COSTA SMERALDA 🛳 7-Night Mediterranean【4K Unsponsored Ship Tour & Cruise Review】Worth The Money?!

[@CODNOMBIESHD]

Went on this liner last November. It was.. GOOD. Spent about 1.2k & got upgraded from a no balcony room to a balcony room at the very back & the views were genuinely great as the sun would rise in that direction. My Girlfriend got severe food poisoning (As did many on the ship) unfortunately they covered it up claiming a virus was spreading through the ship... (Ofc to avoid refunds) overall though the experience was good. There was one night where the winds were INSANE I'm talking 160km/h me & my friends went to the roof & we got absolutely tossed around lmao then we tried to sleep & we were literally sliding around.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@kinghenry100]

I agree - silent ship at sunrise coming into port. Perfect.

[@tfft]

The best!

[@Ashhhh999]

You post amazing, in depth and honest reviews, I'm really glad I found your channel.

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

Have been waiting for this video the last couple of days, never knew I would be so intrigued by a cruise review! Just 3:45m into the video and you have me already floored with the “clusterduck” 🤣🤣🤣Just love it!!! BTW…we became gym members at the Apurva Kempinski today😉 🥳 Thank you for bringing us sooo much enjoyment with your unparalleled HIGH quality reviews 🙏🏼

[@tfft]

Oh wow I never even imagined a hotel like that would have gym memberships 😅 Quite the nice gym to have though! Thanks as always for the support 🙏🏻

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

@@tfft we were (pleasantly) surprised too, but who can resist working out with such a view 🤩

[@johnmathieson6233]

Great review…. Went on 7 day cruise on smeralda Oct 2023😊…. It was a strange experience 😂

[@lucasista5321]

I literally came back from this ship 3 days ago and it was a very fun cruise

[@tfft]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@TERUBOTSU]

I enjoyed all my cruises on Costa and have been on at least 10 sailings, if not more. Can't say the same about my experiences with other more premium cruise liners.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@ShelterCats]

Finally a realistic review. Well done.

[@tfft]

I do hope you mean finally a realistic cruise review and not finally a realistic review on this channel 😂 (kidding...). Appreciate that!

[@ShelterCats]

@@tfft a realistic review of a cruise ship. This is the model for how these reviews SHOULD BE.

[@marti_in_tx]

Still catching up. I appreciate this take on a cruise line I have never seen reviewed. Your reviews are interesting, humorous and absent of any fluff. If I am being entertained, I don’t care if it is 40 minutes.

[@tfft]

Appreciate that!

[@howardcobb4656]

I am a coffee fanatic too. I like my coffee - black and strong. Always get a chuckle when they ask ‘Do you want us to leave room for coffee. Good video - really good tour of ship.

[@tfft]

Same here! The thought of milk (or any milk like product) in coffee spoils the whole thing 😅 Thanks for watching 🩴

[@lemikarin]

Amazing video! The shows were not typical for Costa. On my cruises there were great colorful shows with opera, oldies from Elvis to the Stones, latest hits, Italian songs, dance, even ice skating.

[@tfft]

Interesting to know. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@gilbydog7350]

Great review Kevin. I can see how Costa appeals to many people.

[@tfft]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@francoisbouchard9488]

Really enjoyed the dry humour in this vlog. "They charge for pizza on an Italian ship?" 😂 Priceless!

[@tfft]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@jurgenmuck3102]

I just can say: Thanks goodness, they charge for the pizza. That's not old-as-the-hill-buffet-pizza, but freshly made pizza with premium quality ingredients for a very reasonable price. 9-15 €, and 25% less if joining Costa Club... Worth every Euro!

[@khrissmith6132]

Thank you for this review. Will be going on a Mediterranean cruise this week.

[@tfft]

Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@ClaudioTV2005]

One thing I like about the Smeralda is that there was a Michael Jackson show, and ship version of The Voice and Deal or No Deal

[@tfft]

The Voice was entertaining, but... if you don't speak Italian, it likely won't be too much of a hit haha. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@RamMohammadJosephKaur]

This is such a big coincidence that you uploaded a cruise review now as I was just two days ago reading about the Costa Concordia wreck, and there were comments on the same video asking if Cruise ship vacations were good/worth it ( especially for the slight chance of you dying, if things turned wrong ) ..and many people replied back that it was totally worth it experience for the price and the unlimited food!... now..time to watch your review..

