Just back from Atlantica-Review

[daveb9]

My wife, 9 year old son, and myself just returned from the 11-21 sailing of the Atlantica and I thought I would try and give a review of my opinion of the cruise and answer any questions for others. This is our fifth cruise on our third different line {NCL and Carnival}.

The ship is very nice overall and it was not crowded at all despite hearing the front desk staff say that it was sold out. The staff was very good, and they seemed to work very hard to do a good job. Rooms were on par with other lines.

We booked the X1 package through Costa 4 months before the cruise, when we boarded it was not on my room card so I went to the desk and she looked it up and said I had not been charged for it so I must have misunderstood the agent and never signed up for it because he would have had me pay for it when I booked it. I clarified to her that the agent told me it was all set up and I did not have to pay for it then, and it would be billed to my onboard account. We went back and forth a couple times and she said I could take it up with Costa when I returned. I asked her to just add it on and she said she could not do that because I must have misunderstood the agent when I booked it. So I would say that if you want a drink package pay for it when you book it to make sure you get it. We did not feel that she did really anything to rectify the situation.

As far as the food is concerned, I would say overall it was poor. Breakfast in the buffet and the dining room were both cold every day. It was like the food was made up well ahead of time and then sat in warmers and put out as needed. It also seemed that the food in the dining room was taken off of the buffet and served to us in the dining room. Each day we sat with different people in the dining room for breakfast and heard the same complaints. It actually became somewhat of a joke to some people because as soon as they received there food they would send it back to be reheated. The lunch grill was good every day, the burgers and such were made up right there and were always fresh. This option seemed to be very popular with everyone. The lunch and dinner buffets were hit or miss, mostly miss. If you are at all a picky eater you will find it hard to get something you like on the buffet. My son ate the pizza for lunch and dinner basically the whole week. The food in the dining room was okay, but the service was very slow. We were always two courses behind everyone else. By the end of the week there were a lot of empty tables in the dining room. It seemed like the staff was very overworked, running constantly trying to keep up and neglecting us to make up for it. I believe that maybe Costa tries to save some money by assigning more people to each waiter to make up for the low cost of the cruise.

We are midwestern people who are very easy to please and rarely complain but as far as the food on the ship, this was easily the worst we have had on a cruise. Would I go again? No. If anyone has a specific question feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer.

 

Dave

[Logbog]

Thanks Daveb9. We've sailed lots and were on Costa Mediterranea a few years back. We found the food and service to be exceptional. Really sorry to hear of your experience on Atlantica. Also surprised you couldn't just purchase the drink package onboard. Doesn't make sense at all. Did you take the eastern or western caribbean route?

[daveb9]

We did the Eastern itinerary.

 

I would not even mention anything bad about the cruise on here except that my opinion was shared by so many other guest that I overheard onboard.

 

Dave

[Rumball]

if you purchased the X1 either at booking or later it should appear on your cruise ticket as evidence of your purchase. i wouldn't show up without evidence of my purchase. there are often miscommunications between agents, cruise line, cruise ship...if you have proof (a ticket, an email even) nobody can argue with you, and they'll fix it.

[cruising maniac]

Pretty much agree. Maybe I can expand on a few issues. For the most part, the staff was happy and always had a "good Morning". Guest services had only 1 employee most of the time and the lines were long and very slow. Dining room service was really bad. Orders messed up every time we went, food cold and very mediocre, staff was slow and seemed overwhelmed. Casino machines were old and actually still used tokens. I haven't seen that for years. Happy hour for 11-12 and 5-6 was really nice with 2 for 1 draught beer and drinks. We brought on liquid refreshments with no problem. Not beer and not in original containers. Yes, they will take what they find- Not in original containers and you'll be fine. State room was nice and the room steward was the bright spot of the cruise. Embarkation was very fast and efficient. Read the brochure they give when you enter the ship because Costa does key cards different for any other line that I have sailed. Don't wait in line to activate your card- walk through the casino to the bar and there are more machines with no lines. The seafood was mostly not edible. Very fishy and overcooked. Pasta was fairly good as was the pizza. Buffet hours for dinner 7:30 to 9. Food cold and once again very mediocre. I ate alot of salad with caesar dressing. Don't hurry to muster- it was pretty long. TV on board was Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC all broadcast from Denver which was okay except it was 2 hours behind. No free in cabin movies like most lines. They could be purchased for $8.95. Not very many announcements- but most were in many languages. I never heard the captain at all. I like the captain to give a daily update and that is what I am used to experiencing. I do know that "super bingo" is the same in all 5 languages. The ship is well kept and very clean for its age. Take a squeegee (sp) if you have a balcony because the windows were very dirty.We had regular outlets in the bath and main cabin. We take a power strip for clock, camera, cell phones.....We had a nice relaxing time- good itinerary. Would we sail Costa again? Probably not. Would we recommend Costa to a friend? No. Please folks, this is just my opinion and the opinion of many cruisers on board.

