Bobbingbob Posted November 9, 2019 #1 Share Posted November 9, 2019 When I last checked Costa’s website, it was showing first cruise as 21 December. I would be very grateful if anyone hears anymore about delays, launch date etc. could they kindly let us all know here? Thanks very much Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbingbob Posted November 9, 2019 Author #2 Share Posted November 9, 2019 PS sorry GMT, I didn’t mean to overlap with your earlier post. Think it is slightly different hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadleter Posted November 9, 2019 #3 Share Posted November 9, 2019 They have started sending Crew to the boat so i hope no more suprises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted November 10, 2019 #4 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Yeah crew are all in hotels undergoing training. Some have been there a long time (pre-delay) and some have finally arrived (post delay). Although they are happy to be in a hotel with more room and better food they are annoyed with the delays. Some of them had a 4month vacation rather than usual 2months. That's a lot of money to lose. Then once they are in Finland they are on base pay only. No incentives and no tips. So am 8month contract could start with 3month of low pay. They are really struggling. But the hours are much more reasonable with plenty of time off. I believe another 3weeks and they leave the hotel and start staying onboard. I imagine that will tie in with another sea trial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie Doe Posted November 14, 2019 #5 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Rejoice : Smeralda, Fascinosa and Luminosa are in Savona today :- https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:8.496/centery:44.313/zoom:15 Don't uncork the champagne yet, Smeralda is a Ro/Ro ferry :- https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:210984/mmsi:247343200/imo:9144811/vessel:CRUISE_SMERALDA Asti Spumanti anyone ? 🙂 In other news, we'll be leaving on a 4 hour drive to Heathrow tonight, to catch the BA 07.35 am flight to Marsailles tomorrow. Joining the Costa Fascinosa for a mini cruise followed by a 17 day cruise leaving Marsailles on the 18th, destination Rio via the Canaries. Hoping for a dry drive to LHR, Apols for being OT, TTFN. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicat58 Posted November 14, 2019 #6 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Enjoy your extended cruising. Riana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbingbob Posted November 15, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted November 15, 2019 Thanks a lot to all for the updates. Great to know things are happening with Smeralda. Paul, feel sure you’ll have a great cruise. Like the marine traffic app, too. Cheers Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted November 17, 2019 #8 Share Posted November 17, 2019 second sea trial under way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethman Posted November 19, 2019 #9 Share Posted November 19, 2019 booked for mid march. hope the kinks are worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted November 28, 2019 #10 Share Posted November 28, 2019 Crew are now staying on board but in passenger cabins. What a treat. Everything is on schedule at this stage. Costa Venezia had man over board yesterday. Suspected crew suicide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbingbob Posted November 29, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted November 29, 2019 Brian, where do you get your info?! Very impressed. How awful re. man overboard, really sad, poor guy. Quite liked the Kinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted December 1, 2019 #12 Share Posted December 1, 2019 My ex was in luminosa and my current gf is diadema though she just disembarked. I have friends (crew) in Finland at the moment that give me updates on Smeralda. Everyone knows everyone since you get a new ship every contract and you keep in touch with previous colleagues. So through my gf I know many different crew and I've availed the family and friends free cruise which has crew pass as part of the deal. So I've met many hard working crew and chatted over beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted December 4, 2019 #13 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Last night was the first crew party. I'm confident the first cruise will be on schedule even if a few minor things aren't ready. There is ice all over the decks but its looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oatcake Posted December 6, 2019 #14 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Smeralda was officially handed over to costa yesterday 5th November. It is leaving Finland today 6th December on its journey to the Mediterranean. It is scheduled to arrive in Barcelona on the 18th December for refuelling and begin 3 days of travel industry reviews in Barcelona on the 18th and arrive in savona on the 20th. It’s first 7 day sailing will leave Savona on the 21st December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted December 8, 2019 #15 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Crew are stating its a very noisy ship. Will be interesting to get passenger reviews soon. It could be the LPG engines are genuinely noisy or it could be crew not used to sleeping in passenger cabins and the general quietness of the ship without passengers on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianCruiser Posted December 17, 2019 #16 Share Posted December 17, 2019 FYI Matre de Wagner is looking after the MDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethman Posted December 18, 2019 #17 Share Posted December 18, 2019 On 12/17/2019 at 1:12 PM, BrianCruiser said: FYI Matre de Wagner is looking after the MDR huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbingbob Posted December 20, 2019 Author #18 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Thanks all for up to date info. Brian, thought you must have some insider help! Great to know Smeralda is all set to go. Bit worrying about the noise issue, though, and really rather surprising. You would imagine new eco tech powered engines would be quieter, wouldn’t you? What do I know?! Will be disappointed however if it does turn out to be a noisier ship. Hope the first cruisers will be kind enough to post some early reviews as I am sure many of us will be very interested to read them. Happy Christmas to all or Happy Holidays if you prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.M.T. Posted December 20, 2019 #19 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Get yourself a good pair of ear plugs for Christmas, I always do when dear MiL comes for her Christmas visit. Have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie Doe Posted December 21, 2019 #20 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Smeralda pricing looks quite good judging by today's promo email :- https://www.costacruises.co.uk/deals/all-inclusive.html You see the "all inclusive unlimited drink package" for a limited period for 6 ships inc Smeralda. However, when you select inside cabin, you have a choice between "basic, classic or premium". However "all inclusive drinks" seems to apply to only classic and premium, at an extra cost. Surely this is the same as the normal basic, classic, package or is there a subtle difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glorialagos Posted January 9, 2020 #21 Share Posted January 9, 2020 On 12/20/2019 at 2:03 PM, Bobbingbob said: Thanks all for up to date info. Brian, thought you must have some insider help! Great to know Smeralda is all set to go. Bit worrying about the noise issue, though, and really rather surprising. You would imagine new eco tech powered engines would be quieter, wouldn’t you? What do I know?! Will be disappointed however if it does turn out to be a noisier ship. Hope the first cruisers will be kind enough to post some early reviews as I am sure many of us will be very interested to read them. Happy Christmas to all or Happy Holidays if you prefer. First cruisers have not left very positive reviews. Do you have any "insider" knowledge, Brian? We are sailing in 3 weeks. Hopefully the kinks are worked out. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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