Bonjour à toutes et tous, c'est ma première aventure en croisière, j'ai hâte d'y être... 😉
Avez vous des avis, des conseils ?
Merci
Original post
Croisière sur le neoRiviera en Méditerranée du 6 au 17 juillet 2015
by Cruzzer
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Nos escales :
Savone (Italie) Toulon-La Seyne sur Mer Propriano (Corse) Olbia (Italie) Trapani (Italie) La Vallette (Malte) Salerne (Italie) Capri (Italie) Portoferraio (Italie) Savone (Italie)
Avez vous des astuces ou conseils pour les escales, nous comptons nous débrouiller pour les excursions. Merci 😊
Savone (Italie) Toulon-La Seyne sur Mer Propriano (Corse) Olbia (Italie) Trapani (Italie) La Vallette (Malte) Salerne (Italie) Capri (Italie) Portoferraio (Italie) Savone (Italie)
Avez vous des astuces ou conseils pour les escales, nous comptons nous débrouiller pour les excursions. Merci 😊
Bonjour Jean Marc,
Je viens de passer 10 jours sur le Neo Riviera, voilà les plus et les moins, selon moi:
Le NeoRiviera est un bateau ancien ( 1999 )récemment rénové par Costa .
La rénovation a porté sur la décoration des espaces publics et des cabines. Le spa a été entièrement refait. Mais il n' a pas été touché à l'implantation des cabines, qui constitue le principal défaut du bateau : il n'y a que très peu de cabines avec balcon, ce qui est très dommage pour des croisières en Méditerranée, et les cabines standard et premium sont de très petite taille (13 m2, il n' y a la place que pour une seule chaise et l'espace entre le lit et la cloison est réduit au strict minimum).
Les points positifs :
Beaucoup plus de place dans les parties communes, que ce soit aux piscines, aux bars (quand on les a trouvé), et aux restaurants. En particulier, il n'y a pratiquement pas de queue au buffet, ce qui change notablement de la cohue qui rend les buffets si désagréables sur la plupart des bateaux. Cette place dans les parties communes vient d'une politique volontairement restrictive sur le nombre de passagers : alors que ce bateau pouvait accueillir 1800 passagers, l'effectif pendant notre croisière était inférieur à 1200 personnes, ce qui donne beaucoup d'espace (30% de plus que sur un Serena/Fascinosa, etc..et 45% de plus que sur le Diadema).
De ce fait, le personnel est beaucoup plus détendu que sur les autres Costa.
La nourriture est bien meilleure que sur les Costa habituels, même au buffet, les plats sont variés et très corrects. Les vins servis dans le cadre du forfait boissons sont aussi bien meilleurs.
Buffet ouvert le soir avec large choix, ce qui décongestionne le restaurant principal et évite de se prendre la tête avec un service trop long.
Terrasse à l'arrière du pont 11 avec 30 tables super sympa.
La décoration est très plaisante, beaucoup plus discrète que sur les autres bateaux Costa, avec de nombreuses reproductions de Matisse, ce qui change des horreurs habituelles à Costa, la palme revenant au Serena (le « bateau des dieux », leurs figures en papier maché étant grotesquement épinglées sur les murs des étages). Notamment la salle du restaurant principal est très agréable, bien que mal traitée sur le plan acoustique.
Les points négatifs du bateau:
La taille des cabines (voir ci dessus),
L'absence de prise électrique dans les salles d'eau,
Un grand flou sur les heures d'ouverture des bars, ce qui est unique chez Costa, où les heures sont publiées tous les jours dans le journal quotidien. Résultat, on erre du 5ème étage au 6ème, du 6ème au 7ème, du 7ème au onzième avant de trouver un bar ouvert.
Niveau sonore inacceptable pendant certains spectacles (plus de 90 dB(A) en permanence pendant les spectacles du 12 et 13 juin), on se demande ce que ce niveau sonore imbécile apporte à des tours de magie !!.
