wcook

This site is dominated by Americans. I just got off the Toscana in Dubai and didn’t hear or meet a single American on board all week. I did see a few people wearing our national uniform (t-shirt and baseball cap) but can’t confirm their nationality. To be clear, it was a fantastic cruise, and there were zero problems being an English-only speaker. But Costa clearly isn’t marketing to Americans. Heck, their app still doesn’t work on American iPhones.

There was a currency exchange at both. The ship docks next to a huge terminal building in Doha that is pretty nice. I exchanged $60 USD and got back Qatari bills with no fees or charges at a rate just less than spot. Almost too good to be true; maybe I did the math wrong. Muscat is a serious industrial port. Mandatory shuttle bus to the terminal which is in the middle of the port. There was a money exchange there that turned my remaining Qatari money into Account Omani. Again, the rate seemed almost too good to see it all be true. Then you had to take another shuttle out of the port. Terminals both had ATMs. In Oman the taxis and shops I saw had prices in USD/EUR/Omani.

I have no knowledge other than I’m on the ship now. I boarded on Sat Feb 3. My paperwork said I had to be on board by 13:00 or maybe 15:00 on Feb 4. We arrive back in Dubai on Feb 9 at 13:00-ish. I have to leave on Feb 10.

For what’s it’s worth, I’m currently sailing on Costa out of Dubai. Everything on ship is in Euros, not the UAE currency and certainly not USD (I’ve yet to notice a single American on board.)

So I took a look at the daily programs back when we were docked in Dubai and the casino wasn’t open. Bummer. It’s closed while we are in Doha, but opens as soon as we pull out. VP selection is mighty thin. Maybe 4-5 multi-game machines where one of the options is VP. Since the machines were locked in attract mode I couldn’t check pay tables. I assume they are terrible. Slots are new and very colorful. Lots of the games you see in American casinos - but standard stuff, nothing exotic: pandas, tritons, buffalos. One bank with the fake-ish reals Euros like. They have a couple of those electronic table games with the electronic dealers, plus 4-5 true table games. Overall a pretty small casino, especially for the size of the ship. It gets zero promotion except for the scratch cards and lotto jackpot. No promises, but if you have any more questions fire away and I’ll check out when the casino’s open. Assuming I don’t drink too much and forget 🙂

I’m on the Toscana now headed to Doha. The casino has been open

You’ve got a cute face and they want to say hello?

Ever have a late (late!) night onboard, possibly while getting the most out of your drink package. You stumble out of bed and somehow make it to breakfast only to be treated by… the buffet. Who are all these people? Why is it so chaotic? And as the Grinch would say, the noise, noise noise. I’ll be fine after a little bacon and eggs. Just thought I’d share with you guys as I cruise along, somewhere in the Persian Gulf…

Great stuff. Thanks.

The only way I know is to ask people who are booked to look up prices for you.

Just to be anal - Costa is owned by Carnival Corp, a mostly American company (there’s a portion of the legal structure that is British, but that’s mostly a technically.) But yes, onboard account is settled in euros.

That's a bummer. I probably wouldn’t have ordered the package; I just love the word brindiamo. “A toast.” And one of the most famous opera songs of all time. I start humming whenever I see the word brindiamo.

Unpopular opinion. It’s a dead body. Worm food. If it were me, toss me in the ocean. So I guess fish food, not worm food.

Be sure to factor airfare into your decision. I found a cruise that looked perfect out of Barbados… only to have it price out of my budget when I realized flights were twice the price of flying to San Juan and 3x the cost of flying to Florida.

Honesty, it all my years I’ve never had a bad port.

Me? Booze.

If I had that kind of money I’d rather buy an exotic pet. Like a llama or an emu.

I bid $1 Bob. (Drew?)

I suspect it’s also about keeping out invasive species

I’m trying to figure out how a guy completes the one time at band camp story. I’m visioning the flute and…. We’ll let’s just put that thought aside. Have a great trip.

I’d love to hand out different kinds of cans, but the cruise line won’t let me bring them on board.

My work laptop could be used as a heating device, and has a fan, but is 100% kosher. Rules are weird.

Jeans are frowned upon in the pool. But are fine in the dining venues.

I can see loving Nassau. It’s obviously not a crowd favorite, but many great choices if you know what to look for. But Ensenada???? You gotta explain this one 🙂

I would take two rooms in a heartbeat over either suite