Back from Fortuna last week

[Chatim]

We were on the Fortuna last week, DH, myself, our two sons ( 7 and 8), my mother and two friends-some have never crusied before, some have been on most lines.

Totally subjective review-

Food was largely like any banquet, fine, but few standouts. Our waiter, Aaron, was great and tried to amuse the children with napkin folding, magic tricks, and remembered the drink requests after the first day. We went to the buffet one night and were very disappointed, only one line open (after the first shore day when a number of people chose the buffet), they served food that was a memory from the night before in the main dining room. Breakfast was the same every day in the buffet, some of our group tried the restaurant for breakfast and enjoyed that

 

Children's program-our boys loved Club Squok and wanted to be there every chance they got-staff were knowledgeable on handling kids and seemed glad to see them every day. No children were allowed in the hot tubs (6 total on board) they were told by security to leave the hot tub next to the water slide. For my boys, since that was the rule they stayed out of the hot tubs, but they had a view from the slide and children's pool of the hot tubs where parents were bringing their toddlers and infants and having them in the hot tubs-no security spoke to the parents or made them remove the small children. Life lesson for my boys on "rules aren't always fair", but something I would fault Costa for. Also, children were not welcome at the games around the pool-plastic darts or hula hoop throwing were not open to them. (I would not have a problem with them being excluded from "adult" or suggestive games, but I don't think plastic darts qualifies as "adult" only fare.) So I'd say mixed review on having children on this line.

 

Cabin was very well laid out and organized, and our steward (Jerome) was very attentive. Space around the bed and in the cabinets was adequate, we had connecting cabins and even with the doors open there was room to move around.

 

Lot of announcements, in all languages-we enjoyed that, trying to figure out each translation. Beautiful ship, so highly decorated almost gaudy but fun to see elaborate design everywhere. Any areas we saw were very clean, they did seem slow to clean up food and drink remains (plates, glasses)

 

Lots of smoking, and non-smoking areas immediately adjacent to smoking areas made non-smoking just as smoke filled as smoking. Most lounges and bars were smoky, and the casino was constant smoke throughout. Great option for smokers to have a "smoke-friendly" line, but as non-smokers we stayed out of those areas, so probably saved money on gambling and drinks!

 

Overall, great value for the price, and that was our common feeling at the end of the cruise. I would likely not choose Costa again but would pay a little more for another line, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely either.

 

I'd be happy to answer any questions on specific things.

Tina:)

[guxu]

Children's program-our boys loved Club Squok and wanted to be there every chance they got-staff were knowledgeable on handling kids and seemed glad to see them every day. No children were allowed in the hot tubs (6 total on board) they were told by security to leave the hot tub next to the water slide. For my boys, since that was the rule they stayed out of the hot tubs, but they had a view from the slide and children's pool of the hot tubs where parents were bringing their toddlers and infants and having them in the hot tubs-no security spoke to the parents or made them remove the small children. Life lesson for my boys on "rules aren't always fair", but something I would fault Costa for.

My boy loved Club Squok too. And he did not even want to leave the ship when we went shore excursion :o .

 

Some hot tubs are reserved for adults only. But I believe the hot tub besides the water slide is open to children. However, the rule is they have to be supervised by adults. Were you there when your boys were asked to leave the hot tub?

[Chatim]

Glad yours had a great time at Squok! We were there when they were asked to leave the hot tub, adults were in it and pointed to the sign that said 16 and older. The next day mine were not in it but alongside in the pool, and security told two boys (about 9 years old) to leave, it was just for adults. The sign said over 16, so evidently that is the rule. Either my husband or I was with them anytime they were not in the club, so I don't think it was lack of supervision. Like you, I think the one near the slide would make sense to be open to children.

Seems like a small thing, but a disappointment to them, along with not being able to participate in the games listed in the daily schedule it spoiled some time for them. Not the vacation though-we had other fun!:o

Tina