Being an older, well traveled person, I should have known better. All I wanted to do is to let first time cruisers going on Costa to hear the other story. How much we enjoyed the beautiful Mediterranea, the crew, the food. We have cruised all types of cruise lines, our b-t-b on the Mediterranea was one of the finest cruises we have taken.
My husband pointed out, by answering some of the dreadful remarks posted here, I was merely supporting that person's platform. As my husband also pointed out, when some people carry on and on about their awful cruise it could be they are fulfilling their campaign of "Unless we get a full refund I will take my case to the Internet."
Frankly, as a completely new reader to these boards who was just looking for some information about the cruise he had already booked (Mediterranea on 10/10/04 out of Venice, for a technology conference), I'm basically taking away that while the food can be inconsistent, the cruise is generally what you make of it. Understanding that "European" and "American" can often be two vastly different things, you need to keep an open mind and celebrate the differences, rather than thinking everything should conform to your point of view.
Tom, you don't do yourself any favors by accusing everyone who says they had a good time of being a shill for Costa or an idiot who doesn't know what they're talking about, whether you do it directly or indirectly. You had legitimate complaints about your cruise, but it's hard to tell where the legitimate concerns end, and the vendetta begins. Yes, your air should not have been booked the way it was. And this is definitely a good point to make. As is inconsistent food, and rude service. However, how can anyone tell if the rude service was real, or just your perception, or reaction to your bad mood that started with the way Costa handled the air booking? By shouting everything 16 different ways in multiple threads, you seem like you're trying to drown out any positive comments about Costa.
To those who have taken either side, I don't know that you need to apologize too much for "fanning the flames." On the "Well, I had a good time" side, when it seems like someone is carrying out a vendetta against something that you enjoyed, it's hard not to step up and voice your opinion. And the same goes for the "I didn't like it either" side. Everyone's opinion about their cruise experience is important, and for those who are actually looking for information about the cruises, sorting through the various opinions is the only way we can determine what's of value. If the people who enjoyed their cruise didn't say anything, the only comments on the board would be negative. And if the people who agreed with Tom about the problems didn't say anything, then it might seem that he didn't have any legitimate complaints (which does not seem to be true).
I've taken a few things away from the discussion so far. Costa is not booking my air, but I'm making sure that I have plenty of time to get to the cruise and to the airport afterwards. My wife and I were going to take an additional week in Northern Italy before the cruise, but now we've decided to take it after the cruise, rather than before. This way if the food on the cruise is inconsistent, the freshest memory will be our week sampling the local fare in Liguria, Toscana, and Piedmonte. And we'll definitely be taking care to cultivate a good relationship with the service staff we have to deal with, such as the room steward and waiter, to make sure we get the benefit of their experience on the ship.
I'll continue to browse the board to see how things go. I'm hoping that over the next several months, before I cruise, that Costa will have a chance to address some of the problems and that they're actually interested in doing so. I'm also hoping that being on a cruise out of Venice, the fare will be slightly better than in the Carribean (though in an ideal world, the port of departure should not matter). But I'm also sure that my wife and I can have a good time on the cruise, regardless.
I was on the Costa Meditteranea's 1/11 cruise - and it was absolutely wonderful! I was apprehensive after reading coments on this forum - but I'm sorry that I did, and it was one of the best vacations and cruises that I have ever done!!!
Bonkoif. I have not accused everyone with a good posting of Costa in being an idiot. It appears that everyone with a good posting of Costa attempted to make me out to be the idiot. Have you read the ship reviews on Costa. Can all those people be wrong and idiots toooooo??????? As for the rudeness of the employees on the ship, I will repeat, the cabins teward was the nicest man on this earth, and he was well compensated by our party for ding his job properly. The wait staff was so so on performance and that refected in their compensation. The rest of the staff in my honest opinion was plain out rude. And i did not walk up and engage them in conversation. I did not growl at them. They just appeared that they did not want to be there. It could be the holidays away from their families. I dont know. This is my honest opinion.
Now let me ask yu this Bonkoif, should i say nothing. Should the prospective cruiser with Costa not k now what has happened aboard this ship. Should the prospective cruiser not read the ship reviews for this company??????And I assure you Bonkoif, they were not all written by me.
It appears to me that when someone posts a good report about a Costa sailing, they can do NO wrong. Report after report on how powdered eggs are wonderful, that is fine. but when someone tells it like it is, it is a vendetta. I wil await your trip report boinkof.
