While it’s nice to have time to prepare for disembarking, I always think of it as a strange day with nothing really to do with your time and having to just go through the motions. We did enjoy a lie-in and if you can call it that, and a leisurely breakfast in the canteen (buffet).
While at breakfast, our room was made up, and when we returned,d we discovered a letter inviting us as Silver members to a galley tour at 3:45 so with nothing else on the agenda, we decided we would go.
We visited the Costa Hostess for information about disembarking tomorrow then went for a couple of coffees. Nicole was determined to finish a book she had borrowed from the library, so along with that and packing she was pretty much sorted for the day. For an hour or so I just passed the time people watching, but eventually we returned to the cabin, and while I sat out on our balcony and enjoyed the fresh air Nicole instigated phase one of the packing.
The sea was a lot calmer than yesterday, and it was also a few degrees warmer and actually quite pleasant to be outside so to give Nicole a bit of room, I walked the length of both prom decks.
By the time I got back, she was done and sitting on the balcony reading her last few pages.
The galley tour was interesting but very brief and nowhere near as comprehensive as the MSC one we did a few years ago. No photos allowed once inside but I do have one of me in the PPE we had to don in order to go in.
Our last night in the MDR was a bit of a mixed bag; while our tablemates were on fine form, the serving staff left a lot to be desired. In honesty, it’s not an isolated experience, and it has been very inconsistent right throughout the cruise. Every night, the courses have been arriving at unusual intervals, and it has been quite chaotic, even to the extent that people have been eating desserts while others are still finishing their main course. It’s not the Costa we have been used to, and it has been a very poor experience by comparison.
What has really tipped the balance is the water issue, which took another twist today. Yesterday I had a coffee that didn’t taste quite right, and I noticed it didn’t have that little bit of foam on the top. At the time, I put it down to operator error, but it happened again today and then early afternoon, Nicole said her tea was salty. She questioned this and was brought two cups of boiling water instead of a pot.
So, tonight after Nicole received another salty pot of water for her tea, she questioned this to the bar staff and was told they have issues with the desalination onboard. No thought to mention this to the passengers, just carry on serving and hope nobody notices. That is absolutely poor and has completely tipped us over the edge. Once we are ashore tomorrow, we will not be setting foot on any Costa ship ever again. What was once one of our favourite cruise lines has dropped completely off the radar.
Too many cutbacks and poor service have left the cruise line a shadow of its former self.
I just hope we can get off in good time tomorrow, as our timings are very marginal.
Fitbit Steps – 11,649
Thanks for your time in writing up your trip. I have enjoyed following along. From your comments it seems that Costa are not what they used to be. It’s a sad fact that all cruise ships seem to be cutting corners to save money, maybe some more than others!
Have a safe trip home.
First, I LOVE the photo of the VERY thin cruise ship. Not sure how you were able to sail on a ship that thin 😃. I would frame that one. Second, I can’t believe the salt water problem. I mean I get it that they have a problem, but not telling anyone. What happens to people with high blood pressure who are supposed to be salt-free. That’s crazy.
My current experience is that many of the big cruise lines are just falling apart. Profits seem to be all that matters. NCL, Carnival. RCL…alll are experiencing big problems with all their lines. It’s sad.
Have a safe flight home.