[G.M.T.]

We did the Eastern itinerary.

 

I would not even mention anything bad about the cruise on here except that my opinion was shared by so many other guest that I overheard onboard.

 

Dave

Dave,

 

Why shouldn't you post your opinion here (positive or negative). I found your review above interesting and well balanced. You certainly do not come across as a whiner/compaliner and so it is your typr of review /information that future cruiser are looking for.

 

Ron

[HppyHrss]

This was my first cruise and I can truly say that I had a blast. I have read the other reviews about the staff neglecting the passengers and the food being cold. I feel sorry for you guys because we were taken such good care of.

 

Our food was never cold and overall it was good. I would not call it exceptional. If you like pasta you were in the right place -- but then again it is an Italian ship.

 

The wait staff were very attentive. I agree that they worked very hard and that once in a while we had to wait for something but we were getting a bargain considering the fact that the cruise cost was very low.

 

The excursions were fun. The shows at night were great and the onboard activities for the days at sea were wonderful. My friend that I went with has cruised about 10 times on various lines and she said that while this wasn't the most elaborate, it was the most fun, because the crew were so nice and attentive, and the activities on board were so much fun.

 

I will definitely go again.

 

The ship was beautiful, clean, and the air conditioning was set at a good level. Only once or twice did we get chilled.

 

I agree that the ship was not overly crowded considered it was sold out.

 

I can't wait to go again and would definitely cruise Costa without a moment's hesitation.

[learype]

Our family was on this cruise as well, and I would agree with pretty much everything that the previous reviewers say, with some additional comments -

 

Embarkation was a breeze - we didn't wait in any lines, which was a first for us. The theater shows were good, especially the variety and acrobat shows the first several nights - those were very entertaining and unique for this type of cruise, in our experience. There was never a problem getting a deck chair or an exercise machine in the gym during one of the sea days. And this was a holiday-week cruise. Our teenage son is a bit of a foodie and he raved about the all the appetizer options available at in the dining room. The ship was very clean and in excellent shape. The ports visited were fine (Eastern Caribbean itinerary) - we picked this cruise not so much because of the ports visited but to just get way for a week, though we did do the Segway tour in San Juan, which was great.

 

The food at the buffet was pretty limited in scope and cold, as the previous reviewers have noted. And the service in the dining room was definitely slow, as both daveb9 and cruising maniac have noted. We sat in the front part of the dining room for early seating dining, and on several days the whole back half of the dining room room was done with there meals and out the door at least 15-20 minutes before we were on most days. I'm talking completely empty tables in the entire back half of the room, while the front half of the room is still having their main course. Wonder if there is some issue about how the food comes out of the kitchen, or how servers are assigned throughout the dining room, that contributed to this.

 

All that being said, we had an enjoyable cruise, and this cruise was discounted price-wise enough so that we felt we got our money's worth. We've sailed on most of the other mass market lines (Carnival, Princess, RC, Holland America) and no, this cruise quite didn't measure up to any of those. Would we sail Costa again? Possibly, if the right deal came along ...

[sunlover58]

TO those just back from the Atlantica- somewhere I read that on board the bars don't carry alot of the premium alcohol. Is this true? Am looking for Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan Rum. Anyone know if they have these in the bars? If not, there are going to be 2 very unhappy husbands on board.

