Amazing Time on Costa Toscana - A Trip report

[energyuk]

I know Costa Cruises don't get that good representation on this site so thought I would add my positive experience I have just had onboard their flagship, Costa Toscana.

 

Am posting this here as well in case people don't bother reading the review section of this site.

 

Just back from a great week on Costa Toscana, Booked this cruise whilst onboard the same ship when it was in Dubai. Booking onboard gives you a discount off the cruise fare price, rather than Onboard Spend which other cruise lines offer. At the moment it is 10% so can be a quite significant discount.

With Costa on most of their cruises you can board at any point it stops at generally, so I chose to board in Marseille, as flights were best suited for this board point for me. One benefit of this is that there are not usually thousands of people all trying to board the same day, yes the main board ports will be busier of course. When I arrived there were no queues and I was processed very quickly and was onboard within 10 minutes of arriving at the port.

The lifeboat drill can now be done electronically via the app as with most other cruise lines.

Toscana is the latest delivery and Costa's Flagship in the fleet, she is stunning from the outside to look at with a wrap round promenade deck which you can walk all the way round. There is lots of outside seating areas including some very quiet and secluded ones towards the bow. At the back is the Infinity bar which is just the best bar to relax and watch the sea go by.

Internally the ship décor is a big step change from the older Costa ships, Toscana I would describe as more beach inspired with bright vibrant colours, don't expect subtle colours on the stair cases or in the cabins.

Without fail, all the staff I came into contact with were genuinely friendly, and were always happy to chat when they had time. All the staff speak English and Costa have a Language Host onboard who can help with the more complicated queries for those that the bar or waiting staff can't help with. I would say that it is very impressive for most of the bar and waiting staff to speak their native language, plus English, and enough Italian, Spanish and French to get by with for their positions.

Toscana has a suite restaurant which was outstanding, sometimes the menu gets a bit lost in translation but the ambiance, service and food were superb.

The main shows are in the Colosseo which is over 3 decks in the middle of the ship, this seems a victim of its own success and in order to get a good seat you need to be there at least 30 minutes before the show starts, however the shows put on there are fantastic, very energetic and the staging / effects of the venue are outstanding. 

The suite itself was fantastic, a separate lounge and bedroom area that could be shut off with sliding doors to make 2 separate areas. The lounge has a single sofa with can be made into a single bed using the sofa as the bed, no pull out bed, or metal bars to deal with. Above it is a upper berth which looked a good size. Lots of wardrobe space and 2 balconies.

Must admit I had breakfast on the balcony every day, one thing that Costa excels at is room service breakfast. Very well presented and freshly cooked.

Had a thoroughly good time on Toscana and can't wait for my next Costa cruise!

 

[Rothko1]

Glad to hear you had such a great time!  Always better when the trip exceeds expectations!

[Oggiabordo]

I’m glad you enjoyed your cruise so much ! I have taken several cruises on her. She is magnificent, and i am looking forward to trying her sister Costa Smeralda later this year 😁

[MAR-74]

Thank you so much for your review. My family and I took the maiden voyage of the Costa Smeralda and we enjoyed it a lot. And now, we will be cruising in the Costa Toscana next August, in a suite so I was very happy to know that you liked the suite restaurant.

And I also have in mind having breakfast in the balcony. 

 

[gerryuk]

Did Toscana from Barcelona to Dubai and Dubai to Genoa. The ship and staff were top notch. On both sailings the ship was just over half full. Not sure what it would be like with more than 5000 pax on board, though.  

[nwcruiselover]

Thank you for this review.  I will be on Toscana in March 2024 from Dubai to Rome.  It will be my first time on Costa and I’m looking forward to it.

[Bill B]

On 7/28/2023 at 3:38 AM, nwcruiselover said:

I will be on Toscana in March 2024 from Dubai to Rome. It will be my first time on Costa and I’m looking forward to it.

 

I'll be on with you - Dubai to Savona and the following Savona to Rome cruise for a back-to-back. I've been on the Concordia and Victoria... looking forward to the Toscana.

[Twinbooty]

Did anyone on this topic sail around the Emirates like Dubai, Qatar, Oman Abu Dhabi and if so, can you please tell me if the casino was open or closed ?

Thanks in advance.

[Kezzah83]

On 6/20/2023 at 5:47 PM, energyuk said:

I know Costa Cruises don't get that good representation on this site so thought I would add my positive experience I have just had onboard their flagship, Costa Toscana.

 

Am posting this here as well in case people don't bother reading the review section of this site.

 

Just back from a great week on Costa Toscana, Booked this cruise whilst onboard the same ship when it was in Dubai. Booking onboard gives you a discount off the cruise fare price, rather than Onboard Spend which other cruise lines offer. At the moment it is 10% so can be a quite significant discount.

With Costa on most of their cruises you can board at any point it stops at generally, so I chose to board in Marseille, as flights were best suited for this board point for me. One benefit of this is that there are not usually thousands of people all trying to board the same day, yes the main board ports will be busier of course. When I arrived there were no queues and I was processed very quickly and was onboard within 10 minutes of arriving at the port.

The lifeboat drill can now be done electronically via the app as with most other cruise lines.

Toscana is the latest delivery and Costa's Flagship in the fleet, she is stunning from the outside to look at with a wrap round promenade deck which you can walk all the way round. There is lots of outside seating areas including some very quiet and secluded ones towards the bow. At the back is the Infinity bar which is just the best bar to relax and watch the sea go by.

