Costa Fascinosa Review
Thankfully this was not my first cruise experience
Rating by category
Additional details
If this was the first cruise I've been on, I would probably never go on another cruise again. Thankfully I have been other on cruises and am not turned off from the experience only from ever booking with Costa again.
Ship Staff:
First off, while getting on board the ship there was not a single person at the port to direct us to where the ship was and had to ask other cruise ship liaisons where to go. Once we found the ship, the lines were completely unorganized with a mass mob trying to push their way to leave luggage before boarding the ship. Once we get in we are asked to fill out the medical form, without being offered any pens, so as I am about to fill out the form with my own pen, one of the Costa members grabbed it out of my hand then asked if she could borrow it, used it and threw it on a table then ran off. This was clearly a personal pen and not a ball-point or anything generic, so our first reaction to Costa was that they were very rude. Thankfully this was only 50% correct.
Cabin Review
If you are expecting anything beyond your room being cleaned up, you're fine. If you expect anything more, don't bother. One of the things my wife was looking forward to was towel animals in the room. Apparently if you book a cabin below Balcony level they don't bother to do that or turn down the bed. Also do not give your clothes to the laundry unless you want your shirts back with industrial staples put through them, ruining them.