The following are some useful things you need to know about the Costa Serena:
Booking and Mandatory Information
Required information for Costa booking includes:
- Full name (first and last)
- Birthdate, birthplace, nationality, and gender (M/F)
- Mobile phone numbers for all adult passengers (for emergencies)
- Residential address (including street address, postal code, city, state/province/territory, country)
- Email address
- Details of the identity document required for travel (number, issue date, place, and validity period)
- Contact information of a relative or friend (name, last name, and phone number) for Costa to reach out to if needed during the cruise.
- CostaClub membership number for eligible discounts.
Preventive Measures in Light of the Ongoing Health Situation
It is required to provide the email address and mobile number of the primary passenger in each cabin during booking for the following purposes:
- For emergency operational needs.
- To verify reservations.
Luggage Transport Service
- We offer luggage collection and transportation services tailored to specific countries.
- We can collect your luggage from your home days before your departure, ensuring convenience.
- Your luggage will be smoothly transported to the ship.
- Our service also covers the return trip from the ship to your home.
- This streamlined approach simplifies travel logistics for our passengers.
- For further information, please reach out to us at +1 (866) 622-3344 or email us at support@cruisebooking.com.
Guests with Special Needs
- Costa Cruises places a high priority on accommodating guests with disabilities and ensuring compliance with international emergency assistance regulations.
- Guests requiring special assistance due to disabilities are encouraged to inform Costa Cruises either 40 days before departure or upon booking confirmation if within 40 days of departure.
- It is advisable to coordinate special assistance or medical equipment (such as wheelchairs) through a travel agent or directly with Costa Cruises at the time of booking.
- Accompanying individuals can avail themselves of a cruise-only rate and share the same cabin with the disabled guest.
- To avail of the discount, guests are required to inform Costa Cruises when booking confirmation is made.
- Necessary documentation for accompanying guests must be submitted within 3 business days of confirmation.
- Accompanying guests will be provided with cabins equipped for disabilities, subject to availability.
- Free accommodation for accompanying individuals cannot be combined with special family offers.
- Under special family offers, accompanying persons stay free on the 3rd or 4th bed in bookings with 3-4 adults or pay 50% of the fare.
- Double occupancy by an adult and a minor passenger at 50% fare entitles the minor to a complimentary ticket.
- Disembarkation may pose challenges for guests with reduced mobility at certain ports, particularly those needing more disembarkation support vessels.
- Cruise liners feature cabins designated with "H" for passengers with disabilities.
Travel Policy for Children and Infants
- Accompanying adults are required for children under 18 on our ships.
- Infants younger than 6 months are prohibited from boarding.
- Passengers must be at least 12 months old for voyages lasting 15 days or more and select other routes where safety concerns for young children may arise.
Pregnancy
- Individuals pregnant for 24 weeks or longer are prohibited from boarding.
- They must possess a health certificate for both them and their unborn child.
- Costa Cruises is not responsible for complications related to pregnancy.
Travel Documents
Form and Ticket Information:
- Obtain the boarding form through web check-in.
- Receive a cruise ticket along with baggage tags.
- Plane and/or train tickets, if applicable, are included.
- A summary of purchased services will be provided.
- Ensure possession of all necessary travel documents (ID, passport, etc.).
- Passengers are required to confirm possession of correct travel documents to meet customs and immigration requirements; failure to concede will result in denied boarding without reimbursement.
Passports and Visas:
- Guests must have a valid passport.
- Obtain necessary visas before traveling.
- Promptly notify of any name changes.
- Ensure names on tickets match the passport precisely.
- Discrepancies may lead to denial of boarding and cancellation of insurance.
- Costa personnel may hold passports during the cruise.
- Passports may be provided to the border service.
- Passport issuance is possible during excursions at the port of visit.
Children Under 18:
- Children under 18 must have passports for travel.
- Outside the EU, children's nationality may be recorded in parents' passports, subject to local regulations.
- Clarify national regulations with local authorities.
- If children travel alone or without identified guardians, ensure relevant authorities verify all necessary travel documents.
Security checks
- Security personnel perform inspections on guests and their luggage both during boarding and disembarkation, utilizing X-ray scanners and metal detectors.
- Hand luggage must adhere to dimensions of 55x35x25 cm to undergo X-ray screening.
- Essential items like medications, electronics, and valuables should be kept in hand luggage.
