Your opinion on Costa?

[LuAnn]

I received a brochure in the mail last week and was really interested in one of the cruises offered. I called my TA and she said that she had heard that Costa was terrible (her words, not mine)..problems with smoke in all the rooms etc. Last night, we had dinner with a fellow CC member who we are cruising with next month, who is also a TA, and she said Costa was great! Another case of, what you want is what you get? LuAnn

[kchesneylover]

You should read my review:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=313462

 

We had an awesome time on the Magica. The ship is absolutely beautiful, the activities (arts and crafts, tea time, spa (sauna, steam room, whirlpool are free of charge), were awesome!!

 

The food was great too! You will really enjoy Toga Night, if you do choose Costa!

 

Do not forget, you are cruising Italian Style. The main language on this Ship is Italian! In the elevators, they say the Deck Floors in Italian! It is so much fun!

 

I went on the Carnival VAlor back in October and I had a great time! But there were a lot of partiers on that ship - I don't mind that = but the Costa Magica seems above that.

 

I suggest you try it. What's to lose? You will probably have a fabulous time as I did (and I was the biggest skeptic) and you will have memories to last a lifetime! Book it !!

 

edited to add that I didn't find a problem with smokers - only deck-chair savers and buffet chair savers!! I wish I had your problem of trying to find the right cruise to go on! I have an addiction to cruising (only after 2 cruises and I am having massive withdrawal every minute of my life!!!)

[itsmlf]

I agree with the previous post. I was on Magica Feb 12th...had a great time. Ive cruised many many times and I loved this ship. The food was very good...the rooms and bathrooms good sized. The personnell were friendly and helpful...just an over all good experience. dont hesitate to book

[joetrizeo]

First cruise, took the magica from 2/26-3/5 loved it. We are second generation italian american and it was even too italian for us! this cruise is seriously for italian people. but that doesnt mean you cannot have a wonderful cruise if you are not. you will love costa if you love italian food, italian decor, italian culture. you *might* hate costa if you are use to the normal party type boats like carnival. you might also hate it if you do not like cultural diversity, on costa there are a lot of europeans, french, italian and also canadians. My perception was americans were the minority, but that did not bother me one bit.

About the food. I loved the food, it was some of the best food i've ever had in my life seriously. it is all fine dining food and high class italian eats. if you are used to casserols, burgers, fries, chicken, normal american food, you *MAY* not like the food on board. it is not normal food. most of it i have never even had in my life, but i liked that. if italian food or different food is not your thing you should be weary.

 

imho - Jim

[kchesneylover]

Joe, SHHH!!!!! Let's keep this our little secret about Costa!! I like my Italian diversity! And I am a little Southern Methodist Girl from Charlotte, NC!!! I (((heart))) Costa! (shhh!!!). I'm just playin!!! I wish I was cruisin!

 

First cruise, took the magica from 2/26-3/5 loved it. We are second generation italian american and it was even too italian for us! this cruise is seriously for italian people. but that doesnt mean you cannot have a wonderful cruise if you are not. you will love costa if you love italian food, italian decor, italian culture. you *might* hate costa if you are use to the normal party type boats like carnival. you might also hate it if you do not like cultural diversity, on costa there are a lot of europeans, french, italian and also canadians. My perception was americans were the minority, but that did not bother me one bit.

About the food. I loved the food, it was some of the best food i've ever had in my life seriously. it is all fine dining food and high class italian eats. if you are used to casserols, burgers, fries, chicken, normal american food, you *MAY* not like the food on board. it is not normal food. most of it i have never even had in my life, but i liked that. if italian food or different food is not your thing you should be weary.

 

imho - Jim

[joetrizeo]

i know its so great! by just talking to italians i learned so many italian words. i also speak german so i got to speak german to actual germans on the boat! and i even had a small conversation about how to say 'thank you' and 'your welcome' in french to a lady who didnt speak any english (and i dont speak french).

my friend met an italian girl who at the beginning of the cruise didnt know any english and by the end she was able to understand and comprehend!

[kchesneylover]

I had so much fun on the Magica. Ponte Chinkway, Deck 5! (that is what the woman said in the elevator anyway! ) I do not know how to spell Italian but that is what she said fir Deck 5!

 

:( I miss my Costa Magica Cruise!:(

[packercruising]

Yeah what they said. I wish we were still on the Costa Magica! :)

[daffodil]

we are doing our 5th cruise with Costa over new year on their new ship concordia. We've been with P&O and Fred Olsen and MSC. we live in the UK. Costa has always been a great cruise for us. As all the previous threads say " it's a good italian experience". The general standard are very good, never had cause for complaint. You can get a little tired of all the announcements in 5 different languages (bingo too!),but it's all part

of the overall atmosphere which is different from other lines.

