Are you wondering what Costa Cruises is really like? Are you considering them for your next vacation, but you’re afraid it’s not the right cruise line for you? This is a great place to start as I am going to break down every aspect of cruising with Costa Cruises and rank them in tiers, compared to what I would consider ‘standard’ North American cruise lines.
Since Costa Cruises is generally a budget friendly line, expectations should be set accordingly and that’s just what I’m going to help you do, all while touring parts of the massive Costa Smeralda.
🎥 In This Video:
This video is a totally unsponsored guide to cruising with Costa Cruises. Following this video will be another video about my cruise on the Costa Smeralda, which will be a full ship tour and honest review.
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— Video Chapters —
0:00 Intro
00:57 Why it’s Time for Cruising
01:40 What’s in Today’s Video
02:40 Demographics
03:41 Languages on Board
04:44 Pre-Cruise
06:15 Embarkation
07:25 Technology on Board
09:05 Cruise Style
10:45 Ship Design
11:20 The Food (Buffets)
12:28 Paid Drinks
14:01 Free Drinks
14:15 Staterooms
15:02 Daytime Vibe on Board
15:52 Ship Layout
16:46 Personal Space
18:48 Activities
19:50 Family & Kids
20:52 The Venues
22:01 Upselling on Board
23:09 The Food (Sit Down)
24:34 The Food (Specialty & Cafes)
25:11 Nighttime Vibe on Board
25:37 Service Style
27:09 Entertainment
27:53 Disembarkation
28:28 Final Thoughts
29:43 The Final Tier Ranking
Music featured in this video is licensed under an Artlist Unlimited License.
This is NOT a promotional video. I pay for all of my flights and hotels (and I always tell you how much!) so I can be as honest and impartial as possible. I do not receive any special treatment that wouldn’t otherwise be publicly accessible, in fact, the hotels and airlines have no idea about my visit and that’s the way I like it!
#costacruises #shiptour #cruiseguide
41 Comments
Oh come on flipper flopper ( as you’re affectionately known in this house). I’m a Londoner, but via Pennsylvania and I recognize your accent. You may be an adopted New Yorker, but come on I hear your Pa loud and clear 😊.
As a Loyal Supporter from Forest Hills NY… Love the Pizza Analogy 😎😎😎. I agree with your thorough review in many aspects.
Thank you for your fantastic work . Stay Healthy GG
I'm not overly interested in cruise lines but may be willingly to giving lines like windstar, virgin and viking a look in. Even if its only for a weekend.
I do think this a good addition to your channel.
Wow! A challenge to compile but 'job well done'. Thank you, Kevin, for all the thought and effort that went into this review.
Great video. Congratulations 👏👏
You hit it put of the park again Kevin! ⚾️ enough of these and you’ll convince me to go on a cruise.
Include your cruising trips. All parts of your travel. There is quite a few cruise content.
I loved how you kept this video moving at a good pace through all the review topics. Also, that you didn't hesitate to put something into the F category when it was warranted. Too often, ship review videos get bogged down in watching the reviewer walk the ship, eat endless dinners while talking with a mouthful of food, and repeat how much fun they're having. That might be entertaining (to a limit) but it's not very helpful planning my own trip.
Greetings from Taiwan!
Really love your videos from Bangkok, it helped a lot.
Even though I have no desire to go on a cruise, this was a great video and I’m glad I can live vicariously through you 😊
Keep ‘em coming 👍🏻
What a good take on this cruise line
If you told me The Flip Flop Traveller was going to review a cruise line I think it would be some time before I guessed Costa 🙂
Heey! Love your first cruise review I'm 24 and I made 13 cruises most of them with Costa, there are two "new" cruises in Costa the Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze that made the difference, they are the best ships in the company.
I have to say after 11 crusis with Costa, I will try this August the Queen Mary 2 by Cunard and I think I will never see Costa in the same way.
Great content, keep it up !
Thank you for a half hour long informative video! Also, could I ask what was the route of the cruise? (also happy 201 videos!)
So, overall, very very good start! Well done. Before I forget, please give MSC cruises the same thorough treatment.
I've been wondering how you were going to do with cruise reviews b/c as you mention, there really aren't any good ones out there. Yes, some reviews are informative and entertaining but they do not convey the amount of information you transmitted. I was also worried that you were a newbie without sufficient experience to really evaluate a cruise. But you have that.
