costa cruises reviews

May We Suggest?

Is this it, how about this, search results.

Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Costa Review

Friday, June 21st

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Best for Italian-themed, large-ship cruising for all ages
• 9 ships in the fleet
• Destinations worldwide, but no departures from US ports

Costa Cruises is an Italian-based cruise line that was founded in 1854. It was one of the first companies to offer passenger shipping services and has since grown to become one of the largest cruise lines in the world. Today, Costa Cruises is part of the Carnival Corporation, which also owns several other popular cruise lines.

Plenty of itineraries

Costa Cruises offers a wide range of itineraries to destinations all over the world, including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and South America. The cruise line has a fleet of nine ships, each with its own unique style and amenities. Costa Cruises caters to a diverse range of travelers, from families with young children to retirees looking for a luxurious getaway, but you'll find your fellow cruisers to be distinctly European on most sailings.

All things Italy

One of the standout features of Costa Cruises is its emphasis on Italian style and culture. Each ship is designed to reflect the warmth and charm of Italy, with a focus on art, music, and cuisine. The ships feature elegant interiors, with plenty of open spaces and natural light. Italian cuisine is a highlight of the dining experience on Costa Cruises, with fresh ingredients and authentic recipes that showcase the flavors of Italy.

No US departure ports

How did Costa do with our comparison cruise: a Caribbean itinerary sailing in March, about a year in advance? There were just four options, one 4-day trip, two 8-day trips, and one 15-day trip. Starting fares ranged from $649 to $1,529 per person, not including taxes, fees, and port expenses. Keep in mind that unless you live in La Romana or Guadeloupe, you'd have to factor in international airfare as well. In fact, for US travelers, every Costa cruise will require an international flight to start: there are no departure ports in the United States. That's not a big deal if you were planning on a cruise in the Middle East or South America anyway, but also not ideal if you live within driving distance of Miami or Galveston, for example, and just wanted a getaway to the Bahamas.

Only water is free

Your base fare with Costa will allow you some of the perks found with our highest-rated cruise lines, like being able to select your cabin and your seating time for the dining room. However, where many cruise lines will give you access to some kind of complimentary beverage, even if it's just lemonade or coffee, everything but water will cost you on Costa ( see what we did there? ). You can either go a la carte, which gets spendy, or purchase the All-Inclusive/Total Comfort fare tier and it will come with a drink package.

Mandatory gratuities

Costa's "service charges" , also known as gratuities, are mandatory and automatically applied to your onboard account. Being an Italian cruise line, those fees are in Euros: $11 per person per night for guests 15+, and half that for children ages 4-14. Unlike some cruise lines that allow you to modify that if you've been unhappy with the service, Costa states that their service fees "cannot be altered" .

Ongoing safety concerns

Our biggest reason for giving Costa a below-average rating is its track record for safety. While it's true that the cruise industry as a whole has had its share of safety incidents over the years, and cruise lines are constantly working to improve their safety practices and protocols to ensure the well-being of their passengers and crew, Costa has had several high-profile incidents, the most significant being the Costa Concordia disaster back in 2012 (resulting in more than two dozen deaths). Despite implementing new safety procedures and improving protocols overall, Costa ships still had collisions in 2017 and 2019, though fortunately there was no loss of life resulting from those incidents.

We recommend choosing a different cruise line

For cruising in Europe, Costa is just one of many options to consider. This cruise line has quite a few rivals in that area, and it doesn't really compete with other companies sailing in the Caribbean. Overall, Costa is not one of our favorite cruise lines in any category, and we recommend looking at competitors serving the destination you're hoping to visit instead.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean

• Disney Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

Compare Cruise Lines

Select any 2 Cruise Lines to compare them head to head

Trending Cruise Line News

USA Today on MSN

A cruise line for every type of traveler: How to choose the right one ...

Cruise lines have their own identities and specialties, and some lend themselves more to certain vacation types than others.

  Thu, 20 Jun 2024

TheStreet.com on MSN

Carnival Cruise Line shares gross reason for strict rule

The cruise line strictly enforces one rule that passengers like to break, but it's not for the reason you expect.

  Wed, 19 Jun 2024

The Associated ...

Cruise ship rescues 68 migrants and finds 5 bodies in boat adrift in ...

Spanish rescuers say that a cruise ship has rescued 68 migrants and found five bodies in a wooden dinghy that was drifting off the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean ...

USA TODAY on MSN

Spacious suites and expansive views: What to know about Silversea ...

