Costa Cruises, Costa Victoria Review

“We have just got back from a cruise around the Greek...”

Written on: 02/11/2009

We have just got back from a cruise around the Greek islands. My opinion is very mixed about the whole experience!

On the plus side, the staff were generally very good. Attentive, friendly, helpful. The excursion into Athens in particular was very good and well worth the money. We thought the food was excellent, although the lunch time menu lacked variety. Generally, the cruise was very well organised, although you often felt like a sheep being herded.

Unfortunately, there were quite a few negatives. On arrival, we entered our cabin to find it absolutely stinking of smoke. Given that the cabins are very small, the smell was very oppresive and obviously not what you expect after paying all that money! The hospitality staff tried three times to do what they called a 'deep clean', which was basically emptying a can of aerosol. We had to insist on getting the linen changed, and even then it was dirty. Other than that, no help was offered, and no apology given which was disapointing. As other people have commented, the other guests were extremly loud, refused to queue, and had no respect for personal space. The spa was freezing cold and the treatments ridiculously expensive! Drinks were also expensive, especially when the 10% 'tax' was added on to every order. The most galling thing though was the new 'service charge' which was added at the end of the week. We were not made aware of this charge - an extra £45.50 - and when we tried to complain, no help was given, and the staff we spoke to did not have any authority to do anything. In addition, our complaint regarding our cabin had miraculously 'disappeared'! We found the whole experience extremly frustrating, and don't hold any hope of our complaints being acknowledged. I wouldn't recommend this cruise line.