Carnival & Costa Difference

[7777777]

I'm considering a carribean cruise on the Costa Fortuna. Is there much difference between the 2 Cruise lines. Are there more smokers? Is the food much different? Is it necessary to dress up more? I'm disappointed that Carnival closed their topless deck and is more kid friendly. Is Costa doing the same thing since Carnival owns them. Did you enjoy Costa more than Carnival?

Thanks for your input.....

[joetrizeo]

I'm considering a carribean cruise on the Costa Fortuna. Is there much difference between the 2 Cruise lines. Are there more smokers? Is the food much different? Is it necessary to dress up more? I'm disappointed that Carnival closed their topless deck and is more kid friendly. Is Costa doing the same thing since Carnival owns them. Did you enjoy Costa more than Carnival?

Thanks for your input.....

 

Costa is an Italian style cruise line with a lot of European passengers, but more Americans when sailing in the Caribbean. it is owned by carnival but VERY different in my opinion. Costa is more classy. i found it on the level of RC with class. they do many things right.

 

the food is a lot better on Costa but be warned, if you do not like European food or hate to try new things then stick with the typical American fare food on carnival. i personally found carnival's food just ok. Costa's was fantastic. again, imho.

 

smoke has routinely been discussed and cast away as not a problem. there is the same amount of smokers as any cruise line, this coming from passengers over the last 2 seasons.

 

there is a tendency to be a little more dressy. of my 3, (carnival Costa and RC) i saw more people dressed up on Costa. Costa has what's called 'informal' dress at dinner which is above casual but not formal. i consider it 'business attire'. but again, it's your cruise and no one is going to toss you off the boat if you wear jeans to dinner. :rolleyes:

 

topless is one area where you might like Costa. since it's european based where going topless is not taboo, there's no need for a topless deck because women feel free to go topless on any sundeck :)

 

as far as no kids, on the magica, the entire aft section of the sundeck was adults only. i can only assume this to be true on the fortuna as well since they are sister ships.

 

imo, Costa beats carnival. read some more comparisons particularly relating to food in my mariner review in my signature

 

later!

 

-Joe.

[boop3]

Again with the topless deck thing. Geesh give it a rest.

If you check his/her past post they are all about the topless deck disquised as a question about a cruise line.

Troll!!!!

[Brian Raine]

7777777, Having sailed on Carnival once and Costa 3 times I would rate Costa slightly ahead of Carnival. The European thing is not that much different, we English behave much like the US citizens , the Italians/French/Germans do their own thing, puish in front, talk a lot, ignore everyone else, hog sundeck lounges. Basically like every other cruise. Formal dining is called GALA and you can gress more or less as you like.On the Allegra approx 40% did formal the rest everything from suits to jeans and tee shirt, n o one was stopped, as there was no alternative dining area. One gentleman never changed his day clothes at all for any dinner during the cruise dressing in check shirt,baggy trousers and open toed sandals. Maybe I'm a "snob" but I like dressing up for formal dinner, the rest of the time I'm a "slob"

[7777777]

Boop3,

If it's any of your business, the main reason I cruised Carnival was the top optional deck. It was a great place to get away from kids, no matter what you choose to wear or not wear. I can't see the Carnival adult only deck working out. Some parent's can't seem to understand that it's an adult only deck and will allow their kids to be with them.

I appreciate the feedback that I got from everyone else about Costa.

thanks,

[boop3]

Whatever 7777.

If you are interested in an "adult only deck" then why not ask that?

Why just ask for the topless?

[7777777]

I have always cruised Carnival and until recently, their adult only deck was also the top optional deck. I assumed that Costa had the same thing. This has worked well if you wanted a kid free deck. Carnival is in the process of changing and getting rid of their top optional deck. This is the main reason I was considering Costa. I've raised kids and love them to death. I also enjoy my adult time, especially on cruise ships. I believe that Carnival is making a big mistake and will one day realize it such a LasVegas.

[rocktheboat]

I have always cruised Carnival and until recently, their adult only deck was also the top optional deck. I assumed that Costa had the same thing. This has worked well if you wanted a kid free deck. Carnival is in the process of changing and getting rid of their top optional deck. This is the main reason I was considering Costa. I've raised kids and love them to death. I also enjoy my adult time, especially on cruise ships. I believe that Carnival is making a big mistake and will one day realize it such a LasVegas.

 

If you are looking for a less kids cruise, you don;t want Costa.

Because of their kids cruise free fare they have the most kids.

On our costa cruise there were more kids than adults.

 

Carnival food as better.

I thought there was less dressing up on Costa than any cruise I have ever been on (11).

[Crociere Diva]

Two different worlds. Carnival is a truly American style of cruising. Costa absolutely true to its slogan: Cruising Italian Style.

 

I am not aware of a topless deck on Costa. Costa is owned with Carnival Corp. not to be confused with Carnival Cruise Lines. Costa, like Princess and the other lines are all on their own and operate as separate cruise lines. There are no similarities at all with any of them.

 

With Costa you get a true European flavor which is why I love them. Their dining room follows Italian tradition with a large meal at lunch time consisting of many courses. If you want hamburgers and hot dogs they have them outside on the grill but these items are not considered a dining room lunch time meal so expect a wonderful and different Europena style of service. If you are not open to change and something different then it might not be the place for you. However, it is certainly worth the new experience.

[cole]

My understanding is that the casino still uses Euros out of the US rather than US dollars on Costa. The beds on Costa are terrible when compared to Carnival unless they upgrade soon. If I had the choice, I would choose Carnival, especially if you are English speaking.

BitzyCole

[fatcat04]

My understanding is that the casino still uses Euros out of the US rather than US dollars on Costa. The beds on Costa are terrible when compared to Carnival unless they upgrade soon. If I had the choice, I would choose Carnival, especially if you are English speaking.

BitzyCole

 

Our bed this last March '07 on the Costa Med was great!! They changed out the beds on the Costa Med last winter ('06/07) before we got on board. I know they had not changed out the beds on the Magica yet though and don't know about the Fortuna which will be the other ship in the Carib this winter.