The 728-guest ship, the second in the line’s Nova Class, was officially named in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday. “It is fitting that we are celebrating Silver Ray's naming in the same year ...

Cruise Fever

Seven Seas Prestige Will Be Regent’s Next Ultra-Luxury Cruise Ship

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the world's finest ultra-luxury cruise lines, has announced that Seven Seas Prestige will be the name of their next new luxury ship. Seven Seas Prestige will be the ...

Cruise Hive

Cruise Ship Rescues 68 Refugees in Atlantic, Five Dead

Oceania Cruises’ Insignia cruise ship assisted a distressed dinghy off the Canary Islands, rescuing 68 refugees.

TravelPulse on MSN

Carnival Cruise Line is Hosting Brazilian Carnival-Themed Voyage

Carnival Cruise Line will host a Brazilian carnival-themed cruise in February 2025, featuring music, dancing and cultural activities.

Related Cruise Line Reviews

Since you're interested in Cruise Lines, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.

Cruise Vacation Sites

What's the best place to book a cruise vacation? You've finally got some time off, and you've decided you want the full-experience: sailing, relaxing, and new and exciting ...

Luggage Stores

Which luggage store is the best? Luggage is something that everyone will need at some point in their life, whether it be a backpack for an overnight trip or school, or a full set of luggage ...

Passport Services

Where can you get a passport fast? Maybe you've found a last-minute travel deal to that far-flung destination you've always dreamed of visiting.

Photo Book Companies

Where is the best place to get photo books out there today? Photo books are a fantastic way to keep our special memories in a tangible, beautiful format instead of just storing pictures on ...

Travel Insurance Plans

Who offers the best travel insurance? With daily news stories of delayed and canceled flights, lost baggage, and travelers stranded overseas in the middle of a natural disaster, it's ...

Vacation Rental Sites

What's the best website to use for booking a vacation rental? Are you tired of the same old hotel experience when you go on vacation?

Newest Reviews

BBQ Sauce Clubs

Where Can You Find the Best BBQ Sauce Clubs? Barbecue sauce and rubs have earned a revered status in culinary culture, captivating taste buds with their rich, complex flavors and enhancing the succulence of ...

Business Phone Systems

Where Can You Find the Best Business Phone System? Deciding on the right business phone system for your company can take a lot of research.

Invisible Braces

What are the best invisible braces? Who doesn't love the idea of perfectly straight teeth?

Italian Lessons

Where Can You Find the Best Italian Lessons? Learning any new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Italian, with its rich history, captivating culture, and melodious rhythm, is no exception.

Sign Language Lessons

Where can you find the best sign language lessons online? Maybe you've decided to learn sign language because you have a deaf child, or perhaps there's a new student at your school who is hard of ...

Wedding Dress Stores

Where is the best place to buy a wedding dress online? One of the most important purchases you will make for your wedding day is the dress.

Suggested companies

Msc cruises, costa crociere, aida cruises.

Costa Cruises   Reviews

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 2.6.

Most relevant

Costa Cruises Hospitality & Operation Director (*)

Costa Toscana Cruise Ship -- We experienced an incident with an uncalled Room Attendant who tried to hide something (I want to believe he didn't want to steal) as we caught him in a very unpleasant situation when we entered the room), and subsequently very poor Management resolution... Unbelievable unprofessionalism, wrong attitude & lack of respect towards the guests from Costa Cruises Hospitality & Operation Director, Mr Gustavo Garcia Rosas from Peru. His wrong approach was in front of his staff, and that respectively led to unprofessional customer service from some of the Receptionist and line Managers (not all of them)... On a positive note -- beautiful new Ship! Some great facilities. Some of the waiters are very nice, worth mentioning the top service from the waiters in the Archipelago Restaurant.

Date of experience : 12 May 2024

Do not recommend Costa cruises!!!

If you’re thinking about going on a Costa cruise, do yourself a favor-DON’T DO IT! Our problems began well before the cruise on the Costa Fortuna. We couldn’t get straight answers from Costa on such things as premium beverage packages and specialty dining. Was not happy to find out once on the ship that their idea of a “premium” bourbon is Jack Daniels or Jim Beam; or that the specialty restaurants Archipelago and Teppanyaki mentioned on their website and described by a Costa rep on the phone, were non-existent. Spent way too much of my vacation time arguing with Hospitality staff who were mostly rude and uncaring. There were many other communication issues but I won’t list them here. Additionally, the dinner menus were unappealing and lacking in choices. While the food presentation was usually beautiful, the food did not taste good and hot food was never hot. If you want decent food you have to pay extra for it. You can’t even get a cup of coffee in the dining room after dinner. If you wanted a snack after an excursion-forget it. Everything is closed down. We went on this cruise expecting the same level of service we’ve experienced in the past on other cruises but were very disappointed. Service, except for our lovely cabin attendant and a few bartenders, was terrible. Employees seemed overworked and not happy. Since we returned from this cruise we have heard that Costa is one of three of the worst cruise lines, which came as no surprise to us. We wish we’d heard this before we booked this cruise. We will never again go on a Costa cruise and will never recommend Costa.