Why not just write your review on how you feel your vacation went and then move on. I read what you had to say and now I will make up my own mind how I enjoyed mine.
Rae, interestingly enough, Kuki is a paid critic who was escorted on her/his vacation by a Costa PR rep and other Costa executives. I'm guessing Kuki saw a different version of the cruise than an everyday paying customer and isn't qualified to give a "critical" review. I'm thinking a real reporter would go incognito to fact find and not get bought off by the company with an expensive escorted vacation.
To all of you already booked on Costa -- I hope you enjoy yourselves. For those thinking of booking Costa, I recommend that you read all the reviews both positive and negative before making your choice.
Kuki saw a different version of the cruise than an everyday paying customer and isn't qualified to give a "critical" review. I'm thinking a real reporter would go incognito to fact find and not get bought off by the company with an expensive escorted vacation
David,
I think you might want to read the article I wrote about our Mediterranea cruise<G>
[urlhttp://www.cruisemates.com/articles/humop/Kuki-Mediterranea.cfm[/url]
I relate my experiences and impressions, both positive and negative. The cruise lines know better than to expect CruiseMates writers to simply regurgitate their brochures. All our writer's, including myself, have earned our reputations for a fair and balanced approach.
I believe the cruise lines value our candor, and appreciate our input, as evidenced by a previous posting where I described discussing the shortcomings we encountered with the executives.
Press trips on the cruise lines are quite common when new vessles are introduced,as the cruise lines are naturally looking for exposure. But I believe they are also looking for input.
In fact after my article ran on the CruiseMates Home page, I received feedback from Costa talking about what they trying to do to address the points I raised.
I was also quite upfront posting here, that indeed it was a press trip, and that on these trips we normally have to take into account that we may be receiving better treatment than other passengers.
But...If you're reputation can be "bought off" with a cruise, you're price is much lower than mine.
Kuki, if you were on trial and you discovered that the judge was dining with the district attorney, would you be suspicious?
If your congress person went on a trip the Bahamas with a special interests group (name one) and then sponsored a bill to protect that company, would you be suspicious?
So would I.
I'm not a journalist or in any position to be "bought off" so your accusation is not valid.
Boy, this discussion is either disinigrating into nonsense or growing into a larger philisophical animal...........
Of course the discussion changed when you questioned my integrity.
Again, I suggest you read the article my press trip produced. If the opinions expressed were the end result of someone I had bought off, I'd be looking to get "my money back".
To Costa's credit they took an interest in what was meant as, and viewed as constructive criticism... which, believe it or not, is also an integral part of what they are looking for by doing these trips.
Personally I think all reports and reviews, whether by paid writers, or everyday cruisers should have a balance of good and bad. I've yet to be on a cruise that didn't have both.
And I do believe, that reader's are smart enough to discount the GLOWING. everything is perfect reports, and the everything was awful, CRUISE FROM HELL reports; Knowing full well the facts are likely somewhere in the middle.
Kuki: I would like to ask you this question.. Had you been a full paying customer on this cruise, would you have considered it a value? Now lets go a bit further, Take the Costa reps that were pampering you on board, make them go away. And look at the food that was being served at other tables. Look at the service that the normal Joe was getting. Would you have considered this value????????
If you were schlepped onto a overcrowded beach with no place to move, would have you been happy. Were you forced to wait in the cattle lines like everyone else was???
Just a view questions I would like to be answered honestly.
I had friends onboard the same sailing as I who were not part of the press group. Also talked to quite a few people around the pools, blackjack table, lounges etc.
That's how I get a try to get a feel for what other people on the ship are experiencing.
Oddly perhaps, their experiences were more positive than mine. Most reported excellent service, and many liked the food much better than I did. However, I could only report on my experiences.
We really weren't "pampered by Costa reps". We met each evening before dinner for drinks as a group, and talked about our day, and this is where they heard the opinions of all the media with us, but the days were spent mostly doing whatever we wanted to do individually.
We went on the same excursions as all the people on the ship, road the same buses etc., and if there were lines we waited in them the same as everyone else.
Today I am off to Florida, and boarding the Carnival Spirit Monday. Hope by the time I return, everyone can agree to disagree.... and book their next cruise to somehere!
