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Looking for Costa Deliziosa Tips and Advice?


MishelleMcc
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Good evening fellow Cruise Enthusiasts!! I have been Lurking (…yes, I know… one of “them”… Ha! :cool:) about the Costa Cruise line forum off and on for a few weeks now… I have gleaned a ton of information! Thank you all kindly!! So I have a few observations and a few questions.

Preface: We have a variety of travel experiences and loves. We’ve been to China and Mexico! We do a LOT of research! Our Cruise experience is all with Holland America. 2003, 2006, 2014 (although I cruised RCCL and NCL in the 80’s and early 90’s). We understand that the Cruise experience is not what it used to be but we still enjoy it. In fact, as another cruiser put it best: Our cruises are great because we MAKE them great!

We are looking at one of the two first Caribbean 10-day cruises in January 2018 on the Deliziosa! (we can only travel in winter due to work and want to go where it is warm!) We like the idea of a longer than 7 day cruise with a variety of ports. So a 10 day cruise sounds exciting for us! Costa also appeals because it’s a different “vibe” and the passenger demographics are diverse.

We first started considering Costa Cruise Line after Holland America banned smoking on stateroom balconies. Costa still allows that. (please, no haters. smoking comments belong on different thread. Thanks!) We are considerate smokers (pick up others cigarette butts, etc) so we would generally pick side of the ship whose outside smoking areas were on the same side (Port or Starboard?) Also, there are multiple aft Mini suite options. We’ve never had an aft stateroom before but wonder if one feels “blind” to the scenery one sees vs the scenery of port or starboard side view? Is there less wind? Do we need to bring our own toiletries?

Originally, we were going to do a balcony then learned that there are service levels to consider. We are currently considering balcony premium or mini suite. I am not clear as to what benefits come with a mini suite over balcony premium. Does anyone have advice/antidotes they could share regarding these stateroom types? (premium balcony for room service picking early dinner, and?)

Does Costa offer Deals like other cruise lines do? Like added gratuities or drink packages? The only thing I found was the ‘More or Less’ sale but no mention of what time of year they usually make the offer or even if they still do.

We also will add some sort of beverage package but unclear which one is the best fit for us. We love Cappuccino in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon and evening. Doesn’t have to be premium labels. I mostly drink blush or white wine and my wife likes Vodka & Cranberry or Rum & coke. I occasionally will drink a Piña Colada or some other foo foo drink :rolleyes:… (Più gusto ?)

What can we expect as far as activities go? We’ve seen some “daily actively sheets” But Don’t really understand it all. There are themed nights? Any advice on this is hugely appreciated!! We want to try more things out on board than we usually do! Is there one designated "adults" pool?

Ports. We’ve been to a couple of them but not all. I will research these in depth but if you have any recommendations or standouts, I sure would like to know! Also, any tours we should stay away from?

I thank you in advance for any advice you can pass along to us!!! Happy Cruising! Oh, and if you see us on board? Remember that We are a nice Canadian family - not American... Ha!! Don’t we all wish we were going tomorrow???:hearteyes:;p:D

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Costa is VERY different from Holland America. I usually tell people that if you like HAL Costa will be a shock to your system. Longer cruises off-season do attract an older crowd, but still some families.

I'm booked the Jan 13 departure. Costa has different marketing in different countries. In the Mediterranean, I got a couple of excellent deals from Costa France, but I was in France at the time. As a single, I've found Costa USA gives me good early booking prices. Because I often travel with groups, I usually end up booking well in advance, not shopping for deals. I rarely use Premium amenities except for choice of dining to stay with a group,

There is a smoking lounge in the Casino, not sure about anywhere else. It sounds like the Brindiamo package would be OK, but I don't use alcohol, I might be wrong about that part.

Mini-suite has more floor space than a regular outside but no more storage space. I tried one, I wouldn't pay extra. I mostly bring my own amenities anyway.

The nightlife is COMPLETELY different from HAL. Almost every night has some sort of theme- some people really care, I'm not particularly interested, I'm there because there is no better line for dancing (that cruise, I'm with a group). I've been to all the ports, none of them excites me. The two worst ports last year were Ocho Rios and Amber Cove but I think they've been dropped for next year. I only use the pools when we're in port. It can get crowded on sea days if you try to do everything at the same time as everyone else.

Food is comparable to 4-star resorts on the Costa Brava in Spain I have stayed at. It's not a Florida-buffet-restaurant-at-sea if that's what you want.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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Dancer Bob, Thank you for your response! HAL is a little too subdued for us and our last cruise was somewhat of a let down. That said, we are looking forward to a different experience. We are in our 50's and love music. I am hoping that we will be more active on this cruise. I love the regional themed dinners and am looking forward to learning true Italian cuisine. Just as "Chinese" food in America is nothing like Chinese food in China. Thank you for the lead on the Brindiamo package. I will check into that. I noticed the change in the itinerary so now I know why! I imagine there will be more kids (I love kids - just not herds of them!) on Costa than on HAL but being off season, should be tempered. Also, the tip on the mini suite is appreciated. We don't need the extra floor space if the amenities are the same. I plan on booking with the Cruise line directly and probably by phone as I want to make sure I put the package together the best way for us. I used to speak German and French fairly well but haven't used them in decades! My ear still picks up on German when I hear it but don't know about the French. I plan to brush up a bit on those and take a stab at Italian too! Have a wonderful Cruise Bob! You said the Jan 13th so we may meet you on board if we pick that date too! Hope to finalize our plans this coming week! Thank you again!!!!

