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Costa Victoria |
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| Costa Victoria is size and age-wise in the middle of the Costa fleet. She's a nice looking ship, with a definite Italian theme throughout. A thorough refurbishment during 2004 resulted in many updates that brought her up to speed with today's cruising world, such as the addition of balconies to many of her staterooms. Some of Costa Victoria's most popular onboard features include the modern Pompei Spa, an indoor swimming pool, a beautiful seven-deck-high Planetarium Atrium, the two-story Festival Theater and the Monte Carlo Casino. |
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| Costa Victoria will be featuring cruises in the following regions (subject to change, based on the cruise line's discretion): 2010: Mediterranean, South America Transatlantic |
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| Costa Victoria has a nice range of (spacious, comfortable and brightly decorated) accommodations available, from inside staterooms to full suites. All of the staterooms onboard Costa Victoria come with a private bathroom, air conditioning, mini bar (from which they charge you for anything you eat/drink), vanity area, 220-volt and 110-volt outlets, hair dryer, satellite TV and phone. There are a few handicapped accommodations onboard the ship, but they tend to get sold out rather quickly. The Victoria has a limited number of staterooms that are connecting, so it's best to book early to ensure you can get them (if you require such accommodations). Inside Staterooms: The interior staterooms onboard Costa Victoria have all of the standard features listed above, plus two lower beds that can be converted into one queen-size bed. Inside staterooms (which are categories I1 through I5) can be found onboard the Victoria on decks 4, 5, 6A, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Such accommodations are about (a somewhat snug) 119 square feet in size. Oceanview Staterooms: The Victoria's oceanview staterooms (at about 145 square feet) feature everything her inside staterooms have, plus a window giving her guests a view outside of the ship. Such accommodations are located on decks 4, 5, 6A, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12, and are classified as categories E1 through E4. Balcony Staterooms: The balcony staterooms onboard Costa Victoria are referred to as veranda staterooms. All veranda staterooms feature everything that an inside stateroom has, plus a private veranda. Such accommodations are classified by Costa as categories B1 and B2, and are about 198 square feet in size. Veranda staterooms can be found onboard the Victoria on decks 9 and 10. Suites: The most basic suites onboard the Victoria are her ten category MS mini-suites, which are 345 square feet. Such accommodations do not have a veranda. The next step up is a (category MB) mini-suite with veranda, which is about 442 square feet. There are only four category MS staterooms onboard this ship. Costa Victoria's most premium accommodations are her six (category S) suites, which are about 475 square feet and have a veranda. All of the Victoria's suites feature everything that a veranda stateroom has, plus a whirlpool bath and sitting area. Guests staying in a suite also get special amenities, such as daily delivery of the lunch and dinner menus, a pillow menu, daily fruit baskets, sparkling wine and canapes on the day of embarkation, a kit of bath products and bathrobe and slippers (for use during the duration of the cruise). You can find suites onboard Costa Victoria on decks 11 and 12. |
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| Being an Italian cruise line that heavily focuses on "Cruising Italian Style," the majority of the food onboard Costa is Italian. However, other options can be found onboard (including a few typical American favorites). Each night of the cruise typically has a different theme in the two main dining rooms (the mid-ship Fantasia Restaurant and aft Sinfonia Restaurant), with a menu that reflects that particular evening's theme. For example, there may be a Caribbean Dinner, an Italian Dinner, an American Dinner, or even a Bacchanal Dinner (a classical Rome-inspired evening, where guests may wear togas to dinner). Besides the varying menu each night, there will always be a few additional options on the menu that remain constant (for those that aren't crazy about that particular theme's selections), including various meats, fish and pasta dishes. The menu in these venues are printed in Italian, with a second language (such as English, Spanish and German) below each description. The menu will be the same in the two main dining rooms, so it doesn't really matter which one you're assigned to. The main dining rooms have an assigned seating setup for dinner, where you are assigned to either a main or late seating and dine at the same table each night (with the same wait staff serving you). Be sure when initially booking your cruise that you select the dining time you want, and please be aware that it may be on a waitlist. There may be cooking demonstrations performed in public spaces during select days on some of Costa's voyages. When these are available they're quite a treat to see. Club Il Magnifico (located on deck 12) is the optional specialty restaurant (also known as a Club Restaurant) onboard Costa Victoria. This upscale venue offers a wonderful à la carte menu, with a $22 Euro per person cover charge (subject to change). You can make reservations for this restaurant prior to your cruise, or while on your cruise (based on availability). There are a few casual dining options onboard Costa Victoria. Among them is the large Bolero Restaurant Buffet, located on deck 11. This venue is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features a few separate stations, each serving a different type of food. Also on deck 11 is the Terrazza Cafe (serving breakfast and lunch daily), the Gelato Bar and the Nettuno Grill. There is also a pizzeria located on deck 12, which is open during certain hours only. Don't forget that 24 hour room service is available for all passengers onboard Costa Victoria. There is a basic complimentary menu, but it's an excellent option for a late night snack, or for when you're feeling a little lazy and would rather the food come to you. There are a few items on the menu that you can order at an additional cost, such as bar drinks. Guests staying in a suite are able to order from the main dining room's menu (for in-suite dining) during the dining hours. |
