Public Areas & Facilities

The basic layout of this contemporary ship is nearly identical to parent Carnival Cruise Line's Spirit-class vessels. Interiors were designed by Carnival's ship architect Joe Farcus, whose abundant use of marble reflects Costa's Italian heritage. Artwork commissioned specifically for each ship was created by contemporary artists and includes intricate sculptures in silver and glass. Don't overlook the lighting fixtures, which were created especially for the ship, most of them crafted by the artisans in Venice's Murano glass factories.

The nice flow between public lounges is broken only by piazzas, where you can practice the Italian custom of passeggiata (seeing and being seen). And there's plenty to see; these are visually stimulating interiors, with vivid colors and decor elements to arouse a sense of discovery. One of the most elegant spaces on board is the least Italian in appearance -- inspired by the Palazzo Roero Di Guarene, the Roero Bar contains cases to display artifacts from four ancient Chinese dynasties.

Restaurants

A single two-deck-high formal restaurant serves Italian-accented cuisine in two traditional assigned seatings. An upscale, reservations-only alternative restaurant features a Tuscan steak-house menu of steaks and seafood dishes in addition to Italian specialties. The Lido buffet, pizzeria, and 24-hour room service are alternatives to dining room meals.

What Works & What Doesn't

As a nod to the spirit of La Dolce Vita, much socializing takes place during the Italian Bacchanal. However, there's a not-so-subtle current of Americanization underlying the overall experience. Thankfully, that hasn't extended to the lavish midnight buffets and utterly wacky toga party. A quirk, however, is the strange double use of the balcony in the specialty restaurant, which becomes a cigar lounge after regular dinner hours; don't linger over your coffee if you find that offensive.

Accommodations

Layout: Costa Mediterranea cabins generally follow the outline of their Carnival counterparts, with the distinctive addition of a Grand Suite category. Nearly 80% of the suites and staterooms have an ocean view and, of those, more than 80% have balconies. Every cabin has adequate closet and drawer-shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves; suites have a walk-in closet.

Amenities: Light-wood cabinetry, pastel decor, Murano glass lighting fixtures, mirrored accents, a small refrigerator, a personal safe, a hair dryer, and a sitting area with sofa, chair, and table are typical for ocean-view cabins and suites. Inside cabins have somewhat smaller sitting areas for lounging. Suites have VCRs.

Bathroom: Extras include shampoo and bath gel in shower-mounted dispensers. Suites have a whirlpool bathtub.

Worth Noting: Although connecting staterooms are somewhat scarce throughout the ships, balcony dividers can be unlocked to provide connecting access in upper-category staterooms. Eight staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Category	Size (square feet)
GrandSuites	650
Suites	360
Ocean View*	185
Interior	160
*Extended balcony cabins have balconies at least 50% larger than average.

Favorites

Best Place to Escape the Crowds: Forward on the outdoor promenade decks are serene retreats in the form of enclosed terraces, which might have been termed winter gardens on ocean liners.

Best Splurge: Italians consider cappuccino a breakfast beverage, so don't order it in the dining room following dinner -- specialty coffees are not available there anyway. Instead, follow the Roman custom of going out for coffee and head to the Oriental Café, where traditional espresso and cappuccino are served.

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: It may sound unusual, but the lobby bar and the area just aft of the atrium are rather nice places to end the evening. While everyone is busy in the dance clubs, casino, or show lounges, the lounge-y lobby areas can be almost restful.