Costa Victoria Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise for the ports visited. Embarkation was slow and it was hot to stand in the sun. We had an inside cabin, spacious and quiet. The food was quite adequate, the fish was good and the puddings very good. The ship is well laid out with many quiet places to rest and read. The cultural talks by Jean Christophe were excellent, this man really worked hard for his money! and I loved his quirky sense of humor. Craft sessions with Fabio were a lot of fun, a wonderful bloke.
The two cruise tours of Masada and Petra were most enjoyable, swimming in the Dead Sea was slimy fun, highlights of the trip. Passing through the Suez canal was also a highlight for me I stayed on deck for the entire transit from 3 am to 2:30 pm. Enjoyed every minute.
The only downside of the cruise was the daily 'service 'charge added per person per day, it was in Euros and not cheap, this should be included in the 'up front' cruise price.
Cabin Review
Inside Premium
Cabin was next to the lift, only had one noisy night with music coming up the lift shaft, otherwise slept well.
Cabin was certainly big enough, as was the bathroom.
Port Reviews
Santorini
Tender port, so get a ticket early. If another ship is in it gets very congested. Run to the cable car, once at the top get on a local bus to Oia. Explore, the views are stunning and it is nice to see the countryside, the bus is cheap and takes about a half hour to get there and runs regularly. Finding the bus and getting information out of the locals and bus drivers is impossible, so have good maps handy. Back in Fira it is just wall to wall shops, people and cafes, nothing much of authenticity there at all. But the views are good. Find a cafe with a good view for a beer.The highlight of Santorini is the sail a way. It is amazing to see the lights on top of the hill, looks just like a fairy castle.
Crete (Heraklion)
You can walk to the walled city from the port. The Venetian fortress, Arsenals and city walls are impressive. The old town is easily walk able. Don't miss the Churches they are stunning, as is the Icon Museum in Ayios Aikaterina.The local bus to Knossos is cheap and frequent. Entry to Knossos is 15 euro, and the Museum in town is 10 euro. Find a nice cafe for a local beer.
Argostoli (Kefalonia)
Fabulous place to explore on your own, get a map off the internet as the ship does not provide any information on any of the ports visited. Don't miss the church at the beginning of the Devossotos Bridge, it is beautiful. Look out for large Loggerhead turtles in the water, especially next to the fishing boats.
Corfu
Ship Shuttle bus 12 euros. Town is easily explored by foot. Lots of cruise ships in at the same time so busy.
Bari
Wonderful old town to walk around. Had drinks at cafes and bought cheap souvenirs.
Easy to go around on your own, can walk from the ship or take ship's shuttle 7.50 euros.
Venice
Caught a train to Bassano del Grappa for the day, as we had done Venice before.
Salalah
Easy to do on your own.Very hot. Industrial port, ship docks next to port area loading some stuff? Gypsum? lots of dust and pollution in the air.
Took a local bus, number 20, red bus, $1, (this bus runs from the port entrance where the shuttle bus drops you from the ship,) to the Grand Mosque. Beautiful Mosque. Interesting cemetery across the road from the Mosque. Walked to the Sultan's Palace, past the Gold Market, to the old Market at the beach front. Took taxi back to Mosque ( haggle- we paid 5 euro) (the new Market is near the Mosque )and red bus back to the ship. Take a good map with you. We missed Muscat due to a cyclone and spent two days in Salalah- just stayed on the ship that day. Local taxis are expensive. A lot of the locals think everyone is a rich American, and we are not!