my favourite. It is good to know there is another like her. I shall look out for cruises on her as well as the Atlantica in future.

[Salve]

That's interesting. Of all my Costa cruises so far, the Atlantica was hands down my favourite. It is good to know there is another like her. I shall look out for cruises on her as well as the Atlantica in future.

 

 

The Atlantica was my favorite before I was on the Mediterranea.

[CASPALL]

Have any of you been on Pacifica?

Caryl

[Salve]

Have any of you been on Pacifica?

 

Caryl

 

 

I was on the Pacifica last November.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Salve

[davidcraig2003]

Does this mean that if you were to book classic, and be assigned early seating but desired late seating the Maitre'd wouldn't try to accomodate the change? Or is the classic/premium choice only to secure your choice pre-boarding?

[AmoMondo]

Does this mean that if you were to book classic, and be assigned early seating but desired late seating the Maitre'd wouldn't try to accomodate the change? Or is the classic/premium choice only to secure your choice pre-boarding?

 

I've interpreted it as premium get to choose in advance (thereby having a greater chance of getting what they want). I'd expect classic to be able to speak to maître D about a different seating/restaurant and be accommodated ifbthey are able to.

 

On my last cruise I was Premium and my table assignment was the opposite of what I'd requested on the pre booking/web check in form. Had to go to the room where the maître d' was handling table change requests etc. it was just one queue, on a first come, first serve basis. Never saw anything saying only premium passengers, nor did I hear him refuse to accommodate anyone in front of me because they were on Classic. Then again there might not have been anyone in front of me booked in a classic cabin. He certainly wasn't asking that, but I guess they can tell from your cabin number what you have booked.

[Rassa]

I would imagine that the Europeans would prefer later seating for dining - is that right? I prefer early dining so may-be classic would suit me.

[Dancer Bob]

The Deliziosa and Luminosa are improved versions of A/M (except they deleted 3 dance floors), for small groups I like them better.

 

Costa I think has some of the best maitre d's in the business, they've always been very accommodating. I don't think you can stereotype Europeans any more than you can stereotype Americans.

Edited January 27, 2015 by Dancer Bob

[Salve]

The Deliziosa and Luminosa are improved versions of A/M (except they deleted 3 dance floors), for small groups I like them better.

 

Costa I think has some of the best maitre d's in the business, they've always been very accommodating. I don't think you can stereotype Europeans any more than you can stereotype Americans.

 

 

Or Canadians...