Owlhelm

Thanks re the drinks advice. Wine box it is! :D

We are currently on Ventura, 2 formal nights done, 2 to go. As Ventura has the Marco Pierre White restaurant, the formal menu is apparently designed by him. A hike in quality? Hmmmm!

I'm getting an undercurrent of "the formal menus are no better than any other". I'm somewhat disappointed. What's the point of going to the hassle of bringing the formal gear and making the effort, if the cruise line isn't going to - especially when they insist on the formal attire!

Can anyone confirm or deny this? (I'm hoping the Ventura kitchen is to blame for Rich's comment...).

Cheers.

M.

Hi all,

As the title says we're off on our first P&O cruise having cruised with Princess and Costa previously.

As this was only booked yesterday (and we're off in just over a fortnight), a couple of questions immediately spring to mind when looking over the P&O website and the threads here.

1. Taking alcohol on board. How much is 'reasonable'? Or more to the point, in P&O's eyes how much is reasonable? The onboard prices seem very reasonable, but I was just wondering how much people have taken on board successfully, or tried to take on unsuccessfully.

2. Dinners. Ok, 4 formal nights on a 14 nighter is more than we're used to (2 on Princess 14 nights, and Costa? Well, it's Costa!). My question is regards the menus. Do the menus show a hike in quality/ingredients on ALL the formal nights, or is there one gala dinner and the rest are as smart and casual nights?

Thanks in advance, I have no doubt I will be asking more stupid question in the next couple of weeks.

Cheers

Martin

It looks like you go from the

 

stop 2118, Estació Marítima - Pont de les Drassanes

 

to stop 800, Reina , 17 stops later or 5.18 km.

 

http://www.emtvalencia.es/geoportal/?lang=en_otp

 

Reina seems to be the end station for bus 4, but the bus does continue on another route back from the same stop.

 

If you go to street view on google maps you might see that you will not miss this stop.

Thanks for this. Yes, I've looked at streetview. I figure I'll ride for 25 minutes then get off at the next stop ;) Can't guarantee that the bus will stop at each stop, so can't rely on counting them. What fun!! :)

Our cruise ship last week provided a no-hassle shuttle bus direct from the ship to Valencia centre (5 km from the port) every 15 minutes. Return fare 5 Pounds UK. Much easier than using a public bus so would recommend this option if your ship offers a similar service.

£5 return is very good. If Costa offer a similarly priced service to the same area we'd probably take that.

Cheers both...away in 3 days!!!!!! :D

Martin.

Hi all,

We're visiting Valencia next week :D and need to get from the port to Plaza de la Reina (we have a walking tour meeting at the Plaza de la Virgen). I've worked out that we need a #4 bus which if I believe google maps, leaves from directly in front of the port.

My problem is the other end. Any clues as to how I will know when to get off the bus when travelling from the port?

Thanks!

Martin

Just received our "We look forward to welcoming you aboard" email from Costa. It mentions the casino, and that most ships casinos only accept cash. That didn't occur to me at all (Princess previously).

Can anyone tell me what the form is on the Pacifica? You buy chips with cash, and exchange your winnings back (some hope!!!!) for cash?

Cheers

Martin.

We are just off of the Pacifica Saturday and had a great experience, however you will want to be prepared for many differences from your typical Princess experience, many of them dealing with the food. Here are a few that stand out in my mind. The room service menu is very poor, not many choices and the choices that we tried were not good. The breakfast in your room option is very good and gives you access to a large selection of breakfast items without a limit on how many you can order. The charge is 5 Euros.

 

Also, as you have noted the buffet is very limited and only open during certain times. You can have pizza at the buffet until 9:30 pm or table service pizza from 9:30 until 1:00 a.m. My children were very disappointed that they couldn't even get soft serve ice cream except during lunch. I would try breakfast and lunch in the dining room a few times and see how you like that. Also, we were always able to find things that we like to eat but it sometimes took some trial and error. For picky eaters you will probably be disappointed with the overall food on the ship. We had a couple of picky eaters in our group and although they didn't complain, their overall impression of the food was not good.

 

We went with the idea that we wanted to see the sights in Europe and we were definitely rewarded for that. It was a very rewarding and amazing experience. Have a great time!

Thanks for replying. Poor regarding the ice-cream, but you specify 'soft serve'. Is gelato available at other times? (he said hoping for a yes).

We're not too picky when it comes to food (my wife may disagree based on her experiences with me in restaurants). I'm hoping the all-inclusive drinks package will make the food seem less disappointing as the evening goes on.