I would not go with MSC again or Fred olsen but I can't wait for the next Costa cruise

Hope you enjoy.

[kchesneylover]

We only experienced the annoucements in 5 different languages during the muster drill. Otherwise, everything was in English - but this may not be the case when the ships sail in Europe.

 

we are doing our 5th cruise with Costa over new year on their new ship concordia. We've been with P&O and Fred Olsen and MSC. we live in the UK. Costa has always been a great cruise for us. As all the previous threads say " it's a good italian experience". The general standard are very good, never had cause for complaint. You can get a little tired of all the announcements in 5 different languages (bingo too!),but it's all part

of the overall atmosphere which is different from other lines.

I would not go with MSC again or Fred olsen but I can't wait for the next Costa cruise

Hope you enjoy.

[hadleys9538]

The others couldn't have said it better. We obviously enjoyed our first Costa cruise -- We're going again in less than two weeks!!!:D I've enjoyed all of our cruises, but our family really loves international travel, and that is what it was like cruising on a Costa ship. If you enjoy new experiences and cultural diversity, you will love a Costa cruise. (IMHO that is.)

[goldencup]

When Costa are sailing in Europe, ALL the announcements are in at least five languages and English comes about fourth or fifth. This is no problem at all, you just have to listen carefully.

[decorator_gal]

I couldn't agree more! Was on the 03/5-03/12 Eastern Caribbean Magica cruise and had an incredible time. There were so many brilliant aspects to the cruise, notably the awesome crew (no exceptions!), the fabulous food, the friendly ambience among the cruisers, the exceptional gym equipment... and the beautiful ship itself.

 

My husband and I have only sailed Holland America and the ambience was staid and a tad lowkey. We wanted something a bit more upbeat, with a certain je ne sais quoi and we got it in spades in the Magica!! I was so apprehensive about all the negative reviews yet I tried to maintain a positive attitude seeing that we had the deal of a lifetime with Costa. I am soooooooooo glad that I didn't cancel and would cruise with Costa again in a heartbeat.

[LuAnn]

I will definately look into the cruises they offer! We love Italian food, and appreciate the diversity that it sounds like the cruise line offers! This was a cruise that was primarily Spanish ports..never been there but hear it is awesome! LuAnn

[decorator_gal]

Hi Joe, I read in another thread that you posted some pics of the 3/5-3/12 cruise. Can't seem to find the link. Could you please post it again? I'd love to see them!! Your experience on the Magica closely resembled mine and I'd like to see pics taken from your perspective. Okay, if truth be known, I'm sitting here and realized I didn't take nearly enough pics. Hopefully you can share some of yours.

Thanks so much!

 

First cruise, took the magica from 2/26-3/5 loved it. We are second generation italian american and it was even too italian for us! this cruise is seriously for italian people. but that doesnt mean you cannot have a wonderful cruise if you are not. you will love costa if you love italian food, italian decor, italian culture. you *might* hate costa if you are use to the normal party type boats like carnival. you might also hate it if you do not like cultural diversity, on costa there are a lot of europeans, french, italian and also canadians. My perception was americans were the minority, but that did not bother me one bit.

About the food. I loved the food, it was some of the best food i've ever had in my life seriously. it is all fine dining food and high class italian eats. if you are used to casserols, burgers, fries, chicken, normal american food, you *MAY* not like the food on board. it is not normal food. most of it i have never even had in my life, but i liked that. if italian food or different food is not your thing you should be weary.

 

imho - Jim

[lesndave]

The Magica was awesome in every aspect.

Food - Yummy, tons of choices.

Rooms - spacious, lots of storage room, good size bathroom

Service - your wish is their command

Excursions - all booked through the ship and all GREAT

Theater entertainment - incredible! shows were first class, exciting, laser show was a highlight.

Casino - won $50 cool

Super Bingo - blast just to listen to the lady speak all the languages

Art Auctions - unexpectedly fun, and I won a piece of art

Overall - ship is very clean, workers very nice, a smile means a lot

only draw back, it is difficult to get a lounge chair on deck after about 9 am, people just leave their stuff on them and go

but I was having to much fun to care.

I wish I could live on the Magica!

[Mjasp]

Was on the Mediterranea in February and LOVED it!!! Would not mind cruising Costa again, actually would LOVE to cruise Costa again.

 

Now if they would only have their one day sale again.

 

Here is a link to to pics of the Mediterranea

 

Costa Pictures http://community.webshots.com/user/Mjasp

 

 

ENJOY!!!

