I was not impressed by Costa Cruise Lines. We sailed on the Victoria Nov. 19, 2011. They do not communicate well (with Americans)seemingly by choice. The cruise got off to a bad start in Venice (where we were to board). The port fogged in and the ship had to divert to another port 2 hours away. We had to sit in the ships terminal building for about 5 hours. They loaded the passengers onto tour buses and did not tell anyone where we were going. I will never "assume" the other knows important info(such as this)again. We rode in silence for 2 hours in the dark foggy night to be dumped off in the town Trieste and take a 10 min walk to the ship. We then had to wait another several hours for the ship to disembark, be cleaned, etc. We finally got to line up and board. What line? it was a mad house with everyone pushing and shoving. NO security and the cruise employees did not care or seem to notice. Anyone could have boarded the ship. Very lax in security. On board, there was no rhyme or reason to order. The English speaking guests went into a public area to get "numbers" to get off the ship in a port and push and shove once more. I think the cruise staff must have been tired ? Not very organized.

We then sailed and were behind to our next port in Croatia and only got few hours there in the dark. It was very pretty place however I was disappointed we could not ride the cable car there

The port of Naples....that is a nightmare. Dirty, congested and pickpocket city! We got a cab and went out of town to see the Pompeii ruins. We hurried along as there is not much time in the ports. We boarded when we were supposed to and sat on our balcony and watched as others boarded late - we could have stayed another hour. I do not think Europeans know what "rules" mean. Read more