Completed in 2003, this cruise liner is a newer 85,700-ton sister to the CostaAtlantica. Carrying 2,114-passengers, CostaMediterranea has the same layout and bold design with both classic Italian and contemporary features, but here they work better and are less kitschy. The officers are Italian and the crew international. The only Italian hotel staff are the headwaiters and assistant headwaiters.
Costa began as a cargo ship line then branched out into passenger shipping following World War II. The first routes linked the Mediterranean with the east coast of South America and the West Indies. Cruising began in earnest in the 1960s, and in 1997 the family firm was bought in part by Carnival Corp. By the year 2000, it was under full Carnival ownership with the result being a large building program. CostaAtlantica was the first and CostaMediterranea the second. The fleet now numbers more than a dozen with additional ships on order.
During the European season, most passengers are Italian, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese and British. North Americans are a minority. Five to six languages are catered for in the programs and public address announcements. When the ship repositions to Brazil, most passengers hail from that Portuguese-speaking country. Lots of families come aboard during the holidays.
The ship spends most of the summer in Northern Europe, based at Copenhagen or Amsterdam for cruises to northern waters, Scandinavia and the Baltic. In the shoulder season, she moves to the Mediterranean. Then in late fall and early spring, transatlantic cruises link the Mediterranean region with Brazil and the East Coast of South America. She takes up residence in Santos (Sao Paulo) for coastal cruises to other Brazilian ports, Uruguay and Argentina.
Stepping aboard, this ship is simply fun to explore, and Carnival Corporation's designer Joe Farcus has created a much more modern Italian atmosphere than with the CostaAtlantica. The decor is full of whimsy and fanciful Murano glass fixtures. The eight-story atrium is simply spectacular and riding the three glass elevators is a hoot. Some just take them for fun again and again. Besides looking upward, the atrium bar is ideal for people-watching. Most public rooms are on lower decks 2 and 3, running their full length from the theater and to the restaurant. The three-level Osiris Theater, decorated with pharaohs and pyramids, dazzles, sometimes even more than the energetic shows.
Moving aft, the themed cafe bar on this ship is the Oriental Lounge, where the servers wear elaborate Chinese costumes. A winding corridor runs past the trendy shops one would find in Rome. One deck below, the Grand Canal Casino spans the width of the ship. The two-level Selva Disco takes off after the second sitting is done. Two bars provide staging venus for pre-dinner drinks. The bilevel Degli Argentiere Restaurant operates with traditional two sittings, with the second scheduled for 8:45 pm. It is most popular for southern Europeans but too late for most Americans unless they don't mind leaving the table close to 11 pm. The atmosphere is lively and noisy and the food mass-market Continental and Italian, with pastas an obvious specialty. Alternative dining takes place high up in Perla del Lugo Buffet, a crowded and confusing sort of place with lots of stations and waits at peak times. Piazzas are usually always available and two grills out by the swimming pools (one covered in cool weather) may be a better bet for the impatient. Seating is indoors and out, with some of the tables under cover. For a treat, at 20 euros per person, book the Medusa Club for supper-club-type dining. The setting is sophisticated and the open-to-view kitchen produces better cooking.
Forward on the top decks 9 and 10, the gym is situated above the spa facilities and the complex offers a wide range of treatments and great views through the big glass windows.
Additional activities include a jogging track and convertible space for basketball, volleyball and deck tennis. The children's program is divided into three groups and on the two formal nights, children can enjoy a separate pizza dinner while their parents have a night out. Babysitting from ages three and up costs $10 an hour.
A small chapel has a regular schedule of masses.
The 1,057 cabins include 843 outsides and 742 of these have balconies. Many however, have only partial partitions, so private they are not. Eight are designed for handicapped passengers. Cabin beds are convertible from twins to queen-size, and some have upper berths that drop down from the ceiling. Blocks of cabins have lifeboats that obstruct their sea views. Stowage space in drawers and closets is more than adequate.
Passengers who book one of the 44 newly assigned spa cabins receive a wellness consultation, three complimentary spa treatments, two additional fitness or meditation classes and free access to the Wellness Restaurant's spa cuisine. These cabins are fitted with special features such as aromatherapy diffusers and air filters.
Fun-loving North Americans enjoy this ship and receive a European cultural experience from the other passengers and the northern European and Mediterranean itineraries. Nighttime is as lively as found on any cruise ship on the high seas.
