Costa Secrets they usually don't tell you about

[macd2]

First, I must confess that I ripped off this thread title from another forum (substituted Costa for another line). So, tell us all you insider Costa cruise secrets. Information that is not normally given out by Costa. Things you can get just for asking that are not advertised.

 

For example, some cruiselines have certain food items always available that are not on the menu.

 

I'm taking my first Costa Cruise next week; I'll post my discoveries when I get back. If you've cruised Costa, what did you discover that made made your trip a little better.

[Cruise4Andy]

Here's one right off the badge...

 

You will receive your daily cruise news, the "TODAY", which will be delivered to your stateroom the night before... You will find a certain cocktail special, aka drink of the day, which varies daily.

 

As there was no mentioning of it on our last Costa cruise in the newsletter, only past Costa cruiser would know that you can "supersize" your drink for only a few cents more. Definately worth the money!

 

Just ask your waiter to "XL" your drink, and you'll receive a pretty good value for only a few more cents...

 

 

Happy celebrating and Happy Cruising...

(I am sure I'll come up with some more)

 

Andy

[ajcruise]

Thanks for starting this thread! I love the "supersize drink" tip!:cool: Very cool!

 

I'm looking forward to hearing more tips!

[macd2]

Bump. For folks just coming back from a Caribbean cruise, please post your discoveries!

[Cruise4Andy]

I know I posted that also somewhere else here, as somebody asked me.

 

If you are planning of having nice looking clothes, such as dresses, slacks, suites, or simple shorts and shirts, pack a bottle or two of wrinkle releaser. As you are not allowed to use any irons in your cabin and laundry service is only available for a charge, this is a great way to look "smooth".

 

Wrinkle Releaser can be found in super stores, such as Wal-Mart and Target in the laundry detergent isle. Just look for a white spray bottle with blue and pink decor. It is made by Downy and comes in two sizes: large spray bottle or travel size mini bottle.

 

In my opinion, pack the big bottle, it comes in handy. Some stores may not carry the travel size bottles anyway.

 

Just another thought....

 

Andy

[dogger]

A couple things to keep in mind:

 

1) You're on vacation, enjoy and roll with the flow

 

2) You're not at work, enjoy

 

3) Read as much as you can before hand, if possible, don't do the excursions through the cruise because they take a cut and there's more

people doing the excursion from the ship. If you read enough reviews, asking questions, etc you'll get a cheaper excursion, with less people and in the end, have more fun!

 

4) Once you read enough, make sure you have EVERYTHING "needed" for a cruise, most important, your tickets and travel docs.

 

5) Pack lightly, we brought a big suitcase back with clothes we didn't wear, it's a pain to lug toooo much stuff around the airports, etc

 

6) Pack a change or two of your cloths in a bag from a person you're traveling with, Or evenly pack the bags so in case a bag is lost, you'll still have some of your own clothes to wear and have washed.

 

7) Take a carry on with clothes or whatever you might need while you wait for your bags to arrive at your room, same for the kids. This includes Medication to glasses, contacts and a change of cloths or a swimsuit

 

8) Take Duct Tape, travel size, comes in handy from everything from stopping a door from opening, keeping a door open, mending a dress/pants(inside the garment) to taping up boxes on the way back or even busted luggage.

 

9) Tip your room service at the start of the trip with a $10-20. Say something so they understand that this is just a small tip to say thanks and you'll tip AGAIN at the end of the trip. Can't say it helped, but I thought it might.

 

10) Be nice to the staff, they spend 6 months to a year away from their families. We asked our cabin and wait staff, "Where are you from?" "What's it like there?" We had some really nice conversations with the staff. Again, I can't say it got us better service, but it sure felt good to give them some time. And our daughter bought our cabin stewart's daughter a gift, her idea after he told us how he hadn't seen her in 6 months.

 

11) Make sure you KNOW when the ship is leaving, it'll be in the cabin the night before in a document that tells you what is going on. When in doubt, ask around. I don't think you'll want to be left without much more than a shirt on your back and a camera and a ship ID and $50 bucks!

 

12) Don't tell a soul this one, at the back of the ship is a great place to layout, take a towel or two and enjoy you, the sun, NO WIND and a very few people. Big thing is NO WIND, On top of the ship, it gets windy!

 

I'm sure there's other hints and ideas, but make sure you go in with an open mind, enjoy your time off and when life serves you lemons and vodka, make Vodka Lemon-Aid!

[Pigsty333]

On the back of the ship - which deck? Hurry, we leave this Sunday.

[Host Star]

On the back of the ship - which deck? Hurry, we leave this Sunday.

deck 9 on the mediterannea.. the adults only pool and hot tub

[dogger]

On the back of the ship - which deck? Hurry, we leave this Sunday.

