Ran off Costa Diadema - wish I was in better shape.

[CoupleUK]

Just finished our 7 night Christmas Cruise aboard Costa Diadema.

 

I wish I was in better shape, as I could have ran away from the awful experience even faster than I managed.

 

This was our 41st cruise and our 7th aboard an italian line - and it was my worst ever cruise.

 

Our Samsara Suite (11005) was one of the largest on the ship - and for the most part it was wonderful. OK so the curtains weren't actually wide enough to keep the daylight out, the only light allowed on the huge balcony were blue fluorescent tubes, the stupidly designed above-bath shower screen slid back and forth at night (requiring the use of a bathrobe cord to tie it up) and the wifi was so poor in the cabin that I could only manage to get 500mb of my expensive 3GB package.

 

Stewards stored their trolleys outside the door, store rooms and a chemical closet were opposite and an extremely loud flushing system went off every 10 to 15 minutes from before 7am (I think it was a waste system for the stewards - or our neighbouring cruisers had really upset stomachs all week)

 

The TV billing system did not work - the first charging error of $114 from the Spa. I queried it at Guest Services and was advised that I must go to the Spa to correct it - even though it was their error and I had never set foot inside the spa.........The second overcharge (again by the Spa) was for $210 so I did indeed go to sort it with them. I was advised that I really shouldn't worry about these things and they would all get sorted when they found the issues. Reassuring, not.

 

We were lucky as our cabin choice came with the Interdore [sp] top beverage package. There was a total choice of TWO different wines at each bar - if you wanted something different you had to wait for dinner or go to the wine bar on deck 5 (after 7pm of an evening as most bars didn't open until then). My only draft beer offering was Heineken (I do like lime in my lager but Costa dont do cordials). Never mind, I could have the world-standard Strongbow cider - erm no, they don't have that either.

 

I have NEVER been on a cruise with such a limited beverage choice.

 

I heard someone say Gelato and Crepes were included on the Interdore package - sorry, they aren't.

 

So, the CLUB RESTAURANT - it actually felt like I was sat in a meeting room - all of the tables lined up in neat rows. Not a table for two in the whole place - unless you consider a 6 inch space between tables as separating them. The Maitre'd (Manager) was utterly useless - there was no organisation/training at all. My plates were removed while my wife was eating. On more than one occasion, the waiters placed new cutlery for my next course and then leant across or around her to lay her cutlery while she was still eating.

 

The food was nice but the whole ambiance of the place made for a disappointing dining experience. By day 4 we felt we couldn't eat another mouthful of mozzarella or pasta. The choice at mealtimes was embarrassing - we saw a vegetable twice in 7 days (a tiny gathering of 5 runner beans one day and a single carrot on the other).

 

The buffet restaurant was just as bad as on many cruise lines - a poor selection, not very hot and a game of treasure hunt to compile a meal. Only Celebrity manages to get the buffet right.

 

You will note that I was careful to mention that we had sailed a few times with another Italian cruise line - so please don't say "oh you must remember you are on an Italian ship" to excuse the really poor quality offer from Costa.

 

I knew what the shows would be like - but it scares me that someone said Diadema was the flagship so had the best entertainment - OMG I dread to think what the other ships offer. Strangely, the only 2 shows which stood out were ones with a Christmas theme; Im guessing these were put together by the entertainment staff and not head office etc.

 

But who the hell designed the theatre? The stage is very deep and they do use most of it - which means only those sitting in the centre of the theatre will see the whole show; I honestly believe 70% of the theatre space is useless for its intended purpose. 

There is more I can comment on but - as was suggested to the International Host in the theatre - there isn't much point.

Costa won't be on our cruise list moving forward - and even if they did listen to guests and implement changes, they will still be years behind the competition.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2018 by CoupleUK

[cliffy97]

Paul & Ann-Marie - 

 

I am feeling your pain! We were on this very same cruise and I have to agree with almost all of your comments!

 

This was our 3rd with Costa and we had always had great experiences previously so did not expect anything different on this cruise.

 

Cabin - Despite many complaints it never got below ~22/23c - the only person who cared was our cabin steward.

 

Food -

• MDR - Very inconsistent in quality/taste/variety/service. The first night dinner took just under 3 hours and on average we were 2+ hours with the first dish coming to the table approx 1hr after sitting down. One night I ordered from the kids menu to find something I would be happy with (I am a picky eater, but can normally find something I can eat). Also Breakfast was always a Scrum, even though I thought they did a great Ham and Cheese Omlette, I could not handle the craziness.
• Buffet - Very inconsistent in quality/taste/variety/opening. As you said it was a treasure hunt to put an actual meal together.
• Teppanyaki - By far the worst we have ever been to. It was tasteless with some poor quality meats and the show was not good either.
• Burger Place - Decent but nothing to write home about
• PIzza Place - Yes you have to pay for the Pizza - This was by far our best meal on board.       

