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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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