Wonderful European/Caribbean experience
Costa Mediterranea Cruise Review to Caribbean
Contributor Level:
Deck Hand
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 11
Sail date: December 01, 2012
Ship: Costa Mediterranea
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 11 years ago
Review summary
I have read other reviews that were critical of the food etc. but I think you have to realize that once you board this ship you are in effect transporting to Europe to take a Caribbean cruise. Any minor adjustments we made were well worth the entire cultural experience. We were way outnumbered by Europeans and were able to rub elbows with people from all over the world and learn about them. They were interested in us too and seem to know very little except for what the media and the TV tell them. There were several pools that were not always crammed with people. I never had the opportunity to swim on the boat because I was busy doing other things. The game rooms were quite popular, comfortable and attractive. The ship is in good repair, beds were comfortable and dcor nice. Advice is to brush up on European theatrical history and the humanities to really appreciate the dcor. Although partying is encouraged, this is no party barge. It is much deeper than that. All of the ports were fantastic but we were unable to do the excursions. We did go in and hire our own drivers at each port and had a blast! Grand Turk is probably the most beautiful place I have seen. Honduras was the most interesting. We asked our driver, Jose Omar, to take us out of the touristy area and to the regular town. It was a wonderful experience to see how the people really live. We ate at an open air caf in the middle of town where the food was exquisite. Advice is to brush up on your Spanish before going. We went to some of the mountain markets. There was a man at one of them selling paintings that I really wanted to buy but had run out of money by that time.Ship experiences
Food and Dining
The restaurant wait staff, Shetty and Alexis were outstanding and did everything they could to make us happy. The restaurant food was gourmet so it is not exactly what Americans are used to. All meals are served in small courses but you have more than enough. For those with a more bland taste steak, baked potato, French fries and side salad is available at every dinner along with several other options. The buffet is not available 24 hours a day but we found it to be very good. Americans are used to very sweet pastries but European pastries are not. I found the jellies on the buffet to be outstanding. The diet jelly was basically crushed berries and went well with anything you put it on. You can get an omelet if you wish which are wonderful. Drinks and ice are not available all of the time but with some forethought this is something that can be overcome. I took my own containers and filled them at breakfast and lunch and therefore never ran out. It Coffee is strong but I like it that wa
Entertainment
Entertainment was done in several different languages including English which really just added to the ambiance of the entire experience. There is a woman in the main dancing area that sings all day in several different languages. While playing cards in the game room you are crooned with American pop music sang in Italian, French, Spanish and English. I loved it. Shows at night were very professional; I cannot say enough to let you know how good they are. They have several spoof games going on during the cruise in the dancing area that are hilarious. You really have to remember to not get offended if something crosses your personal line. It is all done in fun. Every day there is a new ballroom dance taught and every night there is a dance to show it off. After all of this there is a night club in the very back of the ship that is really hopping. More so than on any other ship I have been on. The live band is great. The gym is very nice also and there is a nice chapel.
Service and Staff
We loved our restaurant wait staff, Shetty and Alexis so much we exchanged email and Face Book addresses. They were wonderful and did everything that we asked to make us happy. Dasuka was our cabin clean staff and was also wonderful. The room was cleaned every time we left and if we had further needs all we had to do was ask. The entertainment staff and the other staff were also outstanding! We had a great time.
Ship Quality
The ship was large and not crowded. Everything was beautifully decorated and clean. Classical elegance was evident everywhere. In the public bathrooms on this ship you are not given paper towels in the bathroom but small white terry cloth towels, like wash cloths, to dry your hands. You are expected to use them then place them in the hamper to be washed. Stalls are wider and the partitions go higher and lower than what we are used to in the US. State rooms were very nice and comfortable. I had a balcony but did get a chance to see an interior room that was nicer than what I had experienced on another cruise line.
Cabin / Stateroom
We had a very reasonably priced balcony. My parents had the balcony next door so they opened the partition between the rooms. It was roomy for a ship room; the bed was very comfortable which is important to me and my arthritis. There was ample closet space. The room was cleaned every time we left and Dasuka left us many small decorative surprises.
Pros: European classical dcor, bed was just right, balcony was beautiful, wait staff and cabin staff were wonderful
Cons: Tea and ice are not available 24 hours a day. The eating schedule is not on the same schedule as we are used to in the US.
1 Comment
cruisellama 5 years ago