Paul you are so right about sailing with a group. We had no problem with being 60 of the 25%Americans onboard with the other 75% being European. Yes there were times with language was a problem but we found that a smile was universal. The staff on the Fortuna was the best we have ever had. I don't think I encountered any of the staff that did not speak English. My group has sailed many times with Carnival and they really enjoyed the more laid back Costa cruise. They said they didn't feel like they were being rushed at any time. Where you on the Fortuna the night before it sailed it's first Caribbean trip? If so, I was there also.