Paul Therault

Ahh, Peter admits he is copying. Imagine someone keeping a log of all replies from every ship. Person has a problem. And people have told you that Peter.<BR><BR>I do not listen to what one or two people say about a cruise. When I post a fact it is with personal conversation with those that have experienced that fact. Granted I have not taken the ship's horseback riding tours but I have personally talked to many that said the horses are tired. That is why I went with Randi.<BR><BR>I personally have sailed the Costa Romantica which was OK, the Victoria which was very good and the Atlantica which was absolutely fabulous. The beef was out-of-this-world along with all the other entrees. I would sail the Atlantica again just to hear that fabulous Italian tenor Richard Ianni. I was standing on the top level of the atrium one day when he was singing. I did not dare to go downstairs since I would have missed some of his arias. He is worth the price of the cruise. The announcements are not heard in the cabin and as a matter of fact I never really paid attention if they were in other languages. Pasta is offered as a side course and I did not think it was Italian spicy at all. I would have never ordered it as a main course. Of course I am used to New Haven, NYC and Boston Italian. Their pizza also needs improvement such as the fresh pizza made on Carnival and Princess. I am nit-picking here but I could not find anything really negative about Costa. One of my favorite cruise lines.<BR><BR>For heaven's sake Peter, I have been on 75 cruises. How many have you been on 5, 6?<BR><BR>If anyone would like detailed information on Costa, please post. I will give you information that no one that has not sailed Costa would know.<BR><BR>Paul

Peter

Back to the original post - Karen, my advice is to book with one of the big four and not try Costa for a lousy couple hundred dollar savings for your teenagers. Its not worth the risk regardless if you believe Paul or me. You can't go wrong with RCCL or Princess. For the southern next year you might have to go on the Adventurer as I don't think Princess will do the southern after March or April.

John

Paul, I think Peter said that he gets his information from several cruise message boards like this one. I've seen him over in cruisecritics.com a few times.<BR><BR>Let me see if I understand your point: you exist on this board to give accounts of your experiences and advice to those who ask. I'm sure your intention is that they believe you. You, in turn, are chastising Peter because his source of information about Costa is from message boards like this one. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?<BR><BR>Besides, I don't think karen's teenagers really want to be on a ship where you can hear arias coming from the atrium. A little snobby for me, anyway.

enuf already

Back to Karen's original question...one room for four people on a week-long cruise is a bad idea unless it's a big room like a suite.

Paul Therault

John, you may despise me. For what reason I do not understand. Costa is definitely not snobbish. It is great fun for the entire family. I was just attempting to prove that I sailed Costa.<BR><BR>I sailed the Atlantica in the Caribbean and know all about the ship and what occours each day.<BR><BR>Here is something else that Peter has not heard on any forum: We traveled on Easter and every child (they cater to children) received a huge foot high chocolate egg filled with candy. The ship was decorated with bunnies, big and small eggs, streamers, etc. Our dinner table had a dish of hand colored easter eggs, fuzzy bunnies and an egg tree.<BR>Peter rabbit (related I'm sure) also made an appearance. <BR><BR>Just some additional information to prove how hard the crew works to please the passengers. <BR><BR>The meat in purchased in the U.S. and steak is available (as on all cruise lines) at every meal. I imagine if someone received a tough piece of meat (I imagine it could happen) they could simply send it back. Again, same as other cruise lines.<BR><BR>Years ago Costa was definitely European. Since they now sail the Caribbean times have changed. The older ships that sail the Med still are very European.<BR><BR>Again you may call me snobbish but the ship is filled with Murano glass that will knock your socks off. They must have purchased the factory. I presume the leftover glass was placed in the new Carnival Pride which has many nice pieces.<BR><BR>Paul

karen

Thanks so much for all info. I know that sleeping quarters will be tight with all of in one room but it means the difference between going and not going. Since we have sailed before we know of how little time you spend in a cabin anyway. Luckily my husband and sons do not spend that much time to get ready in the morning or before dinner. I was under the impression that Norwegian had very good 3rd and 4 th rates but it must be to early in the season as I have not found any yet. Thanks again for the info hope some one might have come across a deal. Karen