Live from Costa Deliziosa World Cruise 2024

[maryann2]

4 hours ago, kremerlorraine said:

MSC announced yesterday that it has cancelled three of its cruises that were due to return to Europe in April via the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The ships will take the South Africa route instead (with no passengers).

I am booked on the Toscana March 9th Dubai to Rome and also interested in any official reports.

We were told last week probable port changes.

My two friends have already cancelled but I am in a wait and see mode. Had flights booked already.

 

[kremerlorraine]

20 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

I am booked on the Toscana March 9th Dubai to Rome and also interested in any official reports.

We were told last week probable port changes.

My two friends have already cancelled but I am in a wait and see mode. Had flights booked already.

 

A friend of ours is 

booked on the Toscana, too. He is also waiting and seeing!

[At7Seas]

Day 12, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain)
 
“A Jeep Tour Of The North Of The Island” was the name of the Costa excursion I took. True, except it wasn’t a Jeep, but a Land Rover. After leaving port and city we went upwards to the laurel tree woodland. A very archaic type of forrest, which is said having covered most of Europe before the last ice age. Today only a few are left, one exactly here. We went through the spectacular landscape of the Anaga Mountains and stopped at many incredible viewpoints. Advantage of seven-seaters above a bus is not only reaching these places, but mainly easier stopping and getting off. We drove through the most remote village in the very North, Taganana. Next to the village there is a small black beach that serves as surfer paradise. From here we even went without the convertible top to San Andrés and thereafter back to the ship. Now we left our only Canary island on this cruise and leaving geographic Africa. We have started the transatlantic part of our voyage heading five days to the Americas, first to Barbados.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[At7Seas]

5 hours ago, kremerlorraine said:

MSC announced yesterday that it has cancelled three of its cruises that were due to return to Europe in April via the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The ships will take the South Africa route instead (with no passengers).

 

I personally don‘t regard MSC as blue print for what Costa does. I was really confused to change Aqaba against Jeddah in an earlier step, Aqaba is far away from Gaza and Jordan definitely and simply out of own interest no state on the side of extremists. And whether the people in Saudi Arabia would welcome a Swiss ship better than the people in Jordan I wouldn‘t expect. And we shouldn‘t forget that a MSC vessel had been attacked by the Huthi already, although it was one of their container ships. What Costa, Aida and all the other Carnival owned vessels do is much more interesting. Besides cancelling a repositioning cruise or a week circling around where ever is much easier than the part of a world cruise. The very most people I spoke to do the entire cruise from Europe to Europe. Technically we can‘t all been flewn home from India or Oman and the ship sails around Africa empty, while telling people not to come on a cancelled cruise is relative easily done. Regarding the people booked on the Toscana I understand the concerns, just would like to add that Costa and all the other cruise lines have to minimise risks.
 
As I wrote before, I am sure that Costa works on plan B. To hear about it we probably need to wait to the point this definitely will be realised. For us until Singapore there is no reason for any changes and from there the ship earlier or later will need to take another route if not going through the Red Sea. Since no change was decided about before sailing away I personally regard it as a good idea not to announce things early, people should not be too concerned. Again, for the Toscana sailing timing is a bit different.

[At7Seas]

9 hours ago, BVILady said:

I am at the early sitting at dinner and quite a few people find the wait for the 2nd show at 21.00 kind of long, so that might be why people might not be hanging out longer after the shows

 

Hi again, I just don‘t welcome you here, because we already met in real life aboard the Deliziosa.
 
My comment about the pool bar being closed early is in comparation to other Costa cruises. There it is a very lively place and open much longer. People moving to their cabins after the second show or with other words still before 10 pm is the exception there. Might be caused by demographics on the ship.

[At7Seas]

My comment to BVILady led to irritations. So for the entire world: I didn’t want her to leave this report, I just greeted her and explained to everybody else reading, why I didn’t welcome her aboard as I did with others before. Because we welcomed each other already aboard of the ship when we met in person. My excuses for not intended irritations!

[At7Seas]

Day 13, at sea
 
Again a day with 25 hours, no land around and still so a busy day. I don’t know how the time went by. A lecture about the Atlantic Ocean, too much for lunch, watching under one of the giant parasols rain and waves, preparing for a gala evening, going to the theatre and leaving table again pretty late. Well, gala. All dress codes on Costa are officially suggestions, but obviously some took the occasion to protest the concept of a formal evening with jogging suit, worn out T-shirts and similar. Old fashioned formal and high end chic was definitely in minority. In the same time the theatre was completely overcrowded. I came a bit early as usual, just to get a good seat, normally people arrive a few minutes before the show and everybody easily gets a seat. But the captain was saying a few words and perhaps more important a Prosecco was offered for free. I never before had such a bad seat, people came very early and some left again before the show started. I would have never imagined that people on a world cruise would be so cheap.

