Public Areas & Facilities

The mix and size of public rooms was determined to appeal to European as well as North American passengers sailing on itineraries that include the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Caribbean region.

Like its sister ships, this craft has a beauty theme running throughout. Arches, murals, columns, and railings give the restaurants the feeling of alfresco dining in lovely courtyards. Blues as sparkling as the Mediterranean Sea and sky predominate in the Capri Lounge; the Spoleto Lounge is dedicated to Italian love of ballet and the performing arts.

Restaurants

Two restaurants, each spanning two decks, serve open-seating breakfast and lunch; dinner is served in two assigned seatings. Vicenza Club, a reservation-only restaurant and upscale alternative, features a Tuscan steak-house menu of steaks and seafood dishes in addition to Italian specialties. Casual meals and pizza are available in the Lido buffet.

What Works & What Doesn't

Group participation is a major component of a Costa cruise. The Costa Fortuna's energetic social staff gets the ball rolling by encouraging everyone on board to join in for their signature activities and parties. Surprisingly, even the most hesitant often succumb to the coaxing and take part in the antics. Afterward, they may sheepishly reveal they enjoyed wearing a toga. With all this constant activity, though, you may feel that you need a vacation when your cruise is finished. The Internet Café is placed adjacent to the disco, not a spot conducive to peaceful Internet surfing.

Accommodations

Layout: Cabins generally follow the outline of their Carnival counterparts, with the notable addition of a Grand Suite category. More than 60% of accommodations have an ocean view and, of those, 60% have balconies. Balconies have chairs and tables, and dividers can be unlocked to connect some cabins. Every cabin has adequate closet and drawer-shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves. Suites have a generous walk-in closet.

Amenities: Light-wood cabinetry, soft pastel decor, mirrored accents, Murano glass lighting fixtures, a small refrigerator, a personal safe, a hair dryer, and a sitting area with a sofa, chair, and table are typical for ocean-view cabins and suites. Inside cabins have ample room, but sitting areas consist only of a small table and chairs.

Bathrooms: Bathroom extras include shampoo and bath gel in shower-mounted dispensers. Additional features include a whirlpool tub and double sink. Suite passengers also enjoy an enhanced room-service menu.

Worth Noting: Well-designed lifeboat placement ensures unobstructed sea views from all outside cabin windows. Eight staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Cabin Type	Size (square feet)
Grand Suites	650
Minisuites	300
Ocean View	175
Interior	160

Favorites

Best Place to Escape the Crowds: The library doesn't have a large collection of books, but it does contain some nifty wraparound cabanalike chairs that envelope the occupants in privacy.

Best Added Value: With floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the saunas and steam rooms for men and women (not coed) are bright and cheery. Better still, they're so huge that they're seldom crowded, and you don't have to book a spa treatment or pay a fee to use them.

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: The L'Aquila Classic bar with its rustic arched brick ceiling and faux fireplace is a popular late-night watering hole that also does double-duty as the cigar lounge.

Best Splurge: Dinner in the reservations-only Vincenza Club is well worth the extra charge of $23 per person for the intimate, candlelit atmosphere.