This was my 19th cruise overall and my first on Costa. I am really going to tell you how I viewed this cruise and I hope others won't jump all over me. Because this is my opinion. This was the cheapest cruise I have ever gone on. The prices were unbelievably low which was surprising since it was during Spring Break week. We had an inside cabin category 2 for $600 pp and a balcony cabin category 8 for $800 pp. Costa is a no frills cruise line. They have omitted tons of services you would get on another line and lowered the price considerably to make up for it. So consider this if you want to book a Costa Cruise in the future.

We got to the ship at 1 pm and didn't wait in line at all. They don't hand out your room keys at check in or take your picture, so you proceed directly to your stateroom and your room key is waiting for you on your bed. It is your responsibility to get your credit card on file for all your expenses while on board.

The beds were low to the ground and rock hard. I asked our room steward for an egg crate mattress to soften it up and he actually delivered another mattress to lay over the one on the bed. It was a pillow topper mattress and it made the mattress really soft and nice. The topper raised the height of the bed by about 5 inches so this was nice too. He gave us extra pillows and blankets. However, they don't wash the blankets in between passengers. You just get whatever is available from a closet or drawer in another room. Read more