Costa Magica Dinner Times, Midnight Buffet

[Kenhel]

We are looking forward to our March 12th Costa Magica cruise and have some food questions.

 

1. What time is the early dinner seating on the West Carribean itinerary?

 

2. How often is the midnight buffet? I have heard cruises have a chocolate buffet as well - does the Magica have one?

 

3. We are considering :rolleyes: having dinner with our kids (age 15 and 12) on Gala night instead of sending them to the kids buffet. How many teens attend the GALA evening with their parents??

 

Answers to some or all questions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thank you...we find this board very informative.

 

 

Helen and Ken

Oakville, Ontario :)

CANADA

[skolega]

We are sailing on the Magica on March 12th. We are a family of 6-4 kids ages 17-15-12-9. I am thinking that there will be about 9 more kids and their parents booking soon to make us a very large party. I was excited to see the great review that came out today. We have sailed Costa before and loved it. I can't really answer any of your questions...I can barely make it to midnight...but I am sure my kids will be at the midnight buffet whenever it is.

[Cruise4Andy]

Helen & Ken:

 

I am sure you are getting excited about your cruise...

 

Costa has a midnight buffet (or better say "function") on every night, but some nights (like the first) are not really buffets. They serve sandwiches or other treats in the lobby area, one night is international buffet night, where you'll find different European nations specialties throughout the second deck, from the lounge in the bow to the lounge in the aft.

 

We had our teens attending the Gala night with us, the last time they were with us (both 12). But they also attended their own dinner (which was the night after Cozumel)... they had a "mexican themed" dinner.

 

The times for early seating vary slightly, but if I remember correctly, it is somewhere between 6:00 and 7:00. The exact times will be printed in your daily newsletter, the "TODAY", which you'll find delivered to your cabin daily.

 

BTW: What time is the midnight buffet??? LOL (Just kidding!)

 

And no joke, that may vary also slightly, so look for the times in the "TODAY"

 

Have fun...

 

Andy

[Cruzin4aBruzin]

I just wanted to confirm that early seating is indeed 6pm. And I see no problem with having your children enjoy the gala dinner with you.

 

As andy mentioned, every night does have a midnight buffet. For instance, the last night they had a "flambee" midnight buffet. There were various stations set up around the atrium featuring different flambees. Also do not miss the ethnic midnight buffet. There are stations just like andy mentioned--such as calamari in greece (name a cruise line that served all you can eat Fried Calamari?), Pasta in France, chicken skewers in Spain, etc. Plus, they have entertainment from each country and you can go around and get your "passport" stamped. Its very fun.

[Marc&Tara]

Where you found flambee and Calamari on the midnight buffets. We went all nights in passing with Pete and Alison and all we found around the pool were fruits and cold cuts and sandwiches night after night. Except, of course, the one night they had a dessert only themed buffet....

 

It's almost sounding wayyyy to positive from CruisnforBrusin to be a real poster and not a Costa insider........ very intersting the other posts dissappear and then all of a sudden out of nowhere this mystery COSTA LOVER shows up with not even one critique of the ship. What did you think of the lines on and off of the ship Crusin? Also, how can you say there were not a lot of Italian speaking people on the ship?

 

very strange to say the least.... and let me guess A/C worked perfectly everywhere too right??? and the dinner food you say was excellent??? Have you ever had anything other than Burger King or Pizza Hut outside of a cruise?? Ever been to a steak house???? That meat was terrible on the ship - I mean come one, seriously???? To say it was excellent and Top quality is indeed "over the top"...... The prime Rib night was ok, but no night was Excellent by any means..... and let me guess the decks of the pool weren't crowded at all either??????

 

ok.... and the staff were wearing what kind of hats on New Years??? Hint: Party hats are not the right answer.........

[Cruise4Andy]

Marc & Tara:

I kind of getting tired of this now, but I really have to ask you this question:

What is wrong with you?

 

Did we not agree before, that everybody is entitled to their own opinion?

So why do you have to question Cruisin4aBruzin opinion about the cruise???

 

He liked it, loved it and enjoyed it... so what's wrong with that?

Just because someone loves their cruise, does not make him or her an automatic INSIDER of the cruise line... (which also applies to me, as you also accused me working for Costa)... Funny! ;-)

 

You are wondering why your posts are disappearing? No wonder, as almost every single post from you has some kind of an attitude, verbage or insults against either another poster and CC member or something else.

 

Please play by the rules and be considerate to other posters, ethnic groups, etc. and leave the discrimination and attitude at home. Thank you...

 

 

Andy

[TommyJoe]

I agree with Cruise4Andy.

