I HAVEN'T been on the Atlantica, but we did cruise on the Romantica and liked it very much. We did the western carib. The food was very good -- a wide variety. People here seem to knock Costa, but I'd sail them again in a heartbeat.

Hi Josie,

I cruised the Atlantica. Terrific experience.

I will be sailing the Fortuna as soon as it arrives.

Paul

Hi,

Just returned yesterday from a cruise on the Atlantica. I agree that it is a beautiful ship. The staff was great -- no language problems for English speakers. Didn't see the entertainment, as I was part of the "Irish Festival Cruises" that offered its own entertainment.

Now, for the food. What a disappointment. When I saw "non-dairy creamer" for the coffee, I knew I was in trouble. The "fresh whipped cream" listed for one dessert was the same old artificial "stuff" that was used on many desserts. Everything about the desserts screamed CHEAP INGREDIENTS.

Another example (non sweet) of this was the bright red, hard, artificial "bacon" bits. Why bother with them at all.

In general, I think the food is like that at buffets and banquets -- lots of it and mediocre, at best.

The ship is a beauty and the majority of the staff is great. IMO the food is just so-so, except, as I stated in another post, the appetizers we found to be delicious! We would sail with them again.

Hi Josi,

You will find that pasengers all have different tastes in food.

If someone raves about Celebrity food there is always someone that hates it. Same with Holland America, Carnival, etc.

If you want detailed unbiased reviews of Costa (or any cruise line for that matter) go to www.cruisediva.com

You will find educated people writing reviews. Not the ding-a-lings you find on this forum that complain just to get everyone worked up. They include those that have never cruised the line they are complaining about but type heresay.

I have sailed the Romantica, Victoria and Atlantica and am still looking for something I do not care for. I thought it might be those miniature yellow smokestacks they use for door handles but I always think back to what Joe Farcus the designer had in mind (and try to figure him out).

It is not a mass-market cruise line but a 5-star cruise line. Cruising Italian style is Magnifico!

Paul

Educated ding-a-ling here!! I am neither arrogant nor a person complaining to work someone else up. I have cruised a few times and am willing to give an honest opinion of the experience, which is what Josi is looking for, an experience. Costa Atlantica is a fun ship. It is not a Carnival (owned by them but ran separate) but an Italian cruise experience. It caters more to the adult group but kids are welcome with activities. March is starting the tail of the season but should be fun.

I am not referring to posters like you Jim, I am referring to those that want to destroy everything that is right in this world.

Be happy,

Paul

Thanks Paul. I agree with you on the destroyers, they put a dark cloud on everything nice. Posters with honest questions deserve straight answers otherwise communication vehicles like this are useless and unnecessary.

I'm sure I'm one of the dingalings Paul refers to. Josi - I have never sailed Costa, but my sister and her family have and these are her complaints: the food was spicey (I would guess European and my sister has never been there), the ratio was Americans 40%, All others 60% (she did a Caribbean, not Europe) and the 60% were somewhat rude and somewhat "anti-american", there was smoking everywhere except the dining room and theaters but the smoke hung and lingered everywhere. Other than that, the ship was beautiful and the service was average. Remember, this is my sister's experience, not mine.

I will repeat ..... go to www.cruisediva.com and you will find unbiased Costa reviews. And quite detailed.

As far as spicey food .... I wish it was .... I love spicey. No smoke in dining room ... hah ... there is a smoking section isolated from the main room. Smoke lingering ..... baloney .... it is a Carnival Spirit Class ship with the most efficient air cleaning system built. In the casino when it is crowded maybe. Same as any cruiseline. Europeans rude .... you should hear what they say about us. And to add .... the service is very professional and European. Stands to reason since the staff must speak many languages.

Paul

There is no such thing as an unbiased review - by their very nature, reviews are all biased!

Bravo Paul,

Finally someone who tells it like it is!!!!
Americans are not the only travellers in the world. Not EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE has to abide by the "american way" and by the way, if you want to see rude-- just listen to a loud american complaining at the reception desk because their hamburger was not cooked "just like back home"

Most Europeans that are on vacation in North America are usually well educated, will traveled and well off financially, not the average Joe who can afford to hop on a cruise ship out of Miami on a $399.00 special "deal".

Just because we have different tastes than you do does not make us any better or worse than you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you really want rude, just read Peter's daily postings. Perhaps registration will weed out the few "destroyers" who can't tolerate an opinion other than their own.

xxxxx - thanks for making one of my points for me. I never said Americans are better than Europeans - just different in their tastes and the absence of non-smoking environments. Whether we're the ones who are rude or you are really doesn't matter; we simply need to each have our own space.

Bottom line for me is - you (and Paul, for that matter) continue to sail on Costa and I'll continue to sail on RCCL, Princess and Celebrity. You can sail on Carnival too if you'd like but I don't believe you, with you being so well educated, travelled and superior financial position will interface very well with the "truly average joes" showing off their hairy chests and sexy legs.

Ignoring Peter and his inane comments, I just think that those that cruise often should try different cruise lines and ships for different experiences. Of course there are those that are not creatures of change and will stick with one line forever and no one can change their mind.

FYI. Children can cruise free (other than paying the port and tax) on the Costa Victoria through April.

Enjoy.

Paul

For all this talk on Carnival's "low class activities", I would think my eyes have decieved me.... but here it is, in black and white in front of me-- My Princess cruise in December had the big "BEER DRINKING CONTEST" and my RCI cruise in October had the "MALE NIGHTGOWN CONTEST".... my Carnival Victory cruise last summer didn't have either of these-- but you know, I had a great time on all three cruises.

Carnival isn't what people who don't know claim it is-- the reputation is dated and dead. All the mainstream lines are basically the same-- same shows, same jokes, same prices. A 3 or 4 night RCI cruise for 299 is going to be a HELL of a lot rowdier and "low class" than a 7 night Carnival or NCL cruise, and vice versa.

Great observations JR. On my last Carnival cruise (Legend) the backgound music piped throughout the ship was Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and other assorted oldies. A string quartet was playing in the atrium and oftentimes a lone pianist. The on-deck band had steel drums playing Carribean music - no more rock. What is happening? Now on our next cruise on Holland America if they have the girls stuffing fruit in their bikinis for a pool game then I know things are really turning around.

Happy cruisin'

Paul