I love Costa. This was our 12th cruise and 3rd Costa Cruise. My husband and I traveled with 2 children 9 and 5. also my Sister and Brother-in-Law and my 82 year old Mother. We were celebrating a very big birthday for me but I won't say which one.

First impression was a little strange we checked in around noon (very swiftly because my Mother was in a wheelchair) but once we got on the ship everyone was waiting in a public area until our rooms were ready. But, this gave us time to stand in another line to register our credit card for onboard charges. Something new I noticed was that security was tighter than ever (we've cruised twice since 9/11), picture ID, Cruise Cards AND children's birth certificates were required each time someone got on or off the ship. Personally, I felt very safe with the extra security, but it did make lines longer.

Our cabins were fine, (the last time we sailed with Costa we had a suite and nothing can compare to a suite), we had enough space and loved the verandah. It was always a challenge to find our cabin steward and we didn't get any special treatment (like towels folded, etc) and he really wasn't very friendly. One reason for the lack of attention, may have been due to the fact that he only had our two cabins in our area, most of his cabins were around the corner. The other cabin with our relatives faired even worse, he constantly forgot that there were 3 people in the cabin and never left enough literature or supplies and the first night my poor Mother didn't have a bed made up (it was still the couch without sheets, pillows). After a call to the front desk, the head of housekeeping a few others came to make up the room. But the first response was "Cabin Stewards finish by 10pm", I suggested getting any supervisor or the Captain to come up and make sure my Mother had a place to sleep. Read more