Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Edward Martin
Email: emartin932@aol.com
Age: 53
Occupation: Computer Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Costa-Classica
SailingDate: 10/20/97
Itinerary: Greek Isles
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 60
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 80
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 60
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 98
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Nov 1997
Time: 22:45:14
Remote Name: 152.163.195.101
Remote User:

Comments

First of all, if you're expecting the typical american cruise experience, do not sail on Costa in Europe. Costa is
an Italian cruise line catering to Europeans especially Italians. This was my first cruise on Costa and I had
read reviews that implied that this was a different cruise experience and it is. You must be flexible and willing
to adjust in order to enjoy yourself. This may be the reason why another reviewer did not enjoy their cruise.
Ninety percent of the passengers when I went were none English speaking therefore all activities except for
the major show each night were geared towards each language group. The shows are mostly visual such as
dancing and magic and therefore language is not a problem. Five languages were represented on the cruise
(Italian, English, German, French and Spanish) and all annoucements and shore excursions are presented in
each language. Costa does an excellent job of integrating all the different cultures together. It helps to know a
few words of one of the other language. Most crew members speak some English.

The food is not what you would get on an American cruise but it is good. I had spent two weeks in Italy before
the cruise and was used to Italian food. Because they are an Italian line catering mostly to Italians, you will
find a lot of authentic Italian dishes. Forget your local Pizza Hut and neighborhood Italian restaurant. The
food here is different. There is usually a continental type dish each night such as steak or prime rib if you
don't want the traditional Italian fare.

I had a standard outside room with a king size bed. The room had more storage space than any of my other
cruises. Soundproofing between rooms is not good. I could hear my neighbors and I assume that they could
hear me.

One of the selling point in the Costa brocure is their use of marble on their ships. This tended to make the
ship noisy as there no soft material to absorb the noise. The dining room is very noisy. At a large table, you
will not be able to converse with someone across the table.

I did not use the Costa Air/Sea program but arranged my own air. Costa did however provide a
complimentary two night stay in Venice after the cruise. The hotel used was the Sofitel which is close to the
train station, public transportation and the Grand Canal. I felt this was a nice touch.

In summary, a cruise on the Classica can be fun but beware that you will be in the minority on the cruise and
will need to adjust to a different style and culture.

Name: Richard Friend
Email: accents@idt.net
Age: 60
Occupation: Mail Order Business
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Costa-Classica
SailingDate: 7/26/99
Itinerary: Eastern Meditteranean
Cabin: 1937 Outside
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 75
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 85
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 60
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 70
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Aug 1999
Time: 21:18:58
Remote Name: ppp-28.ts-2-bay.mvl.idt.net
Remote User:

Comments

This trip was taken with my wife and two single children in their thirties. The cruise experience was generally very
enjoyable for all of us. Most of the passengers on the ship were Italian with many families. We found our our
fellows shipmates to be pleasant and upbeat. There were less than 80 Americans and other Engligh speaking
natives on board. Although this limited our interaction with other passengers, it was interesting to observe the
pre-dominately European crowd on board. I feel that the Costa organization is first rate and does many things well.
The crew was well trained and always met our needs. One particular officer was kind enough to even drive from
the dock to the airport to retieve my son's luggage which was mis-routed by Air France. Our waiter and assistant
were terrific and added much to our enjoyment of the cruise. This type of cruise is well suited for families and
other people who like a lot of activites. Costa really excells in activities for toddlers and teens. We observed
several groups being nicely entertained by enthusiatic counselors.

There is little I have negative to say. The Classsica lacks enough deck space for those who might desire a more
quiet setting for sunning. The shore excusions were generally good except for our Tunis experience where were
held captive for a one hour sales pitch in a carpet store. This type of cruise might not be for the more mature
market in search of a more sedate enviroment.