 

Hard for me to say, last cruise was on a RC ship. It was a deck that didn't have a pool or anything, it was a deck made of wood where we did the muster drill. Seemed to be a deck where people just strolled around.

 

I found it while my wife and kid were napping one of the last days. Up until that time, up to on ship, by the pools it was windy.

 

Now the Costa Mediterrena looks like they have a pool on the backside of the ship that has a closed roof. Not sure of the sunning effects you'll get by the pools if windy or covered?

 

Anyways, check out the ship, maybe you'll find a deck as I explained, AND this place isn't equiped with deck chairs, so I used a towel to lay out. Remember, it's at the back of the ship.

 

Hope this helps

 

Report back if you find such a deck?

[Cruise4Andy]

The Mediterranea has several sun decks. The aft pool which was mentioned here has NO cover over it and is located at the end of deck 9. You actually walk through the buffet area and pass by the poolside bar and grill. Plenty of room and sun-chairs. If you are late and can't find a chair, try to take the stairs to deck 10 or even 11 or 11 A. There are different levels, just in front of the smoke stack. It's more windy there, but even on busy days (at sea), you'll always find empty chairs. That's usually where we were... Less crowded, plenty of sun and a breeze which puts you to sleep...

 

 

Andy ;-)

[Cruise4Andy]

The Mediterranea has several sun decks. The aft pool which was mentioned here has NO cover over it and is located at the end of deck 9. You actually walk through the buffet area and pass by the poolside bar and grill. Plenty of room and sun-chairs. If you are late and can't find a chair, try to take the stairs to deck 10 or even 11 or 11 A. There are different levels, just in front of the smoke stack. It's more windy there, but even on busy days (at sea), you'll always find empty chairs. That's usually where we were... Less crowded, plenty of sun and a breeze which puts you to sleep...

 

 

Andy ;-)

[Host Star]

The Mediterranea has several sun decks. The aft pool which was mentioned here has NO cover over it and is located at the end of deck 9. You actually walk through the buffet area and pass by the poolside bar and grill. Plenty of room and sun-chairs. If you are late and can't find a chair, try to take the stairs to deck 10 or even 11 or 11 A. There are different levels, just in front of the smoke stack. It's more windy there, but even on busy days (at sea), you'll always find empty chairs. That's usually where we were... Less crowded, plenty of sun and a breeze which puts you to sleep...

 

 

Andy ;-)

 

there were 3 of us one day at the back aft pool and didn't see 3 chaises available together.. the pool steward saw us searching and came over and told us to wait right where we were.. he went and got us 3 chaises and made room for us... did we ask him??.. no.. he offered.. that's the kind of service we had all week..

[Host Star]

one more tip.. we did get chocolates at bedtime.. I don't know why they don't do it for all cabins.. maybe ask your room steward, or tell him you would like them.. I'm not sure if its only suites they do it for, but i'd ask, or tell him you would like t hem.. one nite there was hard candy instead of chocolates.. no towel animals..the cruise was so great I could overlook no towel animals..other things were nicer than on other lines, such as the bath salts, and gels.. they came packaged in little glass jars in a gift box..there was shower gel in a dispenser in the shower, which i personally prefer instead of bars of soap

[macd2]

On Magica, the "always available menu" (items you can always get in the dining rooms, if the other items don't suit you) include:

Lunch: hamburger, hot dog, veggie burger, french fries

Dinner: caesar salad, chicken breast, salmon filet, baked potato, french fries

 

Secret Deck: Go all the way forward on Decks 6 or 7 and there is a door to get to a forward balcony right under the bridge. I had that deck all to myself during embarkation from Freeport. There are lots of spaces like this around the ship... if a door doesn't say "crew only", look to see what's on the other side.

 

The Belagio Buffet restaurant has about 7 different stations with similar menu items. If one has a line or you don't see what you want, move along to the next line.

 

The Spa has a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi open for free use, in addition to the modern exercise and locker rooms.

[Cruise4Andy]

mcd2:

Thanks for the "secret door" tip... I'll try that. See what jumps out from behind or the other side... LOL ;-)

[CrusinGroupie]

Here's a few Costa surprises that I didn't know about until I simply found out by accident.

 

1. Caesar salad is available on the dinner menu every night even though it is not always posted on the menu.

 

2. On the Mediterranea, there is a jucuzzi that is free to all adults, and it's a quiet place that faces the bow, (front of the ship), and it's all glassed in. This is an awesome spot to sit and relax while arriving in port. My DH and I sat in the Jucuzzi and watched ourselves coming into San Juan. Very pretty. A ring side sear and all the while enjoying the relaxation of the hot tub.