Les documentations Costa vous font miroiter des excursions par groupes de 25. En fait, nous étions 48 à Pompéi, ce qui est ingérable pour la guide et 50 le lendemain à Portoferraio.
Les points négatifs propres à Costa :
Une Wifi très chère (20 € de l'heure) et calamiteuse au point de vue fonctionnement : la connexion est très longue et vous est facturée dès que vous arrivez sur le portail interne, avant que vous soyez réellement connecté. Donc, à chaque connexion, vous dépensez 2 à 3 minutes pour rien. La vitesse est parfois très lente, par exemple 9 minutes pour envoyer une photo de 256 K !
Le système Costa qui exclut désormais l'eau du forfait boissons. Cette mesquinerie n'est pas appréciée de nombreux croisiéristes.
Des tarifs de spa dissuasifs et de soins de beauté astronomiques (plus de 100 € le soin).
L'absence de glaces au buffet, pour favoriser la vente en distributeur payant. Ces distributeurs fonctionnent dans des conditions sanitaires limite. Nous y avons trouvé des glaces qui visiblement avaient été décongelées, puis recongelées, ce qui est un vrai danger sanitaire. Quand nous avons signalé le problème aux responsables, nous avons poliment été éconduits.
En conclusion une ambiance beaucoup plus détendue que sur les Costas standard, mais au prix de cabines peu agréables, ce qui rend ce programme Neo vraiment bancal Je te donne des explications sur les escales dans un autre post
Je viens de passer 10 jours sur le Neo Riviera, voilà les plus et les moins, selon moi:
Le NeoRiviera est un bateau ancien ( 1999 )récemment rénové par Costa .
La rénovation a porté sur la décoration des espaces publics et des cabines. Le spa a été entièrement refait. Mais il n' a pas été touché à l'implantation des cabines, qui constitue le principal défaut du bateau : il n'y a que très peu de cabines avec balcon, ce qui est très dommage pour des croisières en Méditerranée, et les cabines standard et premium sont de très petite taille (13 m2, il n' y a la place que pour une seule chaise et l'espace entre le lit et la cloison est réduit au strict minimum).
Les points positifs :
Beaucoup plus de place dans les parties communes, que ce soit aux piscines, aux bars (quand on les a trouvé), et aux restaurants. En particulier, il n'y a pratiquement pas de queue au buffet, ce qui change notablement de la cohue qui rend les buffets si désagréables sur la plupart des bateaux. Cette place dans les parties communes vient d'une politique volontairement restrictive sur le nombre de passagers : alors que ce bateau pouvait accueillir 1800 passagers, l'effectif pendant notre croisière était inférieur à 1200 personnes, ce qui donne beaucoup d'espace (30% de plus que sur un Serena/Fascinosa, etc..et 45% de plus que sur le Diadema).
De ce fait, le personnel est beaucoup plus détendu que sur les autres Costa.
La nourriture est bien meilleure que sur les Costa habituels, même au buffet, les plats sont variés et très corrects. Les vins servis dans le cadre du forfait boissons sont aussi bien meilleurs.
Buffet ouvert le soir avec large choix, ce qui décongestionne le restaurant principal et évite de se prendre la tête avec un service trop long.
Terrasse à l'arrière du pont 11 avec 30 tables super sympa.
La décoration est très plaisante, beaucoup plus discrète que sur les autres bateaux Costa, avec de nombreuses reproductions de Matisse, ce qui change des horreurs habituelles à Costa, la palme revenant au Serena (le « bateau des dieux », leurs figures en papier maché étant grotesquement épinglées sur les murs des étages). Notamment la salle du restaurant principal est très agréable, bien que mal traitée sur le plan acoustique.
Les points négatifs du bateau:
La taille des cabines (voir ci dessus),
L'absence de prise électrique dans les salles d'eau,
Un grand flou sur les heures d'ouverture des bars, ce qui est unique chez Costa, où les heures sont publiées tous les jours dans le journal quotidien. Résultat, on erre du 5ème étage au 6ème, du 6ème au 7ème, du 7ème au onzième avant de trouver un bar ouvert.