[Gaynors]

Thank you to all of you who have posted your reviews and comments.

 

I'm glad to hear about the outlets, so I know I'll have no problem plugging in my Christmas lights.

 

Sorry to those of you who didn't enjoy the food or it wasn't the proper temperature. Taste is everyone's opinion, but food temperature should not be.

 

I'm glad to hear it wasn't too crowded even with being a holiday sailing. hopefully we will be that lucky. :D

[winkfam]

Could you please let me know if there is 1 formal night or 2 on the 7 day Caribbean cruise?

 

Thanks!

[alwaysfrantic]

Was formal truly black tie formal, or were most not actually so dressed up?

 

What time were passengers able to begin getting aboard?

 

If any had teens with them, were the programming options enjoyable?

[BigJohn1968]

Just went on Atlantica last week. I must say that it is one of the most beautiful boats that I have ever been on. I have cruised NCL, Royal and Carnival before and nothing comes close the beauty of this ship. The staff was excellent. Especially the cruise director Andrea and his staff. They dressed up for every occasion and tried to get everyone involved. They even got my wife who doesn’t like to draw attention to herself involved. I didn’t notice much smoking on the boat as many people complained about people smoking in previous posts. Being non smokers we didn’t smell like an ashtray after we left the casino which totally surprised me. The negatives. The activities are all at one time. With a big break in between them. example. 10am Excursion talk in Caruso lounge. 10 am Bingo in the Butterfly lounge 10 am Team Games in pool area. Then it goes to 3pm Trivia here this there that there then 7:45 show in the Caruso and carnival in the lobby. With nothing to do in between. It’s either all or nothing so we were very bored at times and kept asking each other what we wanted to do. So we spent a lot of time in our room. I am a fat guy who likes to eat. I wasn’t impressed with the food at all. There is a lot of seafood such as sword fish and plenty of Octopus and squid if you are into that kind of stuff and plenty of veal. I am a meat and potato kind of guy and the steak and Roast Beef was dry and had a lot of gristle in it. Not very good quality meat The Pizza wasn’t even that good and the ice cream machines were always closed. The pasta was very salty and it was always the same. My wife is Italian and cooks much better than the food served on the boat. The ice tea and fruit punch on the boat is terrible and the orange juice in the morning is UN sweetened. The drinks from the bar were very good. A little on the pricy side but all cruise lines are the same. A Bud Light and a frozen drink came to $11.00. Costa however has happy hour every day from 11am till noon and 5 pm till 6pm. Most mixed drinks and draft beer are buy 1 get 1 during this time. If you don’t like to taste the alcohol in your drink like my wife doesn’t. Try the Miami Vice. It is a mixture of Pena Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri and I must say it is very tasty. For all the people wanting to sneak alcohol on board. I brought 24 bud light cans. 24 cans of soda, 3 water bottles full of rum. They did take my bottle of crown that I tried leaving in the original bottle. However I did get it back when I got off the ship. The casino is wide open not all squashed together. They have plenty of slot machines and all the table games except there were no Craps tables. Poker Players there is a Texas Holdem Poker Pro Machine in the casino. As far as languages. Everything and I do mean everything is spoken in at least 4 different languages. The shows are in English though. The Muster Drill is on the second day @ 9:45 am. I did meet a lot of very Nice people Roy recognized me in the parking lot before boarding the ship. Kelly from Arlington Thank you to you and your wife for taking picture of us during the perfect couple show that we won.

All the guys and girls I played Poker with. Thank you for your money and I really enjoyed the time I spent with you. Overall I gave this trip 3 out of 5 stars. Main complaint being the food.

Formal night was the second night of the cruise. Most everyone was dressed up for this event.

 

I did see Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan at the bars.

 

The Toga night was a lot of fun however everyone wore there togas right over there cloths.

 

Winner and still International Champion of the Belly Flop. ME :D LOL

 

These people do not know how to take pictures. We never purchased 1 of them. My wife loves pictures.