[Yukon]

I was also on the Mediterranea in February and was disappointed. For the most part its just another cruise ship - the Italian influence is minimal other than there being lots of pasta at dinner. Most of the passengers on our sailing were American. What was different was that the food was boring and in some cases just bad - not in the same league as RCI at all - and the staff was poorly trained (most noticeable in the dining room). The entertainment was the best I've seen on a ship, though, and the vessel was spotlessly clean. Would I sail Costa again? Probably not, unless they had a sailing that was unique. I'm sailing with RCI twice more this year.

 

Murray

[CruisersofJersey]

There's always got to be one in the bunch

[Mjasp]

I was also on the Mediterranea in February and was disappointed. For the most part its just another cruise ship - the Italian influence is minimal other than there being lots of pasta at dinner. Most of the passengers on our sailing were American. What was different was that the food was boring and in some cases just bad - not in the same league as RCI at all - and the staff was poorly trained (most noticeable in the dining room). The entertainment was the best I've seen on a ship, though, and the vessel was spotlessly clean. Would I sail Costa again? Probably not, unless they had a sailing that was unique. I'm sailing with RCI twice more this year.

 

Murray

 

Murray...It is funny how opinions vary. I thought the food was excellent and the entertainment not good at all. I do agree with the staff not being very good.

[lawyerrose]

After spending a week on the Magica, I can't imagine why the ship got some of the negative reviews it did.

 

I'm a non-smoker and didn't find any room overly smokey (well, ok, maybe in the cigar bar!!)

 

The food was wonderful!! About the best I've had on any cruise, and I think I'm on my 9th or so.

 

I loved the entertainment. Almost didn't go to the toga party on the last night and what a mistake that would have been!! Laughed myself silly!

 

Did I say the food was great?

 

Very mixed crowd on our cruise; lots of kids b/c it was spring break. I'm not fond of bunches of rugrats running around uncontrolled, but didn't see any of that on this cruise. More Europeans and French and English Canadians than I've seen on some other cruises. Maybe b/c they know they'll hear their language in announcements and the shows. Cruise definitely has a cosmopolitan flair.

 

So don't be afraid to take a Costa cruise -- at least don't be afraid of the Magica. It's a grand ship!!

[cruising whatever]

Hmmm. I was on the Mediterranea. Food was excellent, entertainment so-so, and staff was fabulous! Can't wait to book my next cruise with Costa!

[wnyguy2003]

I guess we are in the minority. We just got off the Mediterranea on Sunday, the 2nd, and wasn't impressed overall. We thought that the service in the dining room was excellent, but the food selection for the breakfast buffet was limited, there wasn't much to do on the ship, the pools were very small, the singers and dancers were ok, the toilet started to smell after a few days, luckily saw posts about getting a mattress pad and we one of the first ones on the ship and was able to get one. Never heard anything from the Captain. We heard from him on RCCL and Princess each day.

 

Freedom of the Seas 12/06 :)

Costa Mediterranea 3/06 :(

Star Princess 11/05 :)

Jewl of the Seas 12/04 :)

[Joyce and Tim]

Sounds like it depends on which ship you are on. In Europe, I'm sure things are done a bit differently than in the Caribbean. I posted on this Costa board (the beginning of) a review of our trip on the Victoria to Greece Mar. 27 in which I compared Costa to other lines we've sailed recently. It was a great trip and we loved Costa. The only drawbacks were the frustrating embarkation process and the fact that the port times were too short. I would hope that most travelers are adventuresome enough to enjoy the company of people from countries other than their own.

As for "hearing from the captain" (previous poster) we thought it was a plus not to hear those meaningless and usually unintelligible announcements from the bridge every day. On the other hand, he and a couple other officers (accompanied by wives/dates) sat at the table next to us in the small live music lounge two nights in a row. (In the non-smoking section!) We probably could have approached him with a greeting or quesion or two. He was also present at the special party for Americans and all the other usual events (parties, photos, etc.)

As I said, it probably just depends on which ship you are on. Thumbs up for the Victoria!

Joyce

[TNTKP]

LuAnn,

You have to realize that you are posting this question on a Costa Board! I think you will get the expected, overwelmingly positive responses here.

If you want truly level, across the board ratings, check polls such as Conde Nast, etc.

We took the Magica on a 17 night transatlantic last November, which was not our first cruise, nor first transatlantic. All things considered, including the misrepresentation of our Grand suite size, and inexperienced dining room wait staff (not Italian), we will not be sailing Costa again. We just expected a different experience that Costa is either unable or unwilling to provide.

You haven't said whether you have cruised on other lines before? You will experience different moods on different cruise lines, and differnces even between ships on the same line.

Happy cruising,

Tim