Ahoy, friendly cruise lovers! If you're dreaming of a vacation that combines Italian flair, lots of unique destinations, and charming vacations that are more about a classic cruise experience than anything else, then Costa has got you covered. This special guide will walk you through Costa's fleet, ship classes and top destinations, so you have an easier time understanding what this company is all about.
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Costa Cruise Line Fleet
Excellence Class
- Ships: Costa Toscana (2021); Costa Smeralda (2019)
- Good for: Families, foodies, couples, and anyone who wants all the bells and whistles. This is Costa in its most modern form. If you're a first-timer and want to be wowed, start here.
Welcome to Costa’s crown jewels. The Excellence Class ships are the biggest, flashiest, and most environmentally-friendly of the bunch. They’re powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas), which means you can enjoy your vacation knowing you’re cruising a little greener. And c’mon, we all know that our planet can be a little greener nowadays.
These ships are almost like floating Italian cities. We’re talking multiple piazzas, glass elevators, endless food options, and architecture inspired by cities like Rome, Venice, and Milan. Costa Smeralda and Toscana even have a Colosseo… not the real one, unfortunately, but a futuristic, multi-deck entertainment hub with wraparound screens that host live shows, game nights, and more. The ships are huge, even if they aren’t as big as something like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas or the latest Carnival cruises.
These ships feature more than 10 dining venues, including restaurants curated by actual Michelin-starred chefs. These ships have the best dining options that Costa offers, like Archipelago and the Pummid’Oro Pizzeria, and also include a waterpark.
Dream and Luminosa Class
- Ships: Costa Diadema (2014), Costa Deliziosa (2010)
- Good for: Couples who want a romantic vibe without losing access to nightlife. Families that want activities but also quiet nooks. Basically, anyone who wants a "big ship" feel without getting lost every 10 minutes.
Dream Class is technically a class of one, the Costa Diadema, since the Costa Deliziosa belongs to the Luminosa Class, but they are so similar that we put them under one banner. These ships are the older cousins of the Excellence Class: smaller, but still stylish and packed with energy.
Costa Diadema and Deliziosa blend glitz and glam with that chill Italian vibe. You’ll find a gorgeous Samsara Spa, bars with ocean views, and one of Costa’s largest kids’ clubs. The real gem here is the outdoor promenade - an open-air space that wraps around the ship, perfect for sipping an aperol spritz while watching the sun set over the Mediterranean.
The décor leans toward the luxurious, with glass chandeliers and mosaic walls. You’re still getting modern entertainment and specialty dining, but on a ship that’s easier to navigate and a bit more intimate. You won’t find, however, the Archipelago restaurant or any huge waterpark. These ships are for those that want to travel and enjoy a romantic time without any crazy entertainment option.
Concordia Class
- Ships: Costa Pacifica (2009), Costa Serena, Costa Favolosa (2011), Costa Fascinosa (2012)
- Good for: Travelers who like a more classic cruise experience with plenty of Italian flair. Great for adults, but also solid for families looking to save a few bucks on a cruise.
These ships are theatrical, artistic, and love a good theme. Each ship has a unique personality - Pacifica is music-themed, Fascinosa is inspired by cinema, and Favolosa draws from fairy tales.
Concordia Class ships are a sweet spot in the Costa lineup. They’re not tiny, but not massive either, with a capacity of around 3,000 passengers. This means you get plenty of dining options (usually 4 to 5 restaurants), a huge theater, pools with retractable roofs, waterslides and Costa’s Samsara Spa.
The decor is vintage Costa. Think bold colors, golden columns, marble floors, and quirky sculptures. If you want to cruise through Europe and feel like you’re actually in Europe the entire time, Concordia is calling.
Destiny Class
- Ships: Costa Fortuna (2003)
- Good for: travelers who like a quieter ship, anyone who loves a throwback experience with a touch of elegance, if you want to save some money on your next cruise.
