Costa Mediterranea - Southeastern Caribbean 01/15

[lustforlife]

Hello!
Me and my husband booked our second cruise. We chose costa this time around for cost reasons. I am very excited with to the idea of going on a cruise again, but I am also nervous about the fact that the ship and amenities may not be at par with RCI's Adventure of the Seas. Is this founded? I would like to speak with people who were on a RCI ship and Costa ship before. Also, I would like to find out if the alchoolic beverages are as expensive as on the Adventure ($7-$8US a pina colada). Are we allowed to bring some alchool in our room when we embark? Also, we picked an obstructed oceanview room. Anyone lived in one of those. I would like to hear from you.

[lustforlife]

Me again!
Anyone have a A La Carte price list for their spa? I went on Costa's website and they only sell very expensive packages. Thank you!

[Sandy]

Hi Lust,

I've sailed both Royal Carib and Costa. Are you sailing Costa in the Caribbean or in Europe? I sailed twice in Europe and I liked it. It's geared more towards a European clientele so that the entertainment and ambience may feel a little different to you than Adventure of the Seas. Are you going on one of the newer ships? I've read reviews that people didn't like the food; we are not gourmands by any means, but we thought the food was fine, with lots of choices.

Obstructed cabins are usually a good compromise between a less expensive room which still lets light into the room. Different ships have different degrees of obstruction in those rooms. Some ships' obstructed cabins have a 50% obstruction, for example, such that the lifeboat takes up about half their view, but you can look past it. Other ships, and other cabins on those ships, have a greater or lesser obstruction. Your travel agent should be able to find out the degree of obstruction. Even if it's 100%, you're still seeing light during the day, which can make a big difference to your enjoyment of your room.

Sandy

[lustforlife]

Hi There! Thank you for your answer. I am Sailing the Mediterranea, which is one of their newest. I enjoy upscale dining and I am very open to different syles of cuisine. I should be okay. I will call Costa and ask them for the % of obstruction. I have booked room 4188. The plans provided by costa are hard to read. Leaving in 10 days! WOOHOO

[Sandy]

Lust, I've inspected the Mediterranea twice, but have never sailed on it. She's a gorgeous ship. I don't recall seeing one of the obstructed view cabins, but I'm sure you'll have a great time in any case. Please do come back and tell us how it went!

Sandy

[annetteb2]

Hi Lust...we just returned from a short two day cruise on the Mediterranea and the ship was beautiful and so clean you could eat off the handrails!! Welllllll....

We were in room 4173 with a full view and veranda..I believe you will have a life boat in front of your view.

As for the food..Maybe because it was an 'off' weekend (they had two days between the New Year's cruise and the next regular week cruise) so perhaps the entertainment and food weren't what they ordinarly provide but it was fine. Food was good. Entertainment was sophmoric. So we spent extra time in the casino AND WON !

You will enjoy it I am sure. Plus you will be far warmer than you are in Toronto, eh?
Annetteannetteb2@msn.com