Name: John Djordjevic
Email: garbage1983@hotmail.com
Age: 16
Occupation: High School Student
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Costa-Classica
SailingDate: 8-2-99
Itinerary: Europe
Cabin: 6171/Amalfi Deck
FoodDiningRoom: 89
CruiseDirector: 88
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 100
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 78
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland: 0
GoodForFamilies: 100
LoungeService: 80
TenderService: 0
GoodForSeniors: 78
BeautySalonStaff: 80
EntertainmentLounges: 100
WheelchairAccess: 100
ExerciseFacilities: 92
EntertShowLounge: 100
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon: 80
EntertainmentPoolside: 100
CruiseActivities: 99
Casino: 100
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities: 80
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs: 100
DeckSpace: 99
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 70
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 19 Aug 1999
Time: 11:00:11
Remote Name: 212.83.148.105
Remote User:

Comments

My family and I have been on quite a few cruises with the Royal Olympic before through the Greek Islands. This was
actually our first cruise with Costa. The boarding procedures to board the ship were very easy and comfortable. In
order for everyone to board, we had to take numbers and wait for it to be called. After about half an hour of waiting,
and being served free beverages from the bar, we boarded the ship. Our rooms were very comfortable! We had two
exterior rooms with large portholes. The rooms very large, with a clean bathroom and a large closet. There was also
a safe where we could store our valuables. The interior of the ship was very clean, and there were plenty of staff and
crew to help us finding our way around the first day. Every staff member we met spoke english well. I would like to
add that since Costa Cruises is an Italian Line, most of its passengers, about 90% of them, are Italian. There were
about 20 other Americans on board. When they make announcements, they always tend to be in 5 other languages.
Our family didn't mind at all, it just added to our feeling of being in a foreign country. There are many activities for
children on board. There is a Youth club for children below 12, and a Teen club for teens 13-19. There are many
poolside activities and games. There are two pools on the ship, both saltwater. The one in the center of the ship is
used for activities and music, while the one near the aft section was more quiet. My family and I all have to agree that
the entertainment in the Colloseo Showroom was fantastic! Every night there were amazing shows performed by
some talented performers. All the actors were American and young. We went to the Tivoli restaruant every night and
sat at our own table next to a window. The food was excellent, and the service was too. Our busboy, Hilton, got to
know all our names and helped us get our orders down. He was always friendly and smiled. There were some great
meals and the desserts were delicious. Our English-speaking hostess, Edna, was so nice to us. She helped us plan
excursions, and she even went on some of them with us. She was helpful and friendly the entire trip. Our cruise was
wonderful, and everyone was so friendly. We loved meeting everyone and we have made some lifetime friends. This
cruise is perfect for honeymooners and family. We are planning to go on another Costa Cruise next summer!

Name: Tony Carter
Email: acarter@ukgateway.net
Age: 45
Occupation: Computer Manager
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Costa-Classica
SailingDate: 18th October 1999
Itinerary: Wester Mediterranean 7 nights
Cabin: 7093 - 9
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector: 40
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 75
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 76
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 50
LoungeService: 75
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 78
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 45
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 60
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 40
CruiseActivities: 40
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 40
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 50
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 80
Stabilization: 60
ShopsOnBoard: 60
SpaceRatio: 65
OverallCruiseValue: 65
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 29 Oct 1999
Time: 06:14:01
Remote Name: useraf70.uk.uudial.com
Remote User:

Comments

My wife and I booked our (first ever) 7 day cruise on the Costa Classica 3 weeks before travel via an English Travel
Agent. We obtained a 40% discount on the list price for the late booking. Our Cruise was in the Western Mediterranean
and was the ships last cruise of the Summer 1999 season before departing to the Caribbean. We left on October 18th
and returned on 25th.

Our package included return flights from London Stanstead Airport to Genoa in North Italy from where the ship was to
sail, then to visit; Naples, Palermo, Tunisia, Palma, Barcelona, Marseilles and back to Genoa.

Once our tickets and detailed itinerary arrived we were slightly worried because over 5 hours had been allowed
between arrival at Genoa airport and embarkation but only 30 minutes for the return journey.

