Costa Cruises has restarted in Europe
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
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#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,099
Very interesting. Thanks for posting. This comes from the cruise line that allowed its captain to go off course and crash a ship on rocks.
Of note, per the article:
"One of the aspects of Costa's return, similar to what MSC Cruises does, is that all passengers must take an antigen COVID-19 swab test in the terminal before boarding. People who test positive then take a second molecular test, just to make sure there's not a false positive, before boarding."
It is well known that the false positive rate of this antigen testing is low, but the false negative rate is higher. What Costa is doing is only testing those who might have to be denied embarkation and have their money returned. They care much less if you have COVID-19 and there is a failure to find it on testing.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/faq-20484429
"Antigen test. This COVID-19 test detects certain proteins in the virus. Using a nasal or throat swab to get a fluid sample, antigen tests can produce results in minutes. Because these tests are faster and less expensive than PCR tests, antigen tests may be more practical to use for large numbers of people. A positive antigen test result is considered very accurate, but there's an increased chance of false-negative results meaning it's possible to be infected with the virus but have a negative result. Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend a PCR test to confirm a negative antigen test result." [Bolding added]
Of note, per the article:
"One of the aspects of Costa's return, similar to what MSC Cruises does, is that all passengers must take an antigen COVID-19 swab test in the terminal before boarding. People who test positive then take a second molecular test, just to make sure there's not a false positive, before boarding."
It is well known that the false positive rate of this antigen testing is low, but the false negative rate is higher. What Costa is doing is only testing those who might have to be denied embarkation and have their money returned. They care much less if you have COVID-19 and there is a failure to find it on testing.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/faq-20484429
"Antigen test. This COVID-19 test detects certain proteins in the virus. Using a nasal or throat swab to get a fluid sample, antigen tests can produce results in minutes. Because these tests are faster and less expensive than PCR tests, antigen tests may be more practical to use for large numbers of people. A positive antigen test result is considered very accurate, but there's an increased chance of false-negative results meaning it's possible to be infected with the virus but have a negative result. Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend a PCR test to confirm a negative antigen test result." [Bolding added]
#3
#4
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Isn't this a cruise line that's known for really packing the people in on their ships? Mass market crowds.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,099
They have/had ships from 2k passengers and much more. In the earlier days of my cruising, I was on three cruises with them. Our general perspective was that the staff exerted little control over passengers who clearly needed structure. There was a laissez faire attitude amongst the staff with respect to passenger misbehavior. Many of the staff seemed incompetent, leading us to stop cruising with them even before the Concordia disaster.
#6
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Join Date: Nov 1999
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Posts: 21,753
They have/had ships from 2k passengers and much more. In the earlier days of my cruising, I was on three cruises with them. Our general perspective was that the staff exerted little control over passengers who clearly needed structure. There was a laissez faire attitude amongst the staff with respect to passenger misbehavior. Many of the staff seemed incompetent, leading us to stop cruising with them even before the Concordia disaster.
* - Hence the joke about hell being organised by the Italian heaven by the Swiss).
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ USA
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Posts: 1,079
Any recent Costa cruise European reports?
Am considering a 7 day RT Trieste primarily to Greece, early November. Appreciate info on covid sanitation and general info. Would purchase a suite with dining room for only suite guests so I would not have to use the buffet. I've been on Costa before and dont particularly like it but this cruise works time and port-wise. Thanks in advance.
Am considering a 7 day RT Trieste primarily to Greece, early November. Appreciate info on covid sanitation and general info. Would purchase a suite with dining room for only suite guests so I would not have to use the buffet. I've been on Costa before and dont particularly like it but this cruise works time and port-wise. Thanks in advance.
#8
Any recent Costa cruise European reports?
Am considering a 7 day RT Trieste primarily to Greece, early November. Appreciate info on covid sanitation and general info. Would purchase a suite with dining room for only suite guests so I would not have to use the buffet. I've been on Costa before and dont particularly like it but this cruise works time and port-wise. Thanks in advance.
Am considering a 7 day RT Trieste primarily to Greece, early November. Appreciate info on covid sanitation and general info. Would purchase a suite with dining room for only suite guests so I would not have to use the buffet. I've been on Costa before and dont particularly like it but this cruise works time and port-wise. Thanks in advance.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ USA
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, MR TITANIUM 2M, HH DIA, Hyatt EXP, BW DIA, IC AMB, IHG PLAT, UA GLD
Posts: 1,079
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ USA
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, MR TITANIUM 2M, HH DIA, Hyatt EXP, BW DIA, IC AMB, IHG PLAT, UA GLD
Posts: 1,079
FYI:
currently ALL costa European cruises will not allow passengers off the ship at any ports in Europe unless passenger is on a COSTA tour. No individual passenger exploration, no NON-costa tours. This is a Costa rule except for Italy in which it is an Italian rule.
Not transparent enough on Costa site but it is indicated here. Their website should be more transparent particularly when their phone lines are never open on a weekend which would enable potential passengers to ask question and not waste time considering cruise options.
https://www.costacruises.com/cruisin...above-all.html
currently ALL costa European cruises will not allow passengers off the ship at any ports in Europe unless passenger is on a COSTA tour. No individual passenger exploration, no NON-costa tours. This is a Costa rule except for Italy in which it is an Italian rule.
Not transparent enough on Costa site but it is indicated here. Their website should be more transparent particularly when their phone lines are never open on a weekend which would enable potential passengers to ask question and not waste time considering cruise options.
https://www.costacruises.com/cruisin...above-all.html