Costa Mediterranea

[Raj.K]

I have never been with Costa Cruises.

 

Having been on RCI (concierge class cabins - Grand Suites) and MSC (yacht club balcony suites), do you think Costa Mediterranea Balcony Premium cabins would be worth trying, specially on a 2 week cruise? In particular, the reviews of cabins, service and privileges of suites and so called premium cabins seems not to be that great despite the price being slightly attractive.

 

Are the service charges on Costa mandatory or optional?

Are public spaces usually crowded?

Any views on the best deck to go for the Outside Balcony Premium (BP) cabins please?

 

I have no idea what difference Samsara experience makes on Costa....

 

Not that many recent reviews of the Mediterranea seem positive. So input would be appreciated.

 

[tenpin]

Hi, The Mediterranea is quite a small ship by Costa's standards now, the so called suites are up-graded balcony cabins with an added Jacuzzi bath & dressing room. Butler service with various perks like separate dining room, premium cabin really only offer you choice of dining times & drinks packages,

The service charge is fixed & cannot be removed  (not all Countries) as a small ship it does not get crowded we have been on her three times and always manage to get a seat in the evenings in the wine bar.

Samsara cabins & suite are on upper decks & give you access to spa, & on most ships a separate dining room.

 

As with all cruises if the price is good the itinerary right them give it a try. They certainly are not like RCI bt simular to MSC.

 

WE have done over thirty with Costa & overall enjoyed them all.

[greg2014]

On Mediterranea there is no Samsara Spa so they do not sell Samsara cabins.

I had premium balcony cabin on this ship - it was OK and similar to other Costa ships. For me nothing to claim.

Service charge - depends. In some countries (f.e. Germany) it is included in price. In most other countries from Europe it is mandatory. For non-european I do not know. Please ask agent - they could have different policy.

On public spaces it also depends 🙂 After show in theatre or before starting dinner in restaurant it could be - but you can be sure that always find something not crowded too much for you.

 

[tenpin]

Yes sorry about the Samsara, we have never used it as consider it very overpriced although we was up-graded once to a balcony on deck ten, & had a look around. Ate in the restaurant once also when it was called Asian fusion, forget what ship.

The Mediteranea is different to others as most action takes place on decks two & three instead of five.

 

So many ships, & getting old I don't remember all of them.

[Raj.K]

On 5/22/2019 at 10:22 AM, tenpin said:

Hi, The Mediterranea is quite a small ship by Costa's standards now, the so called suites are up-graded balcony cabins with an added Jacuzzi bath & dressing room. Butler service with various perks like separate dining room, premium cabin really only offer you choice of dining times & drinks packages,

The service charge is fixed & cannot be removed  (not all Countries) as a small ship it does not get crowded we have been on her three times and always manage to get a seat in the evenings in the wine bar.

Samsara cabins & suite are on upper decks & give you access to spa, & on most ships a separate dining room.

 

As with all cruises if the price is good the itinerary right them give it a try. They certainly are not like RCI bt simular to MSC.

 

WE have done over thirty with Costa & overall enjoyed them all.

Hi tenpin,

 

Where on the ship would you go for a BP cabin (deck and position) if you had a choice. Would like a balance of a quiet cabin with the convenience of access to the public facilities (bars, restaurants etc.). I know you mentioned that the best cabins with the views are AFT suites, so wondered where the best BP cabins might be (particularly on the Mediterranea)?

 

Really appreciate your full and speedy responses.

 

Raj

 

[panamapd]

Hi again Raj! We have disembarked the Costs fascinoca today. We had a great time but all of our family agreed that out of all the Costs the costa med is our fave.  We have sailed on her a couple of times and really enjoyed the vibe.  That being said, celebrity would be our choice for a 14 night cruise.  At the moment not a bad itinerary out of Southampton but for aug. No fly and drinks included. We found celeb fantastic a couple of years ago but it was the fjords and iceland, this one is Ireland and island but would still do it as even a basic basic basic cabin on celeb wou!d be enjoyable!!

[Janet&Carl]

The Costa Suites are no where near like YC on MSC but you are paying half the price.  MSC used to be very affordable and we switched to Costa after the prices went up astronomically  for YC.  We consider it closer to Aurea but not so many perks. For instance you only get one spa day not access for the entire cruise and there is no free massage.  The information about what is included is lacking on Costa and we never saw our "butler" last cruise.  We have booked our second cruise with Costa so it can't have been all that bad.  We tend to book according to where we want to go and look for good deals around our "bucket list" of places we want to visit.