CostaCruises.com Reviews - 5

First time traveling with Costa.

First time traveling with Costa. I’m an experienced cruiser and enjoyed the time on Smeralda ship. Good value for the money, and the ship was very clean. The entertaiment team did a nice job.

I’ve been cruising for over 15 years, and this was my

I’ve been cruising for over 15 years, and this was my 90th time aboard Costa Diadema. I’ve also sailed about 10 times with Costa cruises and the rest with MSC, NCL, and others. This 21-night trip from Genoa to Santos was by far the worst cruise I’ve ever been on. Embarking in Genoa took nearly 6 hours, and the cabin was old with worn-out beds and pillows. The ship hasn’t been updated in over 10 years, with disgusting smells from the carpets on the stairs and the sewage. The ship felt more like a public restroom. The food in both the buffet and restaurants was very poor, and the staff lacked basic manners – the worst I’ve ever encountered. I was traveling with my niece, who caught the flu 10 days in. We visited the ship’s hospital, where they gave her two infusions with spazmex and paracetamol, charging us $690 for it. They told us the hospital wasn’t operated by Costa but was private. This will definitely be my last time with Costa.

Unbelievable treatment towards non-European staff

Unbelievable treatment towards non-European staff…such a poorly managed company. No proper rest days given, and working shifts often exceed 8 hours. Staff are packed into shared rooms like sardines. Discrimination is clear, with non-EU employees earning less than their EU counterparts. And in 2024, is this justified? Having an EU passport shouldn’t make someone more valuable. My interview with Erika Ruattato was mostly spent proving my right to live in the EU—a resident permit isn’t enough for them, it seems. In 2024, this should not still be happening. From a shop supervisor, I was demoted to a sales assistant due to my non-EU status. Now, I see why it’s rated as one of the WORST COMPANIES IN THE CRUISE INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE

I often take cruises, and this was my first and last experience with Costa.

I often take cruises, and this was my first and last experience with Costa. The food on the Fascinosa was terrible everywhere. In the dining area, drinks aren't included, not even basic things like ice water or tea. You also can't purchase soda. The menu offers poor quality and very small portions. It’s just awful! I had to get off at an earlier port because it was so bad. This feels like a cheap option in every aspect. The announcements never stop, and they constantly blast music over the intercom, making it impossible to relax at any time. The other passengers are loud. Never again, Costa!!!

The company was a huge letdown

The company was a huge letdown. They recommended a service called Bag Express, which ended up opening our bags and stealing some of our personal things. Costa didn’t do anything about it and didn’t even try to get the company to respond to us. On top of that, they kept bothering us about a credit card, even after we gave them one that worked just fine. They couldn’t manage to stop the constant harassment. As for the food, we got raw chicken in a restaurant that was charging extra for the experience. It was really a disappointing time.