cruise ship costa

Costa Cruises Ships by Size, Age and Class (Updated 2022)

Costa Cruises has an active fleet of twelve ships with no other ships on order currently.

The fleet primarily conducts voyages for Italian passengers out of Italy and Western Europe.

In this guide, we will cover all the different ships in the Costa Cruises fleet and how they compare to each other.

Introduction to Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises was founded back in 1854 and whilst now they are a fully owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (alongside Holland American Line , P&O Cruises and others) they initially started off as a shipping line that operated cargo ships.

Giacomo Costa set up the original business and in 1924 passed it on to his three sons who eventually started passenger services in 1948.

The first voyages were between Italy and South America on the ship Anna C. These voyages were not the same sort of cruises on offer as today, they were regular ocean liner voyages like between Southampton and New York.

It wasn’t until 1959 that the company started offering the more familiar cruise voyages in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean regions.

Finally, in 1964 their first purpose-built cruise ship was delivered and they soon had twelve ships in the fleet by 1980 – at the time, the world’s largest fleet of passenger services.

In 1986 the company renamed itself Costa Cruises and it was partly acquired by Carnival Corporation and a partner (Airtours) in 1997, before being fully owned by Carnival in 2000.

The company is most infamous for the sinking of the cruise ship Costa Concordia off the island of Isola del Giglio in January 2012.

Thirty-two passengers were unfortunately lost in the disaster and the Captain (Francesco Schettino) was imprisoned for his role in the event.

Costa Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

Is costa cruises still operating.

Yes. Costa Cruises is performing a gradual restart of its fleet. Working from their newest ships back to their oldest ships in the fleet.

Which is the biggest Costa Cruise ship?

Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda are both twin-sister ships and identical in size at 185,101 GRT and able to carry 6,554 passengers each.

Which is the smallest Costa Cruise ship?

Costa Luminosa is the smallest ship in the Costa Cruises fleet. It is just 92,600 GRT and carries a maximum of 2,826 passengers.

Which is the oldest Costa Cruise ship?

Costa Fortuna is the oldest ship in the fleet. It entered service in 2003.

Which is the newest Costa Cruise ship?

Costa Toscana is the newest ship in the fleet. It was built in 2021 but only entered service in early 2022.

What is Costa Cruises known for?

Costa is well known for its ‘Italian style’ – which is a very lively, glitzy and glamorous style of cruise ship design. Just like the lovely Italian people!

Is Costa Cruises owned by Carnival?

Yes, it was acquired partly in 1997 before being fully acquired by Carnival Corporation in 2000.

Do they speak English on Costa Cruises?

Whilst the international language of seafarers is English, Costa Cruises is primarily an Italian-speaking cruise line. There are dedicated English-speaking crew, but most announcements will be in Italian.

Costa Cruise Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

What does ‘tonnage (grt)’ mean.

GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is a term used to calculate the volume inside a ship. It is a measure of cubic capacity and is calculated by the total volume from inside the hull and decks of the ship. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet of space. In essence, the bigger the GRT – the more ‘space’ the ship has for passengers, cargo, etc.

How are ‘Passengers (Max)’ calculated?

You’ll see multiple numbers for passengers on ships – this is because many ships include extra beds in cabins (such as the sofa/couch can convert to a pull-out bed) – but the majority of cabins usually have 2 people in them. the ‘Max’ number is if every cabin used their additional pull-out bed, etc. This number is unlikely to be reached very frequently.

Costa Cruise Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Are all costa cruise ships new builds.

Whilst all of the current Costa Cruises ships have been purpose-built for the cruise line, a majority of them share the same blueprint class as some of the other Carnival Corporation brands, such as Princess , P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line .

Costa Fortuna for example is identical to Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory , having been built by the same shipyard to the same specifications, but then fitted out with the Costa Cruise style and branding.

Costa Cruise Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

Several of the classes share sister ships under Carnival Corporation, these include:

• Costa Fortuna – Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory
• Costa Venezia – Cunard’s Queen Victoria and P&O Cruises Arcadia
• Costa Smeralda – P&O Cruises Iona and Carnival’s Mardi Gras

Final Thoughts

Costa Cruises is a very popular Italian line with Italians and international passengers.

Their Italian flair shows through with the bright, glitzy feel of their ships and the large range of different onboard pasta dishes!

More recently their ships have added 4D Cinemas, roller-skating tracks and freshly produced Mozeralla onboard.

We hope you enjoyed this guide. Check out some of the other guides in this series which include MSC Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line .

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Costa Cruises

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Costa Cruises fleet

Costa toscana, costa smeralda, costa diadema, costa fascinosa, costa favolosa, costa deliziosa, costa pacifica, costa serena, costa fortuna, review of costa cruises.

Costa Cruises (Costa Crociere SpA, CostaCruise.com) is a British-American-owned Italian company based in Genoa Italy . Costa is one of the main operating companies in Carnival Group ( Carnival Corporation subsidiary) and a member of the exclusive WLCLA (World's Leading Cruise Lines Alliance). WLCLA also includes Carnival, Cunard, Holland America, Seabourn, Princess, Windstar.

Company history and changes

The sister brands Costa and CCL-Carnival Cruise Line are currently ranked the world's cheapest. Costa is also ranked "best" for Mediterranean itineraries and among the best travel brands for families, ruling in Southern Europe with its "Italian Style Cruising".

The company's main competitor on the European market is MSC Cruises .

Costa's USA headquarters is in Hollywood Florida.

Costa Crociere SpA's current leadership team includes Mario Zanetti (President), Michael Thamm (CEO/Chief Executive Officer), Roberto Alberti (CCO/Chief Commercial Officer), Roberto Alberti (Senior VP and CCO/Chief Corporate Officer), Francesco Muglia (Senior VP of Global Marketing & Sales), Giovanna Loi (VP of Global Marketing & Customer Experience Innovation).

Until 2023, Costa Group's and Carnival Asia's CEO was Michael Thamm. As his position was not filled, AIDA's and Costa's presidents now report directly to Josh Weinstein (Carnival Corporation's CEO).

In 2023, Costa Cruises marked its 75 years of passenger shipping since its first passenger ship - SS Anna C (1955-built), departed from Genova/Milano to Buenos Aires (Argentina) on March 31, 1948, carrying a total of 768 guests.

The 1854-founded company was originally named "Giacomo Costa fu Andrea" and established by Giacomo Costa for trading in olive oil/textiles. Costa's first Transatlantic liner (SS Anna C) was the first to cross the South Atlantic following WW2 (1935-45) and also the first to have air-conditioned passenger staterooms.

As of 2023, Costa has a fleet of 22 vessels.

IMPORTANT " On June 22, 2022, CCL-Carnival and Costa announced the "COSTA by CARNIVAL" cruise program targeting CCL's North American source market. The program is based on two newbuild Costa ships transferred to CCL - Venezia (starting in April 2023 with homeporting in NYC New York USA ) and Firenze (starting in 2024 with homeporting in Long Beach/Los Angeles California USA ). Both Costa liners are CCL-managed (while operating out of the USA) and were scheduled for drydock refurbishments prior to the Carnival service.

IMPORTANT : On June 23, 2021, CCL-Carnival announced plans to add 2 boats to its fleet - an EXCEL-class newbuild (2023-built Carnival Jubilee ) and Costa Magica (2004-built). The Costa boat was to be drydock refitted and fully refurbished, Carnival-named, and to join CCL in 2022-H1. However, on June 15, 2022, was announced that instead of Costa Magica, to CCL will be transferred Costa Luminosa (2009-built) starting operations in November 2022 as "Carnival Luminosa".

On October 4, 2021, was officially introduced (on Smeralda ) the company's new logo design.

Costa is well-known for its energetic mix of traditional (exotic) experiences based on Mediterranean cuisine, festive onboard atmosphere, dynamic entertainment, affordable travel comfort, popular itineraries (visiting large port cities), and convenient homeports/departure ports. Costa ships operate budget-priced voyages and their clientele is predominantly European (mostly younger couples and singles) while many Americans and Canadians enjoy Costa's Asian-South American-Arabian destinations.

In late-September 2017, Costa announced its partnership with Juventus (football club). The deal allows Costa to offer exclusively a Juventus onboard experience on all Costa Asia ships. This includes Juventus football content available 24/7 on all cabin TVs, talks and presentations (club history and memorabilia) at the ship's Juventus Museum and purchasing branded souvenirs at the themed "Juventus Shop". All Costa Asia ships also feature a Juventus-branded mini club and character meetings by Juve's official Jay Mascot (zebra). Onboard sports activities include a Juventus football training program (for all kids ages 5 to 14) modeled after the club's Juventus Academy (soccer school). The program is managed by Juve-trained coaches. The ever first "Juventus Museum" at sea was opened on Costa Serena on January 31, 2018.

In late-November 2019, Costa announced its partnership with FlixBus (2011-founded German travel brand owned by FlixMobility GmbH), with sister brands FlixTrain and FlixCar. The Munich -based FlixBus specializes in intercity premium bus services in Europe and the USA. The Costa-FlixBus deal allows now Costa customers to pre-book (add upon cruise booking) FlixBus return transfers from any of the European port cities that FlixBus serves. Currently, FlixBus has Europe's largest intercity bus network with 400,000+ daily connections to 1000+ destinations in 30 countries.

In mid-September 2021 Costa signed a partnership deal with Caffe Vergnano the "Made in Italy" espresso beverages and coffee-based delicacies fleetwide. The iconic Italian coffee company was founded in 1882 as a family business (by Domenico Vergnano) and is still run by the Vergnano family. Vergnano's sales in 2020 were EUR 80,6 million (~USD 94,5M / ~GBP 68,8M). Costa's first ships with "Caffe Vergnano 1882" (brand coffee shops) were the newbuilds Smeralda (2019) and Toscana (2021).

In mid-October 2021, Costa and ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo SpA/state-owned airline, Italy's flag carrier, fka Alitalia) signed an LoI (letter of intent) for joint commercial initiatives promoting new products and services. Via the partnership, Costa made ITA its "preferred air carrier" for fly-cruises (flight+cruise packages) to medium- and long-range travel destinations served by Costa ships. The deal was signed by Mario Alovisi (Costa's VP Revenue Management) and Emiliana Limosani (ITA's CCO).

In mid-January 2022, Costa signed an exclusive partnership with Ryder Cup for "Ryder Cup 2023" (to be held at Golf Marco Simone - premium golf course in Guidonia Montecelio/ Rome ). Ryder Cup is a 1927-established men's golf championship (biennial) between European and American teams. Through this partnership, on Costa Smeralda was introduced the new "Cruise & Golf" package (available since May 2022). Two packages (inclusive of either 3 or 4 club fees) allow golf aficionados and their families a unique "golfing vacation" to visit and play at premium golf clubs in Italy (from Savona, Palermo Sicily, Civitavecchia-Rome), France (from Marseille) and Spain (from Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca) during the 7-day itinerary's port calls.

In July 2023 was announced the "Costa Journeys" itinerary program (2023-2024) that groups longer exotic voyages in Europe/Mediterranean.

In September 28-October 1, 2023, Costa was Ryder Cup's Official Cruise Line. The exclusive partnership also involved the ships Smeralda and Toscana, offering golf-themed onboard events/competitions and a special "Cruise and Golf" package for visiting some of the Mediterranean's best golf courses - Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta/Rome, Golf Garlenda/Savona, Sant’Anna/Genoa, Marco Simone/Guidonia, Golf Bastide de la Salette/Marseille, Real Club de Golf El Prat/Barcelona, Golf Son Gual Mallorca/Palma. Costa's packages also offer golfing in the UAE (Dubai's Emirates Golf Club and Els Club, Abu Dhabi's Golf Club and Yas Links), Oman (Muscat's Al Mouj Golf and Ghala Golf), and Qatar (Doha Golf Club).

In March 2024 were introduced "Sea Destinations” (onboard programming) themed on the current itinerary's ports/island destinations.