Internally the ship décor is a big step change from the older Costa ships, Toscana I would describe as more beach inspired with bright vibrant colours, don't expect subtle colours on the stair cases or in the cabins.

Without fail, all the staff I came into contact with were genuinely friendly, and were always happy to chat when they had time. All the staff speak English and Costa have a Language Host onboard who can help with the more complicated queries for those that the bar or waiting staff can't help with. I would say that it is very impressive for most of the bar and waiting staff to speak their native language, plus English, and enough Italian, Spanish and French to get by with for their positions.

Toscana has a suite restaurant which was outstanding, sometimes the menu gets a bit lost in translation but the ambiance, service and food were superb.

The main shows are in the Colosseo which is over 3 decks in the middle of the ship, this seems a victim of its own success and in order to get a good seat you need to be there at least 30 minutes before the show starts, however the shows put on there are fantastic, very energetic and the staging / effects of the venue are outstanding. 

The suite itself was fantastic, a separate lounge and bedroom area that could be shut off with sliding doors to make 2 separate areas. The lounge has a single sofa with can be made into a single bed using the sofa as the bed, no pull out bed, or metal bars to deal with. Above it is a upper berth which looked a good size. Lots of wardrobe space and 2 balconies.

Must admit I had breakfast on the balcony every day, one thing that Costa excels at is room service breakfast. Very well presented and freshly cooked.

Had a thoroughly good time on Toscana and can't wait for my next Costa cruise!

 

We have just booked out first ever cruise on Toscana for next year, and have opted for a suite.

 

A couple of questions, if you don't mind?

 

The suite restaurant, is this the MDR for suite guests or additional. And if it is additional, does it need to be prebooked?

Also i have read room service breakfast is included for suites, what about room service at other times of the day?

And lastly, i am presuming the mini bar in the room is included?

 

Great review by the way... I have been searching high and low for info on the suites! 

[energyuk]

The suite restaurant is a separate entity to the MDR, it is the Bella Vista restaurant located deck 8 forward, purely for suite guests only, it is amazing, an open kitchen and great service, they have open sitting for breakfast and lunch and set seating for dinner with allocated tables which you can roughly chose on the first day, your booking should show which sitting you are / requested. 

 

Room service is included for all meals, you place it with the room service number and the butler will it to your room for you. Have to say breakfast is great, so well presented, table cloth on tray with rose! 

 

Not sure about any mini bar in the room, depending on what drinks package you have the butler can provide soft drinks, water etc and will also bring acholic cocktails if you want them to the suite. .

 

Ask away for any other questions.

[Kezzah83]

Thanks fmso much for that, it's really helpful. So as a suite guest, we will be allocated a table at Bella vista automatically? I'm sure it will all become clear when we board but like having an idea of what to expect beforehand.

[MAR-74]

As already mentioned, Bella Vista is the exclusive restaurant for suites. For dinner you will always have the same table reserved and they will tell you what time they assign you dinner. For breakfast and lunch you can go at any time during opening hours and they will give you a table depending on occupancy.

Regarding room service, I only used it to order breakfast and it was fantastic, the presentation, the quality of the food, superb. 

And yes, drinks from the minibar are included. They replenish what you consume daily. There is water, juice, soda, cold tea and beer, if I remember correctly. And ther is also a nespresso. 

We really enjoyed the experience, not only because of the suite itself, but also because of the exclusive area on the deck, with sun loungers and a jacuzzi. In August the ship was overcrowded and having that exclusive space was incredible. And of course, the friendliness of the waiters and the quality of the food at Buena Vista. Nothing to do with the MDR. 

 

 

[wcook]

On 1/9/2024 at 1:10 AM, Twinbooty said:

Did anyone on this topic sail around the Emirates like Dubai, Qatar, Oman Abu Dhabi and if so, can you please tell me if the casino was open or closed ?

Thanks in advance.

 
A bit of a late answer… the casino is closed when in port, and the ship is in port a lot. 

[skullartistry]

hi there

 i found youre review very helpful, if you dont mind mind lol i have a couple of questions...

first time cruiser here ... was wondering specifically about  included dining options,

do you go to youre allocated dining room for breakfast, or the buffet,??

is the buffet open for  lunch and evening meal?? thankyou in advance

 

[MAR-74]

Hi

For breakfast you can go to the buffet or to the different restaurants, where breakfast is served a la carte. The schedules will be specified each day. And you can freely choose where to go.

Dinner is served only in the assigned restaurant. The buffet closes.

 

[susantx3]

Way off Topic but looking for the Costa Toscana Port in Barcelona.  Leaving on the    Nov 18th thru 25, 2024.

 

Will be transferring from Norwegian Encore arriving in Southampton on the 17th

 

and then transferring again to Virgin Scarlet lady on the 28th

 

All the cool kids Cruise on the Toscana

 

OP, glad you enjoyed your cruise (I read your review before I booked my trip)

[Dancer Bob]

barcelonacruiseterminal.com/schedule (A thank you to eugeniod1995.)

Lots of information on the Spain Ports board, alserrod has been very helpful.

[susantx3]

3 hours ago, Dancer Bob said:

barcelonacruiseterminal.com/schedule (A thank you to eugeniod1995.)

Lots of information on the Spain Ports board, alserrod has been very helpful.

 

Thank You

 

Researching now how to get water.  It looks like you buy water bottle at Dinner.  Do US customers still get free water for Breakfast and Lunch?