We're looking forward to breakfast on our balcony (first time in a balcony cabin), and as it's a premium cabin, we shouldn't need to pay the 5 Euros. In relation to that here's another question....does the ship always berth on the same side -and if so, which?

Cheers.

M.

Cheers!

Hi all,

I know I've asked whether I need to take my tux (the answer a resounding "no"), but I was just wondering what was acceptable to wear/the norm for the MDRs for formal and non-formal nights? I assume the formal nights are on the days at sea?

Cheers

Martin

Do they not take food and drink off you at embarkation? That's what I've been led to believe.

Cruisetrail,

Thank you very much for posting.

Ron,

Thank you very much for all your hard work in getting the menu online! Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say that my German is not good enough for me to understand it :o. Are the menus multilingual (unlike me), or do they have different menus by language?

Thanks again.

Martin

Good for you.

 

I have always enjoyed the speciality restaurant visits, usually not very well frequented.

 

I have a copy of a menu but alas it it's size exceeds the maximum pdf file size.

 

Go on be a devil and spend your last OBC cent.

 

Ron

Haha, I certainly intend to! Any chance you could email me the menu? Is it possible to send personal message so I can give you my email address?

M.

I've just discovered that we have 50 Euros General Onboard Credit that I didn't know we were getting, and thought that rather than have it invisibly swallowed up by the service charge, it might be nice to treat ourselves to a visit to the a la carte restaurant.

Does anyone have any experience with the Club restaurant? What is the food and service like, and does it justify the extra charge? Menus would be welcome - indeed, regular menus would also be welcome!

Cheers

Martin.

Hi all,

I found my way to the 'useful information' section of the Costa website. I think they should consider renaming it. I quote from this...

"Breakfast and cabin service

Guests who would like breakfast delivered to their cabin free of charge can fill in the order form and hang it on the outside door handle before going to bed. Breakfast is free of charge for suites only. Service with extra charges for the others categories.

Room service (service with extra charge)

You can order snacks and drinks for delivery to your cabin 24 hours a day. The menu can be found in your cabin, all you need to do is phone the number next to the telephone. You will be charged for this service and your order will be delivered in around half an hour. A 15% service charge will be applied to all wine and drinks purchases"

This is at odds with the description of a Premium Cabin which says...

"Premium Cabins are privileged cabins in terms of size and position. Located in a prime location on the ship they provide extra comforts, including free continental breakfast on request, served in your cabin, free service in your cabin (24-hour room service) and the option to book dinner for a specific time in the restaurant.

Furthermore, by booking a Premium Cabin you'll receive a

10%* discount on your next cruise in Premium if you decide to take it within the following 2 years. To use this discount all you need to do is register using the appropriate devices provided on board.

Special benefit for CostaClub members: book a Premium Cabin and receive double CostaClub points."

Ok. Which is it...if either?

Thanks

Martin.

On the Luminosa in the Caribbean this year All Inclusive waster was by the glass. I asked for a large glass most of the time. Same with soda or iced tea.

Thanks Salve.

Belay that request, I found it on another thread - here's the post with the link rool - http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=40965687&postcount=176

Having read this thread, I'm still not sure whether you get mineral water by the bottle or the glass. Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks.

M.

Hi all,

Currently deciding whether the all-inclusive package is worth it. My wife doesn't drink much (alcohol or soft drinks - she prefers water). I do drink (too much according to the aforementioned better half :().

I'm inclined to think it won't be worth it, but to make an informed decision whether it's worth paying for both of us to have the package, I need to know the on-board prices of the drinks (incl service charge).

So, I'd really appreciate costs of coffees, teas, bottles of wine, scotch, beer and cocktails.

Thanks in advance

Martin (I'm not an alcoholic, honest! :o)

Thanks for the info.

Just hope, when you try to board, that the guy at the gangway doesn't say "Sorry we're full, there be another one along in a couple of minutes". ;)

Ron

Hahaha...I'm glad you put the winky face on - for one moment I thought you were being serious and didn't get the bus reference! :o

M.

Ron, Bob,

Thanks very much guys for your answers, they are much appreciated!

I've another question that comes to mind.

A basic question having never embarked part-way through an itinerary. We are boarding at Barcelona, a day after the ships sails from Savona. I'm guessing that the muster be carried out only for those passengers that embarked at Barcelona?

Thanks again, and can anyone answer the poker question posted above? I've never had the nerve to play on previous cruises having only online and wondered how easy it is.

Cheers!!