In July 2015, Carnival Corporation signed a shipbuilding agreement with Meyer Werft for the construction of all 4 new class vessels. Contracts were finalized in April 2016. Of these 4 new cruise ships , 2 liners are for Costa and the other 2 for AIDA Cruises (Carnival's German brand).

The new Costa ships were scheduled for delivery in 2019 ( Costa Smeralda , December) and 2021 ( Costa Toscana ). Costa ships were built in Turku Finland , AIDA ships - in Papenburg Germany . Each vessel has a gross tonnage of 183,000 GT tons, over 2,600 cabins, double-occupancy passenger capacity 6600 and crew capacity ~700. Ship's design features more efficient use of both indoor and open-deck spaces, with several multi-functional areas.

These new (Excellence/Helios-Class) ships are the industry's first fully LNG-powered vessels , generating 100% of their onboard and propulsion power from LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) - both in ports and at sea. With the new liners, Costa Group had a fleet of 7 ships on order (total capacity 41,000 berths) to total Costa fleet capacity 110,000 berths.

The 4-vessel contract was part of a previously announced larger shipbuilding order with Fincantieri (Italy) and Meyer Werft for all 9 new vessels with scheduled deliveries between 2019 and 2022. Managed by Costa Group, the combined Costa-AIDA fleet became Europe's largest. In 2014, one out of every two cruise ship tourists in Europe sailed on either AIDA or Costa ship. In 2015, Costa Group had 20 offices in 14 countries, around 27,000 shipboard employees and total passenger capacity of over 68,000 berths (across the combined fleet). Costa Group also is the leader of China's rapidly growing cruise market in Asia.

In January 2016, Carnival Corporation signed an MoA (memo of agreement) with Fincantieri to build 4 new vessels. Contracts were finalized in April 2016. Of these, two boats were for Costa Asia (Venezia and Firenze), one for Princess (Enchanted Princess) and one for P&O UK (Arvia). With this shipbuilding order, Carnival Corporation had a total of 17 new ships scheduled for deliveries between 2016-2020. The four vessels were built at Fincantieri's shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera and delivered in 2019-2020.

Three of the vessels are designed with GT tonnage 133,500 tons, LOA length 323 m (1060 ft) and capacity 4000 passengers plus 1450 crew (2 are for Costa Asia, 1 for P&O AU). One larger unit (GT 143,700 tons, capacity 3560 passengers) is for Princess (Enchanted Princess). Both Costa ships are exclusively for the booming Chinese market. Each vessel is powered by two MAN diesel engines (model 14V48 / 60CR) plus three MAN diesel engines (medium-speed, model 8L48 / 60CR), providing total power output 62,400 kW. The engines are Tier-II compliant.

Costa cruise ship experience

• Dining: authentic Italian cuisine, prepared by European chefs, midnight buffets, gala dinners, healthy menu options. Spa suites, permanent room service.
• Costa ships specials: the 2-level Samsara Spa (6,000 sq.m., with many exotic treatments), a 3-level Theater, a 4D Cinema (hybrid), up to 4 onboard pools (2 with retractable roofs), a Grand Prix simulator, an 18-hole golf simulator. Every ship has a small chapel, suitable for intimate weddings.
• Traditional on-board celebration parties: "Benvenuto A Bordo", "Buon Viaggio" and "Notte Tropical". Costa's festive theme nights: the tarantella dancing and pizza dough tossing during the Festa Italiana, playing games of boccie, ice carving, "Roman Bacchanal Parade" and "Roman Toga Party".
• "Costa Kids' Club" - supervised interactive programs, ages 3 to 17. PlayStation World center onboard for video game tournaments.
• Entertainment: European-style casino, bingo, Internet cafe, musical revues, live performances by comedians, acrobats, and mime artists; classical concerts in lounges. Italian language and cooking classes on board. "Via Condotti" boutiques with premier Italian goods.
• For cruises starting April 2018, the cruise line restructured its fares into 4 categories, ranging from a Basic, no-frills version, to Deluxe level which includes just about everything. Costa announced its new pricing plan in North America after rolling it out in core European markets. The plan does not apply to a number of Asia-based vessels or world cruises. Unlike airlines, Costa is not charging for amenities that used to be free, with just one exception: The cheapest level doesn't include the ability to choose a cabin.
• Basic level, which is the least expensive option, includes dining in venues that have always been included in the price of the voyage, onboard entertainment, and use of pools and fitness areas. Guests who choose the Basic option don't get to choose cabin assignment. Total Comfort Classic includes all basics plus a cabin choice and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. A step up from it is Total Comfort Premium, offering a choice of cabins in a prime location, the ability to select 1st or 2nd dinner seating, as well as unlimited drinks anytime. Deluxe is the top option, including a suite, unlimited drinks, spa access, invitations to special events, free minibar, in-suite daily fruit, and other amenities.

Costa has Europe's youngest cruise fleet and all its ships are Italy- flagged (registered in Genoa ). Costa's current fleet consists of liners in the following classes (low to high): SPIRIT, FORTUNA, Concordia , EXCELLENCE, VISTA.

MSC and Costa are the leaders on the Mediterranean market (Costa being the "most fun" brand) and among Europe's best family cruise lines providing best family-fun "Italian-Style Cruising" experiences by cheap deals, traditional cuisine, unique shipboard facilities, activities, amenities and services on big- and mid-sized ships.

• operator (Costa Cruises Group)
• shipowner (Carnival Corporation)
• hallmark ("Cruising Italian Style")
• flag-state/registry (Italy/Genoa)
• builders - Fincantieri (Italy) and Meyer Werf ( Turku, Finland )

Costa ship classes

• Excellence/Helios-Class: SMERALDA, TOSCANA
• Vista Class: VENEZIA, FIRENZE
• Hybrid Spirit-Vista Class: LUMINOSA, DELIZIOSA
• Concordia Class (Modified): FAVOLOSA, FASCINOSA
• Concordia Class: Costa CONCORDIA ( sank in 2012 ), SERENA, PACIFICA
• Fortuna Class: FORTUNA, MAGICA

Costa Cruises private island Sir Bani Yas

In June 2016, MSC Cruises announced it had created an exclusive "beach oasis" for vacationers on Abu Dhabi and Dubai cruises from 2016-2017 winter. The 1.5-mile stretch of land on the natural Sir Bani Yas Island , off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi, features shaded cabanas, hundreds of palm trees and over 2,000 sunbeds across 387,500 sq.feet of beaches.

Starting from December 2016, MSC Fantasia added the destination available exclusively to MSC passengers when the cruise ship calls at the island, to Emirates itineraries. The development is on a smaller isle connected to the main island by wooden boardwalk. Other facilities include food, refreshments, MSC Aurea Spa area with a menu of massages, sports facilities (beach volleyball, tennis), family and kids-dedicated area with parents' pergola, Bedouin tent offering arts and crafts created by local communities, lounge space with live music and a bar. The MSC Cruises company has been working closely with ecologists and Abu Dhabi Port Authorities for more than 2 years to develop the project and support the ongoing preservation work.

The isle is one of the largest wildlife reserves in the region due to decades of conservation work and ecological investment to maintain its biodiversity. The Arabian Wildlife Park on the Sir Bani Yas main island is home to over 13,000 endangered and indigenous animals, as well as millions of plants and trees. The first sailing of the winter season departs on December 3, 2016, and calls at the island on December 5. Prices started at US$719 per person for a 7-night itinerary.

In July 2016, Costa Cruises announced thar Sir Bani Yas Island will be added as a 1-day stopover (port of call) on UAE Cruises (season 2016-2017) on Costa neoRiviera ). Costa passengers had access to a private (Costa exclusive) beach with VIP areas with cabanas. Shore excursion options included jeep safaris (in the wildlife park), sea kayaking, diving, snorkeling.

Costa cruise ship robots

An innovative AIDA and Costa Cruises program implemented the latest cyborg technology fleetwide. Humanoid robots (named Peper) greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on shipboard dining, entertainment, pre-scheduled events, shore excursions, and tours.

Peper robots are able to communicate in 3 different languages (English, German, Italian), to move fluidly and even to interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and face expressions.

The new technology was first tested on AIDAstella where Pepper learned to engage with passengers and crew. The first set of robots were introduced on Costa Diadema and AIDAprima in April 2016. By the end of summer 2016, Pepper robots were added on all AIDA and Costa ships.

(new) Shipboard-made mozzarella

Since 2017, Costa ships offer onboard-made, certified (top-quality) mozzarella produced from buffalo milk. The new product is branded "Latteria del Curatino" and created via a partnership with two Campania-based dairy companies - "Comat" (dairy equipment manufacturer) and "Podere dei Leoni" (creamery, leading Italian producer of certified buffalo mozzarella).

With this new food product, Costa became the world's first cruise company serving its passengers a fresh-made mozzarella. The new service was introduced first on Costa Diadema . The shipboard-made mozzarella is produced by a Comat-manufactured steam machine (powered by electricity) that uses the curd of cow and buffalo milk sourced from Salerno 's Piana del Sele area. The stretched curd is then rolled into a ball to form a mozzarella or hand-shaped and molded by the cheesemaker to become buffalo mozzarella cheese.

Costa ships' fresh-made mozzarella, as well as other onboard-made traditional Italian cheese specialties, can be ordered from the special "Goccialatte" menu available in the Costa Cruises' signature pizzerias "Pummid'oro". The menu has a mozzarella roll (with salad, vegetables and smoked salmon), tomato and buffalo mozzarella (made in 3 different ways), tuna (with Doganella oil, red onions and burrata), beef carpaccio (with a chicory salad and smoked scamorza), warm focaccia, mortadella and stracciatella cheese (served with pickled vegetables), Neapolitan peasant bread, porcini mushrooms, fior di latte (onboard-made cheese) and guanciale (cured pork meat).

The fresh-made Fior di latte cheese and buffalo mozzarella are also used in some Pummidoro pizzas, prepared with sourdough and select ingredients. By the end of 2017, these unique cheeses were also included in the menus served in other onboard restaurants.

Costa's 4GOODFOOD program

In February 2018, the company announced its 4GOODFOOD program for decreasing by 50% food waste fleetwide by the year 2020. As of 2018, on Costa ships are served annually around 54 million meals.

Following the company's review of the shipboard food service and food processing, it decided to remodel both with a new sustainability approach, engaging all passengers and crew in responsible consumption. It was estimated that this program engages nearly 2 million passengers per year, plus around 19,000 crew.

For the project, Costa established partnerships with Banco Alimentare, Cittadinanzattiva Onlus, UNISG (University of Gastronomic Sciences), Slow Food Foundation and Winnow Solutions. The company Winnow Solutions specializes in food processing optimization in professional kitchens, As part of the program, Winnow trained around 2400 galley crew/kitchen workers fleetwide.

The project was first tested in 2016 on Costa Diadema . The results were around 50% reduction in food waste. The onboard self-service buffet restaurants reported lowered food consumption by 20%. In 2017, Costa Cruises started to donate all the surplus food in Port Civitavecchia (Rome) - over 32,000 meals per year. The same policy was implemented since 2018 in the Mediterranean ports Palermo, Bari, Venice, Cagliari (Sardinia Island), Marseille, Barcelona, Piraeus (Athens), Valletta (Malta).

(new) Costa cruise booking system

Starting April 2018, Costa Cruises has a new, restructured cruise booking system with fares based on 4 main categories. They range from Basic to Deluxe (all-inclusive). The new pricing plan doesn't apply to the Asia-based ships and also on world cruises . All previously free-of-charge (complimentary) amenities remain, with the exception that the cheapest (Basic) level doesn't include the option to choose a cabin.

• "Basic" level is the cheapest booking deal and includes dining in all complimentary venues, onboard entertainment, use of swimming pools and fitness facilities. However, cabin assignment is not available.
• "Total Comfort Classic" level includes all Basic level perks plus cabin choice and unlimited drinks (beer, wine, soft beverages / with lunches and dinners).
• "Total Comfort Premium" level includes premium cabin locations, option to select 1st or 2nd dinner seating, unlimited drinks anytime.
• "Deluxe" level is the all-inclusive option that includes Suite, unlimited drinks, unlimited spa access, invitations to onboard special events, free mini-bar, in-suite daily fruits.

