Here's Costa Toscana, the new flagship is in splendid shape and winks at young people
The cruise world has (almost) never stopped. For two years it was, during the pandemic period, the only [...]
The world of cruising has (almost) never stopped. For two years it was, during the pandemic period, the only bubble that allowed people to travel, even abroad without risking Getting stuck somewhere in the airport or worse.
In this article:
This was my first "post-pandemic" cruise, or rather since the health protocols have been relaxed and life on board (and off) is back to being almost the same as before.
Costa Cruises' new flagship.
Costa Toscana entered service last spring, after starring at the San Remo Festival. We at TFC came on board during the Cruise that saw the Official christening of the ship in the port of Barcelona, the second most important for the company after the one in Savona.
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It is the twin sister of Costa Smeralda, but I have to say the difference in set-ups makes it much more beautiful than its older sister.
Everything is the same as before, but better
In these pandemic months, Italy and the cruise industry have demonstrated how, With the right protocol, it was possible to travel safely. Now the emergency is over we are back to the "world of before", meaning no limitations or restrictions, so no capacity limits, freedom of movement on board and on excursions. Of course, always in compliance with national regulations.
However, there remained the new features introduced by the covid measures that are destined to become a standard. These include. the virtual safety drill or the buffet that is no longer self-service, but served at both lunch and breakfast: definitely everything is neater and cleaner.
The ship
As mentioned, it is Costa Smeralda's twin, but the interior fittings are completely different.
The ship is much more colorful, less kitsch one might say. The pastel colors of the furnishings make everything much brighter. Of course, the structure has remained the same, the pools, the water park, the restaurants are in exactly the same places and have the same configurations.
Unlike airline planes where they try to offer the same configuration, cruise ships try to distinguish themselves from each other. For example, there is no Italian Design Museum here, and in its place is the Heineken Pub. While, for obvious reasons, swimming pools, restaurants, casino and main bars are located in the same locations and change only in layouts.
This Tuscany is definitely the most beautiful and largest ship in the Costa Crociere fleet.. On board right now the fill rate is 50%, so everything is much more livable. Add to that the fact that with the beautiful season you can take advantage of every corner of the ship, and everything is even more beautiful. Also thanks to continuous promotions and very aggressive pricing.
The problem with the fleet of ships designed to cruise in both hot and cold weather is that they have to offer a configuration that can satisfy everyone, regardless of whether you are traveling in February in the Mediterranean or in summer or in places that are always hot like the Caribbean.
The booth
My room, or cabin as it is called on a cruise ship, Was 14202 exterior with balcony. I must say it was in the perfect spot to make the most of the location, take far fewer unnecessary steps, and move quickly and stress-free for this giant over 300 meters long. It was perfect because:
- First the location is in the middle of the ship and very close to the elevators. This doesn't mean that you can hear the noise, but that precisely there is very little movement between the cabin and the stairs/elevators, so you won't have to walk the aisles countless times. And in case of rough seas this is the position where you "should" hear the least movement.
- According to Deck 14 is only two flights of stairs from the indoor pool, SPA, Gymnasium and Squok Club. On this trip I was alone, but having such easy access (and without having to take the elevator) to get around these parts of the ship is a significant advantage especially if you are traveling with children.
Cabin size is standard, Queen bed without topper. A small sofa that becomes a bed if there are 3 guests. A small table just right for resting one's belongings.
The small terrace is not huge, but two people can easily enjoy the sunset undisturbed.
Bathroom, micro and basic, like all cm available on this ship. Of course there are also rooms without a view and suites. Let's say the balcony makes everything much more livable.
The only obvious flaw is the few power outlets. Of the two small nightstands on either side of the bed, only one had an outlet.
While two power outlets and two USB outlets are located in the desk area.
The restaurants & bars
One thing I like about cruise ships is that you can eat anything at any time of the day or night. Above all, I really like Costa's policy of offering at least a dozen different options to all passengers who want to eat something different every day.
Of course, there is the possibility of having a fixed seat in the same restaurant every night, but in fact on this cruise I did not eat in the same place twice, not even for breakfast.
I tried everything from burgers at 2 a.m. to poke at lunch. From star cuisine to buffets. From tasting in the Ferrari bistro to the Heineken bar where you drink and eat like the pub downstairs.
Above all, I really like the fact that the prices of paid restaurants are capped and that Costa Club members enjoy steep discounts: signing up is free, so it would be really crazy not to collect points from the company's loyalty program.