- Cooperation with staff is kindly requested to facilitate efficient screenings.
- Prohibited items onboard include weaponry, explosives, gases, infectious materials, drones, and live animals.
- It is advised to refrain from purchasing weapons or similar items during shore excursions.
- Guests found in possession of prohibited items will be asked to surrender them to the ship's Security staff.
- Liquids and food are not allowed onboard, except for specific allowances such as personal care products, medications, and certified dietary items.
- Local products acquired during port stops will be held onboard and returned at the end of the cruise.
Safety on board
- Familiarize yourself with the ship's safety protocols upon boarding.
- Review the safety instructions posted on the cabin door and watch the security video.
- Refer to the schedule for emergency drill times.
- Attending pre-departure training sessions to familiarize yourself with the meeting point route.
- Corridor staff are on hand to assist you in locating the meeting point.
- Plaques on cabin doors indicate emergency exit routes.
- Dress appropriately and bring a life jacket for outdoor activities.
- Receive instruction on emergency procedures at the designated meeting point.
- Safety is a top priority for both guests and crew aboard Costa Cruises.
- Crew members undergo Basic Safety Training and become acquainted with the ship's layout.
- Specialized training is provided for specific tasks, such as fire team members receiving ground training.
- Professional fire brigade instructors lead training sessions.
Restaurant Service
Dietary Preferences:
- Upon booking, please request special diets.
- Options include hypoglycemic, gluten-free, or other allergies/intolerances.
- Special diets are catered for exclusively at the main restaurant and are not available through self-service.
- Guests must confirm their dietary needs upon boarding with customer service and restaurant managers.
- Guests bringing their dietary products should inform the Maître d’ after boarding.
Vegan Menu:
- Upon booking, request the vegan menu.
- Enjoy a selection of vegan dishes from starters to desserts in the main restaurants.
- Confirm your choice of boarding with the customer service and restaurant managers.
Beverage Packages:
- Personal, non-transferable, and non-shareable.
- All guests in the same cabin or with the same booking number must purchase the package.
- Packages with alcoholic beverages are available for guests 18 and over (21 in the United States).
- Choose from different alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks by the glass.
- Packages are valid on the day of embarkation.
- Whole bottles of wine or spirits are not served.
- Exclusions: Mini Bar items, cabin service, prestige brands (except Connoisseur package).
- Service will be denied to intoxicated guests.
Note: A 15% service charge will be added to bills in onboard bars and restaurants.
On-board Payment System On Costa Cruise
Costa Card:
- Distributed upon embarkation for onboard purchases.
- Linked to cabin account; no need for cash.
- Initial activation: register a credit card or deposit €150/USD within 24 hours.
- Additional deposits can be made during the cruise.
- The card will be blocked if expenses exceed €200/USD without registration or deposit.
- The account is accessible via the Costa App or onboard displays.
Credit Card Payments:
- Register within 24 hours using the ship's Ingenico devices.
- Daily expenses are charged to a registered credit card.
- Accepted cards: American Express, Visa, Mastercard.
- The PIN is required due to banking regulations.
- Not accepted: Debit cards, prepaid cards, VISA Electron, Postepay, Postamat, Cirrus Maestro.
- Verify card usage with the bank before departure.
Cash Payments:
- Initial deposit required.
- Settlement or refunds are available via Cash Deposit Machine.
- Refunds in cash or bank transfer.
Bancomat Payments:
- Available for euro currency cruises.
- Deposits and final payments via Ingenico devices.
- Credits are redeemable, like cash payments.
Bank Check Payments:
- Accepted from Italian banks with branches in Italy.
- Maximum amount: €3,500 per check, with Centax authorization.
- For deposits and final payments.
Currency and Exchange:
- The onboard currency is specified in the Service Fees table.
- The Currency Exchange Office is bookable by phone.
- The office does not offer cash advances.
Smoking Ban Area on Costa Cruises
- Indoor public spaces on Costa Cruises ships strictly prohibit smoking, encompassing cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, except for specifically allocated "Cigar Lounge" zones.
- Electronic cigarettes are restricted to cabins and designated "Cigar Lounge" sections exclusively.
- Outdoor public areas permit smoking solely in designated zones equipped with ashtrays.
- While smoking is not permitted inside cabins, it is permissible on private balconies.
- To mitigate fire risks, it's imperative to extinguish and dispose of cigarettes in designated ashtrays properly.