New Costa cruise ship livery (2019)

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, in 2018 Costa Cruises changed the company's ship livery/hull logo fleetwide. The first liner with the new logo was Costa Mediterranea .

The new livery is a stylized Italian flag (under the vessel's name / new font, larger lettering) painted on the bow. The project (scheduled completion by 2018's end) covered all active ships in the fleet plus the new vessels under construction - Smeralda and Venezia .

For its 70th Anniversary, Costa organized a special voyage exclusively for CostaClub (loyalty program) members. The 12-day Mediterranean itinerary was on Costa Pacifica and visited 18 different countries. The special voyage was booked by nearly 3000 people. It featured a live concert by Gloria Gaynor (US singer) and a 3-meter high pyramid of gourmet eclair cakes (created by Chef Christophe Adam). The "birthday cruise" was attended by the company's President Neil Palomba. Michelin Chef Bruno Barbieri directed a cooking show and presented his new (Costa fleet exclusive) menu.

On July 7, 2018, during the company's 70th-anniversary celebrations in Genoa (Costa Zena Festival) was constructed a waterslide with length 340 m (1115 ft) designed to break Guinness World Record for "longest slid in 1 hour". The slide was installed on Via XX Settembre street and helped to establish the world's new record of 775 km (481,6 ml) sliding in 1 hour. Another world record broken was for longest bunting string - 2070 maritime signal flags were connected into 2 km long line along the festival's areas. At Old Port and Piazza Caricamento were performed live 60 performers (street musicians, dancers, artists, acrobats), 29 singers, DJs, comedians. Piazza de Ferrari had for kids' games, workshops and parties with mascots. The evening concert (at 8.30 pm) was on Radio 105 stage (opposite Piazza delle Feste) and included performances by popular Italian singers and bands.

Costa Asia is Carnival Corporation 's subsidiary company that manages all the corporation's Asian cruise shipping operations. The Costa Asia company has offices in China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and India. Costa Asia is also the operator of all Asia-based Costa cruise ships.

Since May 2017, Costa Asia-managed cruise vessels (of all Carnival Corporation brands) allow using Alipay payment services onboard. The partnership between Carnival Corporation and Ant Financial Services Group (a subsidiary of Alibaba, China's biggest online trading company) enables Chinese cruise passengers on all Carnival Corp ships in Asia to pay for onboard services and products using their Alipay (mobile payment platform) accounts. Among these onboard services and products are shopping, tours/excursions, food, and drinks. These expenditures are added to the passenger's cabin folio, then cleared via his/her Alipay account on a nightly basis.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Costa partially suspended its fleet's passenger shipping operations by canceling all Italy-visiting voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 9 through October 1, 2020. Operations were planned to resume on August 21 (ship Pacifica), with 5x ships only. In early-December was canceled the remaining 2020 program.

Next are listed Costa's first scheduled departure dates by ship/destination - SMERALDA (May 1, 2021/Mediterranean), LUMINOSA (May 16, 2021/Mediterranean-Trieste), DELIZIOSA (June 26, 2021/Mediterranean-Venice-Bari), PACIFICA (June 4, 2022/Mediterranean-Bari), FAVOLOSA (October 7, 2022/Mediterranean from Tarragona Spain), DIADEMA (Sept 26, 2021/Mediterranean-Savona), FASCINOSA (Sept 23, 2021/Mediterranean-Savona), FORTUNA (June 11, 2022/Baltic-Icealnd from Bremerhaven), FIRENZE (July 4, 2021/ Maiden Voyage/ Mediterranean from Civitavecchia-Rome), VENEZIA (Aug 2, 2021/ Asia-Tianjin China ), SERENA (Sept 5, 2021/ Asia- Otaru Japan ), TOSCANA (March 5, 2022/ Maiden Voyage /Mediterranean from Savona).

With rebooking, all affected bookings received full refunds (100%) in FCC (future cruise credit), including on prepurchased through Costa Cruises packages and services.

• On August 13, Costa announced that its passenger shipping operations start in September 2020 with two ships - Costa Deliziosa (Sept 6, from Trieste) and Costa Diadema (Sept 21, from Genoa). These voyages were for Italian citizens only. The 7-day roundtrips visited only ports in Italy - Deliziosa (to Bari, Brindisi, Corigliano-Rossano and Sicily - Siracusa and Catania) and Diadema (to Civitavecchia-Rome, Naples, Cagliari Sardinia, Palermo Sicily, La Spezia). Costa Smeralda (departure October 10) was added with 7-day roundtrips from Savona (to Genoa, La Spezia, Cagliari Sardinia, Naples, Messina Sicily, Civitavecchia-Rome).
• Costa's South America 2021-2022 winter program (Favolosa from Santos, Pacifica from Rio de Janeiro) was canceled.
• Costa's Baltic 2021 program (Diadema, Fascinosa, Favolosa, Fortuna) was canceled.
• PACIFICA's Red Sea from Dubai program (winter 2021-2022) was canceled.
• FORTUNA's Caribbean program (winter 2021-2022, roundtrips from Guadeloupe and Dominicana) was canceled.
• MAGICA was transferred to CCL-Carnival in June 2021.
• In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) sold Costa Victoria to San Giorgio del Porto (shipyard in Genoa Italy ). The new shipowner soon sold the vessel for scrapping (in Piombino Italy ).

Itinerary of Costa Cruises

Costa Pacifica's schedule for summer 2023 (June 3 thru October 7) lists Taranto Italy s both a homeport (also reached with a fly-cruise package) and a call/transit port for passengers embarking in other ports, particularly Catania. Taranto (a total of 19x calls/Saturday visits/port stay 8 am and 5 pm) was included as part of a 7-day Greek Islands itinerary also visiting Catania (Sicily), Valletta (Malta), and Greece's Mykonos Island and Santorini Island.

Costa Journeys itineraries (2023-2024)

In July 2023 Costa announced "Costa Journeys" - a new itinerary program that groups longer (most are 2-week long) exotic voyages in Europe/Mediterranean scheduled for 2023-2024.

Next are listed the Costa Journeys ships and their voyages open for booking when the program was inaugurated.

( Costa Pacifica ) 14-day "Egypt and the Holy Land" itinerary itinerary visits ports in Italy (Savona, Naples, Catania) France (Marseille), Spain (Barcelona), Malta (La Valetta), Egypt (Alexandria-Cairo, Port Said), Israel (Haifa), Crete Greece (Heraklion). Roundtrip departures (in October-November 2023) are available from 4 ports (Savona, Haifa, Barcelona, Marseille). Similar "Holy Land" voyages were scheduled for Costa Fortuna in 2024.

( Costa Fascinosa ) 14-day "From the Mediterranean to Madeira and the Azores" itinerary visits ports in Italy (Savona), France (Marseille), Spain (Barcelona, Malaga, Cádiz-Sevilla), Portugal's Madeira (Funchal) and Portugal's Azores (Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitória). Roundtrip departures (in April 2024) are available from 3 ports (Savona, Barcelona, Marseille).

( Costa Fortuna ) 14-day "Turkey, Greece and Tunisia" itinerary visits ports in Italy (Savona, Civitavecchia-Rome, Catania), Spain (Barcelona), France (Marseille), Tunisia (La Goulette-Tunis), Greece (Piraeus-Athens), and Turkey (Izmir, Istanbul). Roundtrip departures (in April 2024) are available from 3 ports (Civitavecchia-Rome, Barcelona, Marseille).

( Costa Favolosa ) 10-day "Morocco and Gibraltar" itinerary visits ports in Italy (Savona), France (Marseille), Spain (Valencia, Malaga), UK (Gibraltar), and Morocco (Tangier, Casablanca-Marrakesh). Roundtrip departures (in December 2024) are available from 2 ports (Savona, Marseille).

Itinerary changes 2024-2025

Costa's Mediterranean 2024 schedule has 3 ships in the Western Med ( Smeralda , Toscana , Pacifica ). The week-long voyages visit ports in France, Italy and Spain.

Smeralda departs from Genoa every Friday, starting March 22nd, to call at Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari (Sardinia Italy), Naples and Civitavecchia-Rome. Toscana departs from Savona every Saturday, to visit Marseille, Barcelona, Palma (Mallorca), Palermo (Sicily), and Rome-Civitavecchia. During summer 2024, Palma is to be replaced by Ibiza.

Pacifica departs from Savona every Sunday, to Rome-Civitavecchia, Ajaccio (Corsica France), Palma de Mallorca, Marseille and Valencia, with La Spezia replacing Ajaccio during the autumn.

In 2024, Deliziosa is deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a Greek islands itinerary visiting Venice/Marghera ,  Bari , Mykonos ,  Katakolon , Santorini . Also included are voyages from  Taranto / Catania , bound for Valletta Malta and the Greek islands.

During summer 2024, 3 Costa ships are deployed in Northern Europe - Diadema, Fascinosa, and Favolosa. Diadema offers 7-day roundtrips from Kiel Germany , bound for Copenhagen and the Norwegian Fjords. Favolosa sails on 4 different itineraries from Amsterdam Netherlands , visiting Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, England, and Norway's Lofoten Islands . Fascinosa offers 12-day sailings to North Cape/Nordkapp and 9-day Baltic voyages visiting Helsinki, Stockholm, Riga, and Tallinn.

In spring and fall 2024, 3-day and 4-day Western Mediterranean mini-cruises are scheduled for Fascinosa and Pacifica.

In autumn 2024, the Costa ships Diadema and Favolosa sail the Mediterranean and Spain's Canary Islands, with a 2-week itinerary, or Lisbon+Morocco with 10-day sailings. In spring Fascinosa also visits Portugal's Azores.

Costa Deliziosa 's World Cruise 2025 visits destinations in Tierra del Fuego/Chilean Patagonia, Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. For the first time, the departure is in early December 2024/not in January, to enjoy the holidays on a cruise. New Year’s Eve in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro is with the fireworks display from Copacabana Beach.

For summer 2024 (June 7th to September 13th), Costa Fortuna departs on Fridays from Piraeus-Athens to Istanbul and the Greek islands (Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini). On some of the departures, the itinerary visits Bodrum instead of Rhodes.

Costa's flight+cruise package is available from all major European countries.

In the spring and fall of 2024, Costa Fortuna offers short (3 to 5 days) Western Mediterranean voyages, as well as a range of 2-week itineraries. These itineraries visit Morocco, Lisbon, Israel, Egypt, and Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, the Greek islands, Ibiza.

In summer 2024, Fascinosa offers 7-day roundtrips to Malta and the Greek islands, and 2-week roundtrips to the Canaries, while Favolosa and Diadema operate in Northern Europe. Favolosa has 3 different itineraries (out of Hamburg ) visiting Nordkapp/North Cape, the Lofotens, Iceland, and Greenland. A new 8-day itinerary visits the UK/Scotland. Diadema offers week-long roundtrips to the Norwegian Fjords.

Costa's winter 2024-2025 schedule lists voyages in Europe/Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the UAE, including an Around the World Voyage departing in December 2024.

The Mediterranean-deployed Costa Toscana offers 7-day voyages to Italy, France, Spain, and the Balearic Islands. The schedule features extended port stays (10+ hours) at each call port - Savona ,  Marseille ,  Barcelona , Palma de Mallorca ,  Palermo , and  Civitavecchia/Rome .

The Caribbean-deployed Costa ships Fortuna and Fascinosa offer two alternating one-week itineraries (each) that can be combined into two-week B2Bs. The "flight+cruise" package is recommended. Costa Fortuna will exclusively sail between the Lesser Antilles, with itineraries featuring destinations such as Guadeloupe, Tortola, St Marteen, Antigua, St Lucia, Martinique, and Trinidad-Tobago. Costa Fascinosa's itineraries explore Dominicana (La Romana, Amber Cove, Samana, Catalina Island ), Jamaica (Ocho Rios), Grand Turk, St Lucia, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Antigua, BVI/British Virgin Islands.

