Costa Victoria Cruise Review

Christmas at Sea with Costa Victoria

Introduction to Cruising

Cruising is a fantastic way to travel and it is rising in popularity in Asia. Travellers can embark on 3,4,5, and 7 night journeys to explore some of the most beautiful destinations in the region. Cruise ships can certainly take the hassle out of travelling.

Once on board, guests can delight in an array of shops, entertainment, dining, and other activities all included in the price of the cruise with a few exceptions. For a modest all-inclusive price, travellers receive their overnight accommodation, meals, transportation, and so much more.

Imagine waking up in a new destination each morning without a care in the world. That's what cruising is all about. It is an incredibly practical way to travel and because much of the typical incidental costs are included, it makes it easy for couples and families to budget for their vacation.

The Cruise

Let us take you on-board a tour of the Costa Victoria. We reserved a seven-night Costa cruise to Indonesia on board the Costa Victoria over the Christmas holidays in 2013. The Costa Victoria had just completed an $18-million renovation in 2013 in Singapore one-month earlier. The vessel, which was originally built in 1996, was tailored as part of its renovation to cater specifically to the Asian cruise market, while incorporating the contemporary Italian style that Costa Cruises is known for.

The Costa Victoria was scheduled to depart on December 21 from Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Over the seven night adventure, the ship would make stops in Semarang, Bali, and Lombok with two days at sea as part of the itinerary.

Day 1: Depart Singapore at 17:00
Day 2: Cruising at Sea
Day 3: Semarang (07:00-17:00)
Day 4: Bali (14:30-01:00)
Day 5: Lombok (09:00-19:00)
Day 6: Cruising at Sea
Day 7: Arrival in Singapore at 09:00

The Costa Victoria Ship

The Costa Victoria is one of five ships belonging to Costa Cruises that is now regularly deployed in the Asian region. It is often based in Singapore between November and January offering 3 to 7 night cruises of Southeast Asia calling in at ports in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Built in 1996, the vessel can carry up to 2,394 passengers across its fourteen decks. It can travel at a maximum speed of 24 knots. The Costa Victoria cruise ship offers a number of on-board amenities and features from the panoramic Concorde Plaza to the incredible Planetarium Atrium, which spans seven decks. Tailored to the Asian cruise passenger, the ship combines the elegance of European styles with traditional Western comforts.

Costa Victoria has five restaurants, a number of bars, two outdoor swimming pools, and an indoor pool inside the stunning Pompeii Spa. Passengers will also discover four jacuzzis, a fitness centre, basketball court, casino, beauty salon, shops, a theatre, clubs for kids and teens, a chapel, library, and internet centre among many other on-board amenities and activities.

Boarding at Marina Bay Cruise Centre

As the cruise was scheduled to depart on the evening of December 21st, it was not necessary to find accommodation in Singapore for a pre-cruise stay. We flew direct from Manila to Singapore's Changi Airport and boarded a taxi to the cruise terminal. Getting to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre was seamless. The taxi took less than 20 minutes and cost approximately SGD $20.

As we arrived at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, we could see the Costa Victoria coming in to dock. It was running a few hours behind schedule.

Since the Costa Victoria was the only cruise ship departing from Singapore on this particular day, navigating the terminal was relatively easy. We began by depositing our luggage curbside.

As we had arrived several hours early and the ship was slightly delayed, we had to wait in the terminal for some time before we were allowed to clear security and begin the check-in process. There isn't much to do at the Singapore Cruise Ship Centre, though there is a 7-11 if you want to purchase light snacks while you wait.

Once the ship was ready for boarding, passengers began filing through the security lines. Another line awaited on the other side of security, where passengers would check-in and deposit their passports to receive their cruise credentials to board the ship. Although the process was straightforward and organized, the lines were quite long and there was plenty of waiting involved.

As passengers completed the check-in process and embarked onto the ship, there was an opportunity to take a commemorative photo, which would later be available for purchase as a souvenir.

Costa Victoria Cabins & Staterooms

Our Costa Victoria tour begins in the guest room. We reserved an inside cabin as we got an incredible deal on the room type at just USD $299 for a 7-night cruise.

