Costa Fortuna Trans Atl Good/bad

[Mr PG]

We have travelled on Costa before in the Mediterranean and have had a reasonably good experience. We were offered the trans-Atlantic voyage last year and declined, but decided to accept this year and booked approximately one week before the sailing in one of the few the Grand Suites. The embarkation process wss the best ever, curb to cabin in less than 40 minutes in Ft Lauderdale. The room was spacious and had an abundance of closet space and both a dressing area with sink, twin sinks in the bathroom, jacussi, and bidet. The balcony was long and had two chaises which filled the entire width. at the other end two chairs filled the witdth, and when turned were almost to the railing. The cabin service was excellent, with both a stewart and the ever present "butler" keeping the ice, fruit bowl, and bringing coffee, and croisants, in addition to cheeses and mini snaks. We were given the restaurat menus evey day, and could order the meals deliverd to the room, with white linen. The dining room was fairly efficient, and again we had a great waiter, while some others did not enjoy their experience. We were also fortunate in changing to a table for "two", the table for "10" next to us was dominated by a person who knew everything and jumped into everyones conversation. Custom orders were accomidated, the trans atlantic did not offer "Ceaser Salad" except in the premium restaurant, upon a request we had it every day, and substituted for baked potato any time we wanted. The Tuscan upgrade restaurant, complimentary, was not worth it. The maitre d was pushing a table near the bar, and over looking the buffet on the lower floor. I demanded a window, and he was able to come up with one and only 25% full. The service was just as bad, an hour between sitting down and being served the salad, after inquiring where the meal was I was informed it was because it was "custom", well the baby lobster tails were like grilled shrimp, and then everything came at once. If you were paying everything alacarte (lobster 25 Euro). We left and were offered champagne, which we had in the room. The ship was filled with a majority of American, Canadian, German, Italian, the latter two were rather rude. The biggest diaster was the disembarkation in Savona, Costas private Terminal, everyone was requested to move to the lounges, until the luggage was delivered to the terminal. We were told to go to deck 12 until we were called 8:00 turned into 9;30 and then we were told to go to the theatre untill 10:15. when we left the ship at 11:15 our bags were delivered to the terminal, by the porters who must have been paid by the hour, and observed ours but could not claim them until all had been placed in the designated area. We left the port around 12:00 for the one hour trip to Genoa by Costa bus. which went rather smoothly and we were able to to check into the Bristol Palace Hotel. which offered a buffet breakfast but nothing before 7:00 AM. I would emphasize, that everyting on the ship was priced in Euro when it left Ft Lauderdale, and as a point of reference most cocktails are 5.50 Eu plus 15% gratuity. I would avoid the "Euro union" since .62Eu to the Dollar is not a great exchange rate

[Lineaway]

We were on the Meditereanea for their last cruise before Europe. Everything in the Casino switched to Euros a day before we docked. They made an announcement that all accounts would be turned off at 1AM on the last day (not sure if that was to change over or settle everyone acounts but I don't remember other cruiselines doing this) didn't effect us though.

 

I heard alot of complaints from other US passengers (when we would run into them) that the passengers were rude on this cruise but I kinda thought it had to do with they didn't speak (or want to) English. We were clearly the minority. This is the only cruise that I have been on that people didn't mingle together. Everyone kinda kept to themselves. I thought this detracted from our vacation.

 

We had a balcony and German Speaking passengers on both sides of us, besides a nod that was all. I have had other balcony cabins and it seemed that when out on the Veranda people would be talking to others that were out, especially when the ship would leave a port. Kinda like mingling with your neighbors. That did not happen on this cruise.

[Mr PG]

They went to Euros in FT Lauderdale, for everything, the typical close is 1 AM, they go to cash. I expected the "sale" on Carribean merchandise, but was told they transferred it to another ship, there was nothing spectacular in the gift shops and it appeared the dollar price was just billed in Euros ($5=5Eu) You could review your statement in the room on the TV or they would print it anytime.