Niveau sonore inacceptable pendant certains spectacles (plus de 90 dB(A) en permanence pendant les spectacles du 12 et 13 juin), on se demande ce que ce niveau sonore imbécile apporte à des tours de magie !!.
Les documentations Costa vous font miroiter des excursions par groupes de 25. En fait, nous étions 48 à Pompéi, ce qui est ingérable pour la guide et 50 le lendemain à Portoferraio.
Les points négatifs propres à Costa :
Une Wifi très chère (20 € de l'heure) et calamiteuse au point de vue fonctionnement : la connexion est très longue et vous est facturée dès que vous arrivez sur le portail interne, avant que vous soyez réellement connecté. Donc, à chaque connexion, vous dépensez 2 à 3 minutes pour rien. La vitesse est parfois très lente, par exemple 9 minutes pour envoyer une photo de 256 K !
Le système Costa qui exclut désormais l'eau du forfait boissons. Cette mesquinerie n'est pas appréciée de nombreux croisiéristes.
Des tarifs de spa dissuasifs et de soins de beauté astronomiques (plus de 100 € le soin).
L'absence de glaces au buffet, pour favoriser la vente en distributeur payant. Ces distributeurs fonctionnent dans des conditions sanitaires limite. Nous y avons trouvé des glaces qui visiblement avaient été décongelées, puis recongelées, ce qui est un vrai danger sanitaire. Quand nous avons signalé le problème aux responsables, nous avons poliment été éconduits.
En conclusion une ambiance beaucoup plus détendue que sur les Costas standard, mais au prix de cabines peu agréables, ce qui rend ce programme Neo vraiment bancal Je te donne des explications sur les escales dans un autre post
Bonjour Joel
Tous les renseignements et astuces sont les bienvenus, merci d'avance. 😉
Re bonjour,
Escales:
Savone: même si c'est là que tu embarques, essaie d'aller voir la magnifique chapelle Sistine (du nom du pape Siste, natif de Savone) qui est à 10 minutes de la gare maritime et le Fort Priamar, qui est à 5 minutes.
Toulon: tout dépend de l'endroit où vous accostez. Si vous accostez à la Seyne, la meilleure solution est de prendre une excursion Costa, car l'accueil à la Seyne est minable :peu de taxis, un bus toutes les 40 minutes (si on réussit à trouver la station). Si on accoste à Toulon centre, on est à 10 minute à pied de la gare routière, qui vous permet d'aller dans tout le département pour 2€. Sur place on peut monter au Mont Faron d'où il y une superbe vue sur la ville. On peut aussi aller visiter la vieille ville de Hyères, qui est très belle.
L'excursion la plus valable, c'est Porquerolles. Costa propose aussi d'aller à St Tropez (2h aller, 2h retour), à Aix, à Avignon, à Marseille. Pas la peine d'être dans le Var pour faire ça.
Propriano:
Sur place, il y a sur le quai des vedettes qui proposent des tours sympas de 2 à 4 h vers les beaux endroits du golfe du Valinco (voir photo). Sinon, c'est location de voiture pour aller à Bonifacio, très beau, très cher (une h et demie de voiture aller)
Pour Malte : voir tous les détails et photos sur http://www.laroutedusel.net/escale-a-malte.html
Je continue🙂:
Olbia :
Il y a une navette gratuite qui vous sort du port, qui est très grand, avec un très fort trafic.
Il n'y a pas grand chose à faire sur place, juste un tour pour monter au fort.
La solution peut être de louer une voiture, car la région est belle..
Dans les environs, il y a beaucoup de, belles plages et la cote est superbe. On peut aller à Porto Cervo ou à Porto Rotondo en bus à partir d'Olbia, mais ce sont des ports artificiels, avec surtout des magasins de luxe, les mêmes qu'on trouve partout, de Hermès à Louis Vuitton. Et des yachts de milliardaires. Spectaculaire si on aime ça.
