I have only been on many Celebrity Cruises before and one P&O therefore I was geared up to expect a lower standard of cruise based on reviews I had read. This Costa cruise represents excellent value for money. The ship is clean and well maintained. (When on Celebrity there was an outbreak of e-coli which was a pain and I felt Celebrity were thereafter over the top - couldn't even borrow library books!). The staff without exception were friendly and fun not like the obsequious staff on American ships! Nothing was too much trouble and always a smile. It was nice to spend the cruise with a mixture of nationalities, not a loud American in sight! ( I do however love Americans!)
The food was not good. Occasional fish dish was ok. Buffet for breakfast and lunch was like a cattle market and very noisy.
Entertainment was extremely average.