 

Will I ever sail Costa again??? For the right price I would.

 

Enjoy your trip.

Big John :cool:

[Robthebeachbum]

Is ice cream free or charged? when kids see ice cream they might empty it quick.

I hope they make some changes before our trip in late Jan. I know MSC had the same problems but with over 10 trips before ours they worked out many of the complaints people had during the first few trips of the season.

[Gaynors]

Thanks Big John for your thorough review. I'm sorry the food wasn't to your liking but it sounds like you still enjoyed your trip.

 

Did they have something they called pumpkin pie on Thanksgiviing?? Several of my family members tried the "pumpkin pie" on the Fortuna two years ago and said it was NOT pumpkin pie. It was OK but not what they were expecting.

 

Did you get the captain's name by chance?

 

What kind of toiletries were provided in the cabin? Any lotion? or just soap, body wash and shampoo.

 

Thanks again.

[BigJohn1968]

They did have pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. I dont like pumpkin pie so I didnt try it. My wife tried it but didnt like it. I dont remember the Captains name but he did ride an elevator with us. I asked him if he was the captain after reading the name tag. He said yes. and my wife got so excited. He was younger and Italian. Sorry I didnt remember his name though. Yes the Ice Cream was free. The machine was always empty and taken apart for cleaning. Out of the 7 days only had 1 cup and it was prety good. Overall we had a blast took over 600 photos. No extra goodies in the bathroom. Just the body soap in the shower. The cruise director did have a astronomy lesson on the back of the ship 10:00 oclock one night. They turned off all the lights on the back of the boat and he pointed out stars and zodiac signs with a laser pointer. This was really cool because you can see so many stars out there. I highly reccomend renting a golf cart for $80.00 in Grand Turk. This was the best thing I have ever done in any port or on any boat. The Island is only 7 miles long and the golf carts are gas powered. Take all the dirt roads and goat trails that you can. They all lead to beautiful sechluded beaches. Goats Cows Horses and Donkeys roaming free all over the island We even found some Flamingos. To rent a golf cart you have to walk out of the cruise ship terminal. They are right outside the gate. I never felt unsafe anywhere on the Island and it was a lot of fun.

[misand]

Thanks Big John for your thorough review. I'm sorry the food wasn't to your liking but it sounds like you still enjoyed your trip.

 

Did they have something they called pumpkin pie on Thanksgiviing?? Several of my family members tried the "pumpkin pie" on the Fortuna two years ago and said it was NOT pumpkin pie. It was OK but not what they were expecting.

 

Did you get the captain's name by chance?

 

What kind of toiletries were provided in the cabin? Any lotion? or just soap, body wash and shampoo.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

Good to see you on here. Only 18 days to go. Our roll call sure is quiet.

 

Anyone have any dailies yet?

[sunlover58]

BigJohn1968- Thanks for the info but I have a few more questions. Casino has no craps table? One of the guys going with us is a seasoned craps player and will not be happy if they don't have one. Was it just not up and running or nowhere to be seen? Also, someone had said that you don't put money in the slots but you have to get tokens. IS this correct? Pool area- how many pools outside-not enclosed. Decent size and plenty of lounges? Anything else you can think of that might help, please share.

[learype]

Was formal truly black tie formal, or were most not actually so dressed up?

 

What time were passengers able to begin getting aboard?

 

If any had teens with them, were the programming options enjoyable?

 

 

Wrt formal nights -There were 2 formal nights. A lot of people dressed up, like BigJohn said, but there were a significant # of folks didn't make a big effort and yet still were allowed into the dining room on those nights. I would say a pretty low percentage was truly formal (i.e., black tie) - most men just wore sport jacket and tie and women wore nice dress.

 

Wrt embarkation time - Costa says that embarkation for this ship starts at 13:30 - the ship is scheduled to depart at 19:00 (7 pm). We arrived at 13:00 and were ushered straight into the terminal. There were already a number of folks on the ship before us - we definitely not the first ones on-board. Don't know if this early embarkation was unique to our particular cruise or not.

