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Costa Cruise Line

MS CostaRomantica

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Peter Schmardel
# previous cruises: 5
Date of Trip: April 18, 1999
Itinerary: Caribbean

Blame it on the fact that is was the last cruise before repositioning but the only positive thing we found on board the Romantica was our waiter, Michael, who was a truly attentive and professional. The stated 2-1 ratio of staff to passenger seemed to be no better than 3-1 with poor cleanliness and often rude and inattentive service. We had cruised on the Costa Allegra in 1994 and were expecting a similar experience....we were sorely disappointed. Everything from the mediocre food to a midnight Bocce game being played above a group of cabins. If this is what cruising "Italian style" has become there are too many other good cruise line alternatives.

The nicest part of the ship was the L'Opera theatre. The other lounges throughout the ship were comfortable but there was no where inside the ship for privacy other than the cabins. Outside early mornings were enjoyed from a wicker deck chair or coffee under an awning at the rear of the ship.

There was little difference in the selection between the dining room and the buffet with the exception of one or two speciality items. If you are fortunate enough to have a good waiter, the dining room service would be best though be prepared to have your seating times to vary 10-15 minutes for no apparent reason. This made late seating particularly annoying.

The cabin was comfortable but the shower does not accommodate people over 6' tall. When we arrived the rug throughout the cabin was wet enough to soak through socks, the quilt was torn, and the bathroom dirty. The air conditioning was very good and it helped to muffle hallway noise.

The overall entertainment was fair. The musicians throughout the common areas were very good but the shows were mediocre. During one of the theme nights the cruise director Jerome could not be found and after at least five calls to the desk to stop the Bocce game, I was forced to go and stop the game myself...a game which should have ended at 10PM and was still going on at 11:45pm.

I would not suggest this particular itinerary of the Eastern Caribbean to anyone...4 hours in San Juan 8PM to 12PM, a day in St. Thomas, Serena Cay, and Nassau. Shop all you want in St. Thomas just be aware that often the best buys are not from those shops suggested by the cruise staff. The pools were adequate and the health club small but ample and, most of the time, unused.

This cruise had a very diverse group of people. A contingent of the Atkins "Cruise to Lose", a large number of Europeans for the repositioning, a small group of families, and a large number of elderly people. A friendly group with whom we joked and laughed about the poor service and traded stories of unfortunate events on board.