Costacruises Reviews 29

Everything from embarking to disembarking was failure.
Queue first in one place and then be asked to queue in another place.
Asked to show legal payment card of course ok when boarding.
Stopped by disembarking claiming no proper payment card so staff claimed to ask for payment for two softice even if we had paid for full drinking package.
Costa staff did not think it was their problem that my payment card had not been registered upon boarding.
Why would I then have to present a payment card when boarding?
Boarded at one pier in Hamburg but was dropped off at another pier.
Had to wait for half an hour in the rain for a shuttle bus to take us to our cars when we embarked.
The only thing that was okay was the staff who cleaned our cabin and the waiters in the restaurant
Cabin no. 7411

As other revues said, they won’t allow you even water or coffee without a package, only with your meal. I had a very expensive drinks package but bars are often closed or couldn't find a waiter when you want a drink, saving them a fortune. Food is Italian and only Italian, only served when restaurants are open, bland and Luke warm, not 24 hour. language on ship Italian. The majority of people on board was Italian. The others they didn’t seem to worry about. I don’t speak Italian so never knew what was going on and felt very isolated.compulsory tips £22 a day for a couple plus they charged a 20% service charge on every drink. Room service cut back to once a day only. Because of the above I will never travel with this ship again. Having said that, ship is clean, very stable, lovely staff and if you speak Italian ok.

Appalling customer service trying to get my refund for a cruise that was cancelled twice due to the pandemic and then the war as it included a trip to St Petersburg. 65 days an counting since i supplied my bank details. I get nice replies but no refund. Have never cruised with them and probably will not based on this experience and other reviews.

Many negatives :
1) Restricted opening times for the buffet restaurants, so you can't get a tea, coffee or even a GLASS OF WATER outside those times! Actually you can only get those at breakfast and ONE hour in the afternoon! Otherwise you'll have to buy a beverage package which costs a lot!!! The cruise ships we've all been on we could get access to beverages almost 24hrs and included!

3) The two arenas for shows are VERY Badly designed, there are a lot of obstructed views and it's not like a normal theatre should be with the all the audience facing the stage, it's designed like a round colosseum with people sit round it in different levels with lots of obstructed posts in front.

4) It was hard to find your way round the ship, there were no signs or directions to tell you how to get to places

5) The dinner service was very rushed, although the waiters were pleasant. But it's not a five star service more like a normal high street restaurant you go everyday. The food was average, quite disappointed really. Comparing to the Costa Atlantica ship we've been on years ago was no comparison.

6) The activities were almost zero, most things you would have to pay extra. Quizes are repeated throughout. The day at sea was the most boring day with nothing specially designed for the day. The pools were all tiny and crowded. You have to pay to use the saunas and spa areas!

To summarise:
I do realise this was a very good price BUT there are other cruise lines who could offer all those with only a little bit more money! I would not use this cruise line again or recommended it to anyone.

Costa Smeralda. Very bad ship. This is discount cruising! . Every shipmember were very stressed and they could not deliver a trustfull service and they dont give you an Update they promised. They hang up the telephone or let you be in the Line and nobody Will answer your Call. Is was full Of children very noizy every where, exept on my cabin. I want Of the ship halfway and turn back to Denmark. The worst Nightmare ever!!!

Still waiting for my refund 78 days after my “free”
cancellation ?
I get polite answers when I write, but every time “thank you for your patience”
This was my second cancellation during the pandemic, first time i had to wait almost 6 months for my refund.
Advice: Do not book, do not pay anything before you are quite sure you want to go.

To all people considering Costa Cruise.
My uncle in Denmark had his trip cancelled by Costa in april 2020, and despite having been in contact with Costa for more than 8 months he still havent received his refund as promised.
I strongly advise AGAINST purchasing cruises at Costa. You will never get your money back if something goes wrong!!!!