The UAE-based Costa Smeralda offers 7-day Red Sea cruises from Dubai (two-day/overnight stay) visiting Muscat Oman, Doha Qatar, and Abu Dhabi UAE.

Costa Deliziosa 's World Cruise 2025 departs on December 7th, 2024, and its highlight is New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro .

Cruises in Asia (Costa Serena ship)

In Asia, Costa Cruises has deployed only one ship ( Costa Serena ) operating in the region the whole year-round, including under charter by Asian tour operators.

India 2023-2024

In June 2023 Costa announced Serena's program in India developed as an extension of its Asian deployment. The India schedule included 23 sailings (November 4th, 2023, through January 1st, 2024), following the planned voyages in Thailand, Taiwan and Korea. The new program was developed in collaboration with Lotus Aero Enterprises (Costa's General Sales Agent in India).

Costa's India 2023-2024 cruises visited exclusively domestic destinations, targeting predominantly Indian tourists. The itineraries (ranging between 2 and 10 days) were roundtrips from Mumbai to Cochin , Mormugao/Goa and the Lakshadweep Archipelago/Bangaram Island .

In January 2024, the ship was homeported in Port Klang (Malaysia) being chartered by Hwajing Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd (Kuala Lumpur-based agency). For Hwajing, Costa Serena had scheduled roundtrips from Klang/Kuala Lumpur (departure dates Jan 17-19-22, and Dec 4-7, 10, 13-15) visiting Penang Malaysia and Phuket Thailand . The December 15th voyage is a relocation itinerary (Klang to Hong Kong) visiting Vietnam (Phu My/Saigon).

Southeast Asia and Japan 2025-2026 winter

In winter 2025-2026 (November to January), Costa Serena will offer fly-cruise itineraries with included flights from major European cities to Asian hubs ( Hong Kong , Tokyo , Singapore ) for embarkation on the voyages.

The first itinerary (Japan and Korea) is a 15-day roundtrip from Hong Kong (China) visiting Taiwan's Keelung , Japan's Naha , Kagoshima , Tokyo, Kobe/Osaka , Nagasaki , and Korea's Busan .

The second itinerary (Southeast Asia) is a 15-day roundtrip from Hong Kong visiting Vietnam's Nha Trang and Phu My/Saigon , Thailand's Koh Samui Island , Singapore, Brunei's Bandar Seri Begawan/Muara (12-hour port stay), and The Philippines' Puerto Princesa .

The Japan cruises (available from November 21, 2025, to January 30, 2026) are with departures from Hong Kong and Tokyo and alternate with the Southeast Asian itineraries leaving from Hong Kong and Singapore. Both itineraries can be combined into a single 28-night B2B covering all 14 destinations. The Asian vacations can be extended by choosing preferred flight dates independent of the cruise schedule.

Ship deployments, homeports, itineraries

The next table shows all Costa ships with their homeports (departure ports) and itinerary program reviews.

IMPORTANT : Three Costa ships ( Luminosa , Firenze , Venezia ) were transferred to CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines for the "COSTA by CARNIVAL" cruise program. These liners are CCL-managed while operating out of the USA.

(NEWEST) Excellence-class (aka Helios-class)

• gross tonnage 180,000 tons, LNG powered, passengers 5200, cabins 2600
• shipbuilder Meyer Turku
• vessels - Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021)

building cost USD 950 million per unit

(NEW) Vista-class

• Costa Venezia (2019), Costa Firenze (2020)
• new class ships for the Asian market (homeported in China)
• gross tonnage 135,500 tons, passengers 4200
• shipbuilder Fincantieri

building cost USD 780 million per unit

Dream-class ships

• GT tonnage 92,700 tons
• LOA length 294 m, width 32 m, draft 7 m, decks 12
• speed 42 kph, 1130 staterooms, capacity 2828+1100 (passengers+crew)
• vessels - Costa Diadema (2014) , Costa Deliziosa (2010) , Costa Luminosa (2009)

building cost: USD 600 million per unit

Concordia-class ships

(Modified) Concordia-Class Ships Specifications: tonnage 114,500 GT, length 290 m, beam 32 m, draft 8 m, decks 13, speed 40 km/h, 1500 staterooms, capacity 3780+1100 passengers+crew. Cost US$670 million per unit.

vessels - Costa FASCINOSA (2012) , Costa FAVOLOSA (2011) , Costa PACIFICA (2009) , Costa SERENA (2007)

Concordia-Class Ships Specifications (Modified Conquest-class): tonnage 114,500 GT, length 290m, beam 36m, draft 8m, decks 14, speed 40 km/h, 1500 staterooms, capacity 3780+1100/passengers+crew.

Fortuna-class ships

Fortuna-Class Ships Specifications (identical to the Carnival Destiny-class): tonnage 105,000 GT, length 271m, beam 37m, draft 8m, decks 13, speed 37 km/h, 1,358 staterooms, capacity 2,720+1,027 passengers+crew.

Costa FORTUNA (2003) - all present and past Costa ships are displayed as models in the Atrium.

Sky-class ships

Sky-Class Ships Specifications: tonnage 76,000 GT, length 252m, beam 32m, draft 8m, decks 12, speed 40 km/h, capacity 1,928+766 passengers+crew, builder: Bremer Vulkan, Germany.

Costa VICTORIA (1996) - the first cruise ship with later added balconies.

The vessel was sold and scrapped in 2020.

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Costa Cruises

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Cruising with Costa

Based in Italy, Costa Cruises distinguishes itself from other European cruise lines with its Mediterranean-inspired design and festive atmosphere. Costa's ships depart from a variety of ports around the world, bringing passengers to destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, South America and beyond. Itineraries last anywhere from one to 130 nights.

For an extra fee, Costa Cruises offers excursions like panoramic gondola rides in Venice  and boat rides and snorkeling in Barbados . Costa also hosts a variety of cruising experiences. Some ships have an intimate ambiance and relaxed atmosphere, while others are more crowded and offer action-packed itineraries. Costa's ships feature roughly one crew member for every three passengers.

Affordable cabins are easy to find within Costa's fleet – a main draw, according to recent cruisers. While at sea, you can take advantage of casinos, fitness facilities, multiple pools and hot tubs, and live shows. Once you've worked up an appetite, have a seat at one of the ship's main restaurants or consider splurging on a meal at a specialty eatery for a more memorable experience.

Pros & Cons

Mix of mostly European and some American passengers

Affordable rates for European itineraries

Onboard activities cater to families, couples and spa enthusiasts

Meals at specialty restaurants are not covered by cruise rates

No departures from the U.S.

Some Americans might have trouble with the European-style service

• Expert Rating » 3.1
• Traveler Rating » 3.3
• Health Rating » 4.5

Costa Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 8 in Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• # 10 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money

Explore Photos

Costa Cruises Ships

Costa Smeralda

Costa Toscana

Costa Diadema

Costa Deliziosa

Costa Pacifica

Costa Favolosa

Costa Fascinosa

Costa Fortuna

Before You Book

• To reserve most Costa voyages, travelers must pay a deposit of no less than 25% of the fare, with the full amount paid at least 30 days before the departure date. For cruises booked less than 30 days in advance, the fare must be paid in full when booking.
• All cancellations and refund requests can be made by calling 1-800-GO-COSTA. Cruisers will be charged 15% of their cruise fare if they cancel 90 or more days before departure. After that, passengers will be charged a higher percentage of their fare based on their specific packages.
• If you need medical assistance of any kind, you must submit your requirements in writing to Costa at the time the reservation is made. Failure to do so may result in Costa canceling your reservation.

Before You Board

• After full payment (and at least one month before departure), you must check in online through the  MyCosta website  and complete the boarding form. The site also allows you to book drink and spa packages, excursions and reservations at specialty restaurants.
• Costa passengers must present a valid passport for embarkation. Passports must be valid six months past the trip's completion. Certain countries require cruisers to obtain visas. Travelers who do not present the necessary documents will not be permitted to board the ship, nor will they be refunded.
• Passengers are allowed one piece of luggage (in addition to hand luggage) for cruises of seven nights or less and two pieces of luggage for voyages lasting eight to 14 nights. Cruises longer than 14 nights allow passengers to bring up to three pieces of luggage. The recommended maximum weight per bag is 50 pounds. Overall, Costa recommends bringing one piece of luggage whenever possible.
• You can book excursions online up to three days prior to departure using the cruise line's  MyCosta booking tool . After this deadline, excursions can only be reserved on board.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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About Costa Cruises

A Costa Cruise is the ideal way to enjoy La Dolce Vita, the Sweet Life or the Good Life. A Costa Cruise is a wonderful family vacation option with menus, activities and different entertainment options for kids, parents, and grandparents. The kids will love the Costa Kids Program where pizza parties, treasure hunts, dances and other activities will keep them saying “Grazie.” While younger cruisers are busy having a wonderful time, make your way to Samsara Spa for a fantastic menu of indulgent treatment options.

Dining is a delight with numerous options including fine dining, traditional and À la carte venues. Hot and fresh pizza, perfectly prepared sushi, mouth-watering barbeque, regional specialties, a chocolate and coffee bar, afternoon tea are among the delicious choices. Children will love having menus designed with their tastes in mind. Expand your culinary skills in an interactive cooking demonstration.

Evenings are laden with captivating entertainment and activities to keep everyone happy. Take a seat in the theater for nightly performances, dance into the wee hours in the disco, snap and tap to hip jazz, enjoy a stogie in the cigar bar, relax as talented musicians tickle the ivories at the piano bar or indulge in your favorite games of chance in the bustling casino.

After each day packed with all the vacation pleasures you dream of, retire to your stateroom, an oasis of comfort. You’ll discover many desirable amenities including satellite television, air-conditioning, an in-room safe plus a charming cabin attendant is at your service. Spacious, well-appointed and furnished for comfort to make your cruise an enjoyable experience.

Costa Cruises sails throughout the world. Ranging from short getaways to World Tours, destinations include the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

Call now or book online to receive exclusive rates, special deals and extra amenities on your next Costa cruise.

Featured Costa Cruises

• Costa Fascinosa

• Costa Smeralda

• Costa Deliziosa

• Costa Fortuna

• Costa Favolosa

Costa Cruise Ship Profiles, Deck Plans and Public Areas

• Costa Diadema
• Costa Luminosa
• Costa Magica
• Costa Mediterranea
• Costa neoRomantica
• Costa Pacifica
• Costa Serena
• Costa Toscana

Costa Cruise Highlights

La Dolce Vita All guests who board a Costa Cruise will experience the Good life or La Dolce Vita. Savor the food, be pampered in the spa, explore unique itineraries or relax as you view the horizon from your balcony stateroom.

Family Cruising A Costa Cruise is a wonderful way to spend vacation time with your family. There are a variety of cabins to choose from and lots of activities for kids and adults alike. A cruise is an easy, hassle free way for the whole family to visit multiple destinations without having to pack and unpack. What can be better than that?

European Hospitality From the moment you step on board a Costa Cruise ship you will be greeted with Italian warmth and hospitality. Their Italian heritage and style is seen throughout the ship. Their dining options also features Italy's delicious cuisine.

Romance Romance at sea is easy aboard a Costa Cruise. Relax on your private balcony as you look out at the sea. Enjoy a couple’s massage in the spa. Savor the flavor of a candlelit dinner for two. So whether you are enjoying a honeymoon, an anniversary or just enjoying a relationship a Costa Cruise sets the right mood for your romantic getaway.