Par ailleurs, le principal intérêt culturel de la région d'Olbia sont les sites de la civilisation Nuragique, qui sont impressionnants, mais il vaut mieux les voir avec un guide, sinon, on ne voit que des vieux murs. On a fait l'excursion avec Costa, c'était intéressant, à part une heure d'arrèt dans un petit port sans intérèt.
Salerne :
La ville elle même présente quelques points intéressants à visiter à pied : le Dome de Salerne (église San Pietro), avec un superbe cloitre et un vieux clocher , le parc municipal, avec de belles plantes et arbres méditerranéens , le château d' Arechi sur les hauteurs, mais cela n'occupe pas une journée.
Comme on est à une vingtaine de Km par autoroute de Pompéi, c'est une bonne excursion, malheureusement, à 40 avec un guide, c'est un peu pénible, malgré les audioguides. L'idéal serait de louer une voiture, de prendre un des guides qui sont près de l'entrée du site et de faire la visite à 5 ou 6.
Au pied du bateau, il y a des vedettes qui emmènent visiter la cote Amalfitaine, qui est magnifique vue de la mer. Il y a aussi des Zodiac qui font des balades à la demande en petit groupe (un peu cher).
Olbia :
Il y a une navette gratuite qui vous sort du port, qui est très grand, avec un très fort trafic.
Il n'y a pas grand chose à faire sur place, juste un tour pour monter au fort.
La solution peut être de louer une voiture, car la région est belle..
Dans les environs, il y a beaucoup de, belles plages et la cote est superbe. On peut aller à Porto Cervo ou à Porto Rotondo en bus à partir d'Olbia, mais ce sont des ports artificiels, avec surtout des magasins de luxe, les mêmes qu'on trouve partout, de Hermès à Louis Vuitton. Et des yachts de milliardaires. Spectaculaire si on aime ça.
Par ailleurs, le principal intérêt culturel de la région d'Olbia sont les sites de la civilisation Nuragique, qui sont impressionnants, mais il vaut mieux les voir avec un guide, sinon, on ne voit que des vieux murs. On a fait l'excursion avec Costa, c'était intéressant, à part une heure d'arrèt dans un petit port sans intérèt.
Salerne :
La ville elle même présente quelques points intéressants à visiter à pied : le Dome de Salerne (église San Pietro), avec un superbe cloitre et un vieux clocher , le parc municipal, avec de belles plantes et arbres méditerranéens , le château d' Arechi sur les hauteurs, mais cela n'occupe pas une journée.
Comme on est à une vingtaine de Km par autoroute de Pompéi, c'est une bonne excursion, malheureusement, à 40 avec un guide, c'est un peu pénible, malgré les audioguides. L'idéal serait de louer une voiture, de prendre un des guides qui sont près de l'entrée du site et de faire la visite à 5 ou 6.
Au pied du bateau, il y a des vedettes qui emmènent visiter la cote Amalfitaine, qui est magnifique vue de la mer. Il y a aussi des Zodiac qui font des balades à la demande en petit groupe (un peu cher).
Capri:
on y reste plus d'une journée, donc tout le temps de s'organiser. débarquement par les motoscafis du port de Marina Grande. Sur le ponton de débarquement, départ des mêmes motoscafis pour le tour de l'île (2h 18 €), avec arrét a la Grotta Azzura (13 € pour 5 minutes).
Sur le quai : carte de l'île à l'office du tourisme (1 €)
A 200 m à droite en sortant du quai: vente des billets de funiculaire et de bus (1.8 € l'aller simple). Le funiculaire est sur le quai, les bus à 100 m après la billetterie. Les bus vont à Capri, Anacpri et Marina Piccola. Avec ça vous pouvez aller à peu près où vous voulez.