We flew from Stanstead with Ryanair, which required a 6am check in! The plane was half an hour late leaving as I think
they had mislaid the crew.

Embarkation at Genoa was a bad experience. After arrival at the Genoa docks we joined long queue to check it. We
were informed that embarkation would not start for at least two hours (our bus had been late from the airport which did
reduce the wait). Other passengers mostly, French, German, Italian, Spanish and American had arrived by different
means and had varying delays. Promised free drinks never appeared and the Genoa terminal building has no facilities -
it is a dump. On this day it was cold and raining. The only refreshments were available from a cafe outside the terminal.
Our schedule showed our next meal to be 9pm that night. Between plane taking off at 7.30 am to 9pm no provision at all
had been made for our comfort. Ryanair, do not even carry food on their planes.

Once on the ship we received a warm reception and were personally shown to our cabin, where our luggage was ready
and waiting.

Our outside cabin was mid-ships on deck 7. It had a large double bed, television, two chairs, small table, safe,
telephone, and bathroom, with shower and toilet. The bed was comfortable with no sags or lumps. The air conditioning
was very responsive and easy to control. The cabin window although not huge, gave a good view even when sitting
down. The cabin was well soundproofed and we heard no noise from neighbouring cabins, and very little from the
corridor outside.

Our Steward made up our room twice a day, although we did notice that the carpet only got vacuumed once or twice
during the whole week.

We had been told that the ship was Italian with Italian crew. This was partly true. Many of the crew were Italian, but most
were not. For example, our Steward, very friendly and helpful, if slightly unorganised, was Polish and many of rest of the
crew were Philippino. There common language was as much English as Italian. All announcements were made in 5
languages.

I need to explain that our holiday objectives were to use the ship as a floating hotel to visit some new places of interest.
My wife and I are not great ones for participating in organised activities or entertainment, or eating round the clock.
Dressing up for formal dinners fills us with dread. As this was an international boat, with the emphasis on informality we
were confident that our needs would be met - mostly they were.

Breakfast could be taken in the dining room but we always used the buffet. Invariably there were queues. Fresh fruit
was plentiful. Bread was dry. Coffee only luke warm, and the water provided to make tea just not hot enough to do so.
Bacon, sausages eggs were also on offer.

Lunch was much better. Once again this could be taken in the dining room or at the buffet, where a barbecue was
usually available. Apart from tea and coffee, drink had to be purchased from a waitress, and although they were usually
very quick, on more than one occasion we had finished our meal before our drink arrived. We only ever ate in the
buffet/barbecue, some of the food had obviously been good when prepared but by the time it was served was not - it is
simply not possible to keep chips warm over a bain-marie

Dinner, was, for us, an unfortunate affair. Between 7pm and Midnight it was pretty impossible to get anything to eat
apart from in the formal dining room. There was no buffet or similar. We had opted for the second sitting which was
always between 9pm and 9.30. On more than one occasion we either did not want a full meal or did not want to eat so
late, so did not bother.

Our waiters were very charming and amusing and it was almost worth visiting the dining room just to see them. They
could not have been more helpful.

There was only one evening where the dress code in the dining room was formal, and in some ways it was fortunate
that a storm gave us the excuse to retire to our cabin. On informal nights one or two wore a jacket and tie, but most just
slacks and polo shirt or similar. Ladies mostly wore dresses, skirts that type of thing. As is usual, the Italians and
Spanish looked elegant whatever they wore.

Room service was available, but we did not use this as the choice was limited to three different sandwich type things.

We visited one show during our trip. Technically good but not to our taste, being all song and dance and perhaps a little
dated by British standards.

There were one or two activities arranged during the day, making paper flowers, cocktail mixing demo, etc. These rarely
lasted more than 15 minutes and looked slightly embarrassing.