Date of experience : 05 April 2024

Costa Firenze nightmare on Xmas eve

Costa Firenze nightmare on Xmas eve. I followed Costa guidelines to bring either passport or national ID card and they approved my documents(!) I was denied boarding on Xmas eve as they demanded both documents. Nowhere did it say and they knew I submitted my EU card which is accepted everywhere -hotels, cruises, flights. The worst cruise line on the planet! Also, they were rude and discriminatory.

Date of experience : 24 December 2023

There must be better cruise sompanies out there

**Cruise Review: Costa Pacífica** **Basic Info:** - Duration: 3 days - Route: Marseille > Savona > Barcelona > Marseille - Cost: Approximately 2000 BRL (357.14 euros) per person. **Positive:** - First-time cruiser; enjoyed the experience overall. - Crew, especially animators (like Igor, the dance instructor) and waiters (Naing Tun Oo), were exceptionally kind and attentive. - Understandable delays at bars due to high demand. Drinks are good, I recommend Pink Lady, Pink Panther, and whiskey Banana Cream. **Neutral:** - Italian predominance evident through signage predominantly in Italian with English translations below. **Negative:** - Reception experience ranged from good to very bad, inconsistent service. - Some misleading information and pressure to put money and get your card attached to your Costa card (which can easily be a disaster, internet is full of reviews about bad experiences with Costa company when adding your own credit card). - **Don't Lose Your Card or You Are Screwed:** I lost my card and resulted in unauthorized charges: geuss what, reception response completely accountability, almost as assuming I was lying and not helping at all. Also, The crew don't verify if you are you, so if you lose your card, you are limitedless screwed. - Early checkout (at 8:30) limited enjoyment on the final night. - Many passengers lacked etiquette and don’t even speak a second language. **Overall:** Despite the ups and downs, I would consider cruising again, but likely with another company, aiming for a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

Date of experience : 27 April 2024

Not for English speaking people

Not for English speaking people Costa Toscana ship was beautiful , but the experience was awful. The staff doesn’t speak English , they don’t care about you if you don’t speak Italian. We didn’t have a restaurant booked for dinner for 3 days , and no one cared about it . The entertainment is all Italian and Spanish . When we complained about all these we were told they will give us £100 discount for the next cruise. The next cruise will never happen with them and I will never recommend anyone to cruise with them .

Date of experience : 12 June 2023

Worst cruise of my life

Worst cruise of my life. Cold food, unhappy staff, bar tenders who have no idea how to mix drinks, baristas that cannot make coffee. Overall week from hell

Date of experience : 24 February 2024

Good morning . We have just returned from a wonderful.holiday on board costa toscana . Our names are alexandra and Alexander Campbell in cabin 5079 Our dates were 21st to 28th Jan. Everything was perfect. Thank you so much tomorrow cabin lady . Kept spotless every day . I would like to.mention specially the waiters who made our trip special with their friendliness and exceptional.manner and service . These people are listed below Please please pass on our thanks and say its from the Scottish guests . In infinity bar the waiter was called Beshoy george bai From Egypt In leonardos lounge The waiters names are Ardian Dwi From Indonesia and another lovely young man from India who we did not get his full name but I can send picture of him . If you ask your staff in Leonardos who had a wee friendly arm wrestle with my husband one evening it was that guy who was fantastic . In argentario restaurant where we had our evening meal the waiters were Shubert and Prizelo from India They were are absolutely first class . Thank them so so much All food,drinks etc on board were great with so much variety and we found all the service we experienced first class. Please send me link to put on costa review to the app please . Thank you Well done costa

Date of experience : 21 January 2024

In the cache: mandatory tipping

The cruise staff was very kind, but the company's policy of milking the customer under various pretexts is disgusting. 1. If someone does not drink alcohol, for a one-week trip he has to buy a package of soft drinks for 200 euros so that he can be served with a glass of tap water at dinner. You got it right! You are not served tap water, and a glass of still water costs you 3.5 euros. 2. apart from the expenses shown, on the ferry you find out that you have to pay an official tip of 11 euros per day... It is deducted from the card you register with them. 3. The service is quite impersonal. 4 Excursions on land such as short trips are presented bombastically. On the spot, however, you often encounter bored guides, lack of attention and carelessness on the part of the organizers. Burn-out and sadness at crowded and overexploited tourist sites (at least in the case of the Carribbean islands)

Date of experience : 31 December 2022

Terrible website, noisy experience on the ship.

