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Cruising the Emirates Jan 2008 Costa Europa |
| Reviewed By: Critchlow, SOUTHPORT on 19th Feb 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Costa Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Costa Europa |
Sailed:
January,
2008 |
| Destination: Dubai |
Age: 56-65 |
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We travelled independently to Dubai to give us time before and after the cruise. Not having cruised at this end of the market before our expectations were not high.
We arrived at the cruise terminal at 8pm and with the minimum of fuss boarded the ship. Passengers did have to find their own cabin which was not a problem having been in possession of a costa brochure with ships diagram for some months and familiarised ourselves with layout.
Cabin clean and tidy a good size with plenty of wardrobe space for long evening dresses. Cabin steward was very pleasant. We found the buffet and had a hot meal and on our return our cases were outside our cabin.
Our first impression of the ship were clean and spacious. Restaurants were good, excellent choice of meats, salads, pastas which were well presented. The downside being the plastic beaker in the self service restaurants - like children's feeding beakers !!
Dress code even on formal nights tends to be casual and if dinner suits and long dresses are your thing then P&O and Cunard are for you. Be warned
Shows whilst not west end standards were sufficient and seemed to be appreciated by the audience - although announcements of the acts in up to 6 languages was rather trying. There was choice of music to listen or dance to in lounge bars. You could dance all night if you wanted to do latin styles - but only very small areas for ballroom dancing.
Announcements were kept to a minimum and weren't a problem to us.
Excursions were expensive and it was cheaper to hire a taxi. Destinations were limited
In conclusion we were pleasantly surprised with the whole Costa Experience and taking everything into account felt that it was good valule for money. We would not hesitate to try Costa again if the itinary was appealing to us.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| The buffet lunches were excellent Steaks pastas salads ice creams plenty of fresh pineapple and melons | | Entertainment |  |
| We enjoyed listening to the bands and having a little dance | | Shore Excursions |  |
| Abu Dhabi | | Staff |  |
| Our cabin steward Carlos | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Only the odd quiz or dance for us | | Cabins | |
| spacious wardrobe cabin nicely furnished and decor | | Overall Rating | |
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