Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship Overview

Costa Cruises
Cruise StyleMainstream
Ship SizeSmall

Built in 2009, Costa Luminosa is filled with art, including a sculpture commissioned by artist Fernando Botero entitled Reclining Woman 2004, exhibited in the atrium. Costa Luminosa’s European sailings encompass Western Mediterranean and Baltic itineraries.Read More

These thoroughly Italian beauties are a hybrid class of ship based on Carnival Cruise Lines’ Spirit-class and Holland America Line’s Vista-class. Sister ships Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa are considered the Costa fleet’s “flagships” and, therefore, share the most exclusive and innovative elements in the fleet, designed for Costa’s most discerning passengers. Costa Luminosa has a contemporary design in a distinctive avant-garde style, including interiors decorated with premium materials. Twenty different types of marble, wood, mother-of-pearl, and granite are incorporated, as are 120 Murano-glass lamps and chandeliers and the use of LED lights. The ship’s collection includes 288 original works of art and more than 4,700 reproductions throughout.

Costa Deliziosa design is also avant-garde in style and is done up in premium materials similar to those used on its sister ship, including stucco applied by spatula using the technique known as “spatolato veneziano.” Other decorative interior finishes including “parchment scroll” lamé, refined Zebrano wood, Wenge timbers, and stylish polished and glazed steel.

The most innovative features on both ships are the multisensory experience of the “4-D” cinema (traditional 3-D plus other sensory elements). There are also golf and Grand Prix racing simulators.

Europe’s number-one cruise line combines a Continental experience, enticing itineraries, and Italy’s classical design and style with relaxing days and romantic nights at sea. Genoa-based Costa Crociere, parent company of Costa Cruise Lines, had been in the shipping business for more than 100 years and in the passenger business for almost 50 years when it was bought by Airtours and Carnival Corporation in 1997. In 2000 Carnival completed a buyout of the Costa line and began expanding the fleet with larger and more dynamic ships.

An ongoing shipbuilding program has brought Costa ships into the 21st century with innovative large-ship designs that reflect their Italian heritage and style without overlooking the amenities expected by modern cruisers. Acknowledging changing habits (even among Europeans), Costa Cruises has eliminated smoking entirely in dining rooms and show lounges. However, smokers are permitted to light up in designated areas in other public rooms, as well as on the pool deck.

  • 12 passenger decks
  • 2 specialty restaurants
  • 1 dining room
  • buffet
  • pizzeria
  • Wi-Fi
  • safe
  • refrigerator
  • DVD (some)
  • 2 pools (1 indoor)
  • children’s pool
  • Fitness classes
  • gym
  • hot tubs
  • sauna
  • spa
  • steam room
  • 11 bars
  • casino
  • 2 dance clubs
  • library
  • show room
  • video game room
  • Children’s programs
  • Laundry service
  • Internet terminal

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pros
Cons
Golf and Grand Prix simulators are huge attractions for men and women
There is a dedicated children’s pool
For skaters, there’s a nifty roller skating track
The pizzeria serves a more American than Italian style of pizza
Kid’s facilities are less elaborate than you might expect on an otherwise family-friendly ship
Spa goers may find it confusing that doors must be unlocked to get from one spa area to another

What to expect on board

Staterooms & Cabins

Cabins
Bathrooms
Accessibility

With the largest percentage of balcony cabins on any Costa ship (772 of 1,130 total), accommodations generally follow the outline of recently introduced fleet mates. Every cabin has adequate closet and drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves; suites have generous walk-in closets and come with a pillow menu and robe and slippers to use during the cruise. Connecting staterooms are somewhat scarce, but can be found in ocean-view categories. Light-wood cabinetry, soft pastel decor, mirrored accents, Murano-glass lighting fixtures, and a small seating area are typical in all categories; all accommodations have a small refrigerator, personal safe, and hair dryer. Samsara Spa accommodations (52 cabins and 4 suites) have direct access to the spa via private elevator and stairway.

Bathroom extras include shampoo and bath gel in shower-mounted dispensers. Suites and Grand suites have whirlpool bathtubs and upgraded toiletries.

Twenty-three staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Food & Drink

Food

A single, two-deck restaurant serves open seating breakfast and lunch; dinner is in two assigned seatings. The Samsara specialty restaurant is complimentary for passengers in Samsara Spa cabins and suites and requires reservations and a service charge for all other passengers on a very limited space-available basis. An upscale second alternative, reservations-only restaurant carries à la carte charges—a perk for suite passengers is a complimentary dinner for two there. The Lido buffet, pizzeria, and 24-hour room service are alternatives. Costa ships retain the tradition of lavish midnight buffets.

Entertainment

Performances by the resident production singers and dancers as well as guest entertainers are scheduled most nights in the main theater. Secondary show lounges feature singers and musicians and are the venues for Costa’s signature parties, during which the entertainment staff encourages passenger participation. There is a quieter and intimate piano bar as well as other lounges with music for dancing and listening as well as a disco.

Spa & Fitness

The serene Samsara Spa is one of the largest at sea with a thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool available at no charge for occupants of Samsara accommodations and for a fee to all other passengers. A complete menu of treatments includes facials, body wraps, and massages.

Key cruising tips

QUICK FACTS

SHIP STATS
Entered Service
2009
Number of Cabins
1,130
Passenger Capacity
2,260
Crew Members
921
Passengers to Crew Ratio
2.45
Gross Tons
92600
Width
106 feet
Length
965 feet
CRUISE LINE INFO
954/266–5600 or 800/462–6782

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