Tom, if you went to McDonalds and got a Mcdonalds burger you would get what you paid for. If you went to Ruths Chris for a Prime Filet you would get what you paid for. You would not go to Ruths Chris for a 4 ounce fried burger nor would you go to McDonalds for a Prime Filet. Crystal Cruise lines has lots of cruises for about $1,000.00 per day per person. Costa, Carnival and Royal Carribean have lots of cruises for about $100.00 per day person. You must have signed up for the wrong ship.
OK Kuki, fair enough. I don't agree, but that doesn't matter here. Good luck to you in the future and enjoy your free cruises.
Future costa -- We'll be interested in your post-cruise opinions. I hope you enjoy yourself.
Enough is enough -- You may go elsewhere or not read the posts if you are not interested -- but I will not be censored by an anonymous person or anyone. We have something called the First Ammendment in the US.
Dear future Costa. In regards to your reply to me, I paid almost two thousand dollars in United States Currency per person for this cruise. Now I see one poster that paid $400 per person for a 8 day cruise. $400 would be more like it. That would be rounded out to almost $60 per person per day. Room and board for three days, all those wonderful Costa meals. The entertainment. For what they provide, $60 per day would be about right. It shows that Costa is in trouble. They must fill the boat. How can you make money charging $60 per day. They have many employees on board, they have to pay off the ship and fuel and food and the list goes on and on.
Yes Future Costa, I expected more, much much more. I work hard, and when I go on a vacation, I expect a vacation. Good enviorment, which Costa does have. Good food, which Costa does not have. Corteous employees, which Costa does have a problem with. The friendly employees are the majority, but the minority in this group ruins it for all. Now, as for you comparing this to restaurants. I dont care for Ruth Chris. I enjoy Peter Lugers or Smith and Wolensky. But I would expect the minimum of Coffee Shop cuisine, which Costa could not even get to that level.
Now Future Costa, what would you expect for that $400 per week. Would you expect Costa to arrange your airline flight so that it would be impossible to make the ship and promise you that they would hold the ship until you arrive, and they not do so?????? What is the price for that Future Costa??? Can you put a dollar figure on being stranded during a Christmas Cruise with your entire family on the boat??
I surf these boards to look at opinions of cruisers before planning my vacations, and I’ve been a bit disappointed finding so many insults among the opinions in these threads.
So please take my invitation (I said please) as it is: please, couldn’t we all stop insulting each other and start again sharing opinions?
By the way, it seems to me this is the only board where each one supports his opinion so strongly (euphemism) and wonder why.
I do not know why all the old posts were bumped up but that being the case I would like people to reread "I Would Like To Apologize."
I think the answer to the Cyber Blackmail is in that posting.
We are about to book another back-to-back cruise for the fall with Costa
Mediterranea. First time Costa cruisers take note, that will be seven cruises with Costa.
The worst thing that happened on our last Costa cruise, the Butler kept forgetting salt for our morning eggs, , so it is true not everything was prefect. Unlike Jeeves, our Butler gave us big hugs on the last day, I will take that over salt any day.
Oh yes, my husband lost his $10.00 a day in the casino but I won over $400.00.
Concerning the shows, how remarkable that these young dancers can perform on a rock and rolling ship. Are they Las Vegas quality shows, no, but then, we are not paying $150.00 per person to attend the show? If we were, then we can be big critics.
I am not going to answer this posting, but if anyone would like to e-mail with questions I would be delighted to respond.
I am curious about your situation. Did anyone in your group of 40 people have the 'tour conductor' cabin? Also, has Costa refunded the price of your cruise and air ticket? Why did you book this cruise line? Was it chosen by another person in the group and you went without doing any research?
Tootsie: Did anyone in my group have the tour conductor cabin? A-I really dont know about that. I was not aware they had that on the ship?
Q-Has Costa refunded the price of your cruise and air ticket? They are only offering a 50 percent refund on cruise, not air. They sent me a check last week, it was returned unnaceptable. I will fight this one all the way. They did not give me what they promised.
Q-Why did I book this cruise line? AA member of the group recommended this ship. They heard great things about it. We were all dissapointed. And yes, I did not do research. I should have. But this was my bussy time of year, and I had very limited time. As all members heard good things about this cruise line and ship, we were highly dissapointed. We were promised filet mingon and got the chopped beef.
I Would Like to Apologize:
, so it is true not everything was prefect. Unlike Jeeves, our Butler gave us big hugs on the last day, I will take that over salt any day. 
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