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Everything You Need To Know For Your First Costa Cruise

Are you planning your first Costa Cruise tour and you are looking for the things that you need to know beforehand? Well, today, we’ll tell you everything we have learned from our many cruises on Costa that will make your vacation even more fantastic.

So, if you’ve been searching about Costa, you may have found it has a not-so-great reputation online—at least outside Europe. Passengers from North America and England tend to complain much about Costa on places like Cruise Critic and other online forums. In our opinion, this reputation is totally undeserved because these passengers compare Costa with the North American cruise lines that they are accustomed to.

For context, we’ve cruised on Princess, MSC, and NCL, and yes, Costa is different in many ways. So we will cover all the main differences about Costa so you will be prepared and have a wonderful time on board!

In this article, you’ll learn how: 

• Despite its undeserved reputation, Costa Cruises offers an enjoyable and authentic Italian experience, emphasizing regional cuisine, lively nightlife, and cultural diversity.
• English is not the primary onboard language, although almost every crew knows how to speak it, along with different languages. Passengers must manage tasks like credit card registration and loyalty program enrollment to maximize their cruise experience.
• The best way to make the most out of your first Costa cruise is to prepare appropriately and calibrate your expectations. 

Reasons to Experience Costa Cruise

Before we get to the core of this discussion, let me explain why you should experience Costa Cruise.

Language Differences Onboard

One of the first things you need to know for your first Costa cruise is the language.

If you are used to cruising on North American cruise lines, the first thing you will notice when traveling on Costa is that English is not the primary language on board. Announcements are often made in Italian, French, German, Spanish, English, and sometimes other languages like Portuguese, Russian, etc . All the staff members speak English, and many speak several other languages so that the language barrier won’t be much of an issue. 

One very important thing to know is that Costa has a dedicated host on board for each one of the languages spoken. This person is there to help you, in English, with anything you need—so we recommend using that service to the maximum extent possible. So, if you need help with anything, just contact your English host. And make friends with them as soon as you get on the ship!

Another important thing to know regarding the language is that the excursions are also in different languages, and when you book an excursion, you can select the language you want. There is only one little catch: if there are not enough people to book the excursion in English, it will most likely get canceled. 

This problem was more common during the pandemic when few English-speaking passengers were on board. Today, there’s more, but be aware that it might still happen.

Lastly, remember that all the service staff must deal with several different languages, which is sometimes quite challenging. A little patience and empathy go a long way!

Distinctive Food and Dining

Another thing you will know immediately when on a Costa cruise for the first time is the food. Portions on Costa are much smaller than those on North American cruise lines. But here’s the thing: lunch and dinner service is meant for a four-course meal. That means an appetizer, first course, second course, and dