Back to basics

[t60]

We are going on our 1st Costa Cruise at the beginning of March, transAtlantic crossing on Delicioza. Normally we go with Princess or Hal, so I guess this time it will be quite different. I've read there's no evening service...does this mean no beds turned down, no choccies and towels not changed? What about electric sockets, American or European, can we bring and use a power strip, or is there a chance it will be confiscated? Are bath robes available, what are the toiletries like? Other lines let you bring on 1 unopened bottle of wine, how about Costa? Are shower heads fixed or not, any hairdryers supplied? Are there places to do some ironing? Non smoking areas/cabins? TVs in cabins/films on demand....? Is there any form of Anytime dining in a dedicated dining room, 5.30 seems to early and 8.30 too late? What are the shops on board like? What is there that makes this ship special? Anything you think we should be aware  of, good or bad also any hints and tips would be gratefully received.

[Dancer Bob]

I'm on Deliziosa next week, I''ll check on what I'm not certain about.

There's already a roll call with several people posting.

One 110v US and one 220v EU. Chengkp75 has posted about mis-labeling of surge protectors and power strips, expect them to be confiscated. Alarm clocks need to be battery or adapter powered.

Ship is non-smoking except smoking lounge in casino and possibly some open decks.

Normal dining times might be adjusted for TA, but 17.30 and 20.30 might be a bit early, not likely to be Anytime.

I don't use alcohol so can't help there.

I think operational currency is Euros after leaving Pt Everglades. I don't know how big a hold they'll place on your card.

Magic Bag laundry specials, washing only. I'll get a price list for ironing.

I think bathrobes and toiletries depend on cabin grade.

What makes Costa special- even on a TA with a much older demographic, the ambiance is totally different from Princess and HAL.

Edited January 30, 2019 by Dancer Bob

[tenpin]

Evening service is now just a quick tidy up with towels change if put on floor after use, Gala nights only for Chocolates, robes for suites and Pearla Diamante members. you can get some toiletries but only by asking room steward, shampoo & the like although in most cases they will try to fill any reasonable request. No wine is allowed but again it sometimes is 'not seen' Shower heads can be moved and a Jacuzzi bath in Suites not sure about other cabins (Bob will let you know) no ironing facilities but there is a washing ironing service, Very limited English TV programs and films are mundane. shopping fairly basic and usual high end except one small shop selling memento's. Strictly smoking only in allocated areas, no longer in Casino, every Costa cruise we have been on (35) dining times were 18 .00, 18 30 & 21 15.  There is a pay restaurant ( Club & Samsara) on most ships which is anytime, they are also now trying out anytime on some ships of the line and all Neo ships.

Shows are understandable and okay, top tip 'If it is not in English it does not concern you'

Costa are very strict  about on board safety and if you use any electrical sockets do not leave anything plugged in when leaving cabin as they will be reported,. 

[t60]

1 hour ago, tenpin said:

 Gala nights only for Chocolates, robes for suites and Pearla Diamante members. you can get some toiletries but only by asking room steward, shampoo & the like although in most cases they will try to fill any reasonable request. No wine is allowed but again it sometimes is 'not seen' Shower heads can be moved and a Jacuzzi bath in Suites not sure about other cabins (Bob will let you know) no ironing facilities but there is a washing ironing service, Very limited English TV programs and films are mundane. shopping fairly basic and usual high end except one small shop selling memento's. Strictly smoking only in allocated areas, no longer in Casino, every Costa cruise we have been on (35) dining times were 18 .00, 18 30 & 21 15.  There is a pay restaurant ( Club & Samsara) on most ships which is anytime, they are also now trying out anytime on some ships of the line and all Neo ships.

Shows are understandable and okay, top tip 'If it is not in English it does not concern you'

Costa are very strict  about on board safety and if you use any electrical sockets do not leave anything plugged in when leaving cabin as they will be reported,. 

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Tenpin, you're obviously  a seasoned Costa cruiser...this is our first time with them and I'm thinking we might have made a mistake. Good news re evening service,  disappointing re robes, if we asked for them would the steward oblige? So we need to bring our own shampoos and soaps? Re shower head, does it slide up and down on a bar , I'm only short and don't want to be drowned every time I have a shower. How do you manage when unpacking and clothes are wrinkled? Thank goodness smoking is restricted.Disappointing re Anytime dining, but is the buffet open for breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper/24hr? When cruising we would normally eat around 7.30pm.

[tenpin]

Hi t60, nice looking cat.

I have never heard of 5.30pm evening meal times on Costa although they did bring out 6.00pm as well as the 6.30pm timings recently to help stop the crowd all going in at the same time, (that applied to the whole table and area in MDR.) 7.30 is not option with Costa unless you purchase an evening or week in Specialty Restaurant's. 

If you are in a suite you will dine in a separate restaurant normally flexible times although on some ship that is also being given times & tables. (Magica for one) but only for evening meals. (You can purchase robes) & I have no doubt you would get one if you ask firmly enough without purchase. Soap is supplied as is shampoo but only in very small packs, shower gel is in the shower, if memory serves me it does slide up & down. We of late have had suites which comes with a shower  & bath.

Roll clothes instead of laying flat in cases when packing,less creases, put any creased clothes on a hanger & hang in bathroom when having  shower that will remove most creases, failing that they will iron them for a small charge.

Buffet is open at set times not24 hours but  you will find that they are open enough, friends of our often eat there in the evenings the offerings are roughly the same plus a few more extra choices. There is also a room service menu which is okay.

 

If I can give you any more info just ask I come in most days twice.

Edited January 31, 2019 by tenpin

[t60]

50 minutes ago, tenpin said:

Hi t60, nice looking cat.

The cat Chica, is now playing across at Rainbow Bridge with many others from my cat family. I still bear the scars of the time she spent with us...she was a little devil, but succumbed to FELK. I should get round to changing  my profile photo sometime. The one attached is my old boy Longlegs plus there are another 2.Thanks for the extra information.

[SeaTheW0rld]

On 1/30/2019 at 12:53 PM, t60 said:

We are going on our 1st Costa Cruise at the beginning of March, transAtlantic crossing on Delicioza. Normally we go with Princess or Hal, so I guess this time it will be quite different. I've read there's no evening service...does this mean no beds turned down, no choccies and towels not changed? What about electric sockets, American or European, can we bring and use a power strip, or is there a chance it will be confiscated? Are bath robes available, what are the toiletries like? Other lines let you bring on 1 unopened bottle of wine, how about Costa? Are shower heads fixed or not, any hairdryers supplied? Are there places to do some ironing? Non smoking areas/cabins? TVs in cabins/films on demand....? Is there any form of Anytime dining in a dedicated dining room, 5.30 seems to early and 8.30 too late? What are the shops on board like? What is there that makes this ship special? Anything you think we should be aware  of, good or bad also any hints and tips would be gratefully received.

 

Excellent questions.  I'm looking at this repositioning, too.  I spotted it listed as a "special private sale" on a site that shall not be named. It's probably a front for Costa  I did have to chuckle when you said it will be different.  It will.  But not necessarily in a bad way.

 

I've done a few on HAL, Princess and 3 longer ones on Costa (Allegra, Europa and Mediterrania). It has been at least 3 years since I've sailed with them. Some things, I'm reading don't change.  Some have.  

 

One of the biggest differences will be the announcements in several languages.  Some find this annoying. If it isn't announced in your language, just ignore it.  English will be one of them and all the servers, crew, etc. speak English. I have fun with them and speak what little Italian I know. The maitre'd will seat you with other English speakers in the dining room. 

 

Costa is much more boisterous than HAL or Princess.  I found even on the longer ones I did (Dubai to Savona and Shanghai to Singapore) the crowd was pretty lively.  The pax loved to dance. 

