Costa Fortuna Review Mar 2-9

[ColleenThomas]

We just got back from the "all around Cuba" western cruise on the Fortuna March 2-9.

 

Just let me start by saying I was a little worried about how this cruise would really be.....I had read so much about bad service, rude europeans, slow meals.....etc.....I was also personally responsible for 8 other families choosing this cruise. I was nervous to say the least.....I am happy to report that it was an awesome week....no real complaints! We all had a great time, and would love to do Costa again.

 

Fort Lauderdale- We arrived a couple of days early, and spent our first night at the beach at the Sheraton Yankee Trader on the beach. Great location, lots of fun. However, lunch at the pool bar was over 50$ ouch!!! OUr second night, we met up with all our friends at the Hampton Inn Plantation. I can't say enough about how great this hotel is. The price is great (159 w/a travel agent), and it has free airport and cruiseport shuttles. It has a great pool, and nice morning breakfast. The best part, is that it is across from a mall and a Target! We made quite a few trips for last minute cruise needs! (like new shoes and bathing suits...haha)

 

Embarkation- Of course I HAD to be one of the first on the boat, so we took a 10am shuttle over to the port. We did manage to be one of the first families on board (I think they started boarding around 11:00), and had our pick of great loungers in front of the pool! We were already full and drinking (courtesy of the X-1 package) by the time the rest of our friends came aboard. My husband made friends with the bartender (courtesy of some tips!) and managed to get two BIG glasses of beer at a time. We had a great afternoon, and ended up only having 15 minutes to get ready for dinner at 5:45pm! (1rst seating)

 

Dinner at Michelangelo- We had wonderfull waiters....Alvin and Dennis. The meals were great! The pasta really was well done...I almost licked my plate some nights....embarrasingly enough Alvin would pop a new one right in front of me as I was scrapping the plate! I did gain 5lbs...but oh so worth it! We also found the meals to be really quick...I had read they were slow..I found the opposite! We have done Disney, and they were MUCH slower. Our order was always taken the first 10 minutes , and we would be eating within another 10min...and not stop for 4 courses!!! The food was every bit as good as the Disney cruise..no complaints there. The Maitre D, Marco was awesome, and always made us feel pretty special. He knew my name the first night, and would always pass by with "ciao Sandi!"

 

Also, the dancing waiters...too fun!

I will never be able to get the image out of my head! or the song..."something something (in spanish) SEXY....."

 

Day 1 - At Sea- Since I am an early bird, and gave birth to two more, we would be up at the crack of dawn....the first morning, we had to wait for the dinning room to open! I figured we would eat, then explore the ship, then go find some chairs on the deck. WRONG. While we were eating, the loungers all filled up with invisible people! The towels were messed up, there were sunglasses and lotions...but the people were missing! I couldn't believe it...all before 7am! We did manage to snag some near the slide....and our day of sun and fun began. We had a great day with fun music and plenty of food and drink. In fact when I went back to the cabin around 4:30pm to start getting ready for dinner, my 13yr old son was lying on the bed in agony from eating too much, and my husband was lying on the bed from drinking (X-1 again) too much! We did manage to make it to the captain's cocktail (go to this....just to get the free martinis) which shows a cheesy movie clip of 60yrs of Costa cruising...felt very Love Boatish....Max the cruise director is the king of cheese ....

 

Day 2 - Cozumel- We went to Chakanaab for the day. Cab ride was around 10$. Great place for beginner snorkelers and families. We loved it. The lagoon has huge iguanas, and a cool trail with "mayan" artifacts...very fun for the kids. The snorkeling was great. The kids all loved it. I brought a lunch (I packed from the ship, I am the queen of cheap), and had no problems bringing it in.

 

Day 3 - Grand Cayman- What a beautiful place! We again took a cab, this time to Cemetery Beach, the driver even did a beer stop for the men. THis beach is unserviced, but it is worth it! We had the place to ourselves, and you can snorkel right from the beach. There were tons of fish, and huge trees with lots of shade. We even saw some chickens...and yes, the beach is right on a cemetery! Others in our group did Stingray City, and had a blast! I know they didn't book with the ship, they did it with MobyDick and it was much cheaper, and well run.

 

Day 4 - Jamaica - At the last minute some of us decided to go to Dunn's River Falls on our own. We just took a cab right in the port (be sure to negotiate..and they will try to sell you a tour). We had a great time, and did use a guide at the falls....and of course bought the video...suckers we are! We figured having our 13yr old son on tape, as actually having fun was worth it! Again, much cheaper to do on your own. We also went to Island Village, where my husband was practically molested by two women dressed up rather voluptiously...and then I "tipped" them for the whole thing...too funny...I think my husband and sons were in total shock of the whole episode.