[@tfft]

I mean, standing here now, replying to your comment, I could die... It's certainly not a factor I consider when considering a cruise, despite the specific questionable history with Costa. Fact of the matter is, the Concordia's root cause was a careless, idiotic and cowardly captain. Like many things in life, big consequences from a single person's actions. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@EG-nx3sl]

So glad to find your channel, subscribed immediately! Personally I’ve always experienced Mediterranean countries to have much higher food standards than the US, so I’m very happy Costa caters to that passenger base. I find Costa food far superior than those of even ultra luxury cruise lines (like Seabourn and Regent) that cater mostly to American passengers. You’re right about the Costa demographics though (large Italian family groups), so socially it can be a little isolating for English-speaking passengers, although, I find dining quite social in the Club Restaurant, where it’s a much more international/European mix.

[@tfft]

Just wish there was much more variety. Especially at breakfast it was very repetative.

[@brilliantbutblue]

Kevin, anyone whos crawling out of bed for a double shot espresso before 7am on a cruise clearly isnt utilising their drinks package effectively!! Bleary eyed and reaching for water, paracetamol, Berroca then the coffee (in that order) at around 11am would make sense. Just me? perhaps 🥳 Clutterduck 🦆🤣

[@tfft]

To be fair, for me it’s generally more of a ‘spring’ out of bed 😂

[@WaldemarProkop]

Good job, very good restaurant section for food lovers :)

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@tmyers2526]

Brilliant! Just brilliant! Keep it coming!

[@tfft]

Certainly will! Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@plasmaturkey48]

I post this every time but… another great vid ❤

[@tfft]

I'm not complaining 😅 Thanks for watching 🩴

[@malesahone4694]

This was amazing! Thank you for sharing. We leave on Oct. 24, 2023 to do this exact cruise. 🙏🙏🙏

[@tfft]

Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@oblongmusic3389]

Nice review Kevin.. 🙏.. all I wanted to comment on, is the sheer amount of different and conflicting colours, patterns, styles, shapes and lines etc throughout the ship.. you invoked the word Cluster***k early on… the word I’d use for the epic scale of random stuff everywhere within , would be Clutter.. Utter Clutter .. 😂.. Thanks again for your excellent work .. ✌🏻..

[@tfft]

Ironically yes and no haha. Some areas, super cluttered. Some areas, near barren haha. It's a strange mix indeed. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

You know Kev, if I can sum up this review in 4 words: Mamma Mia spicy meatball!

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🌶️🥩⚽️

[@fdanieln8759]

Ditto other comments here! We have only cruised with RCL and a token repositioning on Princess. I really appreciate and enjoyed the review. I didn't realize Costa was so big and as a West Coast Canadian I only heard of Costa from some of their more newsworthy events such as a vessel running aground and capsizing years ago

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@adamshaw151]

went on it in April.6400 guests. no issue finding a sunbed. ship looked empty

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@bxjourneys5909]

Great review! 😊

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

Thanks

[@aday246]

Great and comprehensive video, i enjoyed it. side note i will be flying Vietjet HKG-DAD soon to spend a month in a country i love, will be thinking of your vietjet reviews for sure on that flight😊

[@tfft]

Will be an easy flight 😊 Thanks for watching 🩴

[@hanseyPOV]

Amazing video

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@williamthai9396]

Thank you Kevin. I followed this channel from early days. Hope to see 100 million views soon ❤

[@tfft]

Me too :) Thanks for watching 🩴

[@charliebrown5]

Thank you 🚢

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴 🛳

[@HotelSnob]

Did you notice that the bar area outside by the pool had the same color scheme as Burger King?

[@tfft]

Yes, but I didn't want to keep tightening the "this design is weird" screw haha.