Special Cruise Offers

Royal Caribbean Cruises 60% OFF ALL Guests + Kids Sail FREE + FREE GRATUITIES OR Onboard Credit

Norwegian Cruises Up to 5 FREE Offers + Up to $1,700 Cash Back

Holland America Cruises 50% OFF Signature Beverage Package, Specialty Dining, Shore Excursions & Wi-Fi

Princess Cruises: FREE GRATUITIES + FREE Beverage Package + FREE Wi-Fi +

Celebrity Cruises 3 FREE Amenities + Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

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Blog » Resources » Understanding Cruise Ship Sizes: The Ultimate Guide to Onboard Experiences and Popular Ports

Understanding Cruise Ship Sizes: The Ultimate Guide to Onboard Experiences and Popular Ports

Cruise ships are marvels of modern engineering, floating cities that offer an array of experiences and amenities. From the colossal Oasis-class ships to the more intimate Jewel of the Seas, the diversity in size and features is astounding. This blog post delves into the intriguing aspects of cruise ships, inspired by various observations and comments from cruise enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage, this article will provide valuable insights into the world of cruising.

Key Takeaways:

• Differences in cruise ship sizes and their impact on the cruising experience.
• Popular cruise ports and what makes them unique.
• Onboard experiences and amenities that enhance your cruise journey.

The Magnitude of Cruise Ships: Oasis-Class vs. Jewel of the Seas

Cruise ships come in various sizes, each offering a unique experience. The Oasis-class ships, such as the Oasis of the Seas, are among the largest in the world. These behemoths measure approximately 1,187 feet in length, have a beam of 213 feet, and weigh around 226,838 tons. In contrast, the Jewel of the Seas is a more modest-sized ship, measuring 962 feet in length, with a beam of 105 feet, and weighing 90,090 tons.

The size difference between these ships is not just a matter of numbers; it significantly impacts the onboard experience. Larger ships like the Oasis-class offer a wider range of amenities, from multiple dining options and entertainment venues to expansive pools and even zip lines. These ships are designed to be destinations in themselves, catering to a diverse range of interests and preferences.

On the other hand, smaller ships like the Jewel of the Seas offer a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. These ships can dock at smaller ports that larger vessels cannot access, providing unique and less crowded shore excursions. The smaller size also means fewer passengers, allowing for a more personalized service and a greater sense of community among the guests.

For more insights on choosing the right cabin on these ships, check out our article on the Great Cabin Debate .

Exploring Popular Cruise Ports: The Case of Costa Maya

Cruise ports are as diverse as the ships that visit them, each offering unique experiences and attractions. Costa Maya, a popular port in Mexico, often evokes mixed reactions from cruisers. While some appreciate its rustic charm and proximity to historical sites, others find it less appealing compared to other ports.

Costa Maya is a gateway to the ancient Mayan ruins, offering excursions to sites like Chacchoben and Kohunlich. These excursions provide a fascinating glimpse into the region's rich history and culture. The port itself features a village-like atmosphere with shops, restaurants, and a large pool area, designed to cater to cruise passengers.

However, some cruisers find Costa Maya less attractive due to its commercialized feel and the limited variety of activities within the port area. The port's infrastructure is also relatively basic compared to more developed ports like Cozumel or Nassau.

For those planning port excursions, it's essential to research and plan ahead. Our article on Mastering Port Excursions provides valuable strategies for maximizing your enjoyment.

Onboard Experiences: Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping

One of the highlights of cruising is the vast array of onboard experiences available. From gourmet dining and Broadway-style shows to luxurious spas and shopping, cruise ships are designed to keep passengers entertained and pampered throughout their journey.

Dining Options

Cruise ships offer a variety of dining options to suit every palate. From casual buffets and poolside grills to specialty restaurants and elegant main dining rooms, there's something for everyone. Many ships feature celebrity chef-led restaurants, offering unique culinary experiences. For example, the Oasis-class ships boast a range of dining venues, including the upscale 150 Central Park and the whimsical Wonderland.

Entertainment

Entertainment on cruise ships is a major draw, with options ranging from live music and comedy shows to elaborate productions and themed parties. The Oasis-class ships are known for their AquaTheater, which features breathtaking high-diving and acrobatic performances. Smaller ships like the Jewel of the Seas offer more intimate entertainment venues, such as piano bars and lounges, where passengers can enjoy live music and interactive performances.

Shopping on cruise ships has evolved significantly, offering a wide range of options from duty-free shops to high-end boutiques. Passengers can shop for jewelry, fashion, electronics, and souvenirs, often at tax-free prices. Many ships also feature pop-up shops and special sales events, providing unique shopping experiences.

For a deeper dive into the shopping options available on cruise ships, explore our article on Onboard Shopping Experiences .

Technological Advancements in Cruise Ships

The cruise industry is continually evolving, with technological advancements enhancing the passenger experience and improving operational efficiency. From smart cabins and high-speed internet to innovative safety features and eco-friendly technologies, modern cruise ships are at the forefront of innovation.

Smart Cabins

Many new cruise ships are equipped with smart cabins, featuring advanced technology to enhance comfort and convenience. These cabins often include keyless entry, smart lighting, climate control, and interactive TVs. Passengers can control various aspects of their cabin environment using a smartphone app or a dedicated device.

High-Speed Internet

High-speed internet has become a standard feature on most modern cruise ships, allowing passengers to stay connected with family and friends, stream content, and even work remotely. Advances in satellite technology have significantly improved internet speeds and reliability at sea.

Eco-Friendly Technologies

The cruise industry is making strides in adopting eco-friendly technologies to reduce its environmental impact. Many new ships are equipped with advanced waste management systems, energy-efficient engines, and air lubrication systems to reduce fuel consumption. Some ships even feature solar panels and hybrid power systems.

For a comprehensive look at the latest technological advancements in cruise ships, check out our article on Top 10 Technological Advancements in Cruise Ships in 2024 .

Unlocking Cruise Discounts: The Power of Flexibility

One of the best ways to secure great deals on cruises is to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations. Cruise lines often offer significant discounts on sailings that are not fully booked or during off-peak seasons. Being open to last-minute deals and less popular itineraries can result in substantial savings.

Last-Minute Deals

Many cruise lines offer last-minute deals to fill remaining cabins close to the departure date. These deals can offer substantial savings, sometimes up to 50% off the regular fare. To take advantage of these deals, it's essential to be ready to book and travel on short notice.

Off-Peak Seasons

Cruising during off-peak seasons, such as late fall or early spring, can also result in lower fares. During these times, demand is lower, and cruise lines often offer discounts to attract passengers. Additionally, off-peak cruises tend to be less crowded, providing a more relaxed experience.

Repositioning Cruises

Repositioning cruises, where ships move from one region to another for the season, can offer excellent value. These cruises often feature longer itineraries with unique ports of call and are priced lower than regular sailings. However, they typically include more sea days, which may not appeal to all travelers.

For more tips on unlocking cruise discounts, read our article on The Power of Flexibility in Travel Dates and Destinations .

Choosing the Right Cruise for You

With so many options available, choosing the right cruise can be overwhelming. Consider the following factors to help narrow down your choices:

Destination

Consider what destinations interest you the most. Do you prefer tropical beaches, historical sites, or scenic landscapes? Different cruise lines and ships specialize in various regions, so choose one that aligns with your interests.

Ship Size and Amenities

Decide whether you prefer a large ship with a wide range of amenities or a smaller ship with a more intimate atmosphere. Larger ships offer more activities and dining options, while smaller ships provide a more relaxed and personalized experience.

Determine your budget and look for cruises that fit within it. Remember to factor in additional costs such as gratuities, excursions, and onboard purchases. Being flexible with your travel dates and destinations can help you find the best deals.

Travel Companions

Consider who you will be traveling with. Are you cruising with family, friends, or as a couple? Some ships and cruise lines cater specifically to families with children, while others are more geared towards adults and couples.

Cruise Line Reputation

Research the reputation of different cruise lines. Read reviews and seek recommendations from experienced cruisers. Each cruise line has its unique style and atmosphere, so choose one that matches your preferences.

For more guidance on choosing the right cabin, read our detailed article on AFT, MID, or FWD? The Great Cabin Debate .

FAQs about Cruise Ships

1. What is the largest cruise ship in the world? The largest cruise ship in the world is currently the Symphony of the Seas, an Oasis-class ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. It measures 1,188 feet in length and has a gross tonnage of 228,081.

2. What are the benefits of cruising during off-peak seasons? Cruising during off-peak seasons can result in lower fares, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed experience. Off-peak seasons typically include late fall and early spring.

3. What are repositioning cruises? Repositioning cruises occur when ships move from one region to another for the season. These cruises often feature longer itineraries and unique ports of call and are usually priced lower than regular sailings.

4. How can I find last-minute cruise deals? To find last-minute cruise deals, monitor cruise line websites, sign up for newsletters, and be ready to book and travel on short notice. Last-minute deals can offer significant savings.

5. What are smart cabins on cruise ships? Smart cabins are equipped with advanced technology to enhance comfort and convenience. Features may include keyless entry, smart lighting, climate control, and interactive TVs.

6. What should I consider when choosing a cruise destination? Consider your interests, such as tropical beaches, historical sites, or scenic landscapes. Different cruise lines and ships specialize in various regions, so choose one that aligns with your preferences.

7. Are there eco-friendly cruise ships? Yes, many new cruise ships are equipped with eco-friendly technologies, such as advanced waste management systems, energy-efficient engines, and air lubrication systems to reduce fuel consumption.

8. What types of dining options are available on cruise ships? Cruise ships offer a variety of dining options, including casual buffets, poolside grills, specialty restaurants, and elegant main dining rooms. Some ships feature celebrity chef-led restaurants.

9. What entertainment options are available on cruise ships? Entertainment options on cruise ships include live music, comedy shows, elaborate productions, themed parties, and more. Larger ships often have unique venues like the AquaTheater on Oasis-class ships.

10. How can I maximize my enjoyment of port excursions? Research and plan ahead, considering factors such as the duration of the excursion, activity level, and personal interests. Booking through the cruise line or reputable tour operators can ensure a smooth experience.

Related Articles

• AFT, MID, or FWD? The Great Cabin Debate!
• Top 10 Technological Advancements in Cruise Ships in 2024
• Mastering Port Excursions: Planning Strategies for Maximum Enjoyment
• Unlocking Cruise Discounts: The Power of Flexibility in Travel Dates and Destinations
• Exploring the Shopping Options Available on Cruise Ships: Onboard Experiences

Embark on your next cruise with confidence, armed with the knowledge to make the most of your voyage. Whether you're drawn to the grandeur of the Oasis-class or the charm of smaller ships, the world of cruising offers endless possibilities for adventure and relaxation.

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13 Night Panama Canal Eastward Cruise

Your ship serenade of the seas.

BANISH BOREDOM FOR GOOD

Rock Climbing Wall

Adventure Ocean ®

NEXT LEVEL NOSHING

Chops Grille℠

Giovanni's Table

Peak performances.

Stage to Screen

Schooner Bar

Solarium Bar

Day 1: san diego, california.

Park It in Balboa

Man the Cockpit

Urban Oasis

Local Cuisine

Day 2 - 3: Cruising

Sports Court

Spa & Fitness Centre

Day 4: puerto vallarta, mexico.

popular Shore Excursions

Amazing experiences coming soon..

Laze in the Sun

Afternoon With the Ancients

Romance in the Air

Day 5: Cruising

Chef's Table

Café Latte-tudes

Main Dining Room

Day 6: huatulco, mexico.

Coastal Bliss

Cascading Magic

The Taste of Mexico

Day 7: Cruising

Outdoor Film Nights

English Pub

Day 8: puntarenas, costa rica.

High in the Clouds

Coffee Culture

Folkloric Allure

Day 9: Cruising

Day 10: panama canal, panama.

Get Swept Up

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Day 11: Cartagena, Colombia

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Day 14: miami, florida.

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Carnival Venezia cruise ship review: What to expect on board

Carnival Venezia is the Carnival ship you book in lieu of a trip to The Venetian in Las Vegas — or maybe the Italy area of Epcot at Disney World.

