Costa Magica Review

4.0 / 5.0
177 reviews

Except the itinerary there was no wow element in the ship experience

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Costa Magica
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LaraKZ
2-5 Cruises • Age 40s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Feb 2019
Cabin: Outside Classic
Traveled with children

We have chosen the itinerary not the ship but as the agency recommended this ship as a 5 stars from Costa fleet I expected the best of it. Well unfortunately expectations were far too high compared to reality.

First of all is not a 5 stars and if I take the quality of the cabin and restaurant grounds is not even 4, I would give it a maximum of 3.

The whole ship looks like it would have been furnished in the 80`s with a lot of kitsch elements. Golden metal, dull colors, and a wallpaper that can be unappropriated for certain ages.

Cabin Review

Outside Classic

Already in the main review in detail but general note the outside cabin for family is fine in size but doesn't have enough storage for 4 people stuff and definitely don`t take more than 2 pieces of large luggage as you`ll not have place to store it except under your main bed (we had one not very high big luggage and 2 small ones and we were at the edge of space)

Looked like the outside cabins are only on the first 2 floors - practical for exit not so practical to get to main upper deck.

Port Reviews

Guadeloupe

We already been extensively in Guadeloupe and it was heavily raining this time - unfortunately our experience with taxi drivers there is bad and the prices are very high - ideally take a car and make an island tour on your own but mind the heavy traffic when taking into account the return to ship

Barbados

Good tour not wow but reaching to the main site on the west shore Batsheba included. Guide ok, small group happy overall.

Martinique

We love this island and again best if you can rent a car and drive for the day around. Unfortunately Fort the France is good for an hour of stroll but that`s it so recommend if you just want the beach to take the ferry to Trois Islet and go to one of the beaches there. The ferry is cheap and fast (7 euro return ticket, 4 for kids). Hit the Point du Bout for snorkeling or Anse Mitan for a swim. Both locations offer nice views over Fort de France and backing mountains.

Tortola

We wanted to take an excursion just that their on like market seems a bit limited so we decided to take a taxi on place to the beach. We chose Cane Garden Bay - a classic for the cruise clients but pretty empty when we reached there as we went at the very morning. Taxis there are 8 usd per person and there are some open van style cars that make these routs regularly or you just ask for a taxi as you exit the cruise terminal.

We also agreed with the taxi driver to pick us up at noon and make us a north shore trip we paid 60 dollars for the family of 4. I believe we overpaid a bit but still cheaper then the tours the cruise was offering. Also at the cruise exit you have some posters advertising tour at 20usd/person for 2 hours - dosn`t include beach stay but I suppose you can just stay there and take a taxi back anyway. Not our favorite port of call but beach was ok.

St. Maarten

Been already to St Martin and we didn't like it in particular so we decided just to go for the beach. Knowing all beaches are crowded in cruise day we chose to stay at Great Bay but we were even worse disappointed.

Only advantage this beach is still close to walk to from cruise terminal (20-25 min walk to get there) and also the water is really nice for swimming.

The problem I had was with the chair sellers who first of all occupy every single inch of this beach even if the beach is public place and they have really a bothering attitude.

We had to walk the full sand stripe to get a small place only with sand to enjoy a bit of calm. WE were not planning to drink all day on a cramped beach chair so that was the only option. For after noon we preferred to pay the ferry that leave from the cruise terminal directly and gets you to the north side of this beach so in way we got less bothering and faster to the sand only only place. What a shame this attitude and waste of the beach space.

Also the touristic part of the city is mostly shopping and bars focused, little of the historical site. We would not chose this island if not in our itinerary already.

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