Welcome to my Costa Cruises blog – your no-nonsense guide to cruising Italian-style. Whether you’re planning your first Costa sailing or just curious about what life is really like onboard, this blog is packed with honest reviews, cruise stories, food highlights, and travel tips from real sailings. Think of this as your go-to hub for everything Costa — minus the corporate fluff.
Costa offers a variety of Mediterranean dishes, from fresh pasta to seafood, and you might think you’re in for a treat. However… Reviews on Cruise Critic often highlight a mixed bag of experiences, with the buffet sometimes feeling repetitive after a few days at sea.
I personally loved the Main Dining Room on Costa Smeralda, and I honestly thought it was comparable to fine dining in Italy.
Costa Cruises boasts a diverse crew, with many members speaking multiple languages. But don’t get too excited; while the service can be professional, it may not have the personal touch you’d find on premium cruise lines. Many passengers on Cruise Critic have noted that service quality can vary widely depending on the ship and the season.
I can definitely attest to this. I found the service to be a little dismissive at times… But, I thought it was more reflective of the audience onboard.
It’s pretty controversial that Costa only give you free water in the buffet. Seriously. If you’re lounging by the pool and feeling a bit thirsty… Drinks package. Same with in the Main Dining Room… Drinks Package.
Folks say that it’s because Italians don’t drink tap water, and well bottle water costs money!
To be honest, Costa’s drinks package is one of the cheapest I’ve ever seen, and I didn’t have any faults finding something to drink on it.