Terrible website : nothing works. The website is a disaster. The webmaster doesn't react. the info.europe@costa adress answers, and this polite person added my personal information for the booking, but not that of my wife and daughter. When I try to pay a few thousands , the master-card app asks me to pay 1€ and doenst give an error, but also no 'payment succeeded'. I hope the trip on the cruise will be a little but better than the website. When I choose 'Belgium' as country , I have to go on in French (a minority in my country speaks French!) I can't choose the main language of my own country. After the cruise, that brought us to many beautiful places in Norway, I am really in need of rest. We did many splendid walks in the fjords, and searched for the paths without masses of people. But back on the ship... The loud announcements in 5 or 6 languages, the music everywhere, in some places you hear 3 different songs at the same time, the acoustics in the swimming pool... the really over-done colors and lights... I'm so happy to be home and relax again. I feel like I spent 14 days on a fancy fair... for the first time in the 50 years I lived i feel overstimulated.

Date of experience : 14 August 2023

Excellent service

Excellent service. Very easy to book and yes we will be back. Totally professional and all booked within minutes.

Date of experience : 27 December 2023

Costa cruises staff unhelpful and rude…

Costa cruises staff unhelpful and rude with problems On booked package. Would not use again.

Date of experience : 02 November 2022

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

Costa Pacifica

Courtesy of Costa Cruises |

Find a Cruise on Costa Pacifica

with a cruise advisor

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 69 guests have reviewed Costa Pacifica , giving it a rating of 3.3 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

online advertise NO VISA NEEDED.

Jan 10th, 2024

i booked and paid a cruise for me and my girlfriend, because was promoted online with NO VISA NEEDED, the cruise app doasnt work in USA, when we arrived to Dominican republic , they let us go inside the imbarkation building , then the Costa workers load our luggaged on the ship but at custom border office , they ask us for a visa. No assistance from Costa, we explain the problem and they told us , was our problem.i paid and left without sail .There are lots of better cruise company in USA.

Traveler Type

Oct 31st, 2023

There are not a lot of entertainment on the ship..

Family (young children)

4-6 cruises

Very disappointing for very few exceptions

An overall and by and large very disappointing cruise. The worst cruise with Costa(our 3d) ever. Discriminatory, shameful, humiliating, dishonest, and deceptive "passports" affair for non-EU nationals. Dishonest, deceptive, arrogant, and inflexible attitude with the above mentioned by the ship authorities in charge.

Wonderful atlantic crossing

May 26th, 2023

Long cruise of 35 days in 3 parts: Savona to La Romana, around west Caribbean Island, around East Caribbean Island.

The itinerary was great but that was the only thing that was great.

May 18th, 2023

The itinerary was perfect! SOME of the staff on the ship was great, the bar staff especially Jover, Mangesh, Ricardo, Mario, and Jaypay(or Payjay). Halyna was excellent!! She was very helpful and willing to help in any way. We were surprised with a charge called "Hotel Service Charge" that were not told about and we were told by the receptionist that there was nothing that could be done.

Great west Mediterranean cruise

Apr 18th, 2023

Foods are great, entertainment is good, and excursion is excellent. It is a great experience!

Large Group

2-3 cruises

Ports and Route great, Shops services disappointing.

Jan 11th, 2023

Itinerary and length of cruise excellent. Services on Costa Pacífica and “buffet concept” as well as variety and quality of food outside main restaurant disappointing for a luxury cruise ship. Only one variety of cheapest cheese, every day same 2 cold cuts, only one sort of rye bread. Impression is that client should be forced to pay for quality extra with many things available only at extra cost. Even water only free during buffets. With this concept Costa is not competitive with most other cruise lines.

We liked to go from/to La Romana

We just bookes Costa, because we could going by car to/from La Romana. The cruise was ok, but nothing really great. We enjoyed our holidays, but we like other cruise companies better.

