Costa Europa Cruise Ship
, Costa Cruises
Costa Europa Cruise Ship Reviews
- Board Basis:Med
- Tour Operator:Lastminute
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8 readers found this review helpful
The last of the Costa ships we have been on, bar one and I refuse to go on a ship named COSTA FORTUNA.
Genoa, Barcelona, Alicante, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga, Genoa.
Booked three weeks before sailing we never expected much from this cruise, apart from a pleasant eight days getting a little sun, and drinking a little wine.
As usual the ship was spotless, embarkation from the new terminal at Genoa faultlessly efficient, the old Costa site now flattened. This was the first time we had seen the new conveyor system for loading of luggage in use, coloured labels ensured each suitcase was put onto the correct deck, and delivered to the cabin within 30 minutes of boarding.
You know that every so often you do something you feel is right, or you get the feel good factor about a hotel, holiday or even decorating a room, where you have to say Yeah that’s for us. So it was with the Europa.
Maybe the size, smaller than most other Costa ships, this oozed elegance, classically refined yet even on sea days the feeling of spaciousness abounded. Now to my favourite place the Dining Room, the place where new friends are made, a great table of six, (eight is ok but tends to split into two groups of four, if you do get this try moving round the table each night) and straight away we clicked, this is really what cruising is about, sharing daily experiences, stopping to say hello, or meeting for a drink later. While this does occur on other ships, it seemed like on the Europa we met and spoke to almost all English & Americans on board. Yes I do believe the size of the ship does play a part in this, the relaxing atmosphere makes you stop and chat awhile, whether walking the decks or sitting in a bar, you see a familiar face, a smile and a nod, or stop and chat, became part of our day.
The ship itself is like all its bigger contemporises having all the usual things, the food, cleanliness, friendliness of the crew, second to none. Good shows, three pools, multi purpose sports area including two tennis courts? And one of the finest Restaurants I have ever eaten in.
For us this is what Cruising is about, exclusive, without being snobbish, friendly without being in your face, and unforgettable without doubt.
- Board Basis:Iberian Splender
- Tour Operator:Travel Counsellors
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4 readers found this review helpful
The ship was excellent, extremely clean and very attentive staff. There was a newspaper everyday letting you know what was happening the following day and all the events and activities on offer as well as meal times and dress codes.
The drawbacks to booking through Lastminute.com were very little information about the company. Had I realised beforehand that there would only be 43 English speaking guests out of 1300 I would have chosen a different line. It was very off-putting and ended up being annoying that everything was said in 4 other languages before English and even the English rep was Italian, even though he did speak good English. Another drawback was if not enough English speaking booked an excursion you were automatically put onto another country’s tour and had to listen to the commentary in their language, mainly German, which meant missing out on quite a lot.
This was our first cruise and enjoyed it but would have appreciated more advanced information about the length of the transfer from the airport - 3 hours - and the amount of time sat in the embarkation point - 2.5 hours - with little information of what was happening.
Would go on another cruise but not with that line, even though the ship was excellent.