Cruise Critic On Board CostaConcordia - Countdown to Christening

[daffodil]

melissa, Do you know if it's possible to get more detailed info about the cabins . very little in the brochure or costa web site. I like to know size etc. Are there any other sites with more info??

wish I was with you, have a great time.

Daff.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi Joe,

The simulator is on Deck 12, port side. The big buzz today is that Vitantonio Liuzzi, from the "toro rosso" (Red Bull) team in Italy, is onboard for its debut -- forgive me for not knowing the sport well, but I believe he just got back from Indianapolis. He and a team of pretty Italian girls in tight blue outfits passing out Red Bull were up there earlier. The simulator is in an enclosed room, and directly opposite it is a small black and white lounge where you can watch each participant race on a flat screen (in my case, probably watch me crash into a wall, ha ha). More on that to come....

 

Where is the location of the grand prix simulator?

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi Daff,

Thanks -- wish you were here, too! Good question about the cabins. Here are the figures I have so far: There are 1,500 cabins: 580 insides, 920 outsides (505 standard balconies, 70 balconied suites, and 345 with just a window).

 

I can confirm exact measurements for you, but in the meantime here are some pretty safe estimates from Carnival Valor, a Conquest-class vessel (Concordia was built on the same platform): Inside- through verandah-category cabins are average to above average in size (insides measure 185 square ft.; verandah cabins begin at 220) and are outfitted with shower-only bathrooms, twin-to-queen beds, decent closet space (two cabinets with hanging bars and one with wide shelves), a vanity, a television with remote and a mini-fridge.

 

 

melissa, Do you know if it's possible to get more detailed info about the cabins . very little in the brochure or costa web site. I like to know size etc. Are there any other sites with more info??

wish I was with you, have a great time.

Daff.

[Marge106]

Sorry to be a pest...can you let me know if there is a charge for the NASCAR simulator. With my DH, I have visions of paying almost as much in extra charges for this as we paid for the cruise (lol).

Thanks,

Marge

[nickle0806]

Marge,

 

I feel your pain! When my husband found out about the simulator he promptly informed me that I shouldn't expect to see him much when not in port...lol. He is obsessed!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Not sure whether or not you'll be relieved to hear this, but your husbands might not be up there as often as you think LOL -- there IS a charge for use of the simulator. There are four modes of escalating difficulty (and price):

 

Test Mode - Minimum of 3 minutes -- 5 euros

Rookie Mode - Max of 7 minutes -- 28 euros

Professional Mode - Max of 10 minutes -- 33 euros

Championship Mode - Max of 13 miutes -- 38 euros

 

That being said ... I just got off and it was a rush! It is worth checking out IMO. You climb up a short ladder (three steps) and slide into the cockpit (probably the hardest part of the whole ordeal); there are people there to help you learn how to operate the buttons and pedals -- my guy also moved the pedals closer to my feet because I'm a shorty. Brakes are on the left, gas is on the right. I only hit the wall once! There are three screens that surround your peripheral vision so it feels more realistic than an arcade game, and you can definitely feel movement -- the whole contraption moves as you steer, and Vitantonio says it is actually "the best simulator I've ever tried" and that the breaking, acceleration and G-force are very similar to that of a Formula One car. I'll have to take his word for it, as I have nothing to compare it to :)

 

 

Marge,

 

I feel your pain! When my husband found out about the simulator he promptly informed me that I shouldn't expect to see him much when not in port...lol. He is obsessed!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

There was a sign-up sheet, by the way; I was on a list of probably 15 or so people, and I waited about an hour.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Nickle,

I saw the production show last night, though the name escapes me at the moment. The theme was "time" -- songs included "The Time Warp" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (though it felt more like "Beauty and the Beast" with dancing clocks), and Madonna's "Hung Up" (lyrics "Time goes by so slowly" were accentuated by a light show).

 

Some numbers were the original tunes with dancing, some were sung. The male singer has a real set of pipes on him and the audience clapped really enthusiastically after his performances ... but I have to say the applause was more hesitant for wackier acts (one included inflatable-looking daisies and dancing mushrooms).

 

Hi Melissa,

 

How are they doing at keeping the announcements under control? We sailed on the MSC Armonia and it seemed like there was a consistent stream of announcements since they were all in five languages. Also, how's the entertainment so far and how is the coffee?

 

Thanks!

[STEFY14]

Melissa I'll be on board of the Concordia next friday and I'm italian for Roma.

I'm very exciting to be on Concordia.

I was on board of Magica last year but the ship was too beg and we find crowd everywhere with long line.

I know that the ship is full for my cruise.

I wish to know your opinio about space ratio and if you can the name of the staff that you found in the Today (Costa Pattern) the first day you was on board.

Thank you in advance for you kindness.

 

Stefania

[Caroliner]

Wow ! With the race car simulator, Costa appears to have come up with the furst on-board shore excursion, and a money-maker to boot at those prices.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi all,

It is 3 a.m. here and boy am I tired! The christening ceremony took place this evening on the dock -- check out our news coverage of the event:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1707

 

Tomorrow I will fill you all in on my very first visit to Rome (might not be able to sleep!)....