[@zhalang576]

great video

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@lenip.6116]

An American judging Italian food and coffee. Funny. But very informative video overall! Thank you. I'm looking forward to my cruise on Costa Smeralda starting soon. 🙃

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@holgerklare444]

Hey, Kevin! Maybe you want to try and show some highclass cruises? I think about Hapag Lloyd, Royal Clipper or even something-completely-different like Hurtigrouten? But other than that: very interesting review, thank you very much! 🙏🏻

[@gilbydog7350]

I'd be intrigued by some high class lines too, I would be thinking though Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn.

[@tfft]

Thanks very much, though I'll be honest- those are very unlikely for any channel without being 'invited' by the cruise line. Spending $10k+++ on one (very niche) video is something only a channel with multi-millions of subs could attempt to do! haha Thanks for watching 🩴

[@holgerklare444]

@@tffthm… probably true. But thanks anyway! 🛳️

[@tboy1236]

Another amazing video Kevin! Question - Do you review videos to ensure you’re not caught in any reflections (for anonymity of course). I’ve casually tried to observe, but you have a pristine record! Anyways, awesome vid!

[@tfft]

Obsessively so, yes. I film with it in mind to begin with, then edit with it in mind, then watch the full video three times before posting to ensure I didn't miss anything 😂 Only let one (identifiable) reflection slip over the years that I know of, but that resort closed, so I had an excuse to make the video private haha. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@loveaodai100]

Great video as always. This is the first cruise video of yours that I can remember. Regarding balcony smoking… you are right but I am an unusual person in that at 69 years old I have never smoked one of any kind but ironically do enjoy the smell of passive smoke. My only cruise ever was from Miami to Cuba and Mexico in 2018. It was great but will never go on another after seeing what happens in practicality when things go wrong. Anyway…I will still enjoy your cruise videos.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@aprilmajgaard130]

Great Video! Was La Colombia and Il Meneghino sit down breakfast? Not Buffet?

[@tfft]

To my knowledge the restaurant at the back of the ship, deck 7- just forward of the Superbar (forget the name) was the sit down breakfast option. There may have been others but typically I don’t enjoy sit down cruise restaurants so I didn’t really seek it out. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@ulflundin524]

Really good video, i actually like this length, please don’t cut next one up in two

[@tfft]

The only reason I mentioned perhaps cutting in 2 is becuase I think the next equivalent video would be longer than this one. So, it would be 2 25-30 minute videos instead of one 40 minute. Becuase of algorithm restrictions, I would never post something over 45 mintues, so... I don't want to cut too much out in order to stick to that time limit! Thanks for watching 🩴

[@nicholasmainprize3363]

Hi Kevin great video we’re going on this ship at the end of the month,I’d just like to ask what is the dress code? Is the a captains ball where tuxedo and ball gowns required. As the P&O one we did last year did. Thanks

[@RoxelenMorrison]

Hello, love this and sense of humor! Just a quick question, tho. Is there a Captains dinner? Thank you ☺️

[@tfft]

I'll be honest, I wouldn't have been surprised if the ship didn't have a captain. I'm joking, but in the entire week, I never once heard an announcement from him/her and never even saw someone in an officer uniform. Was a bit strange tbh.

[@RoxelenMorrison]

@@tfft It is a bit odd, now that I think of it. Thank you for your answer and I wish you safe travels in future 😊

[@David-Zen]

Hmm.. 🤔 BKK to KUL on Thai Airasia in Business? Love your vids Kevin!

[@tfft]

A wee bit more interesting than that 😉

[@Frenchiesonthego]

I had the occasion to visit the Smeralda a few month ago. In only a few hours, I spotted the same lacks that you mentionned in the using of spaces, the repartition of activities or the pools. We ate on board, and I lust say it was pretty bad (La Colombina also). The waiters and waitress spoke very poor english (and I say that as a french), got our orders wrong and the food was baaaaad (and I had the lasagna, poor me…) Overall, the ship is nice looking and you see it has been very well taken care of, but there’s something that doesn’t fit with my expectations. The feeling is just not right. I vastly prefer MSC to sail on the Mediterranean in the same levels of prices. But I have also met other guests that totally root fot Costa and despise MSC, so… There’s something for everyone, I guess :-) Anyway, thanks for the large tour, our visit missed some spot and I’m glad I saw them in your video. You just gained a new follower :-)

