The good points are cabin excellent and kept clean. Boarding was efficient and the terminal very clean. Most staff were hard working although if you're English speaking some didn't seem to understand unless basic requests at the table. Entertainment was good, especially the Tenor singer. Wasn't keen on the night the staff provided the entertainment, some were good others pretty mediocre, bit like BGT. The on board dance team were great, providing lessons as well. That we did enjoy. The bad points are: tips being compulsory and not being told upfront, probably in the small print which no-one reads, and not told on booking. Bottled water not included in the drink package, but tap water is ok. The food in the restaurant was poor. Some meals were just ok but mostly it was cold or tepid at best and I even suspect some was leftovers from the buffet, re invented. One particularly unappetising dish was the meat skewers. One piece of lamb or beef (couldn't tell), piece of a sausage and a piece of chicken, in bread crumbs and fried, served with a scoop of mash potato that was grey and lumpy. There was no sauce, so was very dry. We waited nearly half an hour for our starter one night also. Uninspiring desserts also, often something frozen. Better deserts in the buffet area. No gelato ice cream or pizza available unless you pay for it. I expected this at least on the menu as it's an Italian ship. They pick up and drop off at every port, meaning the muster drill is carried out every time and takes place in places where passengers are trying to enjoy themselves, like the Orlav Bar. We had to sit through it or move on. Lots of tannoy speeches in lots of languages, which one time interrupted the dancers who had to jog on the spot until it finished and then try to carry on. The quizzes were Italian based, e.g Italian cities and types of pasta, so unless you were Italian not much chance of winning. I know it's only fun but you like a chance at least. I used the spa and was given a dressing gown which I had to carry from there to my cabin each time, and if I didn't hand it in at the end of the cruise there would be a charge of 79 euros. Also for the pool towels left in our cabin. My husband used the gym, but one day loads of unsupervised children entered and just basically ran about and played on the gym equipment even though a sign said no-one under 16 allowed in there. There was potential for injury. The poor staff were continually pushing a lobster dish for a price, which became a bit tedious. We didn't do any of the shore excursions. So overall I would not choose Costa again. I have cruised with other lines so I do have something to compare it with. This was my 2nd Mediterranean cruise, the previous being with NCL which was a far superior experience. I could go on with more disappointment but I think enough said, I don't want it to become a novel.