 

[At7Seas]

Day 14, at sea
 
Time to relax, to read, to visit the theatre and to eat (yes, indeed, too much). We crossed the Tropic of Cancer. Costa made a party out of this occasion. It was exactly the turn of my deck to queue during that for collection of visa. From far I saw some fancy costumes and when I was ready and went down a deck it was over - so no report about that. We will pass the Tropic of Cancer on three more occasions, the Tropic of Capricorn twice and the Equator twice as well.

[At7Seas]

Day 15, at sea
 
Short before 13:00 we reached half distance on our trip through the Atlantic Ocean between Tenerife and Barbados.
 
Living through slow and pleasant days. Only problem aboard is a respiratory infection is going around. More people are wearing masks now than during the first days. Two of my evening table mates already got sick. One who is better now and came out of her cabin told me that her husband saw the doctor and he made directly a covid test - negative.

 

[BVILady]

I am also on Costa Deliziosa and in contact with At7Seas. Here is a message from him:

 

“I can’t follow this report up, because I got blocked for my obscene and abusive language, for being intimidating and other things. I have not even an idea what I did wrong in particular, but obviously my style is unwanted. I am sorry and I thank you for following me on this short part of my voyage. At 7 Seas”

 

I followed the blog and am very sorry t see that.

[broberts]

34 minutes ago, BVILady said:

I am also on Costa Deliziosa and in contact with At7Seas. Here is a message from him:

 

“I can’t follow this report up, because I got blocked for my obscene and abusive language, for being intimidating and other things. I have not even an idea what I did wrong in particular, but obviously my style is unwanted. I am sorry and I thank you for following me on this short part of my voyage. At 7 Seas”

 

I followed the blog and am very sorry t see that.

 

@At7Seas may want to contact community@cruisecritic.com to inquire about the offending post. I recently had something similar happen to me in error. An email inquiry using my email address of record and including my username managed to clear the block.

 

I have been enjoying this trip report and would very much like to see it continued.

 

[maryann2]

38 minutes ago, BVILady said:

I am also on Costa Deliziosa and in contact with At7Seas. Here is a message from him:

 

“I can’t follow this report up, because I got blocked for my obscene and abusive language, for being intimidating and other things. I have not even an idea what I did wrong in particular, but obviously my style is unwanted. I am sorry and I thank you for following me on this short part of my voyage. At 7 Seas”

 

I followed the blog and am very sorry t see that.

I am so sorry to hear this.

Thank you for letting us know.  I hope he gets re-instated soon.

[maryann2]

On 1/17/2024 at 8:31 AM, maryann2 said:

I am booked on the Toscana March 9th Dubai to Rome and also interested in any official reports.

We were told last week probable port changes.

My two friends have already cancelled but I am in a wait and see mode. Had flights booked already.

 

Heard today that the Toscana cruise has been cancelled.

[kremerlorraine]

44 minutes ago, BVILady said:

I am also on Costa Deliziosa and in contact with At7Seas. Here is a message from him:

 

“I can’t follow this report up, because I got blocked for my obscene and abusive language, for being intimidating and other things. I have not even an idea what I did wrong in particular, but obviously my style is unwanted. I am sorry and I thank you for following me on this short part of my voyage. At 7 Seas”

 

I followed the blog and am very sorry t see that.

How ridiculous. I've seen nothing offensive and have been very much enjoying his reports. Hope this cam be resolved. In any case I look forward to meeting you both in person on 8 February in Valparaiso.

 

In other news, my friend has received an e-mail saying that the Toscana from Dubai to Savona in March has been cancelled.

[Wansbrough]

On 1/25/2024 at 2:44 PM, BVILady said:

I am also on Costa Deliziosa and in contact with At7Seas. Here is a message from him:

 

“I can’t follow this report up, because I got blocked for my obscene and abusive language, for being intimidating and other things. I have not even an idea what I did wrong in particular, but obviously my style is unwanted. I am sorry and I thank you for following me on this short part of my voyage. At 7 Seas”

 

I followed the blog and am very sorry t see that.

Who is doing the blocking?

 

@LauraS Is it Cruise Critic Software stopping this?

 

This is a real shame as I always wanted to know what a Costa Worldie would be like.

Edited February 9 by Wansbrough

[kremerlorraine]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:47 PM, Wansbrough said:

Who is doing the blocking?

 

@LauraS Is it Cruise Critic Software stopping this?

 

This is a real shame as I always wanted to know what a Costa Worldie would be like.

@Wansbrough I can't produce a detailed daily report like yourself and At7Seas, but here are my impressions on day 11 of our part-world cruise (Valparaiso to Singapore).

 

Fellow passengers - a civilised bunch, obviously many repeat cruisers. There was a little unseemliness on our second day in Easter Island, but that was born of desperation to get off after Costa mismanaged the tendering process the previous day. 