Il y a aussi les taxis découverts sur le quai.
Je continue par Trapani.
La ville elle même vaut une bonne viste à pied. Il y a de magnifiques bâtiments. La plupart des croisièristes vont une demi journée à Erice par le funiculaire. Erice est magnifique. Ceux qui sont allés à Segeste étaient également contents.
Voir quelques photos sur http://www.laroutedusel.net/escale-a-trapani-erice.html c'est tout frais posté.
Bonjour
Les avis sont évidemment très subjectifs. Je viens de faire le 2ème tronçon de la grande croisière d'Afrique sur ce navire:ni l'absence de balcon, ni la taille, certes réduite des cabines ne m'ont gênée. Il y avait des glaces au self. Par ailleurs, il y a bien longtemps que, pour des raisons évidentes de sécurité, il n'y a plus de prises dans les salles de bain.
Il y avait des glaces au self. Par ailleurs, il y a bien longtemps que, pour des raisons évidentes de sécurité, il n'y a plus de prises dans les salles de bain.
Je suis désolé, je suis sur qu'il n'y avait pas de glace au self en dehors des glaces payantes au distributeur. Par ailleurs, les raisons de sécurité n’empêchent nullement la pose d'une prise rasoir et brosse à dents dans les conditions définies par la norme NF C 15-100 .
Je suis désolé, je suis sur qu'il n'y avait pas de glace au self en dehors des glaces payantes au distributeur. Par ailleurs, les raisons de sécurité n’empêchent nullement la pose d'une prise rasoir et brosse à dents dans les conditions définies par la norme NF C 15-100 .
Bonjour Evelyne,
Je partage totalement ton point de vue. Nous avons partagé un bout de chemin ensemble à l'occasion de la grande croisière d'Afrique. Je confirme qu'il y avait de la glace au self disponible gratuitement en libre service.
Pendant 2 mois on a eu le temps de connaître le bateau !
Bien amicalement
Christian
Je partage totalement ton point de vue. Nous avons partagé un bout de chemin ensemble à l'occasion de la grande croisière d'Afrique. Je confirme qu'il y avait de la glace au self disponible gratuitement en libre service.
Pendant 2 mois on a eu le temps de connaître le bateau !
Bien amicalement
Christian
1987 Carla Costa 1992 Marina 2010 Marina 2011 Romantica 2012 Deliziosa (Tour du monde) 2012 Pacifica 2013 Luminosa 2013 neoRomantica (Tour du monde austral) 2014 Magica 2015 neoRiviera (Tour d'Afrique) 2015 Diadema 2016 Opera (Capitales Baltique+Fjords Norvégiens)2018 Pacifica (Transatlantique)
......... Par ailleurs, il y a bien longtemps que, pour des raisons évidentes de sécurité, il n'y a plus de prises dans les salles de bain.
Bonjour Evelyne,
Je dirais plutôt , qu' il y a bien longtemps que des normes imposent certaines sécurités techniques , .... et qu' il y a des prises de courant dans les salles de bains .
Le Néo Riviéra n' a pas été remis aux normes de ce point de vue ... apparemment, mais depuis plusieurs années , ... vous : non, mais moi, je peux me raser devant le lavabo en branchant l' appareil.
Je conçois que vous n' ayez pas remarqué, par absence de besoin, ce détail.
Cordialement,
Bonjour Evelyne,
Je dirais plutôt , qu' il y a bien longtemps que des normes imposent certaines sécurités techniques , .... et qu' il y a des prises de courant dans les salles de bains .
Le Néo Riviéra n' a pas été remis aux normes de ce point de vue ... apparemment, mais depuis plusieurs années , ... vous : non, mais moi, je peux me raser devant le lavabo en branchant l' appareil.
Je conçois que vous n' ayez pas remarqué, par absence de besoin, ce détail.
