Costa Europa - Dubai to Genoa – My horrible review

[commonsense2]

Question: Why was your cruise horrible?

 

The cruise was not horrible. I made that statement as a teaser (got you). There was one MAJOR disappointment at Petra, which I would like to speak about later. Overall this cruise met my expectations (excepting the ‘Petra incident’). It was certainly not up to the standards of Holland America or Princess but I knew that when I booked. The experience was much more enjoyable than a recent cruise on Carnival Liberty. This ship is not for Americans expecting an American experience, but if you go in with an open mind you will find it enjoyable.

 

The itinerary had the ship leaving from Dubai, UAE visiting the ports of Muscat, Oman; Salalah, Oman; Aden, Yemen; Aqaba, Jordan; Sharm el Sheik, Egypt; a daylight transit of the Suez canal; Alexandria, Egypt and Naples, Italy. Debarkation was in Savona, Italy where I transferred to Genoa, Italy for one day before my flight home.

 

I would like to discuss the details later in my review.

 

 

Question: Could you tell us a little about yourself?

 

I am a male, mid-forties professional from the Midwest traveling solo on this cruise. I have cruised 9 times previously with Carnival, Holland America Line and Princess. I choose a cruise based on the itinerary. I consider a cruise to be a hotel that moves and as a way to preview the places I will return to at a later date. I enjoy a cruise with a nice mix of port days and sea days. I am a foodie, but I do not expect gourmet food on a cruise. I speak English as my primary language and a little bit of Italian, Spanish and French.

 

 

Question: How were the outbound flights?

 

As usual, flying is always the worst part of any vacation. The airlines realize they have a captive audience and care naught for the customer. It is at best a necessary evil. Such a sad state of affairs.

 

My outbound flights to Dubai were on Delta and Emirates. The Delta flight was 2 hours late departing (mechanical problems) but I made all my connections. Unfortunately, my luggage did not (more on that later). The transatlantic flight on Delta to Gatwick (London) was comfortable. The food was acceptable and service good. Free alcoholic beverage with dinner, otherwise drinks were $5 each. The plane was half-filled and I had 2 seats to myself. In-flight entertainment was poor. There was no personal entertainment system, just movies played sporadically. I spent my 3-hour layover at Gatwick at the Delta Crown Room ($25) enjoying free drinkies and breakfast.

 

The Emirates flight was packed full. Not an empty seat on the plane and they were bumping people when I arrived. I suspect my luggage was ‘bumped’, because when I went to retrieve it in Dubai my name was displayed in lights above the carousel requesting me to report to the baggage service area. The baggage service people spoke very poor English and were very unhelpful. I was told I would receive my bags ‘sometime’. I had to beg for a grooming kit. Not good. Emirates’ highly vaunted reputation a myth. I can’t speak about the front of the plane, but in coach it is strictly third world. This was the single most uncomfortable flight in memory. The seats were very, very cramped. I had to remove the magazines from the seat back pocket for some legroom. The personal entertainment system did not work. Food and service were poor. The flight attendants were dressed in smocks befitting Walmart. I will never fly Emirates again.

 

I did finally receive my luggage 36 hours later, 6 hours before boarding the ship. This is why one should always, always, always fly in a day or 2 before.

 

 

Question: Where did you stay in Dubai?

 

I had pre-booked a deluxe room ($249 per night, total) at Majestic Hotel Tower Dubai (www.dubaimajestic.com), letting them know in advance I would be arriving around 11 PM. Check-in was efficient and professional. They even took a copy of my baggage claim form, so they could check on the status. I was shown to a standard room, which was very small. I immediately went to the desk with a printout of my confirmation email showing I had paid for a deluxe room with sitting area and city view. A phone call was made and I was upgraded to a HUGE corner suite. The suite consisted of a tastefully decorated and comfortable living and dining areas, a full kitchen, bath and separate bedroom. There were 2 large balconies with great views from the 24th floor. A robe, slippers, exceptional bath amenities and bottled water were provided.

 

I ordered sprites ($5 US, each) to go with my duty-free vodka, an Arabic mezzah platter ($11) and samosas ($8) from room service.The food was more than plentiful and very delicious. I had enough leftovers for lunch the next day (glad I had a kitchen with refrigerator and microwave).

