14/02/2024
Costa Fortuna meets the Southern Caribbean Sun
Cruise number 63
Costa Cruises – Costa Fortuna
9th January to 28th January 2024
Cabin number: 7262 - Mid ship, Deck -7 : Suite
Total pax :2200 , Crew :1000 : Decks : 13
Cruise for 15 nights.
Ports of Call: Guadeloupe, At Sea, Bonaire , Aruba , Curacao , Grenada Martinque , Guadeloupe , At Sea , Tobago , Grenada , Barbados , St Lucia , Martinque ,Guadeloupe.
After 3 wonderful days relaxing at the Le Creole hotel we watched our ship arrive and had a late embarkation so allowed for another day in the sun.
The suite as expected on arrival was spotless and perfect our butler Sakharam and suite steward Richard were listed for our Suite. The suite steward was on time daily and very attentative, his talent in towel work and design was the best we have seen ever. Alongside his daily routine Richard was fantastic. Our minibar always stocked, and our suite spotless every day after breakfast. Our suite was situated midship as all the suites were located on deck 7. However, after being in suites and samsara suites on Costa Cruises new builds it could be time to update these premium cabin products on the older ships as some of the furniture needs repair.
Our first dinner in the Elite club restaurant as expected was first class in service. This was a level kept up through all meals we had in the restaurant, along with destination selections on the menu each day this made for a very special dining experience. Excellent service by our table waiter Ruddy and his assistants Hazel and Czarina and the restaurant manager Anil who was always at hand to assist.
When it comes to our excursions, all other excursions where well organised and on time. When it comes to the issues of cancellations due to low numbers or languages spoken this does not seem to affect the ports of call in the Caribbean as much as it does in the Europe. Our top two tours taken where the Jeep tour in St Georges, Granada, very informative on time well organised and great guide. The other outstanding tour was the island tour and folk show in Scarborough, Tobago. Two wonderful ports of call which cater for self-walking tours exceptionally well is Willemstadt in Curacao and Oranjestad in Aruba.
Once again, the productions on board the ship where first class with stand shows being H20 and Romeo and Giulietta (acrobats). The Voice at Sea is a great production and always a crowd pleaser. Then the two shows by the good talented singers being Francesca Aureli and Maximillen Phillipe.
The Cruise director Sabrina was outstanding as usual and entertainment team average. Th VIP functions attended by the Captain Vlaho Lazarevic where handled well and on time , The Costa Club event had some new features to it which where interesting.
In conclusion, a wonderful Costa Cruise with exceptional service and overall great crew. Good to see new islands being added to the itinerary as Costa Cruises needs to start to broaden its routes around the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Speaking to other frequent travellers the lack of variety in routes offered needs to be addressed as other lines grow and offer a larger variety.
Highly recommend this itinerary.
2024 rating – 4.5 stars