 

P.S. Stefania, thanks for your note. As this is a special sailing and not full, it is hard for me to say with certainty how much crowding to expect. However, I will try to find out for you tomorrow if the space ratio is any different from that of CostaMagica. Some areas have been consistently busy on my sailing -- the atrium, spa reception and the route between Grand Bar Berlino and Casino Barcellona (through Caffe Helsinki).

[daffodil]

Hi melissa, sounds as if you had a great night. Thanks for the cabin size info. I've booked cabin 8440(ms) and i was told that it is larger than some other ms. the deck plans in the brochure don't reflect this so i hope I havn't been misinformed. I can usually get all i need to know from the web but its not so for concordia, not yet anyway.

I'm still wondering if I should move up a grade but if this one is big enough I'll stick. Any further info much appreciated.

What would we do without Cruise Critic???????????

Thanks

Daff.

[LEESRE]

You wrote about the spa area is it all pay pay pay or is there a FOC sauna or steam room in the changing areas.

It seems that most cruise lines these days are charging for everything that at one tinme was in the cruise fare.

 

thanks

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Leesre,

I am almost positive that there is (sadly) no access to the sauna/steamroom unless you've booked a treatment or purchased a pass. I will confirm for you, though, either way -- if not before I disembark, definitely next week, so please check back,

Melissa

 

You wrote about the spa area is it all pay pay pay or is there a FOC sauna or steam room in the changing areas.

It seems that most cruise lines these days are charging for everything that at one tinme was in the cruise fare.

 

thanks

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Imagine falling in love at first sight ... and then having to say goodbye. That is how I felt today leaving Rome. This cruise marks only my second visit to Italy, and first to the Eternal City, and it was exactly what I imagined it to be -- which hardly ever happens. You know that phenomena -- you imagine what a colleague you've only ever spoken to on the phone looks like, and they are the complete opposite when you meet in person. No, not Rome.

 

I knew from reading Cruise Critic ;) that the ride from Civitavecchia to Rome was about an hour or so. The journey passed quickly -- we drove in an air-conditioned motorcoach by several seaside towns, and our Costa guide shared facts about the country. It's interesting to me that a country that is so small in size, at least compared to the United States, has such different climates and crops: skiing in the mountains, orange trees down south, etc.

 

Once we arrived in the city, I was bombarded with things to photograph. The architecture is amazing, but in my mind because of the time period in which is was built and how long it has been around. Ancient has new meaning to me now -- it is not a term I'll throw around to describe 8-track players or even crankable cars. We visited the Pantheon which was constructed in the SECOND century ... and its huge, open dome has never been restored -- because it has never needed to be. The cities that intrigue me most are those that thrived long before my part of the world was on the map.

 

The tour will be available through Costa's shore excursion department (it is called "Baroque City," according to our guide), and includes visits to Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum. We also had an incredible lunch of boccatini a la matriana (skinny, long tubes of pasta in a onion and bacon tomato sauce -- a local specialty) and roasted pork. Oh, and wine and bread (of course).

 

At least this goodbye is not forever. I'll be back (I threw my coin -- "Right hand only, over your left shoulder!" -- into Trevi Fountain).

[melissa@cruisecritic]

You'd all be so proud. It is 1:15 a.m., and seeing as I have a ride to the airport at 4:15, only three hours from now, I'm pulling an all-nighter on the CostaConcordia.

 

If you are still waiting for a reply on a question -- don't worry! I'll be posting again once I'm back in the states, and I haven't forgotten anyone.

 

The most striking thing I've learned is that this is a ship that kind of grows on you. Farcus' designs can be overwhelming at first -- anyone who's sailed on Carnival knows that the decor is bright, often daring, but always inspired. When I first boarded, that bright green paneling recalled the "Wizard of Oz"'s Emerald City. But it will always remind me of European cities I love ... and those I'd love to visit.

 

And fun onboard, too -- I am off to the Discoteca Lisbona where there is a show called "High Heels" beginning ... some very tall pencil-thin women in boas and, yes, high heels just passed by (don't call me a geek: the Internet cafe is the place to be). Should be interesting!

 

Ciao,

Melissa

[cardenguest]

Thank you Melissa for all the great information regarding the Concordia. My husband and I will be sailing for the first time with Costa on October 8th. We have a couple more questions.

Was it very smokey on the ship from people smoking in the public places?

You mentioned earlier that there was a fee for using the sauna and steam room. Do you know if there was also a fee for using the exercise equipment?

Do you think it will be necessary to pre-book excursions before leaving home?

Do they have a soda card package that you can buy like on other ships? I know they seem to have a really nice wine package.

And finally, what do you recommend as the best way to get from the airport to the ship. We cannot take the costa bus as they tell us the only one leaves at 11:00 a.m. and our plane doesn't arrive until 1:00.

Thanks!

[Shelledpea]

Hi cardenguest,

 

I wonder if this helps with regard to your comment~

 

And finally, what do you recommend as the best way to get from the airport to the ship. We cannot take the costa bus as they tell us the only one leaves at 11:00 a.m. and our plane doesn't arrive until 1:00.

