Costa

Costa

About Costa Cruises

As Italy's leading cruise line, Costa Cruises immerses guests in a vibrant "la dolce vita" atmosphere focused on fun, food, and exuberant Italian hospitality. The line is defined by its distinctively European flair, making it a popular choice for families and couples seeking a lively, international onboard experience. Departing from key hubs like Savona and Barcelona, Costa offers a uniquely Mediterranean perspective on destinations across the globe.

Costa neoRiviera
Costa neoClassica

📚 History

Originally founded in 1854 as a cargo shipping business, Costa Cruises transitioned to passenger services after World War II to serve transatlantic routes. The company's first passenger ship, the Anna C, set sail in 1948, establishing a regular service between Italy and South America. This marked the beginning of the "Linea C" brand and its focus on passenger hospitality.

The company steadily grew into a dedicated cruise line, becoming a leader in the European market. A significant milestone in its history was the full acquisition by Carnival Corporation & plc in 2000, which fueled major fleet expansion and solidified its global presence. This partnership allowed Costa to build larger, more modern ships to meet growing demand for European-style cruising.

Today, Costa Cruises operates a fleet of fleet_size ships, including the LNG-powered flagships Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana. The line maintains its strong Italian identity, offering itineraries primarily across the Mediterranean from key ports like Savona, Barcelona, and Marseille. As a vital part of the Carnival family, it remains one of Europe's most prominent cruise operators.

⭐ What Costa is Known For

Costa Cruises is best known for its vibrant "Italy at Sea" concept, offering a distinctly European and Italian-centric experience on the water. This identity is woven into every aspect of the cruise, from the authentic Italian cuisine served onboard to the festive, high-energy atmosphere filled with music and dancing. The fleet, which includes modern flagships like the Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana, embodies Italian design and hospitality, creating a lively environment that appeals to an international and family-oriented audience.

The cruise line is a dominant force in the Mediterranean, leveraging its heritage to provide unparalleled expertise in the region. With home ports in cities like Savona, Marseille, and Barcelona, Costa offers an extensive array of itineraries that make exploring Europe's coastlines highly accessible. Another key feature is its focus on value, providing a fun, multi-lingual, and family-friendly vacation that attracts a diverse mix of guests from around the world seeking a spirited and social holiday.

👥 Who Cruises with Costa

Costa Cruises primarily caters to a European audience, with a strong contingent of Italian, French, Spanish, and German guests. The passenger base is diverse, featuring many multi-generational families, couples, and groups of friends. This creates a lively, sociable, and often loud shipboard environment that appeals to travelers seeking a vibrant and bustling vacation atmosphere.

The travel style on a Costa ship embraces an energetic "Italy at Sea" philosophy, with a focus on active entertainment, music, and late-night socializing. Passengers often choose port-intensive itineraries in the Mediterranean, departing from home ports like Savona, Marseille, and Barcelona. These cruisers value a fast-paced holiday that combines extensive exploration ashore with a festive and highly interactive onboard experience.

🛳️ Famous Costa Ships

Costa Smeralda

As the first ship in the Costa Cruises fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Costa Smeralda represents a major step in sustainable cruising technology. The vessel is a floating tribute to Italy, with its decks and public areas named after famous Italian cities and squares. Its massive size and innovative features make it a standout in the modern fleet.

Costa Toscana

The newest flagship of the fleet and sister ship to the Costa Smeralda, Costa Toscana is also powered by cleaner-burning LNG. Its design and culinary offerings are inspired by the Tuscany region, celebrating the best of Italian culture, art, and flavors. The ship features an incredible skywalk for stunning sea views and a wide variety of international dining venues.

Costa Diadema

Launched as the fleet's flagship and nicknamed the "Queen of the Mediterranean," Costa Diadema is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and expansive design. Its most distinctive feature is a 500-meter-long outdoor promenade on deck 5, lined with bars and restaurants that create a lively seaside resort feel. The ship remains one of the largest and most popular vessels for cruises departing from ports like Savona and Marseille.

Costa Deliziosa

Costa Deliziosa is particularly famous for being the vessel of choice for Costa's epic, multi-month World Cruises. Designed for comfort and elegance on long voyages, the ship is adorned with impressive works of art, including Arnaldo Pomodoro's "Sphere." Its more intimate size compared to the flagships makes it ideal for exploring a wide range of global destinations on a single journey.

💰 Best Costa Cruise Deals

7 Night Savona to Savona cruise
August 24, 2025
Costa Toscana
S M L XL
Savona Marseille Barcelona Ibiza Palermo Rome Savona
$315
$45 per day
Inside
3 Night Savona to Marseille cruise
September 24, 2025
Costa Diadema
S M L XL
Savona Barcelona Marseille
$339
$113 per day
Suite
4 Night Savona to Savona cruise
November 15, 2025
Costa Fortuna
S M L XL
Savona Barcelona Marseille Savona
$502
$126 per day
Suite
4 Night Barcelona to Barcelona cruise
November 13, 2025
Costa Fortuna
S M L XL
Barcelona Marseille Savona Barcelona
$312
$78 per day
Inside
4 Night Busan to Subic Bay cruise
September 22, 2025
4 Night Far East from Pusan Cruise
CruiseScore™ (3.58/5)
Costa Serena
S M L XL
Busan Subic Bay
$494
$124 per day
Suite