From a real gondola "sailing" down the middle of its main dining room to a pool deck built to look like a Venetian boulevard, Carnival Venezia boasts a Venice-themed design that makes you feel like you've stolen away to the iconic Italian destination. The theming carries through to just about everything on board, from the handmade Italian gelato on offer at JavaBlue Cafe to the Italian liqueur-infused concoctions found at many bars.

Like all Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia is a vessel aimed at travelers looking for an affordable, fun and lively cruise vacation. But it's one with an Italian twist — one so strong that you suspect there's a backstory, and indeed there is.

Carnival Venezia was never meant to be in the Carnival fleet. It was originally built for an Italy-based cruise line.

But now that it's part of Carnival, it seems to fit right in.

Overview of Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia is the newest ship in the Carnival fleet, having joined the line in May 2023. But, as noted above, it's new with an asterisk. The 4,090-passenger vessel was originally launched in 2019 for a different line — Italy-based Costa Cruises — and is already 3 years old.

Carnival Corporation, which is the parent company of both Costa and Carnival, transferred the ship between the two brands in 2023 due to shifting demand for cruises in the markets where the two lines operate.

This makes Carnival Venezia something of an outlier in the Carnival fleet. While it underwent an overhaul in dry dock to add many of Carnival's signature venues, it retains much of its Costa-aligned, Italian-themed design.

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This includes, notably, many public spaces that offer design nods to the palaces lining Venice's Grand Canal. (Venice is the inspiration for much of the ship's theming.) It also still boasts its original and distinctive yellow-and-blue Costa funnel (there's no Carnival "whale tail" on this ship).

In short, Carnival Venezia combines elements of both Costa and Carnival ships — enough so that Carnival originally planned to call the ship a "Costa by Carnival" product to differentiate it from the rest of the Carnival fleet. Carnival has since switched to marketing Carnival Venezia as a vessel that offers "Carnival Fun Italian Style."

All that said, as I saw in late May while sailing on Carnival Venezia's first voyage under the Carnival banner, it's a ship on which Carnival fans will probably feel right at home, despite its Costa roots. The Carnival and Costa brands have many similarities, and their ships are often built on the same platforms. While Carnival Venezia is considered a "Venezia-class" ship, it shares the same basic structural design and layout as Carnival's three Vista-class vessels ( Carnival Panorama , Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista). If you've been on those ships, you'll find the ship's flow and location for venues strikingly familiar.

As is typical of Carnival (and Costa) ships, Carnival Venezia is an affordable, fun-focused vessel aimed at budget-minded vacationers looking to let loose and have a good time. It's loaded with eateries, bars, showrooms and lots of upper-deck activity zones, including pool areas, a water park, a ropes course and a sports court.

What I loved about Carnival Venezia

Fun ship vibe.

Carnival Venezia may not be the fanciest cruise ship afloat. You won't dine on foie gras and caviar or sleep on 1,000-thread-count sheets. But few vessels have such a fun vibe.

I loved that I could careen down a ripping waterslide, scramble across ropes more than 100 feet above the sea, practice my putting on a minigolf course and soak in a hot tub, all in advance of a night of bar-hopping, live music and not-for-your-kids late-night comedy.

This is true of pretty much every Carnival vessel, of course. This is the Fun Ship line, after all. But that doesn't make it any less true for Carnival Venezia. It's hard not to have a good time on this ship.

Italian theming

The Italian theming on Carnival Venezia was so strong when Carnival took over the ship from Italy-based Costa that, instead of stripping it away, Carnival chose to lean into it. When it sent the ship into dry dock in 2023 to become Carnivalized, the biggest new thing it added from scratch was ... a high-end Italian restaurant.

It also doubled down on the Italian vibe with new Italy-themed drinks at multiple bars, including the new Italian liqueur-focused Amari bar. The captain's reception is themed as a Venetian masked ball, with the crew handing out Venetian masks for passengers to wear.

The theming is a little over-the-top in places. The golden lion of St. Mark, a symbol of Venice, looming over the ship's central atrium on a giant faux-marble column sets the tone. But I found it wonderful in the way that Las Vegas resorts can be wonderful.

Carnival Venezia is a make-believe zone that whisks you away from your mundane, everyday life. There's no mistaking you are on vacation here — if not in Italy, at least in a faux version of Italy. Be warned, Venetian Resort. You have new competition.

Carnival has jumped into the mixology craze in a big way with Carnival Venezia — but with an Italian twist. At many of its main bars, you'll find creative concoctions made with unusual Italian liqueurs and bitters that you probably didn't know existed.

In the name of research, I ordered up one oddball creation after another at the Italy-themed Amari bar, from the Bitter Guiseppe (a Manhattan-like drink infused with Cynar, an Italian bitter aperitif) to an Amalfi Martini made with Italy-made limoncello and limoncino — and, for the most part, loved them.

Related: Why the coolest new bar in North America may be on a Carnival ship

For the Middle America crowd that is a mainstay on Carnival ships, the cocktails are a fun and playful diversion from the typical pre-dinner drink routine typically centered on ho-hum concoctions like vodka tonics and American light lagers. When in Rome (or fake Venice), as they say.

What I didn't love about Carnival Venezia

The lido pool.

As noted above, Carnival Venezia was originally built for Italy-based Costa. But it was a Costa ship designed for a specific group of travelers: residents of China. The ship was originally to sail in Asia for the Chinese market, offering Chinese travelers a taste of cruising Italian style. The result is that it has one of the most convoluted main pool decks that I have ever seen — one that would have worked for the Chinese market but is flawed for an American crowd.

Specifically, the pool area has little open-to-the-sky lounge space for sunbathing. This was by design, as Chinese travelers, in general, do not sunbathe. They prefer to be shielded from the sun, and that sort of environment is what Costa delivered around the ship's main pool.

The Lido pool, as it's called, is surrounded by Venetian villa-themed "buildings" that house lots of covered lounge and eating areas — places you can sit and have a coffee covered from the sun (the area has an unusually large coffee bar for a Carnival ship, the JavaBlue Cafe) or scarf down a burger from the nearby Guy's Burger Joint. There are two full decks of these covered, sunless areas around the pool, and if that weren't enough, the area is topped with a glass magradome that can be closed to completely shield the area from the elements.

Even when left open, this magradome has enough apparatus associated with it that it noticeably eats away at the space available for sunning, though to be fair there is quite a bit of sunning space with lounge chairs at other areas of the ship's top deck.

The cabin service

It's not entirely fair to judge any part of a ship's service based on its first sailing when the crew is still getting used to each other and the layout and procedures of a new vessel. That said, it's fair to say that service provided by cabin attendants in general on Carnival ships isn't quite what it used to be as the line cuts costs — something that will be true for Carnival Venezia six months from now as much as it is today.

My visit to Carnival Venezia in late May marked the first time I had sailed on Carnival since the line reduced cleaning service for cabins to just once a day from twice a day, which happened in 2022. Given the low price point of the typical Carnival cruise, it's hard to argue that one should expect twice-a-day room cleaning. Still, this was always one of the big wows that set Carnival (and other cruise lines) apart from similarly priced land-based resorts. You got a room steward who seemingly was always there, keeping your room spick-and-span.

I met my room steward in passing in the hallway, and he seemed pleasant enough. But I didn't feel the connection with him that I have in the past with some Carnival room stewards. And perhaps because I had my "Snoozin" do-not-disturb sign out a bit while working in my room, I went a full day and night at one point without my room being cleaned at all, which is something that never used to happen in the old days of twice-daily service.

Carnival Venezia cabins and suites

Carnival Venezia has 32 cabin and suite categories — a daunting number. But finding the right cabin category for you isn't as complicated as that number might make it seem. Many cabin categories on Carnival Venezia are essentially the same, with the exception of where the rooms are located.

My cabin was a cove balcony cabin. Near the bottom of the ship on Deck 2, these are the least expensive balcony cabins on Carnival Venezia, in part because they have balconies that aren't quite as open and light-filled as standard balcony rooms. Because they are near the ship's waterline, the balconies are built with more protective steel than is normal, creating a somewhat enclosed "cove" effect.

Other than that, cove balcony cabins (of which there are 110) are identical to the far more common standard balcony cabins that account for the greatest segment of Carnival Venezia accommodations (794 out of 2,045 cabins), all of which are located much higher on the ship.

Both standard balcony cabins and cove balcony cabins have the same interior space (185 square feet) with identical furnishings — a queen bed that can be split into two single beds; a built-in desk area with a miniature refrigerator; a seating area with a sofa and small table; built-in closets; and a bathroom.

Cove balcony cabins are priced a little lower than standard balcony cabins because, in theory, their unusual balcony configurations and low-on-the-ship locations make them less desirable. But to me, the more-enclosed nature of the balcony isn't a major drawback, and the closer-to-the-waterline location of the cabins is a plus, not a minus.

I love lounging on cruise ship balconies that are close to the waterline. You get more of a sense of the ship's movement through the waves and can sometimes spot waterbirds gliding just above the water.

There's a magical connection to the sea that one only gets from staying in a cabin near the waterline. You won't find that when you're lording it over the ship in a high-priced cabin or suite on Deck 12 or 14.

For the most part, I was happy with my cove balcony cabin on Carnival Venezia. Clearly, it won't win any awards for style. Its relatively bland white-and-cream walls and neutral, blue-accented carpeting are designed to fade into the background. The bedding is perfectly adequate for the Carnival price point but nothing memorable, with somewhat cheap-feeling polyester pillows topped with cotton pillowcases.

Still, my cove balcony cabin overall had a bit of an elevated feel compared to cabins on some Carnival vessels, and it ticked all the boxes for a cabin on a budget ship. There was ample storage for two in the floor-to-ceiling built-in closets, which notably were deep enough that my dress jackets and shirts could fit straight in on a hangar without having to be pushed to the side when it came time to close the door — something that isn't always the case even on higher-end ships.

While the nightstands next to the bed were so small and narrow that they seemed like afterthoughts, both did have built-in lamps for reading at night, and one side of the bed was nicely equipped with two USB ports. (Memo to Carnival: In a perfect world, you'd want these on both sides of the bed!)

Two more USB ports are located across the room at the built-in desk area, which also has two U.S.-style 120V plugs, a European-style 230V plug and a completely superfluous and destined-never-to-be-used "type I" 220V plug. I suspect the latter is a throwback to when the ship was scheduled to sail in China. I had to Google it to figure out what the heck it was.

As is typical for Carnival ships, the cabin bathroom is functional, if not particularly stylish or upscale in feel. You won't find marble-topped sinks or elegantly tiled showers with sleek Hansgrohe fixtures at this price point. However, the fiberglass-molded shower space has (just) enough room so you don't hit the wall when soaping, and there is ample storage space for toiletries on three open shelves located on each side of the vanity. (The vanity, it should be noted, has faux Venetian wood cabinetry and a golden mirror, in keeping with the ship's Italian styling.)

My biggest quibble with the bathroom, besides it being eminently bland, is its overall color scheme. It has brown textured fiberglass floors and light yellow walls that I suspect will become dated over time. It already looks a bit dowdy.

On a more positive note, Carnival Venezia is one of the rare Carnival ships that doesn't have air vents carved into cabin doors — something that often makes cabins on Carnival ships less soundproof than cabins on competing lines. This is one area where inheriting a vessel from sister line Costa was an advantage.

Other Carnival Venezia cabin tidbits:

• There are red "Snoozin'" cards to hang on your door when you don't want to be disturbed, which strikes us as a bit of an old-school way to do a do-not -disturb notice. Many cruise lines in recent years have switched to more sophisticated electronic systems that let you push a button inside your room to turn on a do-not-disturb light outside your door.
• Every cabin has a small hair dryer in a drawer in the desk area and a personal safe in the closet.
• There's a flat-screen television on the wall with movies on demand that, in many cases, are free. Carnival normally only charges for some first-run movies at a current rate of $6.99 per movie.

Those who want something a bit more exclusive than a standard or cove balcony cabin can book one of the 77 so-called Terrazza Carnavale cabins at the back of the ship. These rooms come with exclusive access to a private outdoor sunning area with lounge chairs, hot tubs, cabanas and a bar called the Terrazza Carnevale.