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing 🛳️

[@i86ij99]

do you know what's the reason some people root for Costa and despise MSC? I have sailed with MSC many times, and I am curious to try Costa (I don't speak Italian)

[@Frenchiesonthego]

@@i86ij99 I think it really comes to one’s state of mind. Every company has its own spirit. Some are more in the mood for one or another, some can accommodate both. Some says that MSC is less friendly, that it’s not as fun etc… Anyway, you don’t need to speak Italian. Most of the crew speaks English, same as MSC or other companies :-)

[@paulkeay5032]

Lift lobbies look like something Dario Argento would have shot in the 1970s and early 1980s

[@tfft]

I had similar thoughts 😅

[@donnagreer9150]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing! Do you happen to know if the iphone compatibility is only an American issue or does it affect Canadian phones too?

[@tfft]

I was writing a different answer saying I wasn't sure, when it occured to me, you can just search on the App store. Out of curiosity, I just did and it is still not coming up. If you're unsure which is the official app you can try this link at the bottom of it's page. I just tried that as well and it said unavailable. www.costacruises.eu/app.html

[@donnagreer9150]

@@tfft Can't believe I didn't think to try that! It worked. I'm in Southern Ontario. I had no problem finding and downloading the app. It does ask for a booking number to enter. I haven't booked yet, so I wasn't able to see what the app offers, but am considering the Smeralda for a family Mediterranean cruise next July.

[@tfft]

Absolutely no offense to Canada (😅) but considering Carnival is a US company and the sheer size of the US market, “let’s give it to Canada but not the US…” boggles my mind a bit lol

[@ST-ji6fb]

I can see that you stayed in an adjoining (connecting) cabin. Did you notice any noise from your neighbours? I have booked a cruise on this ship later this year, and I also got a cabin with a connecting door. And I am wondering if I should ask for another cabin.

[@tfft]

There's a bit of sound bleed (I find in all cruise cabins) but didn't find this to be any moreso than usual. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@molnarmihaly951]

I am very new to cruises, never been on a real one myself and never knew a thing about what's in these ships. I am enjoying and finding the review very interesting, but I can't seem to find the price in the description...

[@tfft]

That's becuase I forgot to put it! haha. Check again now :) And thanks for letting me know!

[@molnarmihaly951]

@@tfft Haha thank you

[@molnarmihaly951]

@@tfft Oh and BKK-DEL on Thai Airways in Business?

[@undisgraziato]

I wonder if you used a VPN and used Italy as your location if you would be able to download the app?

[@undisgraziato]

My VPN doesn’t have Italy as one of its choices

[@tfft]

No, it’s not related to your location, it’s a setting in your Apple ID account. In theory, you could switch the country, but then all of the apps you have on your phone that aren’t available in the new country wouldn’t be supported. I made the mistake of trying this, thinking it was a ‘quick flip of the switch’ a few years ago and it was a massive headache.

[@undisgraziato]

@@tfft thanks for the information

[@undisgraziato]

Can you get NFL games on that cruise? 😊

[@tfft]

If you can watch it at home... you can watch it... anywhere lol

[@Gandharpn]

Clustermuck? Never heard of it

[@tfft]

Me either! 😂

[@brilliantbutblue]

So l noted not many comments on this video yet so thought ld add another giving some feedback, l dont think the 1st video was necessary as l really felt you repeated some aspects of the 1st video in this one. I do appreciate how you are trying to give alot of information and l feel you achieved this and then some across both videos, l understand it may be difficult to condense it all into one video and renain around the 40min mark. Just my opinion and l will watch regardless 👍. You certainly scored some fantastic weather on this cruise, beautiful blue skys and picture perfect sunrises ! I have to agree the layout and "flow" no pun intended of this ship leads to some very crowded spaces and wasted space. Thanks for another great video 🙂

[@tfft]

