Cruise ship passenger terrified when he steps into cabin on board ‘one star’ ship | Cruise | Travel
An intrepid adventurer who has visited trouble spots such as North Korea and Syria deliberately booked himself onto what’s been dubbed the world’s worst-reviewed cruise ship – and found something very troubling as soon as he walked into his cabin.
YouTuber Simon Wilson is known for his crazy challenges, but a £200 three-day cruise ship holiday might be his most bizarre escapade yet. As he prepared to board the gigantic Costa Fascinosa, which can accommodate over 3,700 passengers, he reflected on the fate of one of its sister ships.
He explained: “Do you remember the Costa Concordia that sank about 10 or 15 years ago, and the captain went to jail? Well it’s the same company – let’s just hope this one doesn’t sink!”
Certainly the reviews from previous customers didn’t bode well. One disenchanted former passenger wrote: “This cruise belongs at the bottom of the ocean.”
For such a huge-capacity liner, the embarkation area seemed fairly deserted when Simon arrived, but the gregarious Brit managed to make friends with a few other travellers who were waiting to board. Considering the grim tally of one-star reviews on TripAdvisor, first impressions were very positive, with what turned out to be a complimentary buffet.
But there was an ominous sign when Simon reached his cabin. As he walked in, he exclaimed: “Why are they on my bed?” The first sight that greeted him as he opened the door was a pair of bright orange lifejackets arranged on the bed.
“I really hope I’m not going to have to use them,” he added.
The cabin itself was remarkably good value for £200, with plenty of space and natural light. Sadly, the promenade deck was a write-off, with lashing rain driving all but the bravest passengers inside.
Luckily, there was plenty do do inside, including an Over-60s disco: “Wow, they’re really getting into it,” Simon said. :Give it another 20 years and I’ll be down there myself.”
He adds that, so far, he’s heard no complaints from any of the other passengers: “People are loving this cruise so far, I haven’t seen one disgruntled customer.”
That may be, in part, because a fair percentage of Simon’s fellow-passengers have paid a supplement to get unlimited drinks in the ship’s many bars and restaurants. But even without the bottomless booze option, Simon found plenty to entertain himself.
“This cruise is starting to become good value for money,” he said. “Two hundred quid? Some half-average hotels are that for a night!”
Simon did take the precaution of keeping his lifejacket close to hand as he bedded down for the night, but despite his fears, the Fascinosa stayed safely afloat for the three days he was aboard. He concluded: “If you’re looking for a luxury holiday this probably isn’t it – but if you want value for money, and to get £200 worth, it’s definitely up your street.”
Express.co.uk have contacted Carnival cruise ships for comment.