However, there were several other room types available including standard rooms and suites featuring everything from port hole windows to full balconies.

The room was extremely clean, cozy, and had all of the standard amenities that you would expect in any hotel room. It was also modern and tastefully decorated with white sheeting and a flat screen television.

A kettle with complimentary in-room tea was also provided. Although coffee and tea was readily available all throughout the ship, it was a nice touch to have it available in the guest rooms.

Upon entering the guest room for the first time, we were welcomed by a series of documents laying on the bed with information about the ship, on-board amenities, a schedule of activities, and useful notes about our next destination.

This information was provided on a daily basis with updated activity schedules and destination information so passengers always know what is happening on and off the ship.

The bathroom was clean and equipped with a shower, as well as all of the essential toiletries such as soap and shampoo.

Life On-board Costa Victoria: Features, Activities, & Amenities

On the first evening of the cruise, an orientation session was held in the ship's Festival Theatre following dinner and the mandatory emergency drill. The theatre spans two levels. The orientation was optional and many did not attend. Although one might be tempted to try and do it all, there is simply too many activities happening on-board to be in all places at once.

Costa Victoria features a number of on-board classes, demonstrations, and activities. As our first full-day on-board the ship was a day at sea, there were plenty of demonstrations all over the ship from cooking to ice sculpture carving.

During the cooking demonstration, the chefs prepared a traditional Italian pasta, followed by the assembly of a delicious tiramisu. Passengers that were strategically positioned close to the demonstration area got to enjoy samples.

Fruit carving was also part of the demonstrations on the first day. One couldn't help to notice that a lot of the on-board talent hails from the Philippines. These are some of the fruit creations that were produced during the demonstration and later displayed in the Bolero Buffet restaurant.

Masterfully carving the fruit is Johncel Agudilla of the Philippines. The official title on his name tag was "Ice Carver." But clearly he is capable of carving more than just ice.

We took the opportunity to orient ourselves as much as possible with the ship on the first day. It was nice having a full day at sea to help familiarize ourselves with our home for the week. The ship is much more than a floating hotel. It is without a doubt one of the star attractions. If each day of the itinerary was spent exploring various ports, there would be little time left over to enjoy the ship.

The Costa Victoria features a full-service on board spa called the Pompeii Spa. An indoor pool is also located in the spa area. Although guests are required to pay for spa services, access to the pool is complimentary.

A chapel is also available on board for private prayer and reflection. Services are held in the chapel by an on-board Catholic chaplain. Many have been known to get married on-board cruise ships.

As this was a Christmas cruise, a special mass was offered to commemorate the occasion in the Festival Theatre.

The outdoor decks and pools are some of the most popular places for guests to relax. It is recommended to arrive early if you want to reserve your own lounge chair in a prime location.

There are more than enough lounge chairs available all over the ship. But those closest to the swimming pools are highest in demand.

For those who don't feel like lounging by the pool, a basketball court is also available.

As we took a tour of Costa Victoria's outside decks, we discovered the ship's carver once again carving an ice sculpture of Santa Clause for Christmas.

He carved the entire sculpture in under an hour with a constant crowd of onlookers watching his every move.

If you want to enjoy a drink on one of the outdoor decks, Costa Victoria also has a bar located near the swimming pools.

Back inside the ship, another demonstration was happening in the central atrium. Members of the housekeeping team were demonstrating their towel art skills.

Each night, guests will return to their guest room to find a unique towel design resting on their bed.

The Concorde Plaza is a quiet and comfortable place to relax in the daytime offering panoramic views of the sea from the bow of the ship.

By night, it comes to life with live entertainment where guests can dance the night away.

The Orpheus Grand Bar is another great venue to relax with a drink in the evening, while enjoying live entertainment.

A casino complete with slot machines and card tables is available for those who wish to test their luck at sea.

A video game arcade is available to entertain the youth, while the adults enjoy their nightly activities.

If you win big in the Casino and would like to celebrate, the nearby Capriccio Bar is a great place to start. The bar features a large mosaic on the wall signed by Italian artist, Emilio Tadini.

When it comes to dining, the Costa Victoria offers a number of options from casual to formal dining, along with late night snacks.

