How is the Smeralda. Looking at the Genoa to Dubai cruise

[Aussie Jeep]

Hi all. We are looking at the Genoa Italy to Dubai cruise in December on the Smeralda.  We have never cruised Costa. How is this ship? We are looking at an inside on deck 10. Any info would be appreciated.  How much are drinks onboard? Do you find the drink package good value? Two of us.  One drinks average amount one drinks very little. Was thinking this cruise we would just buy the drinks as we go. Thoughts ? 

[Luffe]

Beautiful ship inside and outside. We did Mediterranean cruise 2022 on Smeralda. No complaints. Just understand that it is an Italian ship marketed to the Italians. So lots of pasta dishes, euro food etc. The crew speaks English but the announcements are usually Italian, followed by multi language barrage. 2023 Toscana was running close to max capacity and it was approaching the upper limit. So if there is lots of passengers the queues will long, the elevators crowded etc.  

 

For Finnish market the drink package is very cheap and highly recommended as it contains not only alcoholic drinks but also the expresso, cappuccino, sodas, juices, daily water bottles etc. 

Do the math and see 2023 Toscana drink price list(s) (which was about same price as in 2022 Smeralda cruise) in my previous post: 

 

[Aussie Jeep]

Thank you so much Luffe  We have booked this cruise  Do you remember if there was a sauna and spa?  was it co-ed or seperate for men and women,

 

[Luffe]

20 minutes ago, Aussie Jeep said:

Thank you so much Luffe  We have booked this cruise  Do you remember if there was a sauna and spa?  was it co-ed or seperate for men and women,

 

There is spa but I didn't visit the spa so no idea on the details.

[Aussie Jeep]

Thank you  Would you suggest if only one of us drinks, is the drink package a better deal or just purchase say 6 or 7 drinks a day is better than the package

[Luffe]

3 hours ago, Aussie Jeep said:

Thank you  Would you suggest if only one of us drinks, is the drink package a better deal or just purchase say 6 or 7 drinks a day is better than the package

 

So both have to have the package...  A Coca Cola  is about 5€, a basic drink is about 9 €. So let's say 55€ for that 6-7 drinks. Seven day cruise is 7*55 = 385 €. And the other drinks only water on the breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

The question is how much the drink package costs for you? Note that I am using costacruises.fi pricing so taking our previous cruises the whole "all-inclusive" package was 480 € total for a 7 day balcony west Mediterranean cruise. So 240 €  per person which is 35 € per day. I can easily consume that amount... A few glasses of wine, few coca colas, a Prosecco glass at sail away, few expressos and after dinner cocktail... And Mrs. Luffe also enjoys her wine glasses and cappuccinos. And our daughter got the non alcoholic version for free. For us the drink package is a must - no need to be surprised when the cruise ends. But that it is for our family.  Each person/family has their own needs or requirements.

[Rio1978]

On 2/9/2024 at 12:45 PM, Aussie Jeep said:

Thank you so much Luffe  We have booked this cruise  Do you remember if there was a sauna and spa?  was it co-ed or seperate for men and women,

 

Spa is co ed. It's beautiful but at times very busy

Depending on route you may get hoards of people looking round whilst the staff try to sell a package or treatments to them whilst you try to relax. Pick your times to go and it's great ( open much longer than any other ship Spa have used). Has a snow room sauna steam room etc etc . You have to pay to use any of it. Can pay per day or for whole cruise

 

At times there were no seats or beds left to sit/lie on at other times almost deserted 

 

 

[Aussie Jeep]

thank you