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For a premium balcony the three markets I checked US, UK and Germany are pretty equal. But for example a classic inside is a couple of hundred USD cheaper in Germany so it might make sense to do a final check over all markets before booking.

 

I will be on the march 2018 transatlantic in the Deliziosa. As I haven't done a Caribbean cruise on Costa I can't comment on that. But what you described about the drinking the Pie Gusto package would fit. I thought the quality and selection was to limited on the cocktails and liquor side but the price is great and it is hard not to make good use of it.

 

I thought the parties are one of the best at sea, for sure way above my NCL and RCI experiences. They seem to have quite consistent good DJs playing a nice set and the music is pumping. The staff is good at getting guests engaged as well.

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Thank you Michael! Love your comment "...the parties are one of the best at sea!" I remember how much fun I used to have on a cruise back in the day! it's the part of cruising that I miss the most! You know you are creating memories that will stay with you for a lifetime! Sharing those experiences with folks who were strangers just hours or days before! Re-defining 'Fun' !!! I was reading that the premium liquor wasn't always available and we don't really need top shelf so maybe the Più gusto better suits us. I also thought the beverage packages were better priced than HAL. I would love the adventure of a trans Atlantic!!! I love adventure period! Ha! Thank you again Michael! Have a blast on your March Cruise!!!!!

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Hi, we just got back from our first Costa cruise a week ago.

 

Piu Gusto was a great value for us. Espresso/capuccino, wine by the glass, most cocktails, all no extra charge. It pays to know which brands are included and then specify. For me, Beefeater gin and Jameson whiskey, for my wife Stoli vodka.

 

We LOVE rear facing balconies. You can see behind as well as both sides. We had great views of sunset, and ports both on the way in and out. If you're on a side, you're always wondering what's on the other side :)

 

While we were disappointed with proteins, the pasta was always excellent, and there was a class and tasting on the sea day.

IMG_20170326_185927.jpg.e6be5499f9f84fcd22fe450d44eea9dc.jpg

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Morning Ejincali !! Welcome home from your Cruise!! Thank you for sharing your experience with the Piu Gusto package and rear facing staterooms!!! The Alcohol brands you enjoyed would be fine with us! I am realizing that to effect the positive change that we are looking for, that I need to step out of the comfort zone and change everything, including stateroom location! I think I am sold on rear facing stateroom!!! Ha! My DW will love the class you mentioned! I will definitely keep everyone posted at so what we get after we book!!!!!!

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Update! We Booked our Cruise! I am sure I will learn more as I go but thought I would share what I learned during the booking today!

 

Cruise: 10 day Caribbean Jan 13 2017 from Ft Lauderdale

Only looked to book "Premium" over "classic" because we wanted Breakfast in our cabin, 24 hr room service and fixed dinner in the MDR.

 

Prices quoted Mar 29 2017:

Premium Balcony $1299 pp,

Mini Suite (premium included) $1449 pp,

Suite $2389

We went with the Premium balcony AND secured an aft facing Cabin! $250 pp deposit, Final payment due Oct 29 2017

 

Quoted drink packages:

Brindiamo $349.95 for 10 days (covers what we mostly drink: Wine, Rum & coke, Vodka & Cranberry)

Piu Gusto $384.91 (would encompass other cocktails like Piña Colada, etc.)

 

Theme and Formal nights: 2 formal nights and 3 themed nights: Italian night, Tropical night and White night which is also the night of the Talent show. I have no talents so no worries there! Ha!

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Congratulations, looks like you did good!

 

Yes, we took advantage of the free room service every day as we like to have coffee out on the balcony before doing anything else. One thing to be aware of, at least on the Mediterranea, the coffee arrives in a ceramic pitcher, not a thermos. So, we always wrote on the room service door hanger for the coffee to be "extra hot" and it always was.

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  • 1 month later...

What perfect timing to find this thread. I have been wanting to sail either the Deliziosa or Luminosa since they went into service. I have asked questions on Cruise Critic in the past, often getting responses from Dancer Bob. Well I just booked the Deliziosa....and believe it or not the only cabin I wanted was available.....guess it was meant to be. I chose the Jan 13th sailing. I haven't been on a Costa ship since 2000.....read many unflattering things about the current Costa, but I will see for myself. My concern will be rude passengers, which are becoming common on all lines. My remedy for this potential irritation....the Pui Gusto drink package. Although not a big drinker....I might need a stiffener before leaving my balcony. So thanks for this thread....it got me off the fence and booked

Tom

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Although on our recent Costa cruises in the Med, the English host did not hold welcome parties for us English speaking guests, which is a shame even for us long time Costa cruisers, it was a great way of meeting other English speaking guests.