 

I'm not gonna compare the food because I have no idea what they are doing now.  I did not go hungry on my past cruises.  I liked it. I'm pretty east to please when someone else is cooking. 

 

If you are familiar with Carnival, Costa is very similar to that. Deliziosio was next to me in Jamaica.  It's a nice-looking ship, but then I was on NCL Epic which I think is one of the ugliest ships afloat. 

 

EDIT:  I just put a 24 hr hold on a balcony for this cruise.  Looks like they are waiving the single supplement.  Love that. 

 

 

 

Edited February 3, 2019 by SeaTheW0rld
Wow

[Dancer Bob]

Better late than never, I hope.

The program has been reformatted, the English language hostess is under “Hospitality Desk“, music hours are no longer posted. But still huge amounts of spa advertising.

Gemma is the English language hostess. She expects several hundred English-speakers for the crossing.

Shower head lowers to 54”.

Ironing 6.50 for a suit,7.00 evening dress, down to 1.30 tie.. I think when they change currrency they just change the currency symbol, not the prices.

Salad bar/cold cuts 17.00 to 03.00, although I don't know if they can do that on a TA.

The no-touch water dispensers are tricky but they do work.

Be very suspicious of negative reviews unless you know the source. I did the TA a couple of years ago, there was a large group of Americans, as soon as I saw them “Why are these old geezers here, they should be on Holland America”. I saw a couple of reviews I think must have been from them.

“lots of dancing” the only statement I agreed with. Otherwise:

“everbody got sick“ nobody that I know about. Costa is far healthier than Holland America.

“everybody said....” Nobody that I heard.

“Muster drill was a handwritten list” No, card scanners same as gangway. I can only guess what they did to end up on a list.

“no buffet”; Since I ate at the buffet most nights, this statement is simply not true.

[Omega1]

15 hours ago, Dancer Bob said:

 

......as soon as I saw them “Why are these old geezers here, they should be on Holland America”. I saw a couple of reviews I think must have been from them.

“lots of dancing” the only statement I agreed with. Otherwise:

“everbody got sick“ nobody that I know about. Costa is far healthier than Holland America.

“everybody said....” Nobody that I heard.

“Muster drill was a handwritten list” No, card scanners same as gangway. I can only guess what they did to end up on a list.

“no buffet”; Since I ate at the buffet most nights, this statement is simply not true.

Very funny but true! We’ve just booked on the Mediterranea (Indian Ocean) the itinerary and price are excellent, our first Costa cruise in 10 years - we travel with an open mind.

[LynnTTT]

We are Americans on the Deliziosa for next years World Cruise, leaving from Venice on January 5, 2020.  I am interested in any comments, because I am getting nervous about the many negative comments.

Costa has changed the itinerary, dropping two stops (Corfu and Haifa) and adding Messina and Bari in Italy.  Now I wonder what else Costa may change. And I also see that you can reserve a sunbed for 560 Euro and now I wonder if there will be any sunbeds available for free. 

[Banjos]

14 hours ago, LynnTTT said:

We are Americans on the Deliziosa for next years World Cruise, leaving from Venice on January 5, 2020.  I am interested in any comments, because I am getting nervous about the many negative comments.

Costa has changed the itinerary, dropping two stops (Corfu and Haifa) and adding Messina and Bari in Italy.  Now I wonder what else Costa may change. And I also see that you can reserve a sunbed for 560 Euro and now I wonder if there will be any sunbeds available for free. 

Hi Lynn, I saw this about the sunbeds too, but if you read further I think you'll notice that it's in an 'adults only' area so the charge is probably for those who want peace and quiet haha!  Still not a guaranteed sunbed though - I'll keep my money for something a bit more tangible... like drinks! 🍹

[tenpin]

Lynn there will always be negative comments about Costa, I have even had words with a poster on trip Advisor who constantly derides Costa, but has never cruised with them.

We have done over thirty cruises with them not once did we give them a poor review on service, food or anything else, I do regret the way they have gone over the past few years I do believe that the choices are now limited but nevertheless the wonderful prices that mean we can have even more time cruising.