In addition, passengers staying in Terrazza Carnevale cabins get exclusive access to daily continental breakfast in the adjacent Carnevale Lounge; a specially curated brunch on select sea days, with a complimentary spritz or mimosa; and a private sailaway event with live music at the Terrazza Carnevale.

There are five types of Terrazza Carnavale cabins, all in the same general area at the back of the ship near the Terrazza Carnevale Lounge area. These include 26 aft-facing cabins across decks 6, 7, 8 and 9 that have extended curving balconies looking out over the back of the vessel and eight so-called Premium Vista balconies at the back corners of the ship that have extremely large, wrap-around balconies.

In addition, this Terazza Carnevale area of the ship has 27 Cabana cabins that have extended "cabana" balcony areas with lounge chairs and hammocks for lounging. Fourteen interior cabins are also part of this exclusive Terrazza Carnevale area.

Passengers must be 12 or older to stay in a Terrazza Carnevale cabin and enter the area's private outdoor lounge.

Carnival Venezia also has 20 suites, all the same in size and amenities. Dubbed the Ocean Suites, these accommodations aren't really suites in the true sense as much as larger-than-normal balcony cabins. Most measure 275 square feet, not including 65-square-foot balconies, and have a single bedroom with a sofa and table across from the bed, plus a larger-than-normal bathroom.

Focused mostly on budget-minded travelers, Carnival has never been known for the wide array of large and pricey suites found on some competing big-ship lines.

Carnival Venezia restaurants and bars

As is typical for Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia is packed with dining options — some included in the fare, some at an extra charge. It's got oodles of bars, too.

The vessel has two main dining rooms and a casual buffet eatery where meals are included in the fare. In addition, you'll find several included-in-the-price quick bite options and five extra-charge eateries serving everything from steaks to sushi.

In general, Carnival cuisine isn't high-end and — given the line's focus on vacations at an affordable price point — it's not meant to be. But Carnival is a line that long has underpromised and over-delivered when it comes to its food offerings, and you may be surprised by what you find.

Restaurants

While I only was on Carnival Venezia for five nights, I was able to hit just about every food outlet on board — something that isn't easy given how many there are. On a typical seven-night cruise, you'll have enough options to never get bored.

It's a good idea to make reservations for the ship's five specialty restaurants as soon as you can, as they tend to fill up quickly.

The biggest eateries on the ship, and the spots where you'll eat at least a few, if not most, of your dinners, are its two main restaurants, the Canal Grande Restaurant and Marco Polo Restaurant.

At the back of the vessel and spanning two decks, the Canal Grande Restaurant is the main restaurant for passengers who sign up for Your Time dining — the type of dining where you can show up whenever you want. The smaller Marco Polo Restaurant, at the center of the ship, is reserved for passengers who choose Traditional dining — the type of dining where you sit at a designated table at a fixed time.

As is always the case with Carnival sailings, you choose one or the other type of dining in advance of your cruise, and then you are assigned the appropriate main restaurant. Note that this choice only applies to dinners in these main restaurants. If you want to go to any of the extra-charge eateries, the casual buffet (called Lido Marketplace) or a quick-serve outlet for dinner, you can go whenever you want, no matter whether you've chosen Your Time or Traditional dining. Breakfast and lunch are also open seating during listed hours.

The Canal Grande Restaurant and Marco Polo Restaurant serve the same cuisine, but it is the come-anytime Canal Grande Restaurant, where I ate, that has by far the most spectacular setting — spectacular either in a good or a bad way, depending on your take on over-the-top theming.

Designed to appear like its tables are lining a canal in Venice, the soaring, two-deck-high venue has a real Venetian gondola "floating" in a faux waterway down its center, with faux brick bridges over the canal and a faux blue sky above. To which I say: fabulous. I love it. But, also, I'm half Venetian, so I may be wildly biased.

The dinner menu at the Canal Grande Restaurant typically offers six main courses from a dizzying mix of cuisines — on the night I ate there, the choices included an Asian-inspired sweet and sour shrimp dish, an Italian lasagna plate and a vegetarian Indian platter. Several "from the grill" choices, such as grilled salmon or chicken breast, are available every night.

While it was early days for the eatery when I visited, I found the food quality and delivery all over the map. A calamari fritti appetizer I ordered was so depressing in its appearance, chewy and tasteless as to be almost upsetting. However, my main course of grilled salmon came out perfectly soft and seasoned.

One of my tablemates also had the hilarious situation of ordering a burger for his son where he specified no ketchup or mustard, "just cheese," only to be served a bun with just cheese on it — and no meat. As noted, it's early days, and the crew still is learning.

The Lido Marketplace is Carnival Venezia's included-in-the-fare buffet venue, and it's always buzzing. Carnival fans love their Lido buffets. The venue is at the top of the ship between the main Lido pool and the back-of-the-ship Burano pool. Its decor evokes an outdoor Italian cafe of the sort you'd find in the square of a small Italian village, with faux trees, leaf-lined columns and casual cafe chairs.

At breakfast, the Lido Marketplace offers up all the staples in big trays along the buffet line, including scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict, hard-boiled eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon. There are made-to-order omelet stations, too. Lunchtime brings a wide variety of options, including a salad bar and a hot sandwich grill turning out grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, Reubens, meatball subs and the like.

Just outside the Lido Marketplace at the back of the ship and steps away from the Burano pool is the ship's pizza-to-go outlet, Pizzeria del Capitano, serving up five pizza options: Margherita, fungi, pepperoni, quattro formaggi and prosciutto. You can order a slice or whole pie at no charge. Covered outdoor seating is available.

A second quick-serve outlet around the Burano pool, the Seafood Shack, serves lobster rolls, fish and chips, New England clam chowder and other classic seafood items for extra charges that seem out of whack with what the typical Carnival customer can afford. The lobster roll, for instance, is $18, and a single crab cake is $15 — prices that seem awfully steep.

On the flip side, an order of fish and chips is only $8, as is a bucket of fried clam strips, which seems more reasonable. Either way, I didn't see many people lining up for items here.

Moving forward to the Lido pool area on the same deck, you'll find two included-in-your-fare, iconic Carnival quick-service outlets. The most jammed, at any time its open, is Guy's Burger Joint, the Guy Fieri-created burger outlet that you'll find on every Carnival ship.

On Carnival Venezia, this eatery has an unusual Italian theme, with the fat-dripping, mouth-watering burgers for which it is known coming in two new Italian-inspired, Guy Fieri-created versions in addition to the classic options. These include a "pepperoni pizza burger" topped with fried mozzarella, pepperoni, marinara, provolone and aged Parmesan and a "super melty mootz" that is slathered in melted mozzarella, diced tomato, balsamic and fried basil. (Mootz, for those of you not in the know, is a slang term sometimes used for mozzarella.)

Don't worry; the classic Plain Jane, Straight Up and The Ringer burgers Fieri created for the wider fleet are also available.

Across from Guy's Burger Joint, the BlueIguana Cantina burrito outlet found in this location on other Carnival ships has been given an Italian twist, too. Renamed Tomodoro, it now serves Italian meatball subs, Sicilian chicken wraps and tortas de Milanese (imagine chicken Milanese turned into a panini) to go — in addition to made-to-order Mexican-style burritos and tacos.

We like it all, but for an outlet this small, the mash-up of Mexican and Italian quick-serve items adds an extra element of choice for customers that can slow down the line. Our advice to Carnival: Go Italian or go Mexican here, but don't try to do both.

The new entrant to Carnival's food scene is Il Viaggio, serving high-end Italian cuisine. With a fixed price of $42 per person, it's one of the priciest eateries on the ship. The restaurant leans into the Italian theming of the vessel with a relatively small, curated menu of Italian specialties such as Tuscan-style sea bass with a Parmesan crust and steak pizzaiola from the Lazio region.

Taking the place of the more casual (and far less pricey) Cucina del Capitano Italian eatery found on other Carnival ships, it served dishes in a hit-or-miss fashion when I visited. To be fair, it was the venue's first night in operation. I was served a mouth-wateringly soft house-made burrata with heirloom tomatoes and pesto as an appetizer, but a grilled octopus appetizer that looked absolutely beautiful on presentation was sadly under-seasoned to the point of having almost no taste.

On the positive side, Il Viaggio turned out a pappardelle with pork ragu as a main course that would have impressed even my Italian grandmother. Alas, my go-to test item for a quality Italian eatery, the cannoli dessert, came out with both shells and fillings that were uninspiring. To paraphrase the Peter Clemenza line from The Godfather , take the pappardelle, leave the cannoli.

Carnival Venezia's priciest eatery is its $48-per-person steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555 —a staple of nearly every Carnival ship. It offers all the steakhouse classics such as New York strip, filet mignon and lobster tail served in a warm and cozy space that retains much of its original Italian theming. Note the golden lion of St. Mark (the symbol of Venice) woven into the carpeting's repeating pattern and a larger lion of St. Mark statue in one corner of the eatery.

Carnival Venezia trivia: While often Italy themed, all the restaurants on the ship originally were designed to serve Chinese cuisine, in keeping with its original focus on the China market. If you look closely, you'll see traditional China motifs worked into the Italian theming, as well as heavy use of the popular-in-China color red (which, by luck, also is a color often found in Italian design — it's on the Italian flag, after all).

The other two major extra-charge eateries on Carnival Venezia are the twin Asia outlets Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, just across from each other on Deck 5.

Bonsai Sushi serves its namesake sushi and sashimi, as well as yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), noodle bowls and small plates of such Japanese classics as chicken Katsu and shrimp tempura — all at a la carte prices.

Found on many Carnival ships, Bonsai Sushi has always been one of my favorite Carnival eateries due to a combination of it getting the basics right when it comes to Japanese cuisine (the sushi always is fresh and tasty) and also being relatively reasonably priced. You'll pay $2 per piece for sushi or sashimi (it's a limited menu of shrimp, salmon, yellowfin tuna and amberjack) or $6 to $8 for a sushi roll that is downright huge. Poke bowls, shrimp tempura plates and noodle bowls are also available for just $8. It's hard to run up too big a bill.

Bonsai Teppanyaki is a classic teppanyaki eatery with a cover charge of $35 per person for lunch and $38 per person for dinner. For that price, you'll get starters such as pork belly yakitori and spicy tuna followed by a main course of teppanyaki-style salmon, lobster tail, shrimp, grilled tofu, black cod or filet mignon (or various combinations of these six options). Dessert is a chocolate "bento box" with green tea ice cream.

As is the shtick with teppanyaki eateries everywhere, the main courses here are all cooked in front of you on a steel-topped grill with various hijinks from the chef along the way. If you have the kids in tow, it's a crowd-pleaser. If, like me, you've moved past the age of having young kids and have suffered your fair share of family-friendly dinner shows, it's all a bit tedious.

Either way, the good news is that getting a seat for teppanyaki on Carnival Venezia is a little easier than on most Carnival ships, as there are more teppanyaki tables (four) at the ship's Bonsai Teppanyaki than at similar eateries on other Carnival ships — more fallout of the vessel being built for the China market.

Meanwhile, the food options don't end with the restaurants. An enticing array of extra-charge gourmet cupcakes and doughnuts ($4), cake slices ($6) and cookies ($2.50) are available at JavaBlue Cafe, which is at the top of the ship near the Lido pool. It's also home to fantastic homemade Italian gelato (hey, more of the Italian theming) for $3 a scoop ($5 for two scoops), as well as homemade milkshakes ($6.50) and made-to-order LavAzza espresso drinks that you can get spiked if you so choose.

Carnival Venezia is packed with bars, as is the way with Carnival ships. You won't walk far in any public area without hitting one.

The first one you'll see upon arrival is the St. Mark's Square-themed Atrium Bar, with its giant winged lion of St. Mark lording over it on a pedestal. Sitting at the base of the ship's central atrium, which has the Venice-themed name of Piazza San Marco, the Atrium Bar is right in the middle of everything and bustling at all hours. That's partly because it's a hub for live music — either a singer and pianist, a solo guitarist or a string trio, depending on the time of day.