 

Breakfast, included in the rate, was an international buffet. Good food – something for everyone. I chuckled at the ‘pork section’ set well away from the rest of the offerings. Service was non-existent. No water available (the next day I brought a bottle from my room.) Smoking was allowed only on the patio outside.

 

My attempt to have dinner at Eli – the hotel’s Greek restaurant – was aborted. They refused to serve me tap water in order to sell me a bottle of water for $8. House wine was $12 a glass with the least expensive bottle (a cheap Chilean red) priced at $65. I walked out, refusing to pay such prices, which was a disappointment because I love Greek food.

 

I recommend this hotel and would stay here again.

 

 

Question – Shall we take a break at this time?

 

Yes. Let’s continue this discussion after a break.

[commonsense2]

Question – Now that we have the preliminaries out of the way, would you tell us about the onboard experience?

 

About the Ship

Costa Europa was originally launched as the Homeric for Home Lines in 1986, then sold to Holland America Line in 1988 where she was renamed the Westerdam and stretched 40 meters. Finally, in 2002, she was transferred to Costa and renamed Costa Europa. Here is a very good article, with photos: http://www.cybercruises.com/costaeuropa.htm

 

The Europa is a smaller ship by today’s standards, carrying about 1800 passengers. I liked the ship. It retains many of the features of the classic cruise ship like the open fantail pool decks and wrap-around promenade deck. Much of the décor of the public rooms is leftover from the Holland America Line days (my favorite line to-date). I found everything to be well maintained and quite clean. This is not a glitzy ship, but more like being at a nice country club. I found it very easy to learn my way around because the majority of public rooms are located on decks 8, 9 and 11.

 

My only major complaint about the ship is the less than adequate air conditioning. Even after service calls, the A/C in my cabin struggled to maintain 74 degrees. I was provided with a fan, which worked out well. All of the public rooms were warm as well. The elevators are very small and not all of them service all decks.

 

Embarkation

This was the oddest embarkation of my cruising experience. The documents listed boarding at 8:00 PM. I arrived at 5:30 PM and was met by a very efficient shore-side staff. My passport was collected and I was given a copy. The credit card and service charge forms were collected. Photo was taken for security. The whole process took about 10 minutes. What made it odd was that there was still passengers from the previous cruise onboard (lots of them) awaiting their late-night flights. Cabins were not ready until 8:00 PM. Dinner the 1st night was open seating.

 

The Cabin(s)

I booked a category 12 (single outside cabin with porthole) as I was traveling solo. The cabin is not that important to me as I consider it a place to change clothes, sleep and shower. Cabin 4002 was the 1st cabin at the bow, port side, on deck 4. The cabin was square shaped, rather than the usual rectangle. I liked the layout (lots of floor space), although the single bed was small. There was nothing to sit on, save the bed. There was ample storage for one person. I travel ‘heavy’, so this is important. The bathroom was ok, with shower only.

 

Much to my dismay, there was a crew door – crew stairwell #2 – located on the other side of my cabin wall. This door, a heavy steel bulkhead door, banged loudly all night long and caused my cabin to vibrate. Numerous called were made to the front desk over the course of several nights. Visits to the front desk were made in person. Security would prop the door open, but people would remove the prop. Finally after many complaints I was moved to cabin 5040. The squeaky wheel gets the grease on Costa. Bogdad, Vanessa and Federico heard A LOT of my ‘squeaks’ but ultimately resolved the problem. I suspect I got the cabin of the person debarked to an ambulance in Muscat, Oman (yikes!). Cabin 5040 was a standard outside with double bed, porthole, sitting area and bath (with tub). The cabin was nicely decorated and had ample storage for 1 person but I thought it would be tight for 2.

 

The cabin stewards (Lei for 4002 and Ernesto for 5040) did an excellent job. The beds were very firm, linens nice but pillows were poor.

 

The Food

Always subjective and sometimes controversial, the food ranged from OK to very good (the pizza, however, was TERRIBLE). Most dishes could be placed squarely in the ‘good’ category. I sent nothing back, but there were a couple items I did not care for. As I said earlier, I am a foodie who cooks daily, but I do not expect 4 or 5 star cuisine on board.