Not a good experience

Jun 30th, 2022

Our bad experience was mainly about 1) layout of the ship 2)rudeness of the Italians on board 3) internet very expensive 4) concierge long queues and won't answer the phone 5) concierge not well signed 6) photographers in our faces during dinner every night 6) excursion let down 7) tender so hot we were fainting on board 8) doors to balcony should be sliding not banging our cabins shook from surrounding cabins. Didn't sleep at all by the end of the cruise we were exhausted. Shows were short 30 mins. Long queues for food. Italuans misbehaving in jacuzzi mainly children jumping in and out. Very bad taste. My husband does not own a smartphone and he could not read menus or bar list. It was an argument every night with the bar staff. Quite an embarrassment. Expensive Internet charges and I was 22hrs without it on one day. We will not promote it due to the above.

AVOID COSTA!

Oct 17th, 2019

It was a terrible cruise-even before a woman jumped to her death from a balcony above us, and hit the lifeboat with a big bang that woke us up, before the man overboard alert. ????

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

You Might Also Like

Costa Fascinosa

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Suggested companies

Costa crociere - italia, msc crociere, costa kreuzfahrten - deutschland.

Costa Crociere   Reviews

In the Travel & Vacation category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 1.7.

Most relevant

Sanitary problem on board

Sanitary problem on board . There is a strong intestinal virus on board . Avoid to get sick

Date of experience : December 21, 2023

Costa Cruises is NOT HYGIENIC

Costa Cruises is NOT HYGIENIC for vegetarians Costa Cruises has no regard for passengers who only eat vegetarian food. Complained twice on the ship and also at the head office about the limited variety. And why meat and fish are mixed in many dishes without setting aside a part for vegetarians. The kitchen director has indicated that Costa works in accordance with European standards and that they will NOT change this. For two to three days you always got the same dish, so we ate in a restaurant on shore several times. At the buffet, the vegetarian dishes were between the meat dishes. The dishes were grabbed with the same spoon/gripper. This is far from hygienic for vegetarians. Pizzas and vegetarian burgers could not be served because you had to pay for them separately. Very bad experience for our group of 8 persons.

Date of experience : August 05, 2023

26th cruise and worst one by far - Costa Fortuna

Don't book with Costa. On arriving in our cabin there was an awful smell coming from the bathroom, it was so bad it stunk like a cesspit.  We did complain to Customer relations and they sent somebody up to give it a clean but this didn't help, so we had to complain again and they sent a plumber up who agreed that the smell was awful and there must be a blocked pipe somewhere and they would try and unblock it.  They did manage to unblock it but it should never have happened in the first place as this should have been noticed sooner and it wasn't good for our first impressions of Costa Cruises. We couldn't believe that there is a charge for water in the main dining room!  I have been on 25 other cruises with other cruise lines and Costa are the only one to charge for water in the main dining room and is also only available in the buffet, alother ships have (free) water available all over the ship. On the second day we had no hot water in our cabin and had to have a wash in cold water, not good. There were nowhere near enough crew on the ship with the amount of people onboard; I believe it should be 1:1 or at least 1:2, it certainly wasn't anywhere near that! The buffet is a total shambles; too many queues and not enough staff to deal with the queues.  All the other ships have gone back to self service since the pandemic and we feel that Costa should have too as this would ensure that there are no queues as people could just get what they wanted and move on.The pool bar is also a total shambles with two crew members trying to serve alcoholic drinks, coffee and ice cream, thus causing long queues there too.  I feel that this puts people off buying a drink as nobody wants to queue all the time for half an hour for a drink.  The couple of times that I actually queued I was being given a short measure and had to tell them both times to fill the glass up to the top.  Again not good for customer satisfaction. The shower gel ran out on day 2 and wasn't replenished until we had to yet again ask. The plug socket on the wall at the dressing table in our cabin kept coming away from the wall every time we pulled a plug out which is dangerous. Coffee/hot water machines are being shut down in the buffet at lunchtime even though lunch is still being served. Again, not good for customer satisfaction. The passengers were too casually dressed for eating in the dining room.  Whilst I understand that not everybody likes to dress up, I feel that if they are eating in the main dining room they should at least be told that they can't go in wearing scruffy clothes as it doesn't give a good impression.