She’s a classic, that’s the only way to put it. Costa Fortuna isn’t the newest or flashiest ship in the fleet, but she makes up for it with old-school charm, plenty of nostalgia, and a super friendly vibe. She’s part of the Destiny Class, once a popular blueprint shared by both Costa and Carnival Cruise Line.
Costa Fortuna pays tribute to the great ocean liners of the past. Staircases, corridors, and lounges are filled with vintage photos and ship memorabilia. It’s got a fun, almost retro theme that cruise history buffs will eat up.
You won’t find ten restaurants or a massive water park, but you will find cozy lounges, traditional Italian food, and a warm, social atmosphere. Plus, this ship is often used for longer itineraries like South America and transatlantic crossings, so it attracts experienced cruisers who love the journey as much as the destination.
Costa Cruises Main Destinations
Costa Cruises is all about that sweet mix of Italian flair, delicious food, and tons of different itineraries. It’s like cruising with a cappuccino in one hand and a gelato in the other… and honestly, that does sound pretty good. But where exactly does Costa take you? Spoiler alert: just about everywhere in the world!
Here’s a look at Costa’s main destinations, from sunny Mediterranean beaches to fjord-filled Northern Europe and way beyond.
The Mediterranean
- Features: Short and sweet itineraries or longer multi-country voyages, year-round options, great for foodies, history buffs, and beach lovers, some great prices.
If Costa Cruises had a hometown, it would definitely be the Mediterranean. This is where it all started, and it’s still one of Costa’s biggest playgrounds. Think Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and the islands in between. Costa has a ton of Mediterranean itineraries, with different prices and lengths.
You can hop between Rome, Barcelona, Marseille, Mykonos, and Santorini without ever unpacking twice. There’s pizza, pasta, ancient ruins, beach days, and sunset cocktails, all in one trip. If there is a destination that Costa truly masters, it’s the Mediterranean.
Northern Europe
- Features: Incredible nature, castles, viking history, cute coastal towns, milder temps during summer months.
Costa also cruises up north… waaay north to bring you a completely different vibe. In Northern Europe, expect medieval towns, storybook scenery, and yes, those jaw-dropping Norwegian fjords you see on TV. It’s like living inside How to Train Your Dragon or Game of Thrones. Actually, scratch that, living inside Game of Thrones doesn’t sound like a good idea at all.
Stops might include Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Tallinn, St. Petersburg (when available), and the Lofoten Islands. Plus, summer daylight basically lasts forever, which means more time to explore. Costa is great for a Mediterranean cruise and, honestly, you can trust them to bring you anywhere else in Europe as well.
Middle East
- Features: Warm weather when Europe is chilly, from eye-popping skylines and desert landscapes, shorter itineraries perfect for winter cruises.
Want something a little more exotic? Costa sails to the Middle East, especially during the winter months. These itineraries usually include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and even Muscat in Oman. These are really unique destinations that a lot of cruise lines often don’t visit, so here is your chance.
It’s a cool mix of futuristic cities and ancient traditions, with time to shop, dune bash, and sip tea in a Bedouin tent if that’s your thing. So, if you live in New York and hate snow in winter, this might be a great cruise for you.
Caribbean
- Features: sails from unique ports, great mix of nature, beaches and water sports.
Yep, Costa hits the Caribbean too! While it’s not their biggest focus, they do offer seasonal sailings here, often departing from places like Guadeloupe or Martinique, giving it a slightly more Euro-Caribbean flair. Costa doesn’t offer cruises sailing from Florida, New York or Texas.
Expect lush green islands, beach bar vibes, and maybe a little limbo dancing after dinner. This is a great option for those in Central America that are looking for a quick cruise with a heavy European feel.
Grand Voyages
- Features: very long cruises, perfect for retired couples who want to enjoy everything the world has to offer.
Costa also offers Grand Voyages, also known as repositioning cruises or long-haul adventures. These are for the serious travelers who want to see the world, and have the time to do it.
You could go from Europe to South America, Italy to India, or even take part in a World Cruise that lasts several weeks or months. There are several different itineraries, with transatlantic cruises taking a few weeks or World Cruises taking several months. In fact, the only Costa cruise that departs from the United States