 

The breakfast buffet on decks 9 and 11 was the same every day. There was a selection of yummy and perfectly ripe fruits and melons, very good pastries, cold cuts (proscuitto, ham and various salamis which I really took a liking too), bacon (or what they call bacon, yuck) sausages, hard-boiled eggs, hash, grilled tomatoes, scrambled eggs (perfectly cooked), hash-brown patties, cereals, oatmeal, cream of wheat, waffles, french toast and various breads and bagels (with lox and cream cheese). There was also a separate omelet station with omelets and fried eggs made to order. Several types of juices, coffee, tea, milk and water were available to drink.

 

Breakfast in the dining room was a buffet also, nearly identical to the buffet except the omelets and a few other things were ordered off a menu.

 

more to follow...

[commonsense2]

Lunch offered many options - buffets, dining room, grills and a pizza station.

 

The lunch buffet had a small salad bar, prepared salads, cold cuts, cheeses, 3 to four entrée selections, soup and several dessert choices (pastries, fruits and ice cream). There was also a separate pasta station offering 2 choices. The entrees would rotate and were sometimes themed. I especially enjoyed the ‘German’ theme with lots of different sausages, but there was no mustard available.

 

The grills offered burgers, hotdogs and fries. The burgers and dogs were good, but there were only limited condiments. Where’s the mustard, relish and kraut for the dogs? Buns were always a bit dried out.

 

The pizza station offered pies made on pre-made, frozen, thick, nasty crusts. I had one slice, or rather one bite, on embarkation day. I don’t understand why the pizza was so bad on an Italian ship. Very confusing.

 

Lunch in the dining room was an open seating, dress-up affair. No shorts allowed, but jeans were permitted. There was an extensive menu with 2 – 3 appetizers, soup, salad, a pasta course, 2 – 3 entrees, an egg selection, a daily sandwich, always-available steak or salmon, desserts and a cheese course. I will admit to having a couple of 6 course lunches on sea days with a whole bottle of wine (after which I waddled back to my cabin for a much deserved nap).

 

Afternoon Tea was offered daily in the buffets and the Argo Lounge. Sandwiches, and pastries were served in both venues. The Argo Lounge was more formal with live music and tea brewed from leaves. The tea in the buffet was from bags. Entertainment in the buffet was limited to watching the ‘chair wars’ (more on that later).

 

Dinner on Europa is traditional seating only. I prefer this. First seating was at 6:30 PM with 2nd seating at 8:45 PM (these were adjusted a couple days when the port visits were longer). I had requested 2nd seating but assigned 1st, which worked out better because 8:45 is just too late for me. I was assigned to a large, round table for 8 under the main dome. I’ve never had to change tables before, but one couple from California was insufferable. Four of us moved to a new table the 4th night and got along famously.

 

Dinner can be a 7-course affair if you like. There were always 3 appetizers, 2 soups, 2 pasta course choices, 5 – 6 entrée choices (including a vegetarian option), 2 salads, several dessert choices and a cheese course. Oddly, the salad was served with the entrée. I enjoyed nearly everything I ordered. Some items were, of course, better than others. Steaks were always at the temperature ordered, lamb and duck perfectly cooked. The Osso Bucco was very good. I loved the pasta course offerings (especially the gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts), though the portions could have been smaller.

 

I found the service quite good, for the workload the servers are assigned. I did miss some of the finer touches like being offered ground pepper. Daniel and Arby were our servers. Thanks to both of them for a job well done. They did receive extra euros at the end of the trip. My bottle of water (no gas) and bottle of red wine, included with the X1 package, were waiting for me every night. Most nights we were done being served by 7:45 – 8:00 PM. We did get the lights blinked at us a couple of times when the conversation dragged on too long. Overall, I thought the food was almost as good as Holland America and Princess. It was far, far better than my last cruise on Carnival Liberty.

 

Two nights, in Alexandria and Aqaba, dinner was open seating due to the late excursions. The buffet was also open for alternative dining those 2 nights. I only ate in the dining room, but I did cruise through the buffet one night – it was similar to the lunch offerings.