 

3.. Also on the Mediterranea, just a few steps below the jucuzzi mentioned above, there are chase lounges. Above those chaise lounges are panels of UV lighting so you can set the timer and relax and tax at the same time.

 

4. Costa has a system whereby you register your credit card after you have boarded the ship. Some complain that it's another line to get into, but in fact the time limit is not enforced. Therefore, you can just stroll by the table they have set up to register your card and do it whenever it suits you. There was no line when we decided to do it.

 

5. The Isobella lounge is a beautiful lounge that is ghard to find. You go all the way to the front of the ship and BELOW the show lounge stage one deck below. The lounge looks like an underwater grotto and it just lovely.

 

6. If you can squeeze it in, once you board the ship on the first deay, head directly to the spa. They have $69.00 dollar massage specials the first day of the cruise, (regular price $100). The book up quick so get your appointment before you browse the rest of the ship or head for the buffet. With any luck you can check in your cabin, book your massage, have lunch at the buffet, and gor to the life boat drill, and have your massage immediately after and before dinner, which is not only a bargain butr a great way to begin your eveening after an exhausting day of travel and check in etc:

 

7. One more delightful added touch, is that although there is a charge for a cup of cappacino in the dining room or at the coffee bar; cappacino is FREE when you order it for room service for your morning continental breakfast. I wake up late on cruises and so with the exception of those days that I have to get up early to make an early tour, I don't make it to the dining room for breakfast on time. So I have room service bring me a cup of cappacino with a croissant that I enjoy on my balcomy, and then have an omelet off the omelette bar on deck 9 after I am dressed and ready to start my day.

 

8. Last but not least, (and this may have avoided the debarkation problem for those on the recent Magica cruise), is paln a late check out. When I escort groups, I ask for the latest check out possible. We go home on charter busses, so the bus companies can arrive late and not have to wait so they love it. Even with no group, I leave the ship when I get good and ready.

 

This way I can sleep in a little later, hang around and snack on the buffet and have extra coffee, then wander around talking to the staff, and just enjoy a nice comfy chair and the scenery of the ship. Walk around and get a bit of exercise before the drive or bus ride home. If my DH and I do not have a group and our tag color is called before we are ready to leave, we just ignore it and leave when the ship is more empty. Who wants to end a vacation any earlier than necessary anyway. :)

[goldencup]

I did the same thing when we disembarked from Costa Fortuna in August - we got an extra half a day and lunch!

On Costa Victoria there is also a secret door but I can't quite remember how you get to it. I know you go through the bar right at the front of the ship, then off at the side somewhere and there is a door that enables you to go right to the bows and do your Titanic impression! There are no sunbeds or anything there but you get a great view of the dolphins.

[Host Star]

Here's a few Costa surprises that I didn't know about until I simply found out by accident.

 

1. Caesar salad is available on the dinner menu every night even though it is not always posted on the menu.

 

2. On the Mediterranea, there is a jucuzzi that is free to all adults, and it's a quiet place that faces the bow, (front of the ship), and it's all glassed in. This is an awesome spot to sit and relax while arriving in port. My DH and I sat in the Jucuzzi and watched ourselves coming into San Juan. Very pretty. A ring side sear and all the while enjoying the relaxation of the hot tub.

 

3.. Also on the Mediterranea, just a few steps below the jucuzzi mentioned above, there are chase lounges. Above those chaise lounges are panels of UV lighting so you can set the timer and relax and tax at the same time.

 

4. Costa has a system whereby you register your credit card after you have boarded the ship. Some complain that it's another line to get into, but in fact the time limit is not enforced. Therefore, you can just stroll by the table they have set up to register your card and do it whenever it suits you. There was no line when we decided to do it.

 

5. The Isobella lounge is a beautiful lounge that is ghard to find. You go all the way to the front of the ship and BELOW the show lounge stage one deck below. The lounge looks like an underwater grotto and it just lovely.

 

6. If you can squeeze it in, once you board the ship on the first deay, head directly to the spa. They have $69.00 dollar massage specials the first day of the cruise, (regular price $100). The book up quick so get your appointment before you browse the rest of the ship or head for the buffet. With any luck you can check in your cabin, book your massage, have lunch at the buffet, and gor to the life boat drill, and have your massage immediately after and before dinner, which is not only a bargain butr a great way to begin your eveening after an exhausting day of travel and check in etc:

 

7. One more delightful added touch, is that although there is a charge for a cup of cappacino in the dining room or at the coffee bar; cappacino is FREE when you order it for room service for your morning continental breakfast. I wake up late on cruises and so with the exception of those days that I have to get up early to make an early tour, I don't make it to the dining room for breakfast on time. So I have room service bring me a cup of cappacino with a croissant that I enjoy on my balcomy, and then have an omelet off the omelette bar on deck 9 after I am dressed and ready to start my day.

