A DISAPPOINTING CRUISE

No issues.

We have been on past Costa cruises, and enjoyed them, and therefore booked this one, expecting to also enjoy it. It was a disappointment. First, let me mention some good things. The cabin staff was friendly and hard working, and the cruise director, Max, was excwllwnt. But, the restaurant experience was average to mediocre, and very disappointing. The serving staff seemed to be short-handed, and poorly trained. The meal service was haphazard. The menu was oddly planned. As an example, when chickwn parmigiana is offered, one should be able to have it with a side dish of pasta. Instead it was presented with french fries! Lobster was frozen and of very poor quality. Coffee was not offered, so it was necessary to ask for it. Then the server brought it to the person asking for it without asking anyone else if they might want some. The menu is not available before hand, either posted outside the dining room, on the room TV, or on the website. The Maitre-D was arrogant and generally unfriendly, never greeted guests upon entry, and seemed uninterested in making guests feel welcome..When guests stayed too long, the MaitreD would turn the music volume to a high level as a signal to leave, rather than have the waiter say something. This was very rude and insulting. In summation, the dining room experience was very disappointing compared to the many other cruises we have taken, both on Costa and other lines we have been on. The food in the buffet dining option was uninspired and repetitive. The breakfast options were always identical and boring, and lunch and dinner only varied sjightly. In addition, the hours were inadequate. Often we walked around looking for an open buffet station. The formal entertainment in the theater was very good, both in variety and quality. However, the first two rows had signs saying they were reserved for suite guests, yet no announcements or other enforcement was done, so everyone sat there. What is the point of this? The various other events held around the ship were average to poorly done. In summation, the cruise was very disapponting. We have been on almost 20 cruises, and this was the first to leave us feeling this way.

Dull, boring, and poorly organized.

The highlight of the cruise was the very good entertainment in the theater. Max is a wonderful Cruise Director.

Cabin staff was very good. Food service staff was just okay. Restaurant servers need additional staffing and training. Maitre-D was arrogant and uninterested in listening to diners concerns.

Nice older ship.

Great cabin steward. (Roselyn)