I have read many reviews re Costa and cannot understand why they are so negative etc. First on reading them it seems obvious that cruisers have cruised this line for one reason. It is very inexpensive for what you get.

Have done a few Transatlantic Crossings with Costa and the most I have paid for a o/s cabin was $799 for 17 days. That put daily would not buy my wife and I lunch. How are the cabins. They are fine and the cabin service excellent. How is the Food in the main dining room for dinner. You have basically basically 5 choices every evening. They are not all bad, actually I did not find any bad. Maybe some not what you prefer but you have at least 5 choices pick one. The Buffet also has quite a assortment, it is there for you again pick a couple of items per sitting do not take everything and then say it was the same everyday. Entertainment well it is not RCL or Carnival They do not have the assortment of daily activities available on American featured cruise lines. But European people are mostly quite satisfied to sit in the sun have a couple of drinks or coffees and sunbath go up now and again pick up a pastry or some fruit. Are they rude like most American Critics say. I do not think so. To be honest more of them speak English than Americans speak Italian, French or German If they are not from a say Italian family. On both the last 2 Transatlantic crossing we have made friends with Italians, Germans and even people from Iceland. Regarding one review I read from a woman stating about a Captains Party that they enquired about and where told it was not for Americans I was on this cruise again this woman jumped to conclusions. There where a large amount of English on this ship. They had done a week in the Caribbean and then the Transatlantic Cruise they had a farewell Party the night before we reached Dover as this was their port for disembarking we went on to Copenhagen. The point of view from the women via another person was made by the girl in the purser's office simply trying to tell the gentleman that this was not for the visitors that had embarked in Ft. Lauderdale. i.e. Americans But yes it could have come out better than her say it was not for the American embarkees. To be honest if you want Royal treatment go on Crystal or Regent and pay the big dollars. But for what you get on Costa for what the majority of us pay it is exceptional value. Re other reviews the X1 package this is a soda and drinks package at about $14 US per day per person it gives you basically unlimited Beer and Wine from around Noon to 3PM at the pool bar or dining rooms and from Around 7pm till after dinner. You can if you have the late sitting at 8.30 sit at the pool bar if it is your desire and drink until 8.30 then go to the main dining room and drink all through dinner. For my review certainly go Costa but go with a open mind if you have cruised well before do not pay $800 for a 15 - 17 day cruise and put it against a RCI or Princess that you paid $1200 for 7. To be honest for 1st time cruisers please look beyond some of these reviews of some people there is generally some reason for something and sometimes it is not as it seems. Our last cruise with Costa we waited over 2 hours to get our luggage not the best if you had connections, but as my friend pointed out they had been paging 3 or 4 couples to go to the pursers desk all morning. Thought is they prob. did not pay their bill and the delay was caused by trying to pull their luggage as they would have to contact them for it. Do not know if this was the case but it could have been.