Date of experience : November 12, 2023

NEVER again on Costa Favolosa

Booked a balcony for our 4 day sailing, got an upgrade to a suite which we found out that apparently nothing came with it... even though our room attendant didn't know this... Embarrassed by the total lack of knowledge by the staff... all the staff look miserable.... everywhere on the ship noisy,even in the cabin... cabin next door slammed the door each time they opened and closed .... the first time we have ever been glad to be leaving a cruise... 4 nights of blah blah blah as no one on the ship looked happy at work... sunset lounge the only place we found a little Serenity and the staff awesome !!!! Thank you Stephanie (embassador for english speaking guests) for your kindness, we did express our dissatisfaction to her and she got us a bottle of prosecco and some fruit delivered to our cabin....we feel she is far too good for this line !!!

Date of experience : October 15, 2023

I am so disappointed- it’s the higher…

I am so disappointed- it’s the higher management that’s the problem! No decisions on the chalk face can be made so there’s a “herd” mentality. The poor workers in the ships are trying their best but it’s the management that needs re-educating.

Date of experience : June 28, 2022

Very beautiful itinerary, service has space for improvement

I have to admit I booked last minute because it was convenient to depart from our city in Cph. Beautiful itinerary up to the Norwegian Fjords on board Costa Firenze. Entertainment on board was very nice, but the aquapark for the kids was very limited, closed all day in one of the ports due to "lack of personnel" I was told. The Teatro Rosso, show lounge, is way too small for such a crowd, in one the shows people were sitting on the stairs blocking the exits, NOT safe at all. Forced to pay for water during dinner times. None of the drinking packages was convenient to me, when I asked for some clarification on board, the lady bartender was pushy and border line rude. The service at the restaurant was somehow sad. In general, the service staff looked either annoyed, tired or just completely indifferent. This was a huge minus for me (hence the 3 stars). Having said that, the dance performed by some of the waiters one of the evenings was a lot of fun, we enjoyed that very much. Having to pay for pizza in an Italian ship is ridiculous, please reconsider. The gelato was not free either, but here I have to say it was worth every penny. Kudos to our very kind, pleasant and diligent cabin steward, René, on the 12th deck. Also, my compliments to the cleaning staff, the ship was impeccable. The elevator system was the best I have ever seen, so efficient and easy... all cruise lines should learn from Costa Firenze. Ah, of course, the food! How could I forget: Buffet was crazy crowded if you hit it in pick times, but the food was good, tasty and very good variety; evening dinner in the dinning room, not so much.

Date of experience : July 29, 2023

Too much trouble for this kind of money.…

Right now we are on he Costa Fortuna in Norway Shower is not working for 3 days in a row. Water is too hot and you can not set an lower temperature. We switched from cabin because of the sigarette smell in the first one. But the new cabin has something loose in the ceiling. Continuously an annoying sound when the ship is moving. It really wakes you up or keeps you awake. I bought a full internet package for full access. But often it is not working and when it does ik takes 25 to 40 seconds just to load a simple news site. Netflix or YouTube are impossible to watch the speed is so disappointing for the €190 I have to pay for internetacces. So after our fourth cruise we sure leave Costa out of our selection when looking for a cruise again. No form of compensation for all these inconvenience . They have problems with the water , so they exactly know what cabins are having this problem. Even after brushing your teeth you have to use hot water, too hot to be exactly.

Date of experience : August 04, 2022

Costa Diaderma 24th Dec - 31st Dec 2016

Very disappointed. After a great 2015 Christmas cruise, our 2016 cruise aboard Diaderma was a huge disappointment. Meal times were nothing short of a cattle market. Christmas Eve being the worst meal I've had in a long time. We ate in the Adularia Restaurant which was clearly unable to cater for the number of guests. Queues of frustrated guests trying to get a table. Once we did finally get a table, the meals came out luke warm, some even cold. The delay in between courses sometime approached 1 hour. On one evening after being left for over an hour waiting for dessert, I tried approaching the restaurant manager who clearly didn't want to know and walked away mid conversation! Very poor customer service. Out of 7 nights on board we had one decent meal - and that was when we paid extra for it at the Samsara restaurant. With the exception of the professional dance troop, the evening dancing entertainment was also poor. Second rate tacky music circa 1970/1980. I'm sure Costa can do better - they just missed the mark on this cruise.

Date of experience : January 11, 2017

To all people considering Costa Cruise.

To all people considering Costa Cruise. My uncle in Denmark had his trip cancelled by Costa in april 2020, and despite having been in contact with Costa for more than 8 months he still havent received his refund as promised. I strongly advise AGAINST purchasing cruises at Costa. You will never get your money back if something goes wrong!!!!