 

For once, Italians are not in the majority. That is French (700), followed by German speaking (500), Italian (400), Spanish speaking (200) and the rest a mix of Scandis, Eastern Europeans, Dutch and a few North Americans. I believe there are three UK passengers, including me.

 

Many people dress up for dinner, even on casual nights (there have been eight of those, one colourful, one gala and tonight "pirate").

 

The food is excellent, with many dishes new to us. We eat in the buffet at lunchtime and have enjoyed the food there every day. Pranzo and Cena is included for everyone, but one can upgrade to MyDrinks for 18 euros pppd.

 

More to follow. Got to go to dinner now!

 

[kremerlorraine]

They have changed Archipelago restaurant into the "Elite" restaurant where you can eat by paying extra - 30 euros for one dinner, 75 euros for five dinners or 100 euros for five days worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner. It seems to be popular. The Club restaurant is only for suite guests.

 

Something that I haven't seen on Costa since a transatlantic to the US in 2017 - free pizza at lunchtime and decent ice cream offered as dessert at dinner.

 

Demographics - obviously mostly retired folk (some long-retired!) with a smattering of younger couples and a few families. I think there are 20-25 children on board, but we haven't seen much of them. A few have been observed doing school work with their parents though.

 

The entertainment has been pretty good. The production show team is Afroarimba, with South African singers and quite a few UK dancers. There is a Dutch lady singer who was also good. The lounge singers are good quality old-timers who know how to entertain their punters. And joy of joys, a classical music trio who do three or four sets per day in the Piano Bar which is a quiet, cool place to enjoy a drink and their music. Not a DJ/sax combo in sight, thank goodness - they have been ubiquitous on every Costa cruise we've taken over the past two years.

 

We took the full Internet package for 488 euros for 62 days. It works well for our purposes- we don't download movies or music. The TV has also worked well even in mid-Pacific with its usual limited channels. We can at least follow the news with BBC World. I don't understand why Costa can't offer a video on demand service such as the good one we had on the Coral Princess last year.

 

To sum up, this feels like an old-fashioned cruise (in a good way). We're not veteran cruisers (we started only in 2015) and certainly don't remember the gilded years, but this feels like the lovely transatlantics that we did between 2015 and 2019.

 

Tahiti tomorrow, which unfortunately will entail a visit to a dentist to fix my husband's broken tooth. Not quite what we had planned!

[Wansbrough]

Thank you for taking the time to update us. Sounds like you are enjoying it.

[Aussie Jeep]

Come on.  Where is @7Seas

[Port Power]

On 1/25/2024 at 10:44 PM, BVILady said:

I am also on Costa Deliziosa and in contact with At7Seas. Here is a message from him:

 

“I can’t follow this report up, because I got blocked for my obscene and abusive language, for being intimidating and other things. I have not even an idea what I did wrong in particular, but obviously my style is unwanted. I am sorry and I thank you for following me on this short part of my voyage. At 7 Seas”

 

I followed the blog and am very sorry t see that.

 

My goodness, English is not his first language, so people should not take any offence if something is a bit odd.  So often today we aren’t used to seeing words used in their proper meaning. I don’t know who has complained, but they should get over themselves.  I am enjoying the thread.  And I enjoy the spirit in which it is written.

[Shelly 3312]

Hello  

This is amazing.  I plan to take this cruise on Dec. 2024.

Hearing your saga is daunting in some ways, but it will prepare me.

Thank you for sharing.  I hope I find someone on next year's cruise to share some experiences with.  

[Shelly 3312]

On 3/23/2024 at 9:16 AM, Shelly 3312 said:

Hello  

This is amazing.  I plan to take this cruise on Dec. 2024.

Hearing your saga is daunting in some ways, but it will prepare me.

Thank you for sharing.  I hope I find someone on next year's cruise to share some experiences with.  

 

[CruiseMSC]

On 1/21/2024 at 6:55 PM, At7Seas said:

Day 15, at sea
 
Short before 13:00 we reached half distance on our trip through the Atlantic Ocean between Tenerife and Barbados.
 
Living through slow and pleasant days. Only problem aboard is a respiratory infection is going around. More people are wearing masks now than during the first days. Two of my evening table mates already got sick. One who is better now and came out of her cabin told me that her husband saw the doctor and he made directly a covid test - negative.

 

Concerning the respiratory infection: I was on the World cruise on Deliziosa in 2023 and a respiratory infection was going around all the time during the whole world cruise. I left the ship (planned) after 80 days in Chile and recoverd on land within 10 days. Before on board I went through 3 cures by antibiotics.... The germ took passengers and crew. The doctor administered antibiotics injections. Many people were wearing a cotton band around there ellbow. I wonder if other passenger on long cruises had to go through similar experiences.