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February 26, 2020

It is difficult to try to summarize a ship like the Costa Smeralda in just a few words. Not only because of the dimensions (337 meters in length, 42 meters wide and 19 decks), being one of the largest on the seas, but also for its numerous novelty features that Costa Cruises introduced with this new flagship of the fleet. Let’s find out why everyone is talking about #SensationalSmeralda!

 

Let’s take a tour of the ship, passing through the restaurants to the bars, to the opportunities for entertainment and wellbeing. There is certainly no chance of being bored on a ship like the Costa Smeralda, which will soon be followed by the arrival of its twin ship, the Costa Toscana.

First, there are 6 cabin categories (2612 cabins in total) to fulfill the requirements of any passenger in terms of size and price: interior, external with window, external with balcony, external with terrace overlooking the sea (beautiful!), as well as Suites and Grand Suites.

Most of the public spaces are located on decks 6, 7, 8 interior, 16, 17, 18, 19 external or partially external. Some services, such as the Reception, the Cruise Consultant and the Excursion Office are found on deck 6 and 7. While you are waiting for your turn at the Reception, you can check out the wide selection of onboard shops which are located right there in the Shopping Area. You can continue shopping on deck 7, with a jewelry store and perfume store, and on deck 8, with clothing and other objects that are available in Il Mercatino bazar.

The Costa Smeralda has lots of lounges and spaces where you can spend time relaxing at any time of the day. From the long list, you will certainly find the one preferred by every cruise passenger! On deck 6 there is the lower level of the Colosseo, a large theater at the center of the ship, that extends to the two decks above. This is the heart of the ship which hosts all types of performances from games to shows to late-night music. On the bow is the Sanremo Theatre which also acts as a stage for shows and as a nightclub.

On deck 7 there is the spectacular CoDe Museum, dedicated to Italian design and with pieces of great value, which is fantastic to explore as you walk along the deck. On the opposite side is the Laguna Casino which offers tables and slots to try your fortune. On deck 8 the hub of activity is the Piazza Trastevere, a typical Italian-style square with restaurants and bars that face onto it. Just as lively is the Piazza di Spagna, an open air experience on decks 16, 17, 18: here there are shows and viewings or you can simply use it as a place to watch the sunset.

It is quite a big job to list all the Bars of the Costa Smeralda! Many are themed and the result of collaborations with the most notable and prestigious brands. On the deck below the Colosseo there is the Illy Bar, where lovers of good coffee congregate at all hours of the day. Still on deck 6 there is the Quelli della Notte Jazz Club and the Mastroianni Grand Bar, both very large and elegant.

On deck 7 you will find the Laguna Bar (that mainly services the Casino), Il Cielo in una Stanza Piano Bar, Il Mattino Bar in the Reception area, the Campari Bar with a tasting corner Rosso di Sera near the Colosseo, and the Superba Bar in the beautiful terrace on the stern.

There are 15 Restaurants on the Costa Smeralda, and it won’t be easy for those who are onboard for just a week to try them all. The main, largest restaurants are distributed on decks 5 through 8: La Colombina, Il Meneghino, Il Rugantino and the buffet restaurant, La Sagra dei Sapori.

There are also many, varied alternative Restaurants on the Costa Smeralda: the Pizzeria Pummid’oro offers irresistible pizzas at lunch and dinner. The Teppanyaki Restaurant adds entertainment and spectacle to a great Asian cuisine. The Ristorante Lab will put you behind the stovetop, under the guidance of expert chefs. Il Bacaro Venetian Bar offers classic Venetian tapas accompanied by wine and cocktails.

Lighter meals can be found at The Salty Beach Street Food on deck 16, at La Vetta Lasagna & Bruschetta or at the Settimo Cielo Salad Bar. Guests staying in suites or that are members of the highest levels of the Costa Club have additional exclusive restaurants: the Panorama Vista and the Bellavista Club. There is also a buffet reserved just for families with children, the Tutti a Tavola Restaurant, which is located on deck 16 behind the Piazza di Spagna.

Those who want to prioritize outdoor activities and wellbeing onboard the Costa Smeralda will find plenty of ways to do so. The Solarium extends over decks 17, 18, 19, and there are also areas around the central pool, La Spiaggia Beach Club, the Lido Caracalla, and the quiet pool on the bow, the Settimo Cielo. An outdoor sports area offers the possibility for open air games and tournaments. The Gym and Spa are located on deck 16: Virtus Gym, with latest generation equipment and an aerobic workout area, and the Solemio Spa, with a long list of treatments, a snow room and a large inside pool.

For the youngest passengers on board there are plenty of areas and spaces dedicated just to them: the Aqua Park Smeralda has slides and whirlpools, on the deck 16 stern there is the Video Arcade, the Luna Park Squok Club and the Baby Squok Club.

Whatever style of cruise you prefer, the Costa Smeralda tries to offer something for everyone, whether it is at the lively Colosseo at night, on the Lungomare Riviera for a stroll, or the absolute peace and quiet of the Private 19 Solarium at the very front of the ship. All of this is accompanied by the varied cuisine served in elegant and modern environments, and as always Costa Cruises pays special attention to the needs of families and young people.

Read all the Reviews of the Costa Smeralda, with opinions, information, Photos and Videos on Cruising Journal.

 

Gabriele Bassi

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