Went on Cheap Costa Cruise for $100 a Night; Better Than Expected

Once I booked my journey with Costa Cruises, an Italian price range line, I wasn’t anticipating luxurious. Truthfully, a seven-night solo Caribbean cruise for less than $700 felt like a raffle.

For those who’ve cruised earlier than, that value may not appear uncommon — many traces supply weeklong Caribbean sailings beginning across the similar charge.

Nevertheless, on this case, $700 was my whole value, together with taxes, charges, surcharges, gratuities, and even the solo supplement.

At about $100 an evening, I anticipated a stripped-down expertise. In some methods, it was. Nonetheless, after per week on board, I can confidently say this cruise delivered every part I search for in a tropical getaway.

My itinerary stayed primarily inside the Dominican Republic

The cruise I booked was aboard the Costa Pacifica, with an itinerary that began and resulted in La Romana, Dominican Republic, a port about an hour from Punta Cana.

Over the course of the week, we visited 5 ports, 4 of which had been within the Dominican Republic: Catalina Island, Samaná, Amber Cove, and Cabo Rojo (the opposite was Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos).

I favored that this cruise let me simply see a number of components of the nation with out road-tripping. I do not know if Costa supposed this as an immersive benefit or a logistical comfort, however both approach, it made my trip higher.

The ship felt dated in locations, nevertheless it was comfy sufficient.

The ship’s six-story atrium with dramatic glass elevators made a surprising first impression, however the remainder of the Costa Pacifica was nowhere close to as putting.

Effectively-worn carpets lined hallways and elevator landings. The buffet had barebones furnishings and pastel plastic dishes that jogged my memory of summer season camp.

For my part, the three,800-passenger Costa Pacifica has all of the necessities, however not one of the frills.

On board, you will discover two primary eating rooms, one buffet, an outside snack bar, and 4 specialty eating places, plus quite a few bars and lounges and a single theater. There are additionally three outside swimming pools, a waterslide, and 6 scorching tubs, however not a lot else.

My 180-square-foot interior cabin did not appear to be it had been up to date because the ship was accomplished in 2009. The wallpaper wasn’t particularly trendy, and the cupboards regarded just a little worn.

Nevertheless, my mattress was comfy, and the bathe had loads of scorching water and strain — so the room hit the marks on perform (simply not vogue).

It took me some time to get used to the ship’s vibe and tempo

Costa Cruises is headquartered in Genoa, Italy, and its Mediterranean id felt apparent after I stepped on board.

On the ship, it seemed like two-thirds of the conversations round me had been Italian. The scheduling additionally felt very Southern European.

Like in Italy, the ship quieted down for a mid-afternoon siesta and picked up with dinner seatings at 9:15 or 9:30 p.m.

Most theater and stay music performances — plus a couple of structured Teen Zone actions — had been additionally scheduled after 9.

Of the three theater productions I attended, none stood out. I assumed they leaned extra towards low-budget, in-house exhibits than polished productions, so I did not really feel responsible if I went to mattress early.

For those who’re not used to Italian methods, this scheduling is perhaps tradition shock. Though I am primarily based within the US, as a frequent traveler, I wasn’t caught off guard a lot as aggravated: I am normally early to mattress, early to rise.

I additionally like to remain energetic and busy after I’m on journeys, so my normal travel rhythm did not mix seamlessly with Costa. For the primary few days, I questioned if I had made a mistake.

Ultimately, I began jam-packing my time in every port with tons of actions, reboarding the ship on the final minute earlier than sailaway.

Then, as soon as I used to be on board, I did not thoughts slowing down and absorbing the Italian dolce vita.

The additional prices felt extra widespread right here than on different cruises

Almost all cruise traces cost additional for cocktails, spa remedies, and specialty meals, however Costa charged me for issues I hadn’t been used to paying for on a ship.

For instance, on many cruises, the quantity of free meals is so considerable that gaining weight on board is virtually a cruise custom — this wasn’t the case on the Pacifica.

If I obtained hungry between 6 and seven p.m., I would should pony up for paid sushi or pizza, because the included grill, buffet, and primary eating places are all closed. Gelato for a mid-afternoon snack begins at €2.40, with no free soft-serve in sight.

If I needed a glass of water with dinner in the primary eating room as an alternative of filling my very own water bottle on the pool deck, I would pay one other euro or two.

Like a low-cost airline, low cost base fares lure you in, however every part additional may result in an costly closing invoice. Fortuitously, I used to be anticipating this and did not let expenses get out of hand.

On the finish of the cruise, my whole bill got here to round €200, masking one spa remedy, WiFi entry, drinks, and different miscellaneous onboard expenses.

Meals was hit-or-miss, however I discovered the winners

Breakfast and lunch had been primarily easy, buffet-driven affairs. As soon as I discovered what labored, I caught to a easy morning routine and ate most of my lunches on shore in port for comfort and selection’s sake.

Dinner was the place high quality various probably the most and technique mattered. I like Italian meals, however there is a massive distinction between mass-produced meals on a cruise ship and the dishes served at a quaint trattoria in Rome.

For my part, scorching dishes at each the buffet and primary restaurant had been typically overcooked and oversalted. Nevertheless, Costa overdelivered on its pastas, which had been balanced and al dente.

Lots of the chilly appetizers, like a relaxing octopus carpaccio, had been additionally glorious. After discovering these patterns, I typically “solely” ordered three of the 4 programs at dinner, specializing in what I felt Costa did effectively.

One evening, I skipped dinner on the primary restaurant and headed to the ship’s specialty pizzeria as an alternative.

It value additional, however the diavola pizza — with its wood-fired crust, spicy salami, and gooey cheese — was simply one of the satisfying bites I had on board.

Ultimately, the expertise was higher than the value recommended

This Carnival-owned Italian line saved issues easy, however I by no means felt like I used to be lacking out or getting a nasty deal.

Value-focused travelers can be hard-pressed to discover a cheaper cruise trip, particularly in the event that they’re disciplined sufficient to rein in incidental spending.

The low value did not impression my potential to see the Dominican Republic, and the money I saved helped me splurge on excursions at every port.

I would cruise with Costa once more — and suspect my subsequent journey can be even higher since I do know what to anticipate.

Costa Cruises did not instantly reply to a request for remark from Enterprise Insider.