We flew to Dubai just as the coldest weekend of the year was starting in the UK - great timing!The BA flights were fine and we embarked smoothly at about 1.30am - yes 1.30am but remember the 4 hour forwards time difference.We sailed at 1.00pm the following afternoon, plenty of time to settle in, unpack and have a lifeboat drill!!
The ship is lovely and new and the service we experienced throughout was excellent. The ports of call were really interesting, different to anything we have experienced before, and as experienced cruisers we largely did our own thing apart from a great dhow dolphin chasing trip from Khasab.
The weather was fantastic and in consequence passengers spread throughout the ship and we have never had so little trouble getting tables for breakfast and lunch. The formal restaurant was very good, not perhaps the best food we have had on a cruise ship but perfectly acceptable and the food in the casual dining was great. We are Costa Pearl members so we got various perks which were more worthwhile than some other cruise line loyalty schemes, including complementary dinner in the Club restaurant which was superb, The Chateaubriand memorable!
8259 - a great cabin centrally placed near the Atrium. A little 'upward drift' of noise in the evenings but nothing to worry about.