Staff - Except for 3/4 people I found most staff to be rude/unfriendly. Now I don't expect a lot but common courtesy goes a long way.

 

Bars - Yes overall quite limited, but you should have had access to whatever you wanted with your package. We ended up in the Beer bar on deck 5. This would have been free for you but even at €2.50 a beer with our package was worth it. Also the service was top notch!

 

We did speak to the Hospitality Desk about some of our concerns and the International host called me back 2 days later to discuss them.  Offered Pizza or Crepes as an apology, I suggested an OBC to cover part of the teppanyaki and she said she would see what they could do. Here I am at home and I am still waiting to hear.  I want to be very clear, I was not expecting any credit when I complained, I really just wanted a colder room.

 

I did however think the Panettone left in the cabin on Christmas Eve was a nice touch.

 

I could continue, but overall we are just disappointed after great experiences previously. 

 

Dan

 

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2019 by cliffy97
Added something

[CoupleUK]

Hi Dan

 

Yes, I did see the "beer bar" and popped in to see the various unknown brands on draft and by the bottle.

 

I would have given it a go - but my wife would still not have got her preferred wine (unless we kept running back/forth to the wine bar). I have never been on any cruise line with such a restrictive choice - I would have been seriously fuming if we'd paid for the drinks package separately (obviously we did within the cabin price but it's psychologically less noticeable that way lol)

I was going to go in there for the football one day - as there wasn't anything else to do - but, after the whole Costa experience I guess I fell into the mindset of the crew - and I just couldn't be bothered.

Oh well. only 11 days until we fly to Caribbean for a 14N B2B aboard MSC Seaside - the smallest cabin at sea with (I kid you not) only 2 drawers and one tiny wardrobe for storage BUT I know we will get a far superior level of service.

Edited January 1, 2019 by CoupleUK

[cliffy97]

16 minutes ago, CoupleUK said:

Oh well. only 11 days until we fly to Caribbean for a 14N B2B aboard MSC Seaside - the smallest cabin at sea with (I kid you not) only 2 drawers and one tiny wardrobe for storage BUT I know we will get a far superior level of service.

 

The beer was worth it, but yes that is all the sold!

 

Hope you have a great time on the Seaside. We are looking at MSC again (been on 2 and loved it), now just need to find the time.

 

 

[CoupleUK]

Yacht Club EVERY time - prices are rising so we "make do" with an inside cabin now - but the whole experience is fantastic (OK so the cabin is ridiculously tiny and the layout is frustrating BUT the whole experience makes up for that)

 

Like you, we love Celebrity but prices are just ridiculous now - though TAs are great value.

[tenpin]

As a 35 times Costa cruiser I have to agree with all these comments, about the awful Diadema. This was the first year we have not spent our anniversary with them in 21 years as only the Diadema was available (we don't do long haul flights) after spending three weeks on the Diadema over Christmas & new year & February  last year, we point blank refuse to consider this ship ever again.

Even the offer of an free upgrade and OBC could not tempt us, we cruised with MSC instead.

The CLUB dining room is a total joke vastly over crowded with the fittest guest pushing in front of the slower ones to get a table, surely number table like the MDR is that answer. food as said very poor, Sea Bass stuffed with mash lumpy potatoes, over cooked prawns and often my only choice was the salad bar.

Flag ship indeed Jolly Roger  me thinks.

Edited January 2, 2019 by tenpin
spelling

[CoupleUK]

as it has been mentioned - we've had prawns/shrimp on board Costa and MSC now and every time they taste terrible - there is little flavour and to me they taste powdery and dry.

 

Is it just me? Have they been frozen too long? - there must be a reason for it.

I love them but cannot order them now as I know it will be a disappointment.

[greg2014]

I have a question about Beer Bar on Diadema. Could you say how many and which types of beer they have ? Are those beers included in Brindiamo package ? Thank you for any answers.

[tenpin]

Not sure I can help with this one, even though we have been on Diadema three times & even walked through the beer bar next to Casino, plenty on bottles on show but we never saw it open, maybe just our timings as we retire fairly early.

 

 

[cliffy97]

On 1/2/2019 at 2:37 PM, greg2014 said:

I have a question about Beer Bar on Diadema. Could you say how many and which types of beer they have ? Are those beers included in Brindiamo package ? Thank you for any answers.

 The beers are only included in the Intidore package. however you do get 50% off with the Brindiamo Package. I really enjoyed the Agrumato myself.

IMG_2177.HEIC

IMG_2178.HEIC

[greg2014]

cliffy97 - thank you for help 🙂 could you check images you inserted - I cannot open them.

[cliffy97]

21 hours ago, greg2014 said:

cliffy97 - thank you for help 🙂 could you check images you inserted - I cannot open them.

Try These.. Not sure what happened,

[greg2014]

Cliffy97 - thank you, now I see pictures very well 🙂