wcook

Has anybody considered that the simplest explanation is often true. And in this case would be: Antarctica doesn’t exist. It’s a lie started by the pro-globe conspiracy. 

Second, before we get into hard stuff like compensation for missed ports, we need a fairness in price advertising rule. Lines should be required to show fares with all taxes, port fees and “mandatory” tips/charges. I believe several European counties (the UK?) already require this. 

First, the political aspect. Self regulation is essentially no regulation. No way they produce anything with teeth. And if by some miracle the US was able to pass anything, it would be super industry friendly. If anything passenger friendly comes about, it’ll be via Europe. 

Think about it this way - hangovers are things you get when you sober up. 

This one is easy - don’t even think about it. While I’m sure it’s technically possible, the April heat, lack of shade and port isolation make it a no go. Note that cabs in Dubai are relatively cheap (as long as you make sure the meter is running) and hoho busses are expensive. 

It’s a race to see which actually gets implemented first, this or real id in the US. 

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. 

On 1/15/2023 at 11:03 AM, Edinburghgirl1 said:

Was there a currency exchange at the port in Doha and Muscat? 

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. 

On 2/7/2024 at 1:28 PM, JL-KM said:

Planning to take the 8 days Costa Toscana from & to Dubai in March. I'm still confused with the embark and disembark days. I have read that you check in on the first day and have the entire 2nd day to explore Dubai. Anyone knows if you can check in, let's say, at 8am on the second day? Also, the arrival time date says "Day 7/8 - Dubai (Fri 08 / Sat 09 March Arrival: 13:00) I'm confused as of what exact day it arrives at 1300? I ask so I can plan our return flight.

Thank you.

 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. 

16 hours ago, Dancer Bob said:

Brindiamo package has been withdraw

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