They are different to American lines being really multi-cultured, but you only need to listen to anything in English., & mostly the English speaking host is the person to stay in contact with, lots fail to even contact them or attend the meetings thus missing out on tons of information. Go with an open mind meet the others at all English meeting's & enjoy the experience of a truly multi cultured cruise line.

There are free sun-beds in many places try to avoid pool areas during sea days the staff will clear sun beds if not used in a hour on most ships.

[LynnTTT]

5 hours ago, tenpin said:

Lynn there will always be negative comments about Costa, I have even had words with a poster on trip Advisor who constantly derides Costa, but has never cruised with them.

We have done over thirty cruises with them not once did we give them a poor review on service, food or anything else, I do regret the way they have gone over the past few years I do believe that the choices are now limited but nevertheless the wonderful prices that mean we can have even more time cruising.

They are different to American lines being really multi-cultured, but you only need to listen to anything in English., & mostly the English speaking host is the person to stay in contact with, lots fail to even contact them or attend the meetings thus missing out on tons of information. Go with an open mind meet the others at all English meeting's & enjoy the experience of a truly multi cultured cruise line.

There are free sun-beds in many places try to avoid pool areas during sea days the staff will clear sun beds if not used in a hour on most ships.

Thanks for the advice. I speak Spanish well enough to have simple conversations and can usually figure out the basics in Italian. The price for this cruise is so good that we will have to remind ourselves to "go with the flow" as we say.   If one more person tells me we should cruise with Oceania or Viking, I may scream. Yes, I'm sure they are wonderful, but we don't have $ 150,000 to spend on a cruise!

[tenpin]

Well we had one cruise with Windstar, never again, wonderful Itinerary, luxury ship & perfect food absolutely outstanding service, but could never accept a lot of other passengers speaking down the crew. Top dollar but not for us rather cruise four times for the price of that one seven day cruise. 

[myjillian]

On 3/9/2019 at 4:57 AM, Banjos said:

Hi Lynn, I saw this about the sunbeds too, but if you read further I think you'll notice that it's in an 'adults only' area so the charge is probably for those who want peace and quiet haha!  Still not a guaranteed sunbed though - I'll keep my money for something a bit more tangible... like drinks! 🍹

Usually that top deck has europeans sunbathing topless😗

[myjillian]

On 3/9/2019 at 5:06 AM, tenpin said:

Lynn there will always be negative comments about Costa, I have even had words with a poster on trip Advisor who constantly derides Costa, but has never cruised with them.

We have done over thirty cruises with them not once did we give them a poor review on service, food or anything else, I do regret the way they have gone over the past few years I do believe that the choices are now limited but nevertheless the wonderful prices that mean we can have even more time cruising.

They are different to American lines being really multi-cultured, but you only need to listen to anything in English., & mostly the English speaking host is the person to stay in contact with, lots fail to even contact them or attend the meetings thus missing out on tons of information. Go with an open mind meet the others at all English meeting's & enjoy the experience of a truly multi cultured cruise line.

There are free sun-beds in many places try to avoid pool areas during sea days the staff will clear sun beds if not used in a hour on most ships.

We've been cruising Costa since 1962....I believe that what people  complain about the most is the fact that announcements  are usually made in at least 5 different languages...depending on the nationalities on board  at the sailing.  I like that.  I remember once nobody could leave at the end of the cruise because they couldn't contact a certain couple.  The couple had a Polish sounding name.  I had met a Polish officer during the sailing...I went looking for him and asked if the announcement could be made in Polish so that we could all leave....it was done...couple reported to the desk...we all got to leave the ship LOL

[tenpin]

Wow there was I thinking we were long time Costa cruisers 57 years makes our 31 look like a short weekend.

 

But I will never forget one couple on the Tropicale whom we had on our table, who constantly moaned about how many Italians were on board & they did not understand why so many languages' had to be sent over the tannoy.