 

Fortunately there was only ‘entertainment’ two nights in the dining room. On Italian night there was loud, distorted music and the waiters danced with the ladies. There was also a ridiculous conga line that delayed dessert. The final night was the baked Alaska parade and the kitchen staff paraded through the dining room. They received a much deserved round of applause.

 

There were midnight buffets nearly every night. I never attended, but some nights the listings included fruit, Mexican, sweets and a Grand Buffet. I tend to go to bed well before midnight and couldn’t imagine eating again so soon after dinner anyway.

 

more to follow later...

[commonsense2]

Question – What were the demographics of your cruise?

 

I would estimate 40% were Germans. French and Italians accounted equally for another 40%. The remaining were Americans (less than 100), Canadians, Aussies, Japanese, Portuguese and ‘other’. I was told by the front desk there were 175 English speakers on board, but the English-speaking host said 300. Announcements were very limited and only made in 7 languages when absolutely necessary. They said in the beginning if you do not hear the announcement in your language, you don’t need to.

 

Everyone seemed to get along fairly well. There were some ‘chair wars’ on sea days. In particular, one french lady was trying to save 5 chairs for about 2 hours. The Germans did not take kindly to this. At one point an old German lady just sat down at the table when the chair would not be relinquished.

 

There seemed to be the most friction between the French and Germans. I did have one run-in with a rude French man on the day we were transiting the Suez Canal. While sitting at the rail watching this guy came up and put his huge, fat belly on my shoulder trying to lean out. I asked him to remove it and he told me ‘I could move’. I replied he was about to get an elbow to the crotch and he backed off. Another time I had to inform some Italian woman where the end of the line was at the front desk.

 

It was hilarious watching the Europeans try to use the elevators. Costa should give lessons. Even by the end of the trip, many still hadn’t figured out the difference between the ‘up’ and ‘down’ buttons. A notice was printed in the paper daily asking that guests not push both buttons. I realize elevators are not that common in some countries, but how hard is it? They would also try to keep cramming in when the elevator was obviously full. This would cause the overload indicator to go off.

 

Chair hogs were out in force but were quickly broken of the habit by security, which would remove the items left on loungers to ‘save’ them by the early morning beasts. Items were taken to the lost and found. Some people would move chairs into areas that were obviously meant for passenger flow. I have never seen so much moving of furniture on a ship.

 

I realize this is a cultural thing, but people need to take stock of their body image. Grossly obese and old people should NOT wear bikinis and Speedos. I always say ‘If you got it, flaunt it. If not, keep it covered.’ Too bad this was not prescribed to onboard. Cellulite could be measured by the ton. Man-boobs were everywhere. Rolls of fat sagged so severely on some people that the bottom portions of the bathing suit were all but invisible. Fortunately, topless sunbathing was not allowed (even though many men had bigger boobs than the ladies.) At one point I was considering attaching post-it notes to the bottoms of my sunglasses so I could only see up. I thanked God when the weather cooled off closer to Italy and people kept their clothes on.

 

Overall, the pushing and shoving was almost non-existent. I was expecting much worse after reading these boards.

 

more to follow...

[commonsense2]

Question – How was the entertainment and activities?

 

I should preface this by saying I am not really into the production show. The only daytime activity I need is a good book and a deck chair. Typically, I enjoy having an after dinner drink (or two) while listening to some live music. That being said, I found the entertainment disappointing.

 

Bingo in the Medusa Ballroom was just starting as 1st seating dinner was ending. I found this unacceptable. At the other two venues, the musicians went on break after about 15 minutes. They had been busy playing for the 2nd seating people. The lounge acts utilize computer-generated music (probably MP3s). I feel that if I am paying $10 for a drink there should be live music, not canned. What I did hear was repetitive every night. Italian standards played by a synthesized organ. I was expecting a monkey to jump out at any time. One duet that came on later in the Oceans Bar was definitively the best of the lounge acts. The piano singer in the Delco Bar spent more time talking with the Casino staff than he did playing. The disco never had music until midnight.

 

First seating had their show after dinner. Second seating had the show prior to dinner. The two production shows I did partially see were odd. One was a mime. I thought those went out in the 80s. The other was a ‘bubble show’, which was as it sounds. A lady blowing bubbles. I had to make a hasty exit from that show. People started applauding wildly and I began to laugh hysterically. Granted, they were fancy bubbles but really.