The Tavernetta Lounge is an Italian-style Pizza & Noodle Bar, which often features brunch and late night eats. There is always food available here around the clock for passengers that get hungry in the middle of the night.

Part of the Tavernatta Lounge is converted into Club Il Magnifico each evening offering high-end a la carte dining at an additional charge by reservation only.

Those who prefer a more casual environment and like to control their own portions can head over to the Bolero Buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Although menus are not identical to the formal dining restaurants, a similar selection of entrees are offered in the buffet.

The corridors on the Costa Victoria are all bright and colourful.

Each deck is named after an Italian opera. Our guest room was located on Deck 8 - Otello.

Inside the guest room, the flat screen television offers a number of satellite channels including movies and world news.

There is also an internal channel that showcases events on the ship and a map that displays the ship's current position.

The central atrium on board the ship offers a unique view that enables guests to appreciate the massive size of the ship.

Glass elevators run up and down seven of the Costa Victoria's fourteen decks.

Those interested in a little bit of retail therapy on board the ship can visit one of the many shops featuring popular brands, Costa souvenirs, and any essential items that you may have forgotten to bring with you.

The Festival Theatre, which spans two levels, is where all of the shows are performed on a nightly basis. From magicians to comedians, the theatre has no shortage of entertainment, particularly musical performances. If you are interested in watching a show, you are advised to arrive early as seats fill up fast. There is often standing room only when you arrive late.

You might discover that your formal dining time conflicts with the scheduling of the nightly shows. In such an instance, you can request to be re-seated at a different time or simply head to one of the casual dining restaurants on board.

It would be nice if the scheduling of the shows would not conflict with the formal dining times to enable guests to enjoy both experiences consistently each night.

The Costa Victoria's Internet Cafe and Library offer a quiet place to relax. Internet service is not free and you must pay for the use of the computers. However, the lounge is a delightful place to enjoy a good book while enjoying the views of the sea.

The Rock Star Disco is where the teens and kids go each night for some alcohol-free fun and entertainment.

Parents need not worry while their kids dance the night away in a fully supervised environment.

Dining on the Costa Victoria

The two formal dining restaurants on-board are Fantasia Restaurant and Sinfonia Restaurant. The restaurants are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, they are not always open simultaneously with the exception of dinner service.

At dinner time, there is a seating plan and dress code in effect. However, if you come for lunch, the tone is less formal and you can generally select where you want to sit. Arrive early if you want to get a nice seat near a window.

As Costa is an Italian line, dining is structured the Italian way. This means that the menus typically feature an Aperitivo, Antipasto, Primo, Secondo, Contorno, Insalata, Formaggi e frutta, and Dolce.

The Aperitivo is similar to an appetizer, while the Antipasto is a slightly heavier starter course. The Primo course is often a soup or pasta, while the Secondi course is a meat or fish dish.

Contorno or Insalata is usually salad or vegetables served alongside the Secondi course. The dinner is completed with Dolce, which is dessert or a selection of Formaggi e frutta, which is fruit and cheese.

The wonderful aspect of cruising is that you can order and eat as much as you like. If you can manage both dessert alongside fruit and cheese, you are more than welcome to order it. In theory, you could order two main courses as well if you wanted to try different things.

At the end of our first day at sea, we came home to our guest room, where we found this piece of towel art.

Semarang, Indonesia

Our first port of call was in Semarang, Indonesia. Located in the central Java region, Semarang is for the most part an industrial port and is home to approximately 1.5 million people. The city is geared more as a business destination, rather than a place for tourists with many hotels in Semarang.

However, it serves as a gateway to Borobudur, which is the city's main claim to fame. Borobudur is a 9th century Buddhist temple, which boasts more than 500 Buddha statues stretched across nine platforms stacked one on top of another. It is a great example of Javanese Buddhist architecture. Most of the passengers on board Costa Victoria took a day trip to visit the temple by bus, while others explored the town of Semarang.

After exploring the city of Semarang, we returned to the ship for dinner.

