Costa Cruises: the back story

About Costa Cruises: the back story

By the ULTIMATE the world’s cruise lines Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Costa’s story begins in Genoa in 1948, when the Costa family’s Anna C. sailed for Buenos Aires. Today its eight ships all fly the Italian flag, and its newest are built around Italian squares, Tuscan style and LNG engines.

From Genoa to Buenos Aires

On 31 March 1948 the Anna C., the Costa family’s first transatlantic liner, left Genoa for Buenos Aires, and the line dates the beginning of ‘cruising Italian style’ to that voyage (costacruises.com). In 1953 she sailed a Mediterranean cruise, and in 1957 the Federico C. became the first ship built new for the fleet.

An Italian fleet

Costa today has eight ships in service, all flying the Italian flag and recently renovated, in the line’s words. Costa is part of the Carnival Corporation group but keeps an Italian character: Costa Diadema, launched in 2014, is built for fun on board; Costa Pacifica takes its theme from music; and Costa Serena has returned, refurbished, with a Pop take on the gods of Olympus.

Cruising Italian style.

The flagships

Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana are the newest and largest ships, powered by liquefied natural gas. Smeralda’s spaces take their cue from Italian squares; Toscana is inspired by the art, culture and food of Tuscany, with what Costa calls the widest choice of Italian and international restaurants in the fleet, pools with slides and a spa and gym.

Three chefs, one menu

The most ambitious table is Archipelago, where the chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León combine in a single ‘Sea & Land’ menu of 12 courses over about two hours, in a room decorated with driftwood. Part of the proceeds goes to the Costa Cruises Foundation’s marine projects.

For families

Costa is a strong choice for families on a budget: hotel service charges are included in UK prices, the family offer lets children under 18 sharing a cabin with two adults sail without paying the cruise fare, and the Squok Club looks after children by age group, with a Baby Squok Club for one- to three-year-olds on Costa Smeralda.

Our advice: choose Smeralda or Toscana for the newest ships; add My Drinks when you book rather than on board; and keep one evening for Archipelago.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Costa Cruises: the back story before you go.