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Name: Jonathan Golaner
Email: jgolaner@comptroller.umd.edu
Age: 38
Occupation: CPA
NumberOfCruises: 14
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Costa-Romantica
SailingDate: March 29, 1998
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 75
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 80
CabinQuietness: 50
FoodMidnightBuffets: 70
CabinSteward: 75
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 80
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 12 Apr 1998
Time: 15:29:00
Remote Name: 207.172.87.183
Remote User:
Comments
Costa Romantica March 29, 1998 Western Caribbean
This was my first Costa Cruise. Past cruise lines include Princess, NCL, RCI, CCL, and
Celebrity. We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday Morning. We
purchased the Costa air/sea program.
Embarkation... When we departed the plane we were greeted by two Costa Representatives.
They verified that we were on their list of cruisers, and
verified our ship, either the Romantica or Victoria. Next, you would normally follow a
representatvie to the bus. Unfortunately, when the Costa rep
asked if everyone had tagged their luggage with the supplied tags, a few people answered
*no*. PEOPLE PLEASE, read your documents prior to
your cruise. The documents tell you to tag your luggage. If you do this, your luggage will
appear at your cabin door without having to claim your
luggage at the airport! Thus, all 22 people in this group had to go to the baggage claim
area and wait for these travelers to tag thier luggage. This
was of no fault of Costa. The bus ride was only a few minutes to the dock. Here we saw the
Romatica, she is an attractive mid-sized ship. Also in port
were the Costa Victoria, and Celebrity Mercury. As you enter the terminal you are issued a
number. We were #2. We waited about an hour in this
area that was pleasantly air conditioned. While waiting, an amicable Costa Rep circles the
area and authenticates that everyone has properly
completed ALL documents prior to check in. As your number is called you proceed to the
next room to check in. This has uncomplicated, they call
about 50 people at a time. Subsequently, you go upstaris, still with your number, and
linger another 30 minutes. As your number is called one last
time you board the ship. You are met by white glove attentants that escort you to your
cabin.
Cabin... Our cabin was on deck 7, the Paris deck, center ship. The cabin is warmly
furnished with 2 chairs, small table, small desk, radio, small color
tv, wall safe, and generous closet space. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, with
marble counter, large mirror, hair dryer, soap *VERY small
bars*, shampoo, lotion, and shower cap. The shower had average pressure, and the water was
generously hot if desired. Cabins all have individual
climate controls, the A/C in our cabin kept it pleasant and cool. The cabins are not sound
proof. This did not annoy me, because I am not a light
sleeper, but this was the noisiest cabin I have ever experienced. We could easily hear the
toilets flush in the cabins on each side. There is a vent in
the bottom of the cabin door. Even when the vent was closed the noise level did not
lessen. You genuinely did hear everything going on outside your
cabin in the hallway, as well, you could hear into other cabins as you walked down the
hallways.
Must be time for lunch... The first day lunch is only served in the Giardino Buffet. Lunch
was below the quality of buffets served on other cruise lines.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, a few salads, and fair dessert items, that also included self
serve soft ice-cream. Very small glasses - about 4 ounce, for
iced tea. Suggestion - Bring your own large plastic cup. I did hear other travelers
comment that the food in this area was not the best, but, I did not
see anyone that looked hungry!!! The food in this area was similar everyday. The food
served at lunch in the Dining Room was much better.
First Impressions... The Romantica is a handsome ship. I was surprised to see the hot tubs
and pools not temptingly full on the first day. This ship has
a plethora of marble everywhere - the stair cases, landings, dining room, public rest
rooms, lobby, and many walls. With so much marble you either
admire it or not. Some people find if cold and noisy, I thought it was unique and
exquisite!
Decks... Deck 14 - This deck only contains the Diva Disco, nice 360 degree glass walled
circular room with vast views. Deck 12 - no deck 13 - This is
mainly the jogging/strolling deck. At the bow are some comfortable high back wicker chairs
that reduce the sun and wind - nice!! Deck 11 - Both salt
water pools, about 7 feet deep, are located here. The spa/gym are located between the two
pools. The spa has a co-ed steam room and separate
male/female saunas. Thy gym is small and does not have tread mills. On the stern are 4 hot
tubs. Two tubs were kept very hot, the other two
unheated. The pools and tubs are closed each evening about 8pm. I never had a problem
finding a deck chair or lounge chair. Deck 10 - The inside
Giandino Buffent is furnished with nice wicker chairs and blue tables. Be sure to look up
as you enter the buffet line, there are several port holes that
look into the swimming pool, many times you can see legs suspended in the water...cool! On
the stern is the Terrazza Cafe, an open air area, that
was very popular. This area is shaded by a large white awning, that also help to cut the
wind...very nice!!! In the morning there are 2 stations that
prepare omelettes. In the afternoon, fresh pastas are prepared in this area. Also, this
area offers a 24 hour coffe/water station. Several times the
ice machine was not functioning. Towards the center of the ship is a small childrens
activity room. Deck 9 - The upper level of L'Opera theater, some
poles obstruct views. Photo gallery - cordial staff, various shops - very friendly staff,
Romeo's Pizzeria - serves excellent larger than average
personal size pizza from 2 - 8 pm, and 9 pm - 1am, The Excelsior Casino - never crowded on
this cruise, and on the stern The Tango Ballroom -
large comfortable room with large beautiful green marble bar. The outside walls of this
room are glass. I wish they would remove some of the
overgrown Ficus trees that limit views. Deck 9 - Lower level of L'Opera theater, meeting
rooms, chapel, card room, library, congerence room, Piazza
Italia Grand Bar, and on the stern the one Dining Room - large room, with higher than
average celings. I thought the dining room was very attractive.
Deck 4 thru 7 - Cabin stateroom decks, except for deck 5. On Deck 5 is where the
information desk, lobby, and shore excursion desk, are located.
Deck 3 - The hospital is located on Deck 3.
Time for dinner ... Food service was good. Appetizers very good - especially the scallops,
soups - excellent, salads - plain, entrees very good,
deserts - fair. Many pastas were excellent - try them all!!! Also, try the **Regional
Special** on the right side of the menu - excellent!
Show Time ... Following dinner was usually a great show in L'Opera theater. I thought all
the entertainment, except for one evening was A++. Most
of the shows are hosted by *Max*, by far the best assistant cruise director I have ever
seen - GREAT JOB MAX!! Another good entertainer was
Giavanni, also known as Mr. Piano Man. He played several times in different locations
during the cruise - very enjoyable!
Midnight Buffets ... Only fair food, go up to deck 12 and take a stroll instead. One
evening included a tour of the galley - Very clean!!
Other notes ... Excellent Tender Service Outstanding poolside activities - must see - Mr.
Costa Romantica Contest - HYSTERICAL!!! Color coding - the
bow sections feature blue elevators, signs, and hallways, the aft sections are red. Even
on a mid-size ship this helps many find their location. Great
idea! No self-service laundry machines. No promenade deck. Very warm, friendly, fun ship
employees!!! Age of cruisers was younger than I had
expected, older than Carnival, but not by much. Many more children than usual for a cruise
at this time of year. Not the most formal group, may men
NOT in tuxes/suits on formal night.
Conclusion ... Bottom line ...would I go on Costa again ....YES!!! This certainly was a
fun and easy cruise !!! Great for first time cruisers!!! Not the level
of lavishness of other cruise lines, such as Princess - still my overall favorite. And for
you Costa fans ...CI, CI, CI, CI, CI, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA...
Next scheduled cruise - October 18, 1998 - The Grand Princess
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