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| The seven-deck high Planetarium is Costa Victoria's main gathering space. Because of its central location you'll often times find yourself walking through this area of the ship. At the base of this area, on deck 5, you'll find a bar, the bank desk and the main reception area. Costa Victoria has many entertainment venues and lounge areas. Among them is the two-deck high Festival Theater, the Victoria's main show lounge. A different show is performed at this venue each evening. Examples of possible performances may include comedians, Broadway-style production shows, singers, acrobats and musicians. The Monte Carlo Casino, featuring many slot machines and gaming tables, is located on deck 7. This area of the ship can get especially crowded during the evening, after one of the shows ends from the main show lounge. Other entertainment venues onboard the Victoria include the Rock Star Disco (on deck 6), Orpheus Grand Bar (with a bar and dance floor, also on deck 6) and Capricio Lounge (also featuring a bar and dance floor, on deck 7). Sirena Bar is located up on deck 11, not too far from the pools. Aside from the various onboard bars, there will also be many staff members circulating throughout the outdoor and buffet areas, asking if you'd like a drink. As you might assume, you'll have no problem finding somewhere to grab a drink while onboard Costa Victoria. The Montmarte Galleria, on deck 7, is where a wide range of duty-free items can be purchased. Among the most popular things for sale is jewelry, liquor, perfume and clothing. Also on deck 7 is the card room, game tables, chapel, conference room and meeting room. Located just one deck below you'll find the jogging track, the photo gallery (and photo shop), shore excursion desk, Venus Beauty Salon and the Winter Garden. There are a couple of swimming pools located on deck 11, as well as a few bars and showers. Nearby the pools is a decent amount of lounge chairs and tables, great for relaxing in the sun or grabbing a bite to eat outdoors. The Victoria's Pompei Spa is located forward on deck 6. Within this area is a spa, gym (with various fitness equipment) and swimming pool. The spa offers a wide range of treatments, such as massages and facials. Costa does a nice job for families with children and teens, as they have a children's club area onboard the Victoria (Peter Pan Children's Room, located on deck 6). This area features various games and activities just for children. There's also the Teen's Club (and Internet Center), located all the way up on deck 12. Just in case you're wondering where the captain and his officers are usually at work, the bridge is located forward on deck 12. |
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| During the day people dress casual while onboard a Costa cruise. Examples of such dress include light, cotton clothing or swimwear with cover up when indoors. Some tours prohibit shorts and sleeveless shirts, and may require ladies to wear knee-length skirts or slacks. Almost every night on a Costa cruise is informal. Costa asks you to feel free to dress comfortably in resort attire, as jackets are not required. Depending on your cruise's length, there are usually one or two formal nights. If you choose to dress formally, Costa recommends a suit for men and a cocktail dress for women. You may also dress more casually on such nights, in elegant resort wear. |
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| Costa's children's program, called Costa Kids Program, varies based on the number of children onboard each sailing and on the particular ship and itinerary. When in full effect, this program offers four age-based children's programs: Mini: ages 3 (out of diapers) to 6 Maxi: ages 7 to 11 Teen Junior: ages 12 to 14 Teen: ages 15 to 17 The Costa Kids Program is an interactive program that provides daily activities for children and teens. Activities vary based on age-group and include activities such as costume parties, sports tournaments, evening parties, treasure hunts, board games and junior aerobics. The parents of children in either the Mini or Maxi groups are able to take advantage of free nighttime group babysitting (held in the children's area until 1:30 am). Nighttime babysitting is not available for children under 36 months of age. Children have special counselors and a room designed for their activities. Children under the age of 3 are allowed to enter and stay in the room only during certain times (not during busy times in high season) and must be accompanied by an adult. Children's activities vary by ship and itinerary, as the number of children varies by sailing and programs are adjusted accordingly. Infants under the age of 6 months at the time of boarding are not allowed on board. This lower age limit is raised to 12 months for cruises lasting 15 days or more. |
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| Costa will automatically charge your onboard expense account a per person, per day "service charge" to cover many of the staff members (such as the dining room staff and room stewards) that service you throughout your cruise. Costa's service charge is based on your cruise's destination and duration. It is as follows (subject to change):
If you'd like to increase or decrease the amount charged by Costa for service charges, you may do so by contacting your ships' Guest Relations Desk (prior to the end of your cruise). A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to any beverage purchases you make. It is at your discretion to tip bartenders, servers, deck stewards and various other staff members, if you so desire. |
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| The minimum drinking age on all Costa cruise ships departing from a US port is 21 years of age. If the ship departs from a non-US port, the minimum drinking age is 18 years old. Any bottles of alcohol that you purchase onboard the ship (in the gift shop) or at a port of call will be held for you by the staff, until disembarkation. |
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| The minimum gambling age on all Costa cruise ships is 18 years of age. |
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