Reviewing Costa Mediterranea

Photo via Wikipedia

For the first time since 2009, Costa has two ships operating from Miami to the Caribbean that offer an array of unique, 10 and 11-night itineraries. I hopped aboard Costa Mediterranea and wasn’t sure what to expect ? Costa is in a category of its own. During parts of the cruise, the company excelled, brought together passengers from across the globe, and offered an experience unlike any other cruise line. Other times there was inconsistency, unusual policies, and a fairly quiet ship – which was unexpected for a company known for lively, Italian-style cruising. Here’s a summary of what I discovered on my 11-night voyage:

The Ship was Beautiful

Mediterranea was a dazzling work of art that infused Renaissance design into sculptures, paintings, and creative hidden spaces that were prime for exploring. The stunning, 80-foot high Maschera d’Argento Atrium featured glass octopus and 25 figures ? several wearing hand-made costumes.

The Dining Program Needs an Overhaul

The ship maintained a regimented dining schedule with two seating times in the main dining room. There was also Club Medusa, an elegant, reservation-only restaurant with cuisine that outshined other venues (and cost extra). There weren’t many options for a low-key evening: Perla de Lago buffet closed for dinner, although a portion of it “transformed” into a pizzeria that was an additional charge.

Buffet hours changed daily, with breakfast ending as early as 10:30 a.m., causing frustration when food items were removed and only pastries remained. Water, coffee, tea, and ice cream machines were often closed, and after lunch the only options were bite-sized sandwiches and snacks.

Dining in Argentieri (main dining room) consisted of lengthy, four-course meals that sounded intriguing. Menus included items like smoked marlin with red onion marmalade followed by roasted lamb leg served with bacon-wrapped string beans or monkfish accompanied by grilled eggplants. However, with the exception of outstanding pastas, the execution of these dishes often missed the mark.

Voting for Favorite Crew Members is Brilliant

One program that Costa should be commended for is “Bravissimo” voting for crew members who deserved additional recognition. Passengers could search favorite crew members on kiosks and the winner received a coveted day off from work. Unfortunately, votes were tallied bi-monthly instead of every cruise. Still, it’s a step in the right direction for cruise lines to honor the efforts of hard-working staff.

Shows Were Strangely Captivating

The evening theatrical performances on Costa Mediterranea didn’t measure up to the Broadway shows on other ships, and yet I looked forward to them to answer the question: “What will they do next?” One night was “The Elements,” a somewhat risqué performance that left me wondering what on earth I had just watched ? but I was thoroughly entertained.

The show had elaborate costume changes ranging from long-sleeved sorcerers and women with their bottoms exposed to starfish and neon jellyfish bobbing around, all while mixing dance music, the Beatles, and Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

Focus on Excursions and Lack of Port Information

Besides an introductory briefing on shore excursions, there was very little information about ports of call. When the ship was tendered (versus docking), passengers who booked excursions were disembarked first, leaving others patiently waiting. This could significantly cut into time on shore, particularly if delays arise.

An Excellent Itinerary

Costa isn’t afraid to branch off the traditional Caribbean routes, and by offering longer voyages passengers have more island options. Our cruise stopped in Nassau, Samana (for the first time), Tortola, Antigua, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, and Freeport.

In Samana, I booked the “Cave and Mangrove Exploration” to Los Haitises National Park, that included a boat ride around a pristine bird sanctuary. The tour was fabulous and our guide was entertaining and informative in 11 different languages.

Diamonds are Abundant and Water is Scarce

Costa implemented a water package that costs $45 for 13 bottles, otherwise tracking down water involved waiting in line at the buffet. When water was requested, waiters inspected the marked cabin card. It was very awkward and not an ideal way to generate revenue. Neither was the emphasis on buying jewelry. An entire television channel was dedicated to gems, while port shopping guides touted stores with duty-free diamonds.

Comfortable Cabins

An impressive 68 percent of Mediterranea’s 1,057 cabins had private balconies, and the interior cabins were also very comfortable. Stateroom sizes were average, or in some cases larger than comparable categories on newer ships. For example, Mediterranea’s interior cabins were 160 square feet while Norwegian Breakaway’s lowest interiors range from 129 to 150 and Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas have 150 square feet.

Complimentary Kids Club and Spa Access

Perhaps the best-kept secret on Costa Mediterranea was that use of the spa’s Turkish steam room, sauna, and cool-water Jacuzzi was included. The massive spa and salon connected to a two-tiered fitness facility surrounded by windows for a sea-view workout. The kids’ activity center, the Squok Club, was also complimentary.

Mediterranea Remains a Good Value for Budget Cruisers

Although there are several areas for improvement on Mediterranea, including a return to its famous Italian-style cruising, the cruise remained a strong value. Spacious cabins, a stunning ship, fabulous ports of call, an international group of passengers, and budget-friendly fares are all reasons travelers should consider the vessel for their next cruise vacation.