 

8. Last but not least, (and this may have avoided the debarkation problem for those on the recent Magica cruise), is paln a late check out. When I escort groups, I ask for the latest check out possible. We go home on charter busses, so the bus companies can arrive late and not have to wait so they love it. Even with no group, I leave the ship when I get good and ready.

 

This way I can sleep in a little later, hang around and snack on the buffet and have extra coffee, then wander around talking to the staff, and just enjoy a nice comfy chair and the scenery of the ship. Walk around and get a bit of exercise before the drive or bus ride home. If my DH and I do not have a group and our tag color is called before we are ready to leave, we just ignore it and leave when the ship is more empty. Who wants to end a vacation any earlier than necessary anyway. :)

 

I guess we really had a super dining room waitstaff. they never charged us for the capaccino after dinner in the dining room

[demonR6]

one more tip.. we did get chocolates at bedtime.. I don't know why they don't do it for all cabins..

 

I honestly cannot comprehend the fuss over chocolates on your pillow at bedtime. That some individuals choose to make a hellacious stink over this is beyond my comprehension. This is a cruise ship, not the Ritz-Carlton. We got Costa branded chocolates on the first formal night, then again on the Grand Gala night.. in between we got hard candies. At no time did the lack of chocolates ruin my cruise or cause me great strife and tribulation. :)

[Host Star]

I honestly cannot comprehend the fuss over chocolates on your pillow at bedtime. That some individuals choose to make a hellacious stink over this is beyond my comprehension. This is a cruise ship, not the Ritz-Carlton. We got Costa branded chocolates on the first formal night, then again on the Grand Gala night.. in between we got hard candies. At no time did the lack of chocolates ruin my cruise or cause me great strife and tribulation. :)

 

we had the same.. but we told the room steward we would prefer the costa brand chocolates over the hard candies and voila!!! we had chocolates every nite on our pillows

[Mjasp]

I honestly cannot comprehend the fuss over chocolates on your pillow at bedtime. That some individuals choose to make a hellacious stink over this is beyond my comprehension. This is a cruise ship, not the Ritz-Carlton. We got Costa branded chocolates on the first formal night, then again on the Grand Gala night.. in between we got hard candies. At no time did the lack of chocolates ruin my cruise or cause me great strife and tribulation. :)

 

I can't understand it either, reminds me of the comedian on our Disney Cruise. He said we eat, eat, and eat, then when we are so so tired when we get in our room, but then see the chocolates and make a jumping leap for the bed to be the first ones to get them, we were obvious hysterical laughing. He also did make a comment about, BUT what if the mints weren't there LOL

I probably wouldn't even realize they weren't there.

[goldencup]

On the Costa Fortuna in August we had Lindor chocolates on the pillow because we are in the Costa Club but I can't say it was an important feature of the cruise. I did, however, hear of somebody who had rather too much to drink on the first evening and collapsed in her bed unaware of the chocolate nestling on her pillow. She woke in rather a mess the following morning....

[Host Star]

On the Costa Fortuna in August we had Lindor chocolates on the pillow because we are in the Costa Club but I can't say it was an important feature of the cruise. I did, however, hear of somebody who had rather too much to drink on the first evening and collapsed in her bed unaware of the chocolate nestling on her pillow. She woke in rather a mess the following morning....

i've heard of that happening.. lol... but I forsake the midnite buffets knowing I have a chocolate waiting :)...we are also a member of theCosta Club plus we were in a suite so maybe that's why we had a little something each nite.. they also provided us with comfy robes and slippers which leaves more room in the suitcase to pack more clothes that I didn't need or wear... lol

[Cruise4Andy]

Here's another one for this thread:

 

When you get to the pier and you dropped off your luggage, you will go into the terminal building. Don't forget to get a number!

 

Usually a Costa staff member will hand out plastic numbers (similar to those you'll get in some department stores when you are entering the fitting rooms).

This is your group number and ultimately the order in which your group is going to board. It obviously starts at one and ends somewhere in the 50's. We learned our lesson on our very first Costa cruise. We were there plenty early, but did not realize that we needed a number, so we ended up in group # 27 or 29.

 

This does not apply to "Suite" passengers, as you will enjoy priorty embarkation and do not need a number.

 

I just thought about that... it certainly is helpful for anyone who has not cruised before.

 

Happy New Year...

 

Andy

[Pigsty333]

This might not be a secret, but something to keep in mind. We waited until the last night of the cruise, around 11 PM to gather all the pictures we wanted and then asked the cashier if we could get a deal on them. She called the manager over, he asked us what we wanted and made a deal. We took a stack of photos (there were 9 of us) for $119.

 

Not bad. And we got plenty of pictures.