You can find all your standard mixed drinks here, but its specialties are tropical classics (Bahama Mama, Tequila Sunrise) and martinis.

Fanning out from the top of the atrium on Deck 5, you'll run into a string of additional drinking establishments, each with its own theme.

Perhaps the most unusual is the stylish Amari bar, a new concept for Carnival that serves up specialty cocktails crafted with Italian Amari liqueurs and bitters. Some you would know, such as Aperol and Campari, and some you've probably never tried, such as Zucca, Averna, Cynar, Ramazzoti, Braulio, Montenegro and Nonino.

The curated list includes such unusual yumminess as the Bitter Guiseppe, a rift on a Manhattan made bittersweet with Cynar, vermouth, lemon and bitters. Or try the Negroni Sbagliato, a sparkling variation on the classic Italian cocktail made with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino and prosecco sparkling wine. You also can order Amari samplers with a choice of three of the liqueurs and bitters straight up.

Amari essentially replaces the cocktail-serving Alchemy Bar found on most Carnival ships. Fans of that bar will be relieved that Amari also offers a selection of that bar's most popular cocktails.

Just be warned: With so many new-and-unusual-for-Carnival crafty creations at the Amarai bar, you might just blow your drinks budget here if you haven't bought the ship's drinks package.

Just a few steps away from the Amari bar, working your way aft, you'll hit the sleek new Frizzante Bar, located in front of the Il Viaggio Italian restaurant. This bar's specialty is bubbly cocktails, most with an Italian twist. You'll find the classic Aperol Spritz here, as well as versions made with Campari, Amaro Averna and Creme de Cassis. The menu also features Bellinis, Limoncello Mojitos, Negronis and a relatively wide range of whiskeys.

As a nod to the ship's theme, the two beers on tap at Frizzante — Peroni and Birra Moretti — are brought in from Italy.

If you're traveling with one or more people avoiding alcohol, Frizzante Bar and Amari might be your two new favorite Carnival bar venues. Bartenders at both can make some of their iconic specialty drinks with non-alcoholic Lyre's Italian Spritz and Classico sparkling wine. They look and taste like the real thing but without the buzz.

Another Deck 5 favorite is the sprawling Gondola Lounge, which has its own stage and dance floor. It's the site of trivia contests during the day and live music and dancing at night, and its specialty is sangria (available by the glass or pitcher). The pricing for the sangria is a bit over the top for what is supposed to be a low-cost drink. A pitcher will set you back $36.

The Gondola Lounge is another outlet where you can get your daytime caffeine fix as it serves up LavAzza espresso drinks.

The lounge, like the nearby Canal Grande Restaurant, once had a real gondola sprawled out along one wall. It was removed during the overhaul of the ship after it was transferred from Costa to Carnival (my as-yet-unanswered question: Where did that gondola go?).

Two more bars on the same deck (yeah, that's five bars on a single deck!) include the cozy Piano Bar 88, which is part bar, part live piano music venue, and the Carnevale Bar and Lounge (mentioned in passing above). Keeping with the Italian theming, the latter is all about variations on the classic bellini, including an apple cider cucumber bellini, a blood orange bellini and a spicy mango bellini. The Carnevale Bar and Lounge is also the place to get spiked espresso drinks — if infusing yourself with stimulants and depressants at the same time is your thing.

Three additional bars around the top-deck pool areas (Rococo, the Pergola Bar and the Burano Bar) serve all the daiquiris and coladas you can drink, plus just about anything else alcohol-related you'd want to order while lounging by a pool. Our favorite of them all is Rococo, which Costa's designers gave an elaborate Italian palace theme with 1700s-era Rococo paintings on the walls that Carnival's designers subsequently defaced in the most hilarious of ways.

On one painting of a Renaissance woman being given a flower by a suitor, the Carnival designers painted pink sunglasses onto the woman and added a caption that says, "It's all about me." Another painting of two women in 1700era outfits is overwritten with the words "no fun plans tonight ... let's just wing it" and has a blue pigeon with a hat overpainted onto it for good measure.

Carnival Venezia activities and shows

As is typical for Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia is loaded with attractions that appeal to both adults and children, including multiple entertainment venues, a casino, a spa and lots of top-deck fun zones such as a water park and ropes courses.

In addition, you'll find all sorts of other diversions on board throughout the day in various lounge areas, from dance classes to bingo games and sports trivia.

For families, the top decks of the ship are where it's at for daytime fun, starting with a Carnival Waterworks water park that has more slides (three) than almost any other Carnival ship. As a Costa vessel, the water park had two slides, but Carnival jammed in a third during the ship's 2023 overhaul (while, notably, leaving the water park's yellow-and-blue Costa color scheme).

Only Carnival's bigger Mardi Gras and Celebration have as many water slides.

Carnival Waterworks is not far from the ship's main Lido pool, and there's a secondary Burano pool at the back of the vessel. As noted above, in part because it originally was built for the Chinese market, Carnival Venezia doesn't have as much open space with lounge chairs for sunning around the main Lido pool, which could be an issue for the ship when it sails in warm-water locales on itineraries with sea days. On those types of itineraries, lounging space around the main pool comes at a premium.

The Lido pool is, notably, built with a glass magradome that can be opened on sunny days and closed during inclement weather. This will be a plus when the vessel is sailing in colder locations, such as its season of sailings from New York City. But the magrodome eats up valuable real estate that otherwise would allow for more open-air lounge areas.

Other top-deck amusements include such Carnival classics as a ropes course where the challenge is stepping gingerly along ropes and platforms that tower 14 decks above the sea (you're safely roped in at all times, of course). It doesn't look all that scary from below, but — trust me — it's a bit terrifying when you get up there, and your legs go all wobbly trying to make it across a floating-in-the-sky pathway.

There's also a miniature golf course and a sports court that, like seemingly every other sports court at sea, has been newly rigged to allow for pickleball games.

Carnival Venezia's fitness center spans the entire front of deck 12 with epic views over the bow. The line made the space bigger during dry dock because Americans apparently like to exercise while on cruises more than Chinese travelers. A spa with 12 treatment rooms is in the same area, but the ship's hair salon was moved to Deck 5 (at the top of the atrium) to make more room.

In the evening, the ship's two-deck-high, Italian opera house-like Teatro Rosso and the smaller Limelight Lounge are the places for big entertainment. Teatro Rosso is the ship's main theater. Performances here might be an elaborate song-and-dance show with Carnival Venezia's resident performers or a comedy act or game show such as a Carnival version of television's "Family Feud." The Limelight Lounge morphs at night into the Punchliner Comedy Club with family-friendly shows in the early evening and R-rated versions late at night.

The Limelight Lounge also is where you'll find occasional bingo games and shockingly good karaoke contests. Carnival regulars come prepared to sing!

Karaoke may also take place in the Terrazza Carnivale or Gondola lounges.

Carnival Venezia also has a large casino with — and this is unusual — a dedicated room for nonsmokers.

The ship also has multiple fun zones dedicated to children. The heart of the offerings is Camp Ocean, located on Deck 11. It offers free, supervised activities daily for children ages 2 to 11. The line splits children here into three age groups — Penguins (2-5 years), Stingrays (6-8 years) and Sharks (9-11 years). Each group has its own age-appropriate activities ranging from face painting to pirate adventures.

There's also a hangout room called Circle C for tweens and teens ages 12 to 14 and a separate room for the older teen crowd (15 to 17) called Club O2. Both are tucked away at the front of the ship on Deck 3. If you wander toward them, you might come across a succession of no-longer-in-use small rooms built to be private karaoke rooms when the ship was destined for China. If you look closely, you can still make out what would have been the entrance and front desk for the karaoke area, now an oddly abandoned relic of what might have been for this ship.

For adults looking to get away from the kids, meanwhile, the front of the ship's top deck is devoted to an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area.

Carnival Venezia itineraries and pricing

Carnival Venezia will sail year-round out of New York through December 2024. After that, it'll move to Port Canaveral, Florida, for sailings to the Caribbean.

The ship's New York itineraries are unusually diverse, with 22 different routings available ranging from four to 15 nights in length. Destinations for the sailings out of New York include the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, New England and Canada.

After moving to Port Canaveral, the ship will mostly sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

As of the publishing of this guide, fares for Carnival Venezia sailings were starting at $309 per person for the least expensive cabin on a four-night Caribbean sailing out of Port Canaveral. Seven-night Canada and New England sailings from New York start at $509 per person. Note that these fares are based on double occupancy and don't include taxes, fees and port changes, which range from around $100 to $250 per person for most sailings.

What to know before you go

Required documents

If you're a U.S. citizen, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, are also acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Note that these are the rules for round-trip sailings out of U.S. ports of the sort Carnival Venezia will operate from New York and Port Canaveral over the next few years. If the ship eventually moves to another destination, these rules could change.

All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for the latest on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category (children under the age of 2 are exempt). If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Wi-Fi service on Carnival Venezia is fast for a cruise ship. Carnival Venezia is one of a growing number of cruise vessels tapping into the new, super-fast Starlink satellite internet system developed by SpaceX, which has been revolutionizing internet speeds on ships.

However, you'll pay a hefty premium to experience the fastest Wi-Fi speeds available on Carnival Venezia. On my sailing, the fastest "premium" service on the ship, which allowed for video streaming, was priced at $30 per person for a 24-hour pass. A full-cruise pass for the 15-night voyage cost $330 per person — or $22 a day.

Carnival Venezia also offers a less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp. On my sailing, it was only available if bought for the entire cruise and cost $225 per person — or $15 per day.

A slightly more expensive "value" plan was also available at $22 per 24-hour period or $300 per cruise. The value plan adds access to email and most websites. Passengers who pay for a plan before sailing typically receive a discount.

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne per person onto Carnival Venezia at boarding plus up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not allowed. You'll be charged a $15 corkage fee if you want to bring your own wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Smoking policy

Cigarette smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) is only allowed outdoors in designated areas on Deck 5 forward (starboard side) and Deck 11 aft (starboard side) and in the casino. You cannot smoke in the casino unless you are seated and playing; smoking is not allowed at the casino bar or in the entire casino area when the casino is closed.

Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Cigar and tobacco pipe smoking is only permitted at the outdoor smoking area on Deck 11 aft (starboard side).

Unlike most Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia does not have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. You can pay to send out your clothes to be washed and/or pressed. As of the publishing of this guide, the cost for washing and pressing a dress shirt or blouse was $6; the cost for cleaning trousers was $6.50.

Electrical outlets

Carnival Venezia's cabins and suites offer USB ports next to beds. You'll find both U.S. 110V and European 230V outlets, as well as additional USB ports at built-in cabin desks. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms where the outlets are all European-style.

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

As is typical for cruise ships, Carnival Venezia operates on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. This same card also gets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

You must be 21 or older to consume alcohol on Carnival Venezia.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach. T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, the official dress code is pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses, etc. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

One or two nights a cruise, there will be a more formal "cruise elegant" night where men are expected to turn out in dress slacks and a dress shirt, preferably with a sports coat or even in a suit. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses.

Related: The ultimate guide to packing for a cruise

Bottom line

Carnival Venezia is an affordable ship that will appeal to a wide range of vacationers including families, couples and friends groups looking for fun in a not-too-fancy, not-too-pretentious setting. It has a distinctively Italian vibe because it was originally built for Italy-based Costa Cruises, a sister brand to Carnival. But Carnival fans will find all of their favorite venues on board, thanks to updates to the vessel since it joined the Carnival fleet.

If anything, Carnival Venezia has a classier look than some Carnival ships, particularly the line's older vessels. We found its Italian theming fun in a way that will fit right into the fun-focused Carnival fleet, and its new Italy-themed venues (Il Viaggio, Amari bar) are an upgrade for Carnival in our eyes.

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