Prior to watching this review, I would not have considered a Costa cruise. Now I will at least consider one. (I have status on Celebrity from a decade ago and Holland America from current times). The crush in the buffet was very disheartening and may not make up for "hands off" treatment, lack of upselling, etc.. And I avoid family cruises b/c I do like to meet and socialize with other people. I wonder if Costa has cruises that are not family centric.
In terms of substance, I thought you erred on the side of being too generous. About half your categories seemed correctly placed; the other half I would have lowered one notch. But, given the number of grouchy and negative cruise reviews (see Cruise Critic), perhaps it is better to err on the side of positivity.
BTW, I like cruising in distant parts of the world, areas which folks cannot drive to in order to board. This draws a different type of cruiser, more of an adventurer, which is why I like Holland America. Take a HAL cruise from Miami to the Caribbean or from Seattle to Alaska and it is a much less enjoyable experience even with the same ship and the same staff. Go from Singapore to London on HAL and it is a different world.
Again, please give MSC the same treatment. And after that, do Virgin.
Great effort, Kevin !!!
You're so organized with how you present your reviews. It's amazing really. I haven't been on a cruise before, but hoping next year with my spouse. Will definitely check Costa. Thank you very much.
No offense but I think cruise ships are usually targeted towards older folks and families as they offer all inclusive type deals
Can’t wait for Celebrity, will give Costa a whirl
Thank you very much for confirming what I actually already knew that I never go on a cruise in my life. I enjoy watching your videos.
Очень понравилась новая категория обзора лайнеров. Всё кратко, чётко и по сути дела
Great review Kevin! I've only been on one cruise in my life and that was to Alaska in the late 90s. My mom and I traveled together and we were on a smaller ship that only held about 150 people. We were able to sail into the smaller passageways and see the wildlife up close. Because it was a smaller ship the experience was very personal, I loved it. We didn't have to worry about overcrowded hallways and not being able to find a table. One of these days I would love to try a big ship and compare the experience.
I have looked forward to your cruise videos. As much of a “hotel junkie” as I am, I have never been at all interested in cruising. Still not and I am happy to let you do all the work. I like your rankings. Maybe you’ll take the cruise that might finally make me reconsider my aversion to huge, resort-like ships. Thanks!
Kevin can I can your quick take on the RCL singapore spectrum cruise on your overall tier list? Looking to book it soon
You must read my mind….Cheers
Sorry you must have read my mind…I'm looking forward to this review..
Never been on a cruise (solo traveller, thats why), but really appreciate your new cruise style.
Demographics is most important detail! Thanks for sharing that. MSC I like a little more…but only gave Costa one chance and did MSC many times definitely feels more like traveling on the Italian cruise lines. Love this new twist !
I'm not a cruise person but I love this format. Well done Kevin. Looking forward to more of your reviews.
Really enjoy your videos. Any plans to review the high end cruise lines, Ritz-Carlton along with Aman and Four Seasons when they launch their ships?
Great video for me because now I know I could never take a Costa cruise..the interior design is simply bad
Non parli italiano?
G'day Kevin. Thanks for this review. We have never been into cruising but enjoyed your review and look forward to others. We are watching from New Zealand. Debbie & Patrick
Living in Phoenix now I get into arguments with people from Chicago trying to tell me that their pizza is better than New York pizza.
Great job on this cruise review. I like the deeper thought out aspect of your reviews (eg. inefficient use of space of the ship) which is very refreshing. Looking forward to your other reviews.
I think it's great you are doing this. I agree that no one is actually doing Cruise Reviews, they're doing essentially advertorials dressed up as Cruise Reviews in exchange for free Cruise Holidays. So good on you Kevin, and I liked your grading system.
🤯Am I the only one who heard a collective gasp when he said What-Should-Never-Be-Said about Napolitan pizza? 😨 I think it was all of Italy rising in righteous indignation at such blasphemy. 😱 Chiedo sinceramente scusa Italia! 🥺 I, as an American, rebuke this New Yorker and his criminal words! 😤 Bad youtuber! Bad! 😡
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I just thought to saw how the cruise ships are and the next second i saw your video notification. Good timing 👏🏻
What is "SABCDF" ranking?? I didn't understand. If you can explain 🙏🏻
Please upload more cruise ships video 🙏🏻. From india 🇮🇳 🙏🏻