Date of experience : December 28, 2020

Same cruise - but differnt prices for identical product

Be aware that Costa charges different prices for the exactly the same cabin depending on which country you live/book from. I made a survey last autumn 2016. Most expensive for residents in Scandinavia, Switzerland and Austria. Cheapest in Romania, Serbia and Italy. Example: France price € 1895, Italy 1468, Romania 748!

Date of experience : January 31, 2017

We were on a Mediterranean Cruise on Costa Fachinosa

We were on a Mediterranean Cruise savona, Naples, Palermo, Ibiza, Mallorca, Barcelona. We had chosen the outside cabin and drink package. Everything is about getting more money out of the tourists. Those with a drink package are not as interesting to serve as those who have to pay for the drinks. (Something with commission) In the buffet restaurant, the food is far below standard in relation to the American and everything is on plastic service. Huge human chaos. Internet on board is expensive. We got about 5 hours of continuous sleep when we lived on 8 decks at the back just inside the pool bar where we were constantly awakened by chairs being pushed around. The staff were passive when we complained and only after we turned the biss seriously after 5 days were we moved the last night. They are a large commercial factory. They only lack beach vendors and flower sellers. All announcements in the speakers are for you to spend more money. There were very few serviceminded staff on board. Typically those you gave drink money. You feel like cattle in a huge cattle factory. Exterior cabin is recommended as you can have an open door at night if you live in a quiet place.

Date of experience : June 02, 2019

Barcelona to Rio on the Fascinosa far…

Barcelona to Rio on the Fascinosa far exceeded my expectations. Service in bars and restaurants was very good - the crew liked you talking to them (which we did) and I’m sure we received better service as a consequence. Much more informal than the Princess & Cunard cruises I’ve been on, with 3:4 gala nights over the 16 night cruise where you could choose to dress more formally if you wanted to. Quality of food was very good - however if you choose to eat in the buffet everyday and pile your plate with everything available then you will likely find it repetitive! Entertainment in the bars (singers/bands/piano players were excellent) and had a real Brazilian vibe. However the entertainment in the theatre was generally disappointing. Shows are not variety performances and generally consisted of one act for approx 40 minutes. There were two standout performances - the two tenors and an acrobatic act. Another downside are the trips. The tour of North Lanzarote was very good and well priced but trips generally are too expensive and could be done by yourself at half the price. Cabins were of a good quality and again cabin service was good. There weren’t many British people on. board but that was no problem - everyone spoke English and announcements were also made in English). There is also an English liaison available particularly for British guests who was also very good

Date of experience : December 08, 2019

I have just done 1 week on the…

I have just done 1 week on the Mediterranean cruise with 3 rounds of golf and I must say that the golf experience part although very expensive I really enjoy. As for the onboard experience it was absolutely awful the food was disgusting and the staff did not have any idea as to what was going on,the majority had no idea as to were reception was? Trying to contact reception from the cabin was impossible although the automated system stated that they would answer in 15 seconds, Most of the staff could hardly understand English I could not get any help to download the app,as for adding the free drinks package it was a total waste of money,it did not include bottled water I definitely will never use the same cruise nor would I advice others to do

Date of experience : June 05, 2023

Still waiting for my refund 78 days…

Still waiting for my refund 78 days after my “free” cancellation ? I get polite answers when I write, but every time “thank you for your patience” This was my second cancellation during the pandemic, first time i had to wait almost 6 months for my refund. Advice: Do not book, do not pay anything before you are quite sure you want to go.

Date of experience : April 14, 2021

Nightmare with Costa Cruises continues

My group of 10 had a nightmare on Costa Victoria in March 2020 during early stages of the pandemic. We spent the best part of 8 months arguing with Costa Cruises until we reached a settlement, in writing, which included that Costa would issue our entire group with future cruise credit vouchers, which could be used to book a cruise by March 2023, and which can be transferred to family or friends, as long as they are UK citizens. I am now trying to book a cruise with Costa for my sister, but Costa are saying I cannot transfer my voucher to a 3rd party. I have the entire exhange of emails, which I have forwarded to Costa, who are still refusing to acknowledge the agreement. Can anybody help to resolve this please?