Thanks!

 

I e-mailed a company as our plane also lands after the costa bus leaves when we are travelling in January. They quoted a price of euros 149.99 +10% tax for two adults and two children in a private mercedes limosine (a taxi would be euros 150 from outside fiumcino airport to citavecchia port and you have to haggle to get that.)This company would have a driver waiting with a board with your name on at the exit of the arrivals hall.

 

By train it is Euros 9.5 from Fiumcino to Rome central then euros 12 approx on to civitavecchia per adult, with a journey time of approx 2 hrs~ plus walking from terminal to airport station, then a walk between platforms and ticket purchase at rome central. After disembarking the train you would need a taxi to the port ~ a hell of a lot of hassle with suitcases!!

 

hope this helps ~ just ask if you want further info about the limo company

[cardenguest]

Hi Shelledpea,

 

Thanks for the info about the limo from the airport to the boat.

 

Yes! Please send further information about the company.

 

We might look into the train to get us back to Rome after the cruise, just for the experience. We are staying in Rome for one night after the cruise, but we don't know where yet.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi cardenguest,

The use of the equipment in the fitness center is free for all guests, though there are fee-based classes offered for those interested in stretching, yoga, etc.

 

I've touched base with the folks at Costa for an exact rundown of which areas are smoking/non-smoking (as well as soda packages), but on my trip, the only area I found to be a little "hazy" was the disco. Considering this is a European ship, I was impressed with the amount of no smoking signs I saw on tabletops.

 

For those interested in ship-sponsored tours, I encourage booking online if possible -- and Costa does offer this service. That way, you know you've got a spot secured on the excursion you really want before you even step foot onboard.

 

Shelledpea, thanks for your great tip on transportation!

 

Thank you Melissa for all the great information regarding the Concordia. My husband and I will be sailing for the first time with Costa on October 8th. We have a couple more questions.

Was it very smokey on the ship from people smoking in the public places?

You mentioned earlier that there was a fee for using the sauna and steam room. Do you know if there was also a fee for using the exercise equipment?

Do you think it will be necessary to pre-book excursions before leaving home?

Do they have a soda card package that you can buy like on other ships? I know they seem to have a really nice wine package.

And finally, what do you recommend as the best way to get from the airport to the ship. We cannot take the costa bus as they tell us the only one leaves at 11:00 a.m. and our plane doesn't arrive until 1:00.

Thanks!

[Shelledpea]

Hi cardenguest

 

If you click my user name you should find my hotmail addy/ messenger name ~ I know I am not allowed to give them out in here!

 

Drop me a line and I will forward all details onto you!

 

Sorry for dropping off topic

 

Shelley

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi Daff,

Sorry for the delay! Here are the square footage details on Concordia cabins:

 

Samsara Suite w/Balcony 337

Samsara Mini Suite 250

Samsara oceanview w/balcony 220

Samsara oceanview w/window 225

Samsara Inside 150

Grand Suite w/balcony 456

Suite w/balcony 337

Mini Suite w/balcony 279

Oceanview w/balcony 220

Oceanview w/balcony 220

Oceanview w/balcony 220

Oceanview w/window 191

Oceanview w/window 191

Inside 150

Inside 150

Inside 150

Inside 150

Inside 150

Inside - single 150

Oceanview - single 150

 

 

melissa, Do you know if it's possible to get more detailed info about the cabins . very little in the brochure or costa web site. I like to know size etc. Are there any other sites with more info??

wish I was with you, have a great time.

Daff.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi Cardenguest,

From Costa: "Smoking is permitted in main areas ... however, one side is designated as smoking one not ... dining areas are completely non-smoking as is the spa." And soda card packages are available for around $40 (U.S.).

 

 

Thank you Melissa for all the great information regarding the Concordia. My husband and I will be sailing for the first time with Costa on October 8th. We have a couple more questions.

Was it very smokey on the ship from people smoking in the public places?

You mentioned earlier that there was a fee for using the sauna and steam room. Do you know if there was also a fee for using the exercise equipment?

Do you think it will be necessary to pre-book excursions before leaving home?

Do they have a soda card package that you can buy like on other ships? I know they seem to have a really nice wine package.

And finally, what do you recommend as the best way to get from the airport to the ship. We cannot take the costa bus as they tell us the only one leaves at 11:00 a.m. and our plane doesn't arrive until 1:00.

Thanks!

[mandiecandie5]

Hi,

 

To Melissa the editor--you mentioned you would post pictures upon return, has that been done? I couldn't find anything and information is very hard to come by on this ship!!!!

 

I have a few questions still...

In main dining room is it possible to request a table for two?

How much upcharge is specialty restaraunts and what are the options?

Would you feel its worth it to purchase the $199pp week spa pass? Also does it include all the same access as one in a samsura cabin would have?

How are drink prices?

 

Thanks in advance for any information!!!! :)

[greek]

We are looking at two of of the tours on the Costa Concordia Rome/Rome itinerary. Can anyone recommend one or more from Palermo? Does anyone recommend taking a train (if feasible) from Savona to Portifino? Any other recommendations from Savona?

 

Thanks so much,

 

Greek