Costa Toscana Cruise Ship Review
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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. Glitz, glass and colorful neon lights reminiscent of Miami's South Beach -- there's never a dull wall or unadorned ceiling aboard the 3,724-passenger Costa Diadema. If a space isn't pulsing with lights, it's decorated with ceramic or glass tile murals or eye-catching artwork. Even the cabin corridors sport colorful art from floor to ceiling.
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That means you either have to be incredibly lucky or be comfortable doing your own thing ashore. For English-language passengers, don't bother booking excursions online. Instead, visit the Shore Excursion office on Deck 6 to see what tours have enough English-speaking participants. Of course, some of these are main dining rooms and buffet restaurants serving up an identical menu, albeit in different settings. But even the buffet restaurants aboard Costa Toscana (which, curiously, are located on Deck 6 and Deck 8) offer up plenty of tasty Italian and European specialties that are worth your time.
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Announcements are given in at least five languages -- Italian, Spanish, French, German and English -- and sometimes Portuguese and Chinese, as well. Costa Smeralda plies a Mediterranean circuit connecting France, Spain, and Italy. Passengers can start and end the seven-day loop journey at any of six top ports, offering an international experience without the international price tag.
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Don't be surprised if a complete stranger greets you with, "Bonjour, Madame," or departs with a "Buona sera!" as the doors close. Whether you're just cruising around town running errands, or embarking on an exciting family road trip, the last thing you want is for your car to unexpectedly ... In collaboration with the Port of Dover, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines enhances its 2024 cruise packages with free parking and onboard credit. The cruise line's move has angered some passengers and prompted social-media accusations that the effort was profit-motivated. The motivations for learning Chinese are as diverse and compelling as the language itself. Maybe you've found a last-minute travel deal to that far-flung destination you've always dreamed of visiting.
How much does it cost to go on Costa Toscana?
Select gourmet items are available for an upcharge, such as spaghetti with lobster or grilled Piedmontese Fassona tomahawk steak, and portions on these items are quite generous, often suitable for sharing. With the average cruise aboard Costa Toscana lasing a week in duration, passengers have their work cut out for them if they want to make it to all 21 of Costa Toscana's different dining venues onboard. Spanning Decks 6,7 and 8 and flanked by three stories of glass windows on both port and starboard sides, this circular space is also situated near the Kartell Caffe coffee bar; the Campari Bar; and the Caffe Vergnano 1882 on Deck 6. Even if you're not directly viewing the performances, you can always hear them from some of the key bars on the ship. Public rehearsals are held here during the day, allowing passengers to glimpse the work that performers put into their nightly shows.
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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. Most nights are informal, with "resort wear" appropriate; jackets are not required. There are one or two gala evenings per European sailing, depending on length. The cruise line suggests passengers not wear beach clothes and shoes (shorts, sarongs or flip-flops) in restaurants.
Will English Speakers and North Americans Enjoy Costa Toscana?
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While the ship has a dedicated English-language ambassador and prints all relevant notices, including the "Oggi a Bordo" Daily Program, in English, your experience ashore will depend largely on how many other English guests are aboard. And that varies because, unlike North American ships (but common for some European lines), Costa Toscana embarks and disembarks passengers in almost every port on its Mediterranean itinerary. And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated.
Transfers to shore can be accommodated at most ports, none of which currently involve tendering ashore. By day, the Piazza Trastevere on Deck 8 forward is used for games, quiz challenges, and cultural lectures. The airy space is used for all-ages games with the Animation team and light aerobics, exercise and Zumba led by the gym staff. Onboard, the ship's decorating theme pays homage to classic Italian vessels (every public room is inspired by -- and named after -- a particular ship) and Farcus has blended a bit of elegance with a defiantly whimsical flair. Costa Fortuna is not as neon-flashy as Carnival and yet is definitely more lively, in color and texture, than traditional European cruise ships.
Outfitted out with four swimming pools, a water park with a bevy of slides, casino, stage shows, Costa Smeralda is not much different from the megaship brands known to American cruisers. But while the operation may feel familiar, the Smeralda experience injects a healthy dose of Italian style, especially with the ship’s robust menu of pastas and regional specialties. Costa, a member of the huge Carnival Corporation family of cruise lines, is taking the lead. Costa Fortuna, launched in November of 2003, represents a continued evolution. Multiple storage racks and shelves are built-in to the bathroom design, which feels far more upscale than most mainstream cruise ships -- a radical departure from the plastic-molded cruise ship bathrooms of the past.
Few are English-speaking, and those that are come from very different countries. On our sailing, we met English-speakers from Ireland, and those from countries like Albania and Slovakia for which their own native languages aren't represented onboard. 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. Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax?
In addition, Braille markings and inscriptions can be found in elevators and on cabin doors. Casual during the day, smart casual in the evenings, with one formal night and one semi-formal night on a seven-day cruise. Add to that an American touch on the decor -- this ship, like Costa Mediterranea before it, was designed by Carnival's uber-design-master Joe Farcus. What you get, ultimately, is a pan-European cruise experience mixed with American-style comforts. If U.S.-based cruise lines are slowing down the rapid fleet expansion that occurred over the late 1990's and into the first few years of the 21st century, Europe-based cruise lines are a different story.
(Its jazzy interiors are created by Joe Farcus, a longtime Carnival decorator, yet there's a little bit of Holland America in its layout, such as a similar main pool design). The Virtus Gym is accessed through the spa entrance and the overall facility is stocked with well-maintained cardio equipment and weights. Some fitness classes are free, while others such as yoga and spinning classes have an added fee. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. We thoroughly enjoyed the polite European habit of acknowledging fellow passengers when entering or departing an elevator.
These range from economical inside cabins with no window to spacious oceanviews, staterooms with balconies, and full-blown suites. For those looking for a truly European-style cruise experience, Costa Toscana delivers, offering a gracious vessel that is capable of appealing to North American and international cruisers alike. Mediterranea's evening attire is "elegant casual," which is interpreted a bit differently by different nationalities. For some women, it's slacks and a blouse; for others, it's a spangled spandex minidress. A few men sport a jacket and tie, while others don a polo shirt with the collar turned up, Euro-style.
The number of strollers onboard was surprising to say the least, and young families with infants, toddlers, and kids under the age of 6 were well-represented. In addition to the included fare, Costa Toscana has a multitude of specialty restaurants. These range from the combination pub-and-steakhouse Heineken Star Bar on Deck 7 aft, to the Teppanyaki restaurant on Deck 8 forward, and the Pummid'Oro Pizzeria on Deck 8 forward. Yes, you have to pay for pizza on Costa Toscana -- and yes, it's worth the modest cost, with most pizza's running between nine and 12 Euros. Instead, a three-story space at the center of the ship known as the Colosseo functions as an entertainment pavilion for vocal and visual performances ranging from guest headliners to full-blown dance productions. Online travel visa providers have revolutionized the way individuals apply for visas when planning their international trips.
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