Date of experience : November 14, 2022

Wifi charges

Rip off Badly explained I tried to get a refund before I left and on my return. Woman at reception desk rude and unhelpful. Once I emailed I was offered a mi inal discount off my next cruise Apparently you're supposed to go to the Internet centre if you're unsure how to use it. Th centre is hardly ever open and who wants ta to do that on holiday ! I think myself and my teenage children wifi savvy. It's set up in a way to make money out of you. My wifi bill ended up being about e150 for 1 week !! No wonder the cruise was cheap. Also mayhem in the main restaurant at night. You can't book a table , you can etc. Then there's no table. Nightmare. Apart from that. - great cruise and holiday !

Costa Favolosa Greenland and Iceland cruise

We went on cruise with the Costa Favolosa to Greenland and Iceland. Beautiful countries but the ship is crap: The quality of the food is terrible (some dishes they should even be ashamed to serve). Hours of waiting time on board before the overpriced excursions could start (if they were not canceled). Privileges for Gold members of the Costa Club that are not honored. Little or no activities on board for children (only adults can participate in the childish games on deck). The ship is dirty and not maintained (windows are no longer cleaned, dirty everywhere in the public areas). The inside swimming pool was very cold. We couldn't even get in. Actually, it was cold everywhere on the ship. We were always (35 cruises with them) happy with the service on Costa, but we had some bad experiences the last few years with them. It looks like they decided to drastically save on costs, and they highered the price of almost anything. We spoke with a lot of people, and everyone said it was their last cruise with them. Doesn't look good in my opinion. Although we are gold members, we also decided to cruise with other companies from now on.

Date of experience : July 30, 2023

Costa Cancelled my familys cruise just…

Costa Cancelled my familys cruise just 3 weeks after they confirmed it. They didnt inform us about it. I realized it in the Costa app when the Port of origin was changed from Stockhol to Savona. Called them and they didn have any idea of why the didnt informed us about it. 2 months and waiting for my money back. As many travel companies Costa try to borrorw the customers money for free. I have informed Costa that i demand 18% extra on my payed bill for the service of borrow my money. Never Costa Again. Shold change name to Borrowa Cruises.

Date of experience : May 31, 2022

Costa Crociere Refund Pending

Hi, We had booked a cruise with Costa Cruises for Northern Europe in September. We also booked the flights (non refundable) for this cruise since it was not going to leave from my country. Some months after we received an email notifying us that the cruise is cancelled. I made a claim with Costa to claim the flights. This was done in April 2022 (via emails and telephone calls). Every time I chase for the refund they tell me: "We totally understand your feelings and we are very sorry about the delays. Our accounting department will manage your refund as soon as possible." Now its been almost 4 months when originally they told me it should take 40 days. Is anyone else experiencing same situation? Thanks, Jean

Date of experience : July 21, 2022

Great that Costa divided the number of passengers in half!

What was great, was the fact that the ship (Costa Venezia) was not fully booked. Since covid they kept the maximum of passengers on 50% which we loved. We wouldn't go if there were the actual 5200 people on board of this ship!! Even now at times it was still very busy, especially at deck 10, the Lido restaurant. What caused large queues there was the fact that you weren't allowed to dish your own plate so you had to tell the cooks what you wanted. No fun to wait in line for 30-45 minutes so we moved to Canal Grande restaurant were we had our own table and a 4 or 5 course menu that was being served. Sittings were at 19.00 and 21.30 hrs. The Costa cards worked great with (dis)embarkation and at the bars etc. We had an inside cabin on deck 2 which was small but good and clean. Luckily no noise from the hallways at all and also we noticed almost nothing when sailing at sea. Due to the attack in Istanbul on 13 November the itenerary was changed and we unfortunately skipped Istanbul and Izmir and moved to Bodrum. Got Rhodes instead and then Mykonos, Pyraeus (Athens) and back to Istanbul. Disembarkation and luggage was well organised. Luggage had to be put outside of your cabin the previous night before midnight and you found it back in the cruiseterminal after disembarkation. Elevators were very great, never seen a system like that! Animation team was enthusiastic and did their utmost. Not all shows in the theatre were great but overall OK. Shows took about 30-40 minutes. There were hostesses of many nationalities with daily office hours and shows and information were also on the TV. Also in the Costa app and in the daily journal outside of the cabin there was lots of information to be found. The pools were very small and very cold, only the jacuzzi's were heated. What was very weird is that in the disembarkation meeting, our Dutch hostess asked for a review with a 9 or a 10 because in America, the numbers 7 and 8 are still very disappointing and the team really needed a 9 or a 10. What the heck?! Asking for a good grade?? Let people decide for themselves, don't be fake! Overall, we had a special first experience with Costa Cruises as it was our very first cruise ever.

Date of experience : November 13, 2022

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.