Just back from Costa Luminosa

[kremerlorraine]

Cruise - Trieste, Bari, Corfu, Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon, 19-26 September.

 

Check-in: All non-Italian passengers had a PCR test in the terminal. Arrived at 12 noon, tested, three hours wait for the result (packed lunch provided), then another 30 minutes queueing for document checks, then on board. At last!

 

Cabin: Balcony aft on deck 7. As Perla Diamante we had a fruit basket and bottle of decent prosecco, as well as robes and slippers. No individual bottles of shampoo, lotion or shower gel, though. The steward was lovely and kept us well looked after, with evening service as well.

 

Ship: First time on Luminosa (although it was familiar as we have been on her sister Deliziosa). Decor quite "brown" with nice blue glass fixtures. Only 1230 pax on board so it never felt crowded. Bar service was prompt and efficient. No issues with the elevators ever being full, except occasionally when returning from excursions.

 

Clientele: Mostly Italian, with sizeable numbers of French and German speakers. Only 15 people identified as English-speaking and I was the sole Brit! Everyone followed the mask protocols, and those who forgot were reminded by the crew. People were cheerfully compliant (no moaning about any loss of "freedumb").

 

Food: OMG - the best food ever on Costa. We were lucky enough to be assigned to the Club restaurant, so the atmosphere was quiet and the waiters very attentive and friendly. The MDR also looked very quiet. No crew dancing unfortunately! Breakfast and lunch were available as a served buffet on deck 9.

 

Entertainment: The ship's production company did three shows (nothing spectacularly bad or good), there was one very good acrobatic group and an excellent singer (Mary L'Abbate), who did two shows. A bit too much DJ-ing in the bars for our taste, but I expect younger folk liked it!

 

Excursions: We would normally not take any, but it was the only way to get off the ship. The Passepartour for five excursions at 159 euros was reasonable value. We only managed to get two English-speaking guides, but got by with French and German on the others. They were well organised.

 

Overall impressions: Yes, things are different, but not enough so as to spoil the experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and now have our fingers crossed for six weeks on the Diadema in Dec/Jan!

[Stefan_Varong]

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences how a Costa cruise looks like these days. Gives me a peace of mind for my upcoming long stay on the Deliziosa soon.

[maryann2]

Also thanking you for sharing your experience.

[BVILady]

Also thanking you for sharing. Looking forward to my next three Costa cruises. In my eyes the food on Costa has always been excellent and great to hear you confirm it still is so. Will be on Luminosa in July, can't wait. Hoping our check-in process will also be smooth.

[Midnatsluskeren]

On 9/29/2021 at 4:40 PM, kremerlorraine said:

Cruise - Trieste, Bari, Corfu, Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon, 19-26 September.

Overall impressions: Yes, things are different, but not enough so as to spoil the experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and now have our fingers crossed for six weeks on the Diadema in Dec/Jan!

 

Wife and I will be going on Deliziosa from Trieste on november 27th.It was just a spur of the moment decision. We have never tried Costa before, so this will be a whole new experience for us 🙂. Gotta admit that the prices are decent, so we booked a suite.

Wonder if we will be the only Danes on the ship 😀

 

Henrik

 

Edited October 10, 2021 by Midnatsluskeren