 

Wrt teens - Our 16 year old son used the scheduled activities more as a means of meeting w/ other teens, rather than the activities themselves. There were a lot of kids (~400 out of 2000 passengers) on this holiday-week cruise, so he had no problem finding others when he wanted to & he was happy with that

[BigJohn1968]

There are no craps tables on this boat at all. :( Sorry. The Casino takes cash the slots only pay out in tokens though. They were not very loose either. LOL. There are 3 pools on the 9th floor 2 back to back in the middle and a Adults only pool on the back of the ship behind the Buffet Restraunt. Plenty of lounge chairs. We went out around 10 and put books and towels to reserve our chairs. They were still there at 1 when we finally made it to the pool. The pool waters were pretty warm for this time of year and the waters in St. Thomas were perfect. The waters were little chilly in Grand Turk but tolerable. :)

 

The BIG THING TO KNOW. BRING PLENTY OF CASH. They do not have a ATM on the ship and the Casino can not make a cash advance unless it is the credit card registered to your sail and sign account. Then there is a 3% charge for the advance. :mad: I ran low on cash. Damn slot machines. LOL.

 

Almost everything is on decks 2, 3 and 9. No need to worry about bringing towels to the pool areas. They have plenty out there.

 

The Cruise Director and his whole staff are great and are very helpful. When you see them tell them all that Big John says Hi. They will remember me. LOL Lets say I made a lot of people laugh. :D

 

Have fun on your cruise and win some of the money I left on there.

Big John

[HppyHrss]

Hey Big John,

 

My friend and I asked several big guys with short wives if they were Big John and I have to admit we got more than one strange look. We never did find you guys. lol

 

There is an ATM onboard. I don't know if it worked because I never saw it but I passed it several times. Can't remember which deck it was on -- would guess 2, 3 or 9, as you said most everything was on those decks.

 

The toga night -- it didn't exist. We had 1st sitting for dinner and then went to the show and some of the people coming into the show later in the evening were wearing togas but none wore them to dinner. Did you guys actually get to have a toga night? Did you have second sitting?

 

Andrea, the cruise director, was great. I enjoyed hearing the different languages and I was absolutely enthralled to think that these people were multi-lingual.

 

Joely, the dance instructor, was fabulous. My friend and I took several dance classes and exercise classes.

 

I would have to say this cruise reminded me of a cross between "Love Boat" and "Dirty Dancing." It was great!

[SPARKYCRUISER]

I would like to thank everyone for their reviews of Costa Atlantica -- both good and bad. I am booked on the March 27 cruise with wife and 12 yr old son.

 

We cruised Costa Mediterranea twice in Caribbean a few years back and are looking forward to experiencing the Costa Atlantica.:cool:

[OneParticularHarbour 71]

Thanks to everyone for posting your experiences!

 

I have read that late seating is at 8:45. What time was early seating?

 

What time did boarding begin?

 

How was debarkation?

 

:)

[G.M.T.]

There is an ATM onboard. I don't know if it worked because I never saw it but I passed it several times. Can't remember which deck it was on -- would guess 2, 3 or 9, as you said most everything was on those decks.

There are NO ATMs on any Costa ships.

 

I think what you saw was (were) the terminls where you could book shore excursions online, without waiting inline at the excursion desk.

 

Ron

[sunlover58]

Anyone back from Atlantica? Have another question- I know from reading some of your reviews that there are no craps tables in the casino but how about roulette? Anyone do the specialty restaurant? Read that dining room was not so great, was this venue any better? We are sailing in the spring and loved the price of our trip but am now getting nervous about reviews about the food which several of you have written about. I have 5 couples going and we don't want to be disappointed on our trip due to poor service and dining. Also, what time di you folks board in FLL? We like to get on early to enjoy the day so since sailing isn't until 7pm wondered if they still aloow early boarding. Most lines start about 11 so that is our plan this time. We are doing western itinerary so if any of you have done that trip would love to hear how the ports were- docking or tendering? i know that all tender to Grand Cayman but don't know about the rest of the stops. Also, where in Key West does the ship dock? Love it when the ship docks in town as opposed to having to take the train into town from the base dock.