Each time a passenger disembarks and embarks onto the ship, your on-board ID card is scanned and you must go through security screening. When we arrived back in our guest room, we were greeted by this friendly creature lovingly constructed with towels.

We set sail overnight for Bali, where we would spend Christmas eve. As the ship was not due to arrive in port until the evening, there was time to enjoy on-board activities such as the dance classes happening on the outside deck.

Bali, Indonesia

As we approached Bali, there were grey skies ahead and it was becoming clear that we would not get to enjoy the beautiful beaches or any of the luxurious Bali resorts.

We docked at the Port of Benoa, where locals were eager to greet us and offer tours of the city.

Unfortunately, we got hit by a heavy downpour of rain as we disembarked from the ship, which made it worthless exploring Bali. We resorted to shopping inside one of Bali's tourist outlets before returning to the ship.

Christmas on the Costa Victoria

Christmas with Costa Cruises is an enjoyable experience. As it was Christmas Eve, we received a special treat in our guest room when we returned to the ship.

Costa Victoria also put on a special midnight dessert buffet to celebrate the arrival of Christmas.

The following morning as the ship journeyed to Lombok, Indonesia, Santa Claus entertained children in the central atrium and greeted each of them with a special gift. There was even snow being sprinkled down into the atrium.

Lombok, Indonesia

We arrived in Lombok, Indonesia just after lunch on Christmas Day. The ship anchored off-shore and we used the tender boats to travel to the port. Lombok is an up and coming beach destination. There are many resorts in Lombok. It is also a gateway to the famous Gili Islands.

As time was limited, we hired one of the local drivers and headed to a nearby beach resort to relax for the afternoon.

We boarded the tender boats and returned to the ship for our final evening sailing in Indonesia.

We reached the Costa Victoria just in time to witness a spectacular Indonesian sunset from the ship.

The Indonesian sky lit up with all sorts of beautiful colours as the sun set on Lombok.

Costa Victoria On-Board Entertainment

In the theatre that evening, we had a special performance by the ship's dancers and singers.

The dancers remained behind at the end of the performance to greet the guests as they left the theatre.

As usual, when we arrived in our guest room, there was another towel surprise.

We had one last day at sea as we journeyed from Indonesia back to Singapore. The Costa Victoria staff put on a t-shirt painting activity in the afternoon. Guests were able to paint their own shirts and take them home afterwards. We created our own souvenir Costa t-shirt.

We later enjoyed a drink in the Planetarium Bar, which is located just off of the central atrium.

An information office is available in the central atrium and is staffed 24 hours per day to assist guests on board the ship with any questions or concerns.

There was a contest in the central atrium in the evening for guests that had completed surveys about their cruise experience. Those that filled out the surveys were entered into a draw to win Costa prizes. We were one of the lucky recipients.

Arrival in Singapore

The Costa Victoria arrived in Singapore early in the morning in time for our 9:00am disembarkation.

We had a great time aboard the Costa Victoria and I would strongly recommend it especially if you are planning on taking a cruise for the first time.

It is a great introductory vessel to familiarize yourself to the concept of cruising.

After we disembarked from the ship, our luggage was waiting for us in the arrival hall. The entire process went smoothly. Taxis were lined up outside waiting to take passengers to their Singapore hotels for a post-cruise stay or onto Changi International Airport for the flight home.

If you are interested in taking a Costa Cruise in Asia, visit their website to find out the latest itineraries. You can even check out the current location of the Costa Victoria and find out additional information about the ship.

2 comments:

UnknownMay 2, 2016 at 5:06 PM
Great post. I've always been on MSC cruises but I'd love to try Costa. Those two companies are very price competitive and really are very good value for money.
dsadasdMarch 2, 2024 at 3:51 AM
In my quest to find the best solutions for my latest AR project, I stumbled upon a platform on a forum that exceeded my expectations. This platform offers an impressive range of augmented reality app development services . The blend of advanced features and a user-friendly interface made it a go-to resource for me. The team behind this platform has taken an innovative approach to merge technology and creativity, making it a game-changer for anyone interested in building immersive AR experiences.

Costa Victoria Cruise Review

2 comments:

Featured Post

Manila: A Beginner's Guide for Tourists

Popular Posts