An audacious globetrotter who has set foot in volatile regions like North Korea and Syria deliberately chose a one-star rated cruise ship for his next exploit – and immediately discovered something very concerning upon entering his cabin. YouTuber Simon Wilson embarked on what could be his quirkiest venture yet: a £200 three-day luxury cruise holiday.
As he readied himself to step onto the colossal Costa Fascinosa, capable of carrying more than 3,700 guests, he pondered over the historical misfortune of its sister vessel.
He recounted: “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! ” Considering past customer feedback, the prospects appeared grim. One disgruntled former customer ranted on TripAdvisor: “This cruise belongs at the bottom of the ocean.”
Despite the vast liner’s capacity the embarkation zone was surprisingly quiet when Simon arrived, but the cheery Brit soon struck up conversations with some fellow passengers also eager to board. In contrast with the slew of one-star ratings on TripAdvisor, the first encounters were distinctly positive, marked by an unexpected buffet treat.
However, there was one moment of concern when Simon entered his cabin. As he opened the door, he blurted out: “Why are they on my bed?”
With a touch of trepidation he confessed: “I really hope I’m not going to have to use them.”
The cabin was surprisingly spacious and well-lit, a steal at £200. Unfortunately, the promenade deck was virtually unusable due to relentless rain, forcing all but the most determined passengers indoors.
However, there was no shortage of indoor activities, including an Over-60s disco. “Wow, they’re really getting into it,” Simon observed, jokingly adding: “Give it another 20 years and I’ll be down there myself.”
He also noted that he hadn’t heard any complaints from fellow passengers, saying: “People are loving this cruise so far, I haven’t seen one disgruntled customer.”
“This cruise is starting to become good value for money,” he declared.
“Two hundred quid? Some half-average hotels are that for a night! ” Despite keeping his lifejacket close by when he went to bed, Simon’s fears were unfounded as the Fascinosa remained afloat throughout his three-day stay. 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.”