 

Marc&Tara we've heard your opinions and have heard enough. You're certainly entitled to post an opinion of your personal cruise experience, but you're definitely not entitled to make judgements on someone elses experiences. That kind of useless blather is not appropriate in any situation, especially on these boards. Take your negativity to another site, or better yet, step away from the keyboard and find something constructive to put your efforts toward. I'm sure you have better things to do than try and ruin someone elses experience because you couldn't get over your own perceived bad situation. Life is what you make it pal, and I see you making yours into a long, toiling life of negativity and self-pity. The rest of us won't be dragged in with you.

 

So get with the program. I still have hope for you.:)

[macd2]

On the 12/16 Magica sailing, first seating was at 5:30 and 5:45, depending on your assigned dining room. Second seating was at 8:30 and 8:45 depending on your assigned dining room.

[randych]

BTW: Just in case people may not know about this...

 

There's a nice feature on these boards where you can add posters to an "Ignore List." Simply choose the "Quick Links" at the top of this page, choose "User Control Panel" and then choose "Buddy / Ignore Lists" from the menu on the left. Add a username and... viola, you never see those posts again.

 

So if you want to avoid the positve comments posted by some, simply add those usernames to the list. If you want to avoid the negacruisers and conspiracy theorists, simply add them.

 

It's easy to do, and makes reading the boards much quicker/practical :)

[itsmlf]

Weve all heard quite enough of Marc and his negative.....im beginning to think they are employees of another cruise line. Nobody but nobody agreed with him that was on the same cruise. Having said that Ill not reply to his jabber again

[Cruzin4aBruzin]

As I previously mentioned, if you read my post, flambee buffet night was on the last night of the entire cruise on deck 5--specifically in the area of the casino. As for the calamari--it was definately there--I ate quite a bit of it. I dont recall the exact date of it, but they advertise the "ethnic" event profusely that day of the cruise so that you can prepare. In fact, they even give you a card in your room telling you where the various ethnicities will be located in the ship--complete with map. My question to you, sir, is how could you travel decks 3-5 and miss all of the hoopla? Its not like this was a tucked away event.

 

The buffet you speak of did in fact occur. EXCEPT, there was only ONE buffet up by the pool area and yes they served only desserts and sandwiches. It was the night of the tropical themed dinner. And never once did any of the other midnight buffets repeat this dessert and sandwich theme--so I dont know where you were going to your buffets?

 

And yes Marc, you got me! I work for Costa! Opps! :rolleyes: Give me a break. I'm very very sorry, sir, that I actually enjoyed my Costa cruise. And, yes, I honestly had very few critiques of the ship. I know this is a rare event, but it happened and that's why I enjoyed Costa so much. And I dont know what type of ship you have ever been on, but guess what marc? There are 3000 people on board--lines are bound to happen. It has happened on all of my 20 cruises. Deal with it. And when did I say there where no italians on board? Of course there where. Did that bother me? No. Why would it? I find people of other ethnicities on other lines too. So what?

 

And, yes, the a/c did infact work. Was it not supposed to? And how rude of you to ask if I have been anywhere besides Pizza Hut or Burger King? Who do you think you are? Listen here, marc, my family and I are well seasoned travelers. We have dined at places like Emeril's in New Orleans, and other top restaurants throughout New York and Paris. Dont ever question my taste. Yes, *as I said,* the food was excellent. Why dont you head on over to carnival if you want bad food--there you will find thin steaks and meals with no thought put into them. And yes, every meat I had was excellent. The filet mignon was thick, juicy, and hot. Is it comparble to something Emeril Lagasse might serve in his restaurant? No. But for cooking for 3000 people at once it was pretty good. I was very satisfied. As for the pool deck--of course it was crowded--same as any other cruise. Where do you think all 3000 people are on a sunny day in the Caribbean? Inside? Nope. I'm sorry, I guess Costa doesnt have the "marc&tara" reserved seating like all the others :rolleyes: . I didnt have trouble finding a chair. And lastly, I have no idea what sort of snide remark you were making toward the crew wearing hats on new years? They distributed hats and noisemakers and confetti to throw. And, yes, I saw some crew wearing the hats--its their new year too you know. I guess you must be like those cartoon characters--you know, the ones with the rain cloud that constantly follows them through life.

 

I thought I was being helpful giving a review of Costa because for me they were a real mystery. I couldnt find a lot on the net about them--so I wanted to tell others about my experiences. You are making these people think they are sailing in a tanker or something and its quite the opposite. I dont really care what you say, but I'll sail Costa again for sure. And if it were free? Yes, I would be there with bells on.

[rocktheboat]

And where were you mark before your first nasty post.

 

Next time pay for your own trip and than come back and complain, a free trip and all you do is complain.

 

I didn't care for the food, so what. These people liked it, why do you care. It's enough already,