Kristy

I am going on the Costa Tropicale for my honeymoon this summer (Cannes, France; Barcellona, Spain;Tunisia; Sicily; Rome; etc.) was wondering if anyone has any positive or negative feedback about this cruise or about Costa Cruise Line in general. Thank you!!

John

Kristy,<BR>About the only thing I can tell you about Costa that I found out a year or so ago when I was considering them for a Caribbean cruise, was that their food was definitely European, specifically very Italian. Those like me who are very used to our bland American food find the European flair a little excessive; but to each their own. <BR><BR>I'm sure your cruise and honeymoon will turn out wonderfull and remember that there really isn't any such thing as a bad cruise.

neviboy

An entertainer client persuaded me to try Costa on a Baltic cruise as he was the lead performer on board. If you can put up with mainly Italian tourists who are first in line and lousy food except for pasta dishes, then go for it. English speaking passengers are in the minority and get the "don't understand" treatment.

Frank

Although Costa prides itself on it's Italian heritage, it was purchased several years ago by Carnival. As a matter of fact, the Tropicale used to be a Carnival ship. We sailed on it many years ago and although it was a nice ship than, it is about 20 years old now so don't expect it to be up to the standards of the new jumbo liners. Your itinerary will more than make up for any possible shortcommings of the vessel. Enjoy.

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi Kristy,<BR><BR>Frank is right, the Tropical was launched in 1981. When it waws tranferred to Costa in February 2001 it was refurbished to the tune of $20 million. This was not a run-of-the-mill refurb and I would really like to what the final result is. Would you please post when you return?<BR><BR>I have sailed the Romantica and the Atlantica. I thought the food was a tad "different" on the Romantica quite a few years ago but now that Carnival Corp. has taken over, the food is now very "American." This 5 star cruise line has the best of everything. They are just not that well known in the USA. <BR><BR>Although they have a pasta side dish at ever meal (except breakfast) I do not believe it is either northern or southern Italian. The sauce is very bland. The beef and seafood are excellent. The service is fabulous. They do cater to children. They are showered with gifts. <BR><BR>I believe the themed evenings are the best at sea. Festa Italiana (street festival), Notte Tropical, the Roman Bacchanal and you must dress up in a toga for the parade and the Roman evening. It's a hoot.<BR><BR>You should purchase the Honeymoon package for $99. It is so much better than those offered by other cruise lines.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful, or should I say magnifico, honeymoon.<BR><BR>Paul

Dianna

We just got back a couple weeks ago from this cruise. The ship was nice and clean, and the rooms were bigger than some I've been on. The ports were wonderful and we did our own excursions. The service was so-so, as was the food & entertainment. English is 3rd on the PA system, we were only 40 among 1,000 passengers. There was no toga party, but the waiters did a number with the baked alaska. The beef wasn't good and the food tended to be overdone. We had late setting, but that meant 9:15 most nights and finishing about 11:00, too late, we should have booked early sitting. Casino was tight. Any more questions, e-mail me. Dianna

Paul Therault

Doesn't sound to me like a Costa cruise Dianna. I wonder why?<BR><BR>I can understand where the ship would be mainly Europeans in Europe but I can not understand the lack of entertainment and unsavory food. No street festivals and toga night? No fabulous Italian tenor? Strange.<BR><BR>Thanks for the info. Guess it is a Costa ship to stay away from if it is not spectacular.<BR><BR>Paul

Tom

Recently returned from cruise on Costa Atlantica around Greece. Found it to be a spectacular ship, with good service. As noted in several posts about Costa, there were lots of Italians (about 1,700+ of the 2,300 or so on board) but the 300 or so English speakers should not have had any difficulties as so many of the staff & crew speak English. Food was mediocre, even the pasta dishes, and entertainment only so-so ... but cabin was large & well-appointed and common areas nice to wander/visit. Wife enjoyed the spa facilities. No "Roman Bacchanal" as is done on Caribbean cruises. Sure, there were little quirks and dislikes, but overall it was quite enjoyable and definitely a good value. Would I go on Costa again? Sure, if the itinerary & price are right!

