Costa Cruise Line

La vita è bella.

Costa is all about cruising like an Italian, to the point that there is a good chance you will be doing the pinched fingers sign for a whole month after coming home. Costa Cruises ranks among the world's largest cruise lines despite being relatively unknown in North America. Part of Carnival Corporation alongside brands like Carnival, Holland America and Princess, Costa brings a ton of Italian touches to a standard cruise, enough to set it apart from what you are used to.

Costa is an old timer when it comes to cruising, with nine ships built between 2003 and 2021. They focus exclusively on European, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asian, African, South American and Oceania destinations, so North Americans are unfortunately out of luck. In fact, no Costa ships depart from U.S. ports except for the rare world voyage from San Francisco or one-off departures from Puerto Rico.

The Italian touch is everywhere, so much so that I can almost hear Luciano Pavarotti while writing this. Italian is the primary onboard language, though announcements are made in English as well. Main dining features four- or five-course meals starting with cheese, followed by soup, entrée, dessert and some extras. Temperatures are displayed in Celsius, time follows the 24-hour format and European-style décor creates an atmosphere that is distinctly Italian. Oh, and yes, don’t be surprised if waiters start dancing and invite you to join them on certain nights in the main dining room.

Costa offers some excellent prices for European cruises, by the way. It is not rare to pay less than €300 for a four-night cruise with them, and several weeklong cruises cost less than €500. This makes Costa not only an amazing choice for those who want to see a brand-new side of cruising, but also for those who want to move across Europe in style.

There is also an All-Inclusive Package that you should definitely consider when booking a cruise. It includes gratuities, water, soda, Heineken draft beer, wine, whiskey and cocktails. For a €250 three-day cruise, the package costs only €110 more. We’d pay that if it means good drinks! This also addresses a big problem: bottled water isn't included in base fares outside the main dining room.

Costa’s nightlife is also very good, with late-night parties starting after 11:30pm and continuing until the first rays of sunshine. So, if you are looking for a party, Costa can be a great option. Entertainment also includes swimming pools, waterparks on newer ships, a Kids Club, arcades, casinos, stage shows and several bars.

Costa also has a few notable features that might be weird for American guests. Flexible dining costs extra when most cruise lines offer it complimentary. Buffets operate during limited hours rather than 24/7. It’s a different way to see and experience a cruise and you usually get used to it after your second day.

Costa is still a fun option and offers a very unique cruise experience. They are amazing even if you just want to try them for a weekend, since fares are very affordable. You can also take a Costa cruise simply as a way to travel between countries in Europe. There is just no better way to go from Italy to France than enjoying good food and singing Andrea Bocelli all night.