Every evening there was entertainment in the biggest bar. This was usually supplied by a singer and piano player.
Quite good as background but as the Michelin guide would say not ‘worth a detour’.

This was a late season cruise, and as such we did not expect perfect weather, and so we were not surprised that on two
evenings the boat did move up and down quite a bit. But one or two other passengers said that they had been on
rougher seas and other ships were much more stable.

At all times the ship was clean and tidy and everything worked.

Disembarkation entailed a lot of hanging around, with little information. We did get to the airport 20 minutes before the
plane was due to depart, despite the tight schedule. Our plane was best part of an hour late, no reason or apology was
given, so we had plenty of time to hang around - are Ryanair always this bad.

To summarise: The cruise fulfilled our objectives, but not our expectations. We were disappointed by the food and the
dining arrangements. Without the 40% discount we would have felt cheated. We might go on another cruise, but
perhaps we need to pay a bit more, and do a bit more research first next time.

Tony Carter

Name: Brian Beatty
Email: bcbeatty@yahoo.com
Age: 29
Occupation: Computer Consultant
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Costa-Classica
SailingDate: 10/18/99
Itinerary: Wester Mediterranean 7 nights
Cabin: 3446 and 4551
FoodDiningRoom: 60
CruiseDirector: 60
CabinComfort: 30
FoodRoomService: 60
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 50
FoodLidoDeck: 60
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 60
DeckService: 
ShoreExcValue: 50
GoodForHoneymoon: 1
CasinoStaff: 70
PrivateIsland: 
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 50
TenderService: 
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 30
WheelchairAccess: 
ExerciseFacilities: 
EntertShowLounge: 60
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 10
CruiseActivities: 10
Casino: 60
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 30
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 20
ShopsOnBoard: 30
SpaceRatio: 60
OverallCruiseValue: 60
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 19 Jan 2000
Time: 18:23:33
Remote Name: el01-24-131-154-141.ce.mediaone.net
Remote User: 

Comments

Went on the same cruise as Tony Carter. This was my first cruise and I had a lot of expectations. Being
american I grew up watching the love boat. This was not the Love Boat. This was my honeymoon cruise
and my wife and I always wanted to go to Italy and Spain and were not interested in do a land tour
packing and unpacking every day to move to a new hotel. So we decided for the hotel to move for us.
We didn't get to see as much Italy as we wanted only Pompeii. 

This also was my first time planning a trip with a travel agent. I should have asked is she had been on
this cruise, this wasn't really a good choice for a honeymoon vacation. Don't get me wrong. We had a
great time, at the places we went but the time on the boat was not what I expected. The cruise was very
busy 7 days and 7 ports and the arrival times were always arround 7-9 am except for Palma. It would
have been nice to have one day at sea to relax and not be forced to choose a land tour or sleep in.
Our favorite stops were Barcellona, Palma de Mallorca and Pompeii. We slept in at Palermo. 

The dinner staff was great and made the meals enjoyable and who ever picked out our fellow dinner
guests were great. there were 3 other couples one on thier 25th aniversary, 2 sisters who were travel
agents and another honeymoon couple. We had so much fun together we even planned a private tour
together for Palma and Marseilles. 

Being a cruise ship I expected a great nite-life and active casino. The most active night I saw in the
disco-tech was in Palma when it seemed the cabin staff was alowed to enjoy themselves. The casino
was never crowded. 2 roulette tables and mabey 3 black jacks tables were opened. Slots were very
open. Craps table was only opened up at our request because we had 6-10 people wanting to play.
When we did play. The casino staff was great and even tought the rookies playing craps and blackjack.

The dinner time for the late sitting was at 9:15-9:30 we usually were the last ones to leave and there for
never saw the Late Night Buffet. Also from Tunis to Palma it was a very rough ride they had the sick
bags waiting for us when we re-boarded. about 30% of the people showed up at formal night and the
lobster was very chewy. I think it was left over from the 1st seating. 

I will travel on a cruise again, but not a Costa cruise. 

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