I 98% agree with you haha. The actual purpose of the original video is much more preparing for the future, if cruising becomes a larger part of the channel. In retrospect, the first video only really makes sense if I had 20 cruise videos on the channel from multiple lines. The working theory being, next time I go on a Costa Cruise, I wouldn't make that same 'cruise line' video again. The channel, just needs it once. But, I realized almost instantly when everyone kept calling it a 'review' that... hmmm... maybe this needs to have a rethink. I'm just about to start editing my next cruise and I'm thinking it'll be the same format, but very different framing. The first one, something like "The 10 minute guide to what makes Celebrity Cruises different..." And then there would be review videos (one long one or two shorter ones) similar to this video we're commenting on now. The first video would be much much broader. Maybe 10 topics, 45 seconds each. One thing I never realized until editing my first Costa video is the sheer amount of stock or publicity footage nearly ever 'cruise review' channel uses in their videos- especially drone shots, etc. I think becuase I don't use that, it makes the Cruise Line video and the Cruise Review video come off as "same same but different" since it's all my footage, all my perspective. We shall see, I've changed my mind 12 times while writing this comment so surely it'll continue haha. Thanks very much for the feedback.

[@cristinamurza7575]

What period in late 2022 did you cruise on? We booked a cruise this coming November with Costa Toscana and are wondering if the pools and waterslides would be usable during that time.

[@tfft]

I sailed in October. It’ll have much more to do with where the cruise is than what month it is though…

[@cristinamurza7575]

@@tfft It's about the same itinerary as Costa Smeralda's, especially temperature wise. Was the weather pleasent enough for the outside pool and waterslides?

[@jurgenmuck3102]

All pools and slides are open in fall/winter if weather conditions allow it. Water will be heated. Average temperatures at the Mediterranaen in November are 18-20 °C/64,5-68 °F

[@kevboynet]

All that footage obtained before the grace of an Iced Americano 🤣

[@tfft]

I always travel with emergency back up ‘coffee’!

[@EG-nx3sl]

I have to disagree regarding Costa’s extra-pay dining venues (Archipelago, pizzeria and gelato counter). For the quality of food at these venues (which one can’t find at any price in the US) they’re a bargain.

[@tfft]

I promise I can find similar quality food in the US for ANY price lol.

[@BeantownMrs]

That's honestly shocking that Costa allows smoking on balconies especially after the Star Princess fire in '06.

[@tfft]

And just... where the world is these days with smoking. There are plenty of harmful things in the air already, don't need my neighbor making it worse lol. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@batmariostar1818]

Smoking is a right.

[@tfft]

You have the right to do whatever you’d like. You don’t have the right to make someone else breathe second hand smoke- especially in their own room. It’s not 1958 anymore.

[@batmariostar1818]

@tfft It's Europe, not America, if you don't like it don't travel to Europe. In Europe it is common to smoke, I don't smoke and I don't like it but smoking is a right and I don't have the right to say someone to stop smoking, Is it annoying, yes but you have to respect.

[@finchhawthorne1302]

@@batmariostar1818nicotine is an addictive substance that is frequently legal. Poisoning others is not a right.

[@richardtesta2839]

I do not think you need two videos for each cruise. There were lots of repetition between both videos; one comprehensive review would be plenty. Thanks

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@bigdogzone3177]

Thats the fked thing about costa pizza and burgers shouldnt be extra ! The other thing is that even tho you pay a lot for drink packages you are eligable 1 small bottle of water per day there are no water fountains arround the ship except on lido deck with big no refill signs which get shutdown when restaurant is not operating. So you can pay arround 350 euro per person for drinks and still need to get up at night and have to walkt to a bar to get a glass of water :) If you want to get more water bottles per day - 120 euro per person to upgrade to my drinks plus package !

[@gerardmackay8909]

Never thought of a swimming pool as lacking ‘personality’

[@barnabas4608]

imbarco

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@panoshountis1516]

Cluster duck... hillarious. You fooled KZbin's algorithm with this one. Btw, Costa have not been on speaking terms with technology for ages. How else do you reckon Costa Concordia missed the reef off Giglio?

[@tfft]

I’m holding back my ‘haha’… but fair enough about the technology 🙂

[@barbaracameron5610]

Hated msc, another European line.people rude,pushy,loud.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@TatianaLLORETDEMARcotik]

Очень красиво

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