Trying to decide between Carnival Glory & Costa Fortuna Cruise?

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Tom

Been on two, the Atlantica in 2004 and Mediterranea in 2006. Also been on Carnival Spirit, Legend, and Fascination.

Costa is owned by Carnival and there are a few similarities. For example, Atlantica, Mediterranea, Spirit, and Legend are all on the same deck plan.

But similarities stop there. Costa is a decidedly Italian line. It operates the Caribbean ships in Europe during the summer and caters mostly to Europeans. You'll see a lot more Europeans on these ships, especially with the soft dollar. They used to do the muster drills in several (I think 5) languages. Elevators announce the floors in Italian. Smokers are more noticeable. The beds are hard, thin mattresses like you would find in Europe.

I like that they do not "spoon feed" you like a lot of lines. There are many fewer announcements and less hawking of drinks, cook books, and other stuff.

The dining room has a "pasta course" at dinner that you do not find on other lines. They also had some unusual food, for example an octopus appetizer on one night. The pizza is fair, but many of the other Italian dishes are quite good. Desserts are disappointing except for the sweet extranaganza, but Carnival's were too.

Costa still has a midnight buffet.

The entertainment is decidedly different from the standard Carnival fare and is generally lower-key. The last night of the trip is a "toga night" where they provide bed sheets for you to dress for dinner and the show. As they say "no sheet, no eat".

Costa runs "kids travel free" promotions from time to time. If you book one of those weeks, there will be a lot of kids on board.

We enjoyed the change of pace on Costa but it's not for everyone. Our first Costa trip was our sixth cruise. We probably wouldn't have appreciated it if it had been our first.

Southern Apostolic

I just returned from the Carnival Glory on Saturday, and it is an amazing ship. I would recommend it to anyone. We did the Western Caribbean, and I am considering the Eastern for next December. I have a friend who has been on Costa, and she said that they were more conservative. All of the announcements were done in multiple languages, and the activities were geared toward an older crowd of people.

Zef H

I was on the Carnival Glory to the Eastern Caribbean in late April 2006. Here is the review I wrote ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=18296

I have not been on a Costa cruise (yet). Costa is Europe's biggest cruise line and is owned by Carnival. Costa is an Italian line that offers a European experience (as opposed to the typical American experience you will get on Carnival).

Pamela G

I LOVE THE GLORY!

We did the Eastern Caribbean last May and it was absolutely wonderful. We loved the ship so much that we are using the same ship to go to the Western Caribbean in December.

Have a fun trip!

ocean.denis

Both are bad, Costa Fortuna worse.

Tivogal

costa. talk to ocean.denis. he knows something about costa.
also go to cruiseclues.com
cruisecritic.com

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