M.

English is used after all the other languages because of the passenger mix. It all depends upon the cruise departure point for the demographics of the passengers. Native English speakers will always be in the minority on Costa.

 

If you don't have a Premium cabin you do not get first choice of dining times. If you don't like the time that you are assigned you might be able to get it changed once onboard with the maître d.

 

You always have the same table. No buffet at night. Late seating depends on the cruise. If I remember right 8:15 in the Caribbean, 9:15 in Europe.

 

If we go to the specialty restaurant we always let our waiter know the night before. Common courtesy.

Please excuse my lack of knowledge re dining - we have only used anytime dining on Princess previously. As stated, we are in a Premium room; so my question stands regarding the option to book dinner for a specific time in the restaurant. What does this mean?

Seriously? No buffet option at dinner? I'm amazed quite frankly. What happens if you're tired out after a day in port and don't fancy having a full blown sit down dinner?

Also, any idea of answers to my other questions?

Took a standard cabin and ended up with a view of a lifeboat through the window. Not an advertised feature!

The Costa website isn't exactly overflowing with information about anything...

Thanks very much for the advice both.

A few more questions...

1. Menus - does anyone have any pics or links to room service and dinner menus? Also any pics of the meals (there were plenty on the Princess forums)?

2. Do they have Texas Hold 'em tables in the casino, and what type are they?

3. From the Costa website:

"Can you get breakfast served in your cabin?

Of course, all Costa ships provide a breakfast service (by payment) in your cabin."

"Is cabin service available?

...Snacks may be ordered 24 hours a day with a simple phone call. Note that these are provided for an extra charge..."

Ok, I was taken aback by this as you only pay on Princess if you're ordering pizza - all other room service incl burgers etc is included. Is additional payment the norm on other lines? Then found out that Breakfast and Room Service is free of charge if you're in a Premium room. We are but I'm interested how much they'd charge if you were in a Classic room. Can't find it anywhere on the website.

The website also says that Premium room occupants get the option to book dinner for a specific time in the restaurant. How flexible are they on this? Also, what time is the Late sitting; are we allocated a table for the duration of the cruise, or are we seated with the next available table when we arrive? What happens if we decide to go to a speciality restaurant or the buffet instead?

English is used by the staff in the main shows. But rightfully so it's after Italian, German, French, Spanish.

I don't see how English should 'rightly' be a language used behind German, Spanish and French. I assume that you make the statement based upon the relative number of passengers carried from these countries against English speaking ones? I'd be interested in the geographic split of passengers anyway if you have a link to that. Costa are obviously an Italian line so fair enough on that one.

Thanks again!

Martin

Hi all,

We're from the UK and have previously sailed twice with Princess (Emerald & Ruby). We're booked on the Pacifica in April (as of 2 hours ago), and have tried navigating the Costa website for useful information, and find it little to no help at all. I've also briefly searched these forums and can't find definitive answers to my questions. I'm used to Princess so I'll reference their offerings below, and sorry if they've been posted before, but here goes...

1. Coffee. What's it like and how much does it cost? Princess has free tea & coffee (although coffee is horrendous). Pay on an item by item basis for premium teas & coffees or buy a coffee card.

2. Restaurants.

a) We have a LATE sitting (the only one available to our travel agent). Can someone explain the dining options on the Pacifica, and whether there's a non-buffet anytime option that we'll be able to switch to?

b) Are there any formal nights? There are 2 days at sea and these would be formal on Princess. Do I need to pack the tux?

3. Entertainment. What's the evening entertainment like? Is English used by the entertainment staff and performers? They don't try hard to explain what's available on the website!! Is there anywhere to dance (ballroom and latin - my disco days are far behind me). The Emerald and Ruby had a cocktail lounge with a live 3 or 4 piece band with a small dance floor (and other larger venues but nothing else that catered for us very amateur ballroomers). Anything similar?

4. Any joy taking wine on board at embarkation recently on this ship? Princess allow 1 bottle per person. The website is actually clear on this one, but I've read contrasting experiences on here.

I'm sure that I'll think of other questions in the forthcoming weeks. But that little lot will do for now.

I'm off to investigate flights to and hotels in Barcelona now... :D

Thanks all in advance.

Cheers

Martin

Whatever card you use, just make sure they put the charge through in rubles.

You make an interesting point. What was the exchange rate they used, as Alla only quote their prices in USD? I know the Russian government have a cap on the exchange rate over there, and wonder if getting charged in Roubles makes any difference to Alla, or us.

Thanks