 

Day 5 - Grand Turk - What a great day...just walk off the boat, and there it all is. Good beach, not as unspoiled as the one on Grand Cayman, but it was convenient. The pool at Margarittaville was great too. The kids loved it here. I just find it funny that North American culture follows us even where we vacation....you could have been in an upscale mall in south Florida. Even so, it was great.....and a nice break from the vendors on Jamaica.

 

Day 6- Sea Day - Spent most of the day eating and drinking and dancing! Did I mention "Chocolate" yet???? He is from the DOminican, and boy can he dance! He is one of the dance instructors...and boy did we put our drinks down and run to the deck when he started moving his hips...wow! What fun....and good for working off some of those extra calories! He was a highlight of the trip for sure....'Wakey Wakey' 'Move your body'

 

TOGA night - Very fun, many people did not dress up...but those who did had a blast!

 

Final thoughts on the Costa Fortuna-

 

I was very pleased with the ship and her crew.....I thought from pictures online it would be very "vegas-like", and it was, but it was still very nice...and clean.

 

The cabins had tons of storage...I didn't even use it all! Much more than the Disney cabin we had two years ago. Loved the balcony. Good for sticking one of our sons outside when they started fighting....or were just too stinky.

 

I encountered NO RUDE Europeans....but a few of us met a really rude man from Ohio.........I loved the variety of languages..it was neat. Our kids are all bilingual anyway (they go to French schools), so for them it was neat to use their French.

 

All in all....we all took advantage of kids sail free...so what a deal. We paid 1000$ less for a balcony cabin than we did for an inside on Disney two years ago (which was a deal at 2900). I would for sure sail again...

 

THings they could improve on........the fun stuff started much too late...the "Grease" night wasn't on until 11:15pm...us early birds just couldn't make it! I guess that is the European influence, and since they do make up the majority of guests.....

ALso, our teen found that the teen activities were late at night also...they could use a "lounge" to just hang out in....

 

 

X-1 - My husband for sure got his money out of this one! He gave a few tips here and there...and was always served right away. Lots of bottles at dinner, since most of us had the package. (I did not, but only drank a couple of glasses of wine, no problem with that)

 

Hope this helps!!

Sandi

 

I am still swaying.........(not from the wine.....haha):D

[abitaturbodog]

Sandi---Thanks for such an energetic review! You have me sooooo excited to get on the Fortuna next week!:D

 

I'm looking forward to enjoying the "Chocolate"....:p

[BooBooMonkey]

Thank you for taking the time to post a great review! We will be on Fortuna this Sunday...can't wait!

 

Sorry to hear about the chair hogs. Did you notice any areas where this was less of a problem (like maybe away from the pools)? What time would you think I need to be up there if I want to use a chair? My days on a cruise are usually comprised of sitting on deck all day, and I have no need to be near the action.

 

What about the buffet food? Anything special we should look out for? Did you use the casino at all? If so, how was it?

 

Sorry about the rude man form Ohio! We're not all that way, I promise!

 

I love that "still swaying" thing after a cruise! I know that sounds strange, but it just reminds me of what an awesome time we had :) . Glad you enjoyed your vacation.

[Simply Deliciosa]

Thank you so much for the review I cant wait, And Domincan DaNCER I know im in heaven lol

[ColleenThomas]

We didn't use the Casino at all...but we had to walk through it to get to the kids arcade...bizarre!

 

The Buffet.....I liked the pasta and pizza, they do both very well! The salads are pretty good too...loved the Italian dressing. They put too much on your salad at dinner, so ask for it on the side.

[vol3820]

I pulled my husband to the computer last night so he could read your review!! I was standing behind him jumping up and down clapping! LOL

 

Thank you sooo much for your great review!!! We can't wait to get started on our cruise!!

[ColleenThomas]

Wow,

 

You leave so soon! Have fun....I wish I were going back.

 

It was so depressing today, I finally finished my vacation laundry, and all those pretty summer clothes and bathing suits don't have much use up here in the Great White North......the nice weather is many moons away....sigh.....

 

One thing I did not mention.......several of our friends bought the kids drink package....but their kids didn't care much for the drinks, so they bought them for themselves and spiked them! They were very yummy! I think I would buy the package just for that reason....:D

[aloha16]

Finally a good review..and I agree -we too had a great time