WE left Montreal the day before our cruise. Costa took care of the flights and this time we arrived as planned Stayed at the Marriott Springhill suites hotel in Miami near the airport -free transportation to hotel .Got a deal on the internet with Cheaphotels . Arrived at noon at the dock after paying 10$ per person for transportation to dock by a local transport company -cheaper then cab arranged by hotel.
embarkation was TOTAL CHAOS .A really small hangar LOts of People Lots of lines no explanation lots of delays .bur we finally got on board Lunch was being served .WE toured the ship which was very clean and very ornate and glitzy I liked the look of the ship-a little over the top- where else but on a cruiseship !!!!But it worked for me Our cabin 5194 was Perfect near elevators with a balcony we kept open at night to sleep to seabreeze and sounds of waves . WHAT A BLESSING !!! Jerome kept our cabin clean- emptied the fridge to allow me to put my drinks in -kept a pitcher of cool water always filled. THe ship -the shows -dinner- were just fine although because it was New Year's week dining room was a little too cramped and we were squashed at our table for 7 which should have had only 5. Food was ok Service was very nice Loved the candlelight dinners NY EVE and last FRiday Loved the singing and dancing by staff in Dining room An Italian wedding atmosphere everynight !!What a treat!!!
Dinner was at 9;15 which I thought would be a problem but it was fine Rested after shore visits got soups and sandwiches from room service and took our sweet time to get ready for 8pm shows .LOved the ones we saw an Italian OPera singer and other dance numbers Now for my major complain THE SMOKING ON THIS SHIP. People were very disrespectful smoked everywhere indoors . I lost my voice within 2 days and got a smokers cough which I could not shake for 2 weeks after the cruise IT"S TIME CRUISE COMPANIES MAKE SMOKING INDOORS ANYWHERE ON SHIP PROHIBITED!!! If someone wants to smoke please do so outdoors away from everybody .Here in Quebec we are virtually in a smoke free environment by law so it is very hard to see such total disregard for non smokers on cruise ships . Even our Casinos are smoke free and remain full as are our bars People step out to smoke!!! I would like cruise companies to set very rigid restraints on smoking Everywhere in the world smoking is becoming more restricted -France Canada Italy etc I am not saying they should not smoke but find them a spot on ship especially for that purpose and I promise never to go there