Kids and Family
I was not on board with my daughter this time, but increasingly I believe this is the perfect vacation for families with children from 2 to 99 years old. The kids club is perfect and is open practically from morning to night. Kids, on the other hand, can enjoy the ship, safely, at 100%: there are dedicated activities or they can just group up and have fun.
There are the classic services, the dedicated restaurant, the ad hoc shows, in short, it's a perfect product that allows everyone to have the vacation they want
Finally, the SPA
For the past two years, a section of the cruise ships had been off limits due to covid, but now everything is back in operation. The package allowing unlimited access to the spa cost 149, and thanks to a promotion I was also able to get included in the price a treatment from the on-board Barber, just ahead of the gala evening.
Swimming pool, steam room, sauna, relaxation room, tea room, massage and cryotherapy in the snow room. There really is everything at a competitive price. Of course, it is also possible to pay admission for just one day, just to do something different. Then there is a super-stocked gym with every piece of equipment and, if you want, even classes at set times during the day, all the same as before.
Shows and entertainment
The ship is alive in every corner, there is the Coliseum and not the usual theater where shows are held. The strategy has been to offer a product that has been decidedly unaged from before, appealing to a younger, more dynamic audience, even at the risk of displeasing some older passengers accustomed to the classic cruise agenda.
Live music in the pub, DJ sets around the ship, silent disco or the classic piano bar or jazz music. To each his own. And for the brave there is the possibility of performing in the center of the Coliseum on Karaoke nights, not for everyone and it is in these cases that having the unlimited drinks package helps to overcome the embarrassment.
Swimming pools
They are scattered around the ship but there are not enough of them, that is evident, because if there were 6500 passengers they would be unlivable. The good thing, though, is that not everyone goes, not everyone experiences the boat without going on excursions, so the ship lives in waves.
Western Mediterranean cruises almost always make the same stops; I almost never get off the ship, so I always get to enjoy the relaxing spaces when everyone is ashore. For the kids and beyond, there is a small but varied water park designed for younger children as well.
Of course, if you take a cruise in winter there is only one indoor pool-all the others, if open, are heated but you are still off the ship.
Young people are the new target audience
It is evident in many small and large details: the company has chosen to target new cruise passengers. The first sign that something has changed are the performances. Those at the Coliseum in the first place (sure, there is the piano bar for ballroom dancing, but live music, and not, is more likely to be rock rather than a mazurka). Even restaurants are winking at the new customer, the one who doesn't formalize if there is no damask tablecloth at the table, and who prefers all-you-can-eat sushi rather than the classic 5-course ristornate.
From poke to beer garden with live music playing rock, The all-night hamburgeria with sandwiches for less than 3 euros. Clearly, there was a desire to modernize the product to Attract the customer who has never tried cruising before and who want a vacation on board similar to what one would have on the Riviera Romagnola or Alassio.
The casino
It is one of the main "attractions" of every cruise ship. For the past few years the management has gone back direct from the company, and I must say that all the wait staff were really nice and attentive to patrons. For such a ship it would be logical to expect a larger casino, but if it is not too crowded I think it offers the right mix of tables and slots of various kinds.
When on a cruise, cash is never used. The card, which serves as a room key, a document around the ship, and a payment system for on-board expenses, can also be used to play slots and tables. This means that all expenses incurred, can be settled with the card. So if you use an American Express you can score points.
If you are traveling with friends and relatives, you can associate your card with multiple cabins, so all expenses incurred will be paid from our card and thus accumulate many points.
Baptism
Certainly this was a special cruise, as it coincided with the ship's official christening. The godmother was Spanish pop star Chanel, who also became famous in Italy for her performance at Eurovision in Turin. It fell to her to recite the famous phrase "I christen you Costa Toscana" and to cut the (virtual) ribbon that crashed the (real) bottle on the bow of the ship.
This was followed by an aperitif in the Piazza del Campo and dinner all catered by Angel Leon, a three-star Michelin chef who is a partner of Costa and the Costa Cruises Foundation.
The night then danced until dawn. with a DJ set worthy of Ibiza: Meduza performed at the console., Italian stars of global EDM. All while the beautifully lit ship sailed on a warm Spanish summer evening to Valencia.
In conclusion
Not traveling fully loaded everything looks and feels better. There are no lines anywhere, you always find a free table, and the ship is beautiful and largely spotless. It's back to the "old world" in terms of service, spacing and safety protocols. It's just too bad that the loyalty program is really useless or almost useless.