 

However for Caribbean cruises they do seem to be more of us so do go if host holds one normally just before boat drill.

 

Just for the record, I really hope you meant you booked for 2018, because if not you have missed the 'boat'.

 

They also give some really good tips on life on board & tours.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Tom! That is the same cruise that we are going on!! We are planning on the drink package as well! So what cabin was your "lucky" one? We got a rear facing balcony and are so looking forward to it! I think we are just excited about having a different adventure on this cruise! We are very Excited!

Thanks for the advise tenpin... I think that we may have more English speakers because of the embarkation port but we are still hoping to experience other nationalities and go with the flow in general to.... I didn't know about the welcome parties so we will look for that!

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Hi RMS Olympic,

You will find many changes since 2000, although to be fair mostly down to the Concordia incident, and them recovering those costs.

 

Gone are those wonderful menus but the food has been improving over the past year, although only two choices we have found these to be enough, with the two in each course. Certainly cut down on waste particularly in the buffet, shows, dances, bars are about the same, and we have enjoyed all but one of our Costa cruises since 1998. Crew members slightly down but again they certainly are polite & helpful. Not sure about your mention of rude passengers, never had a problem with those as we are use to people not queueing and getting in lifts before we get out, we just smile and say thank you folks.

 

Now come September we will have done every ship in the fleet, ( 25 with Costa) still love the ambience of the mix Nationalities.

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Hi everybody,

we have never been on a Costa cruise before, love the freestyle cruising with NCL. Now we are thinking about the TA on Costa Deliziosa next March because we really like the itinarary. We are glad to have found this forum, couldn't find a roll call yet for the cruise. This forum is definately better than the revues that we have read before about Costa. With open minded passengers like you, we probably have a great cruise. The TA is very early in the year so we have to wiggle around a bit with dates but your posts made us look forward to the trip and we will most probably book next week. Is this general Deliziosa forum the only one or is it common to open a roll call for a specific departure at some point?

Anyway, thank you all for your friendly, positiv comments.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi! Just saw your post! here is a link for posting Roll calls: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=488 If that doesn't work, just follow the "roll call" thread in the main Costa forum. Excited to here about your trip! This line is not as active in cruise critic as other lines but we still gleaned a lot of info through searches. Keep us posted about your experience!

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I did a TA on Deliziosa a couple of years ago. There was a large group of Americans, as soon as I saw them I wondered "what are these old geezers doing here, they look like they should be on Holland America". I saw a couple of reviews I think were from them, the only thing I agreed with was "lots of dancing", everything else was debatable, misleading or just plain wrong.

If you think HAL is a great cruise line, you have reason to be concerned, but if you're like me, Costa for all its faults is the best out there.

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Hi everybody,

we have never been on a Costa cruise before, love the freestyle cruising with NCL. Now we are thinking about the TA on Costa Deliziosa next March because we really like the itinarary.

 

I planned to go on that cruise as well but for some reason I can't even remember any more the plans changed. Probably because my ESTA won't be valid anymore.

 

After lots of cruises with NCL I was quite happy with my first Costa cruise earlier this year. I am sure you will be doing fine as long as you have an open mind. I will try a transatlantic on Costa this November to see how that compares to their 7 day regular European itinerary on the Diadema. Probably with a trip report on here.

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Update,

We decided to try Costa and booked the TA next year, March 4th from Fort Lauderdale, arriving in Venice on March 28th. A long time with a new company but the price was right and we were not really kean on visiting the Azores for the 7th time. We had the chance to visit a Costa ship here in the harbour of Hamburg and we liked what we saw. The process was somewhat italian, a bit unorganized but friendly and fun. We enjoyed it.

Can somebody tell us more about the sport programm on board? What is the Kinesis Room? What do we get when we book a Yoga course for 12€? Do we get one lesson or do we get a multi day course? Is it true, that they give italian language lessons on board? We are excited and look forward to as much information as we can get. Michael, we would be glad to hear about your experience on the TA

Greetings from Hamburg/Germany

P.S. we have not started a roll call yet but will do so in the Autumn if nobody else did by then

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As far as I remember the Italian lessons were only done during the TA or re-positioning cruises, but if enough (English Speakers)want to have a go just ask the host to set one up during sea days. That goes for meeting other guests or English quizzes & the like. Although this really depends on numbers on board, we have cruise with just 29 English speakers and not much was done for us, but on the Transatlantic we had over three hundred, with all sorts of things arranged.

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As far as I remember the Italian lessons were only done during the TA or re-positioning cruises, but if enough (English Speakers)want to have a go just ask the host to set one up during sea days. That goes for meeting other guests or English quizzes & the like. Although this really depends on numbers on board, we have cruise with just 29 English speakers and not much was done for us, but on the Transatlantic we had over three hundred, with all sorts of things arranged.

Thank you very much for this information. We will be on a long TA and I always like to learn at least a little bit about the language of the country (or ship in this case) where I am. I find it helpfull and just a friendly gesture to be able to say things like thank you, yes, no, how much and so on in the various languages. I will take italian lessons during the winter and take your advice to just ask for lessons when on board.

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