Costa Luminosa Review

Luscious Luminosa

Review for the Middle East Cruise on Costa Luminosa
User Avatar
mcgorr
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2009

Embarkation We are in our 50's and have cruised about 28 times. We were attracted to the itinerary (Savona to Naples, Port Said, Suez transit, Sharm el Sheikh, Safaga, Aqaba, Aden, Salalah, Muscat, Fuijuirah and Dubai with 2 nights on the ship) and the fact that this is a new ship. Neither disappointed. We flew to Nice and took a Costa transfer to Savona which was very handy and reasonably priced. As costa club members we had priority embarkation and this was swift and smooth.

Public areas The ship itself was absolutely beautiful with plenty of public space, on this occasion it was 2/3 full. The public areas are on 2 and 3 and the buffet and pools on 9. We never had to queue for lifts, to get on or off the ship or food. The library was absolutely pathetic and Internet connection was very bad resulting in high charges. The Spa was absolutely gorgeous with wonderful facilities you can read about elsewhere, but as the days wore on I got fed up seeing enormous leering fat Italian men in the fabulous Thalassotherapy Pool or listening to them snoring in the serene relaxation room. Initially the Spa was quiet but then Costa offered daily specials and it became too crowded for me. There were plenty of sun loungers on the outer decks and the pool areas were attractive. We never used the gym which seemed adequate. There was a jogging track and roller skating track on 10 and a wrap round promenade deck on 3. There was a gorgeous chapel with mass everyday. A major design fault is in the star trek type doors for the toilets. They are opened by passing your hand over a laser beam. Men can be seen using the urinals as the doors take some time to close, perhaps this is the reason for women hanging about outside the gents!!!??? -

Cabins We were upgraded to a Samsara inside cabin but were not permitted the perks. However I purchased a spa package at 199 euros which gave me 1 treatment and access to the spa for the 19 nights which was very good value. We were offered Samsara dining at 180 euros per person but did not avail of that. Samsara cabins include tea and coffee making facilities but ours were removed from the room which I thought was very mean. Little gestures sometimes mean a lot and Costa I feel let themselves down here and also in not giving us the disposable slippers given to occupants of those cabins. May I add we would not have used the tea/coffee facilities, it just seemed mean. The cabin was small but nicely appointed and having visited an interior on level 1 which was very generous in proportion I certainly would not pay the exorbitant extra charge for a Samsara cabin, especially as everyone is offered the Spa package, so avail of that and another cabin unless you want to use the restaurant. The cabins are positioned above a party area which meant sleep was difficult on the nights it was used. TV coverage in English was limited to the BBC news. Our cabin Steward was very attentive and our luggage both delivered and removed promptly.

Cabin Review

Small, noisy from above at times but nicel appointed.

previous review

Find a cruise

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.