⏰ Last Minute Costa Cruise Deals

7 Night Savona to Savona cruise
August 24, 2025
Costa Toscana
S M L XL
Savona Marseille Barcelona Ibiza Palermo Rome Savona
$315
$45 per day
Inside
3 Night Savona to Marseille cruise
September 24, 2025
Costa Diadema
S M L XL
Savona Barcelona Marseille
$339
$113 per day
Suite
4 Night Busan to Subic Bay cruise
September 22, 2025
4 Night Far East from Pusan Cruise
CruiseScore™ (3.58/5)
Costa Serena
S M L XL
Busan Subic Bay
$494
$124 per day
Suite
2 Night Savona to Barcelona cruise
September 24, 2025
Costa Diadema
S M L XL
Savona Barcelona
$144
$72 per day
Inside
4 Night Catania to Palermo cruise
September 20, 2025
Costa Fascinosa
S M L XL
Catania Taranto Valletta Tunis Palermo
$437
$109 per day
Balcony

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Costa

1. What's included in the cruise fare with Costa?

Costa cruise fares typically include your cabin accommodation, most meals in main dining rooms and buffets, and select beverages like water, tea, and coffee. Onboard entertainment such as shows, live music, and access to pools and fitness centers are also generally included.

2. What dining options are available on Costa ships?

Costa ships offer a variety of dining options, from main dining rooms with set seating times or flexible dining, to casual buffets offering a wide selection. Specialty restaurants, often requiring an extra charge, provide more diverse culinary experiences like Italian or seafood.

3. What entertainment and activities are offered onboard Costa?

Onboard Costa, you'll find a range of entertainment, including Broadway-style shows in the main theater, live music in various lounges, and themed parties. Activities often include dance classes, trivia, pool games, and access to casinos and nightclubs.

4. What is Costa's cancellation policy?

Costa's cancellation policy varies depending on the cruise length, fare type, and how far in advance you cancel. Penalties typically increase closer to the sailing date, potentially reaching 100% of the cruise fare, so it's crucial to review the specific terms and conditions for your booking.

5. Are gratuities included or automatic with Costa?

Gratuities, or service charges, are typically automatically added to your onboard account daily for crew members like cabin stewards and dining staff. While the exact amount can vary, it is a standard practice on Costa, though some fare types might include them.

6. What are the age requirements for cruising with Costa?

Passengers under 21 must generally be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older in the same stateroom, though Costa may have specific policies for certain itineraries or for passengers aged 18-20. Infants usually need to be at least 6 months old to cruise, or 12 months for certain longer or more exotic voyages.

7. Does Costa accommodate special dietary needs?

Costa generally accommodates special dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetic, or low-fat, provided you notify them in advance, ideally at the time of booking or at least a few weeks before sailing. Onboard, you can also discuss your needs with the Maître d’.

8. What documents do I need to cruise with Costa?

Required documents depend on the itinerary, but for most Costa cruises, a valid passport is essential, typically with at least six months validity beyond your cruise return date. Depending on the ports of call and your nationality, visas may also be required, so always verify specific requirements for your sailing.


🛳️ Ships in the Costa Fleet

Costa operates a collection of ships of fifteen ships, encompassing nine distinct categories. The most veteran vessel has been sailing for 29 years, and the most newcomer was launched in 2021.

Concordia Class

Fascinosa
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.56)
Passengers:
3,014
Built:
2012
Refurbished:
2018
Favolosa
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.56)
Passengers:
3,014
Built:
2011
Refurbished:
2018
Pacifica
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.62)
Passengers:
3,014
Built:
2009
Refurbished:
2022
Serena
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.63)
Passengers:
3,014
Built:
2007
Refurbished:
2023

Destiny Class

Magica
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.55)
Passengers:
2,698
Built:
2004
Refurbished:
2017

Dream Class

Diadema
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.67)
Passengers:
3,772
Built:
2014
Refurbished:
2023

Excellence Class

Smeralda
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.65)
Passengers:
5,282
Built:
2019
Toscana
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.72)
Passengers:
5,322
Built:
2021

Fortuna Class

Fortuna
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.53)
Passengers:
2,698
Built:
2003
Refurbished:
2018

Luminosa Class

Deliziosa
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.62)
Passengers:
2,260
Built:
2010
Refurbished:
2018

Other Class

Luminosa
Flagship
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.62)
Passengers:
2,260
Built:
2009
Refurbished:
2017
Mediterranea
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.53)
Passengers:
2,114
Built:
2003
Refurbished:
2020

Sky Class

Smeralda
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.65)
Passengers:
5,282
Built:
2019
Toscana
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.72)
Passengers:
5,322
Built:
2021

Vista Class

Firenze
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.65)
Passengers:
4,232
Built:
2021
Refurbished:
2024
Venezia
CruiseSheet ShipScore™
(3.78)
Passengers:
4,232
Built:
2019
Refurbished:
2023

📊 Monthly Costa Pricing

On average cruises from Costa are moderately inexpensive compared to other cruise lines. Look at the illustration below for the average cost per day by month. Costa cruises during the the peak season of summer are considerably more expensive than the low seasons of winter, spring, and fall.

Jan
$143
Feb
$138
Mar
$121
Apr
$150
May
$151
Jun
$168
Jul
$195
Aug
$198
Sep
$152
Oct
$141
Nov
$137
Dec
$178

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