Costa Deliziosa

We have just returned from an 18 day cruise from Italy to Dubai. We were very satisfied with the service we received.
The decor of the ship in some of the public rooms and especially the main dining room, is rather garish and "in your face". In fact we found that the main dining room felt very frenetic and it was impossible to really relax and enjoy the meals because of the decor. Also the loud engine noise, added to the general noise made it difficult to have a conversation and added to the frenetic feel. There seems to be an obsession with the colour pink! except for buffet restaurent, which is blue with a nautical theme and much more relaxed.

We weren't thrilled with the food, which somehow didn't quite "hit the mark" but there was plenty of choice and certainly no lack of quantity. Food of some description seemed to be available almost all day long and the cabin service for breakfast was excellent.

We also booked the J2 all inclusive drinks package and it was well worth it! It even coveredv the water for excursions. We mostly used the Atrium and the Grand Mirablis Bars which were excellent with extremely helpful and friendly staff, who quickly got to know you and what were your favourite drinks.

The restaurent staff were also really helpful and friendly and as Miss Osborne says, very entertaining.

The ship is spotlessly clean and beautifully maintained. We thought that the entertainment was very good overall and reasonably varied, given how long the cruise. The singers were very good especially Arthur Peterson.
There was musicla entertainment ranging from piano to classical in the different bars in the evenings.

There was a varied programme of activities including dancing lessons and arobics for those who wanted to participate but there was no pressure to join in if you didn't want to do so. The main swimming pool is excellent along with the hot tubs and the sliding roof is a brilliant invention. Our first few days at sea were really quite cold but you could still use the pool as the roof was kept closed.

Couldn't fault the cabin and the cabin staff. Always spotlessly clean and very quickly made up. However on a day when I wasn't well and stayed most of it in the cabin, this didn't present a proble and as soon as we did leave, the cabin lady made the bed etc.

The excursions were good value for money and the 4X4 safari in Fujairah was brilliant and the most fun we've had in years!

Overall a very good holiday experience.