Mandy

My understanding is that detailed announcements are made in Italian, and by the time they get to the English translation only a few words are spoken, so it can be difficult for English-speaking passengers to know what is going on. Of course, this will depend on the ship and which particular person is making the announcements at that time.<BR><BR>Perhaps they have a printed English version of the daily schedule that would be helpful in planning your days on board.

Paul Therault

Costa has daily activity sheets that are printed in English.<BR><BR>Thanks for the info Tom. Apparently Costa has eliminated the Street Festivals and the Toga nights in Europe.<BR><BR>When I sailed the Romantica a few years ago they did have the festivities. <BR><BR>I did find the pasta neither Northern or Southern and rather bland even on the Atlantica in the Caribbean, but found the beef and seafood excellent. Not much for productions shows. Great Italian tenors.<BR><BR>Paul

Norm

We have been on 4 different Costa ships and have been on some of those several times. We like the European influence and all the languages. Our country has very little access to European cultures, languages, and food. We enjoy listening to others and learning about different places in our world which Costa has provided. They had a great cruise director, Nick, who was taken away to star on a TV show in London. Bet the honeymooners won't even recognize that all announcements are made in 5 languages, often spoken from the same mouth!!

Marge

Dear Kristy,<BR>A group of 10 of us went on a Costa cruise a couple of years ago. Sorry...it was the worst cruising experience we have ever had. The food was so bad that by the end of the cruise we ended up ordering everything on the menu just to find something decent to eat. They constantly blared out messages in every language... at every hour of the day. Hope your experience was better than ours!!

Paul Therault

Hi Marge,<BR><BR>Costa is a five star cruise line and are filling their ships. They must be doing something right. I have sailed Costa twice. the Romantica in Europe and the Atlantica in the Caribbean and found the food good on the Romantica and excellent on the Atlantica. Would love to do it again. Keep in mind, I am talking ship's food not a Four Seasons restaurant food.<BR><BR>Possibly the food is a matter of taste. For example, the people that live in New Orleans would probably not care for it. The people that live in Boston, New Haven or New York would probably hate the pasta.<BR><BR>FYI. The Atlantica has kids sailing for $60 with a 2 category upgrade for most sailings winter and spring.<BR><BR>Enjoy,<BR><BR>Paul

Cruiser

Strange how Paul is sticking up for Costa despite the vast majority's bad experiences. Oh, wait a minute, Costa is owned by Carnival. That explains it.

Paul Therault

Sorry Cruiser. I know hundreds of passengers that would tell you about their wonderful experience on Costa.<BR><BR>Anyone can join in bashing a cruise line whether they have cruised the line or not.<BR><BR>Of course I can only speak for myself but I found Costa great.<BR><BR>Must support Carnival you know, wouldn't want that so-called crummy company to go out of business. What would I do with all my logo shirts?<BR><BR>Paul

Kelley

I sailed a Costa cruise in the Greek Isles about three years ago. The ship was average. I wouldn't rate a five star, but it was okay. The rooms were larger than normal. The food was "okay", but hey, I have yet to find a large cruise ship with outstanding food. If outstanding food is what you want, go to a smaller ship like Windstar, etc. I would do another cruise with them because the scenery and itinerary made up for all the other stuff.

Cam

Costa is an excellent cruise line. Yes there is an enormous European flavour to it (not the Canadian spelling), but it only adds to the experience. We met many English speaking guests this year on the Atlantica including some new friends out of the Seatle area. I have already posted some remarks about the ship and staff in another thread. I found most staff spoke English and I saw several instances of annoyed Italians yelling at staff who could not speak Italian. I would cruise with Costa again if the price and destinations were right.

Areyouforreal?

Paul- get real--<BR><BR>I have a good friend who is a travel agent===She said the food was inedible.Even steak was overdone.<BR>She said she would NEVER recommend it to her clients.....<BR><BR>How much more of a "NO recommendation" do you want???!!!

Joanne

I just got back from the Atlantica in Europe and the food was very good, in all the ship was very nice, clean and shows were good and yes we had an excellent time. I am very surprised that your agent would put down a cruise line. what ship was she on? Try it I am sure you will have a great time.

Paul Therault

Sounds to me like that travel agent eats all her meals out at Burger King.<BR><BR>If she eats an overdone steak that the waiter mistakenly put in front of her and not send it back she should not be a travel agent.<BR><BR>Paul