 

There were the usual suspects programmed for poolside activities. Fortunately, there were confined to the pool on deck 11, so one could have relative quiet by the pool on deck 9.

 

There were also a couple of lectures, organized card games, bingo and arts and crafts classes.

 

more to follow. if there are any questions, however, feel free to ask.

[mountainmare]

Thank you for this review. We also like HAL and just returned from our first Costa cruise on the Concordia Greece-Turkey and Egypt.

Now having been hooked on more exotic itineraries I'm eager to hear about your ports.

One question--Does the ship have the "feel" of the older smaller HAL ships-as opposed to the resort glitz of most new ships now?

I'm so sorry that we did not have a bubble lady on the Concordia--you were so lucky.

[commonsense2]

Thank you for this review. We also like HAL and just returned from our first Costa cruise on the Concordia Greece-Turkey and Egypt.

Now having been hooked on more exotic itineraries I'm eager to hear about your ports.

One question--Does the ship have the "feel" of the older smaller HAL ships-as opposed to the resort glitz of most new ships now?

I'm so sorry that we did not have a bubble lady on the Concordia--you were so lucky.

 

I've been on the maasdam, zaandam and amsterdam. the feeling was similar but the europa is about half-again larger. a couple of other differences would be the lack of real cloth hand towels in the public restrooms and many less fresh flowers around the ship. now that i think of it, there was no art auction on europa (a good thing). another major thing missing from the europa is a forward observation lounge like the crow's nest.

 

i'll get to the ports in the next few days.

[mountainmare]

Thanks--that's what I wanted to know.

Looks like it is time to start dreaming again.

[commonsense2]

hi all. i've posted some photos of the ship. click here for the link. sorry for the delay.

[Seemeilen]

Hi commonsense2

Many thanks for the review.

 

I was wondering the following about your cruise. We would like to book the same cruise in the opposite direction for November this year.

1. You say you had some problem with the Petra excursion what was this.

2. Yemen, is it a problem to tour the port cities on your own or is it better to take the excursions.

3. Do you have any info on the excursions prices etc.. the most interesting ones in your opinion at any of the ports. Thinking particularly of Yemen and Petra. I cannot seem to find them on the Costa site.:rolleyes:

 

----

Actually I have just read you will get to the ports later, but thought I would post to let you know how intereted I am in what you have to say.

 

:)

[PersistenzaretiniKa]

i read carefully your review. actually i've never been to costa europa but i know very well our fleet. anyway : osso buco with just one c. of course we have elevators in europe but our buildings are not so high as in America so we have just few floors. even if u live in an high building many times we don't need the up and down arrows, maybe because in ours houses there can be just one elevator... u know we pay bills in euros.... and about the bikins and speedos: we 're not "health freaks" or "surgery freaks" as americans can be. we have a diferent idea of beauty. and mostly we are very free to do and say what we feel like. we express ourself freeley and most of us don't care alot of what other people think of us. if u don't want to se something u can turn your head somehwere else. u cannot demand to someone to dress as "u" like it only because u want to see perfectly shaped bodies.

[catfcp]

I love the Italian attitude. If only Americans could be so laid back and nonjudgemental. That's one of the reasons I will be sailing Costa this summer!

[abitaturbodog]

Bravo! I'm really enjoying your review...and living vicariously thru your experience! I'd love to travel overseas, but for the time being, will have to be satisfied with the Caribbean.

 

Keep the review coming!

[G.M.T.]

Hi commonsense2

Many thanks for the review.

 

I was wondering the following about your cruise. We would like to book the same cruise in the opposite direction for November this year.

1. You say you had some problem with the Petra excursion what was this.

2. Yemen, is it a problem to tour the port cities on your own or is it better to take the excursions.

3. Do you have any info on the excursions prices etc.. the most interesting ones in your opinion at any of the ports. Thinking particularly of Yemen and Petra. I cannot seem to find them on the Costa site.:rolleyes:

 

----

Actually I have just read you will get to the ports later, but thought I would post to let you know how intereted I am in what you have to say.

