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.

Italian-style cruising is a mixture of Mediterranean flair and American comfort, beginning with a buon viaggio celebration and topped off by a signature Roman Bacchanal Parade and zany toga party. The supercharged social staff works overtime to get everyone in the mood and encourages everyone to be a part of the action.

Festive shipboard activities include some of Italy's favorite pastimes, such as playing games of boccie, dancing the tarantella, and tossing pizza dough during the Festa Italiana, an Italian street festival at sea. Other nights are themed as well -- a welcome-aboard celebration or Benvenuto A Bordo, hosted by the captain on the first formal night, and Notte Tropical, a tropical deck party with a Mediterranean twist that culminates with the presentation of an alfresco midnight buffet.

There's also a nod to the traditional cruise-ship entertainment expected by North American passengers. Pool games, trivia, bingo, and sophisticated production shows blend nicely with classical concerts in lounges where a wide range of musical styles invite dancing or listening. The enrichment series might include topics such as personal finance as well as the usual health and beauty sessions. Italian language and cooking classes are extremely popular. Every ship has a small chapel suitable for intimate weddings, and Catholic Mass is celebrated most days.

With a nod to American passengers, who make up the majority on board during the Caribbean season, 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.

A new vessel-building 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.

Food

Costa is noted for themed dinner menus and retractable backdrops that convey the evening's mood. Dining features regional Italian cuisines: a variety of pastas, chicken, beef, and seafood dishes, as well as authentic pizza. European chefs and culinary school graduates, who are members of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, provide a dining experience that's notable for a delicious, properly prepared pasta course, if not exactly living up to gourmet standards. Vegetarian and healthy diet choices are also offered, as are selections for children. Alternative dining is by reservation only in the upscale supper clubs, which serve choice steaks and seafood from a Tuscan steak-house menu as well as traditional Italian specialties.

While there is normally a per-person charge for the specialty restaurants, suite passengers recieve one complimentary dinner for two.

Costa ships also retain the tradition of lavish nightly midnight buffets, a feature that is beginning to disappear on other mainstream lines.

Fitness & Recreation

Taking a cue from the ancient Romans, Costa places continuing emphasis on wellness and sensual pleasures. Spas and salons are operated by Steiner Leisure, and treatments include a variety of massages, body wraps, and facials that can be scheduled à la carte or combined in packages to enjoy during one afternoon or throughout the entire cruise. Hair and nail services are available in the salons.

State-of-the-art exercise equipment in the terraced gym, a jogging track, and basic fitness classes for all levels of ability are available. Costa ships offer a Golf Academy at Sea, with PGA clinics on the ship and golf excursions in most Caribbean ports.

Your Shipmates

Couples in the 35- to 55-year-old range are attracted to Costa Cruises; on Caribbean itineraries approximately 80% of passengers are North Americans, and many of them are of Italian descent. An international air prevails on board and announcements are often made in a variety of languages.

Dress Code

Two formal nights are standard on seven-night cruises. Men are encouraged to wear tuxedos, but dark suits or sport coats and ties are appropriate and more common than black tie. All other evenings are resort casual, although jeans are discouraged in restaurants. It's requested that no shorts be worn in public areas after 6 pm.

Junior Cruisers

Caribbean sailings feature age-specific youth programs that include such daily activities as costume parties, board games, junior aerobics, and even Italian-language lessons for children in three age groups: ages 3 (toilet trained) to 6; ages 7 to 12; and teens from 13 and 17. The actual age groupings may be influenced by the number of children on board. Special counselors oversee activities, and specific rooms are designed for children and teens, depending on the ship. Children under three years old can use the playroom facilities if accompanied and supervised by their parents.

Group evening babysitting for youngsters ages three and up is available on request for a fee (children must be toilet trained). Parents can enjoy at least a couple evenings alone by taking advantage of two complimentary Parents Nights Out while their children dine at a supervised buffet or pizza party and take part in evening and nighttime activities. When in port, group babysitting can be arranged in morning and afternoon sessions. No in-cabin babysitting is available, however.

Service

Service in dining areas can be spotty and rushed but is adequate, if not always overly friendly.

Tipping

A standard gratuity of $8.50 per passenger, per day is automatically added to shipboard accounts and is distributed as follows: $3 to cabin stewards; $3 to waiters; $1.50 to assistant waiters; and $1 to headwaiters. Passengers may adjust the amount based on the level of service experienced. An automatic 15% gratuity is added to all beverage tabs, as well as to checks for spa treatments and salon services.

Past Passengers

The Costa Club has three levels of membership: Aquamarine (2,000 points), Coral (2,001 to 5,000 points) and Pearl (5,001 or more points). Points are assigned for the number of cruising days (100 points per day) and the amount of money spent aboard (40 points for 52 euros).

Membership privileges vary and can include discounts on selected cruises, fruit baskets and bottles of Spumante delivered to your cabin, discounts on boutique merchandise and beauty treatments, or a complimentary dinner in a specialty restaurant.

Costa Cruises.
Phone: 954/266-5600 or 800/462-6782
www.costacruise.com