Cordialement,
Christian
Costa a bien abaissé volontairement le nombre nominal de passagers à 1200, ce qu'il n'a pas fait pour le Neo Romantica (1800)
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Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by. Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car. Guylène
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by. Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car. Guylène
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion. 2) Follow this format: DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates! PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1 JANUARY 14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion. 2) Follow this format: DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates! PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1 JANUARY 14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion 2) follow the format below DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates! COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion 2) follow the format below DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates! COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.Which one do you think is more interesting? Thanks
Hello
We’re taking an MSC cruise in May, and after the Cinque Terre, we’ll be stopping in Naples. We’d like to know if it’s possible to walk out of the port quickly and reach a nice area of Naples on foot (we’re two older people). While we’re at it, I’ll ask the same question for Palermo, since we’ll be there the next day. Thanks for your replies.
We’re taking an MSC cruise in May, and after the Cinque Terre, we’ll be stopping in Naples. We’d like to know if it’s possible to walk out of the port quickly and reach a nice area of Naples on foot (we’re two older people). While we’re at it, I’ll ask the same question for Palermo, since we’ll be there the next day. Thanks for your replies.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
hi,
I’m leaving Hamburg for Iceland at the end of July. The boat arrives in Reykjavik on Tuesday, August 4th at 8 AM, and I’d like to book a day trip like the Golden Circle or Secret Lagoon… The sites like GetYourGuide and others list departures at 8 AM. If you’ve used these sites with the MSC Preziosa, could you let me know how to go about it?
Thanks! 😉
allyMB007
Hi
Has anyone taken the CFC recently?
Thoughts?
Thanks
Thoughts?
Thanks
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along. THANK YOU
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along. THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Thanks everyone!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Thanks everyone!
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve done this cruise with Rivages du Monde or CroisiEurope.
Thanks!
Elettra69
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
Hi there,
Do you have a hotel near the cruise port (or easy to reach by metro with luggage) to recommend? I’m planning to spend two days there before boarding.
Thanks in advance! Claudine
Do you have a hotel near the cruise port (or easy to reach by metro with luggage) to recommend? I’m planning to spend two days there before boarding.
Thanks in advance! Claudine
Hello,
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi, can you eat in the evening at the Costa Smeralda’s cafeteria, or do you have to dine at the restaurant? Thanks for your reply.
contact me to get referred at MSC, for your first cruise or if you haven't traveled with MSC in over 5 years
Hi everyone,
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops: 1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre 2. We stopped in Saint-Martin 3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre Saint-Martin Five days at sea The Azores Four days at sea Hamburg One day at sea Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
Departure and boarding details to come
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops: 1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre 2. We stopped in Saint-Martin 3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre Saint-Martin Five days at sea The Azores Four days at sea Hamburg One day at sea Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
Departure and boarding details to come
Hi there
Is the water from the cabin sinks drinkable?
Is the water from the cabin sinks drinkable?
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling… The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast. We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person. My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster. We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride. When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start… After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed. At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd. With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect. We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride… We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation. The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated. They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲. That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in. Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc… TO BE CONTINUED
Okay, I’ll stop rambling… The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast. We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person. My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster. We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride. When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start… After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed. At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd. With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect. We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride… We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation. The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated. They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲. That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in. Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc… TO BE CONTINUED
Hi,
We received a promotion from our CFC agency offering cruises at up to 40-100% off, and among other details: CFC organizes parking for departures from Dunkirk.
"Unattended parking located about 12 minutes away, fenced off with barriers, at a rate of 10 € per day. Drop off passengers and luggage at the Model Pavilion, and a CFC shuttle will take you from the parking lot to the Model Pavilion every 15-20 minutes. Same for disembarkation. You can book through your agency or on their website. No refunds if the booking is canceled; payment is due at reservation."
Have a great day,
Guylène
PS: Personally, we’d rather keep our vehicle in a free, supervised parking lot and take a taxi to the Model Pavilion.