 

:)

Seemeilen,

 

Welcome (or should I say Wilkommen) to CC,

 

I beleive tha Commonsense2 has ended or at least taken a rest from CC (something he said in a recent message about messages being deleted).

Have you checked out the AFrican/Middle East board:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

 

As Jordan and Yemen are onyl visited during reposition cruises, the next being Classica and Victoria in November SAvona to Dubai and Euorpa Savona to Mauritius all in November 2008. The actual shore excursions will probably be knwon sometime during the summer.

 

Ron

[PersistenzaretiniKa]

I love the Italian attitude. If only Americans could be so laid back and nonjudgemental. That's one of the reasons I will be sailing Costa this summer!

 

thank u !!:D:D:D:D:D

[Capricruiser]

Great review Commonsense! I was on the Costa Europa for the Savona-Dubai repositioning in December 2007 and loved it (my review is posted on the Europa site). I agree with practically everything you said, except my Emirates flight from Dubai to Milano was not that bad (seating was a little cramped though).

[commonsense2]

hi all. i thought i'd drop by with some links to my port photos.

 

click here for dubai

 

click here for muscat, oman

 

click here for salalah, oman

 

click here for aden, yemen

 

more to follow in time...

[G.M.T.]

hi all. i thought i'd drop by with some links to my port photos.

 

click here for dubai

 

click here for muscat, oman

 

click here for salalah, oman

 

click here for aden, yemen

 

more to follow in time...

Welcome back.

 

Have you forgiven Air France yet?;)

 

Thanks for posting the photos.

 

Will you be completing your great review (shore excursions, disembarcation etc)?

 

Ron

[commonsense2]

Welcome back.

 

Have you forgiven Air France yet?;)

 

Thanks for posting the photos.

 

Will you be completing your great review (shore excursions, disembarcation etc)?

 

Ron

 

i will NEVER forgive air france :mad: . yes, i will try to find the time to finish my review.

[commonsense2]

click here for petra

[commonsense2]

click here for phots of the suez canal transit

[commonsense2]

I only took a few photos. Photos are not allowed in the Egyptian Museum and how many pics of the pyramids can one take?

 

Click here for the egypt photos.

[commonsense2]

we were only in napoli for a half day this trip. i went to the museum where all the 'good' stuff from pompeii is kept (no photos allowed), the monastery - big white building high on the hill that can be seen in the opening shot, and of course had pizza. click here for the photos.

 

last time i did a full day drive of the amalfi coast and pompeii. click here for those photos.

 

enjoy.

[janneke]

:p

i read carefully your review. actually i've never been to costa europa but i know very well our fleet. anyway : osso buco with just one c. of course we have elevators in europe but our buildings are not so high as in America so we have just few floors. even if u live in an high building many times we don't need the up and down arrows, maybe because in ours houses there can be just one elevator... u know we pay bills in euros.... and about the bikins and speedos: we 're not "health freaks" or "surgery freaks" as americans can be. we have a diferent idea of beauty. and mostly we are very free to do and say what we feel like. we express ourself freeley and most of us don't care alot of what other people think of us. if u don't want to se something u can turn your head somehwere else. u cannot demand to someone to dress as "u" like it only because u want to see perfectly shaped bodies.

I like youre style deare italiane fellowe, also i like the costa shipse ande also the italiane language (bikins = bikinis)

But what i don't like is when i leave an elevator that i get pushed aside by a bunch of italians that take priority over you entering the elevator, or that they are so noisy in the restaurant as though they are the only people on earth. Also the "reservation of deck chairs" by one person for a whole family, this is only allowed by german people (they have the monoploy on this tactique)

Greetings from Belgium

JP

[G.M.T.]

:p

I like youre style deare italiane fellowe, also i like the costa shipse ande also the italiane language (bikins = bikinis)

But what i don't like is when i leave an elevator that i get pushed aside by a bunch of italians that take priority over you entering the elevator, or that they are so noisy in the restaurant as though they are the only people on earth. Also the "reservation of deck chairs" by one person for a whole family, this is only allowed by german people (they have the monoploy on this tactique)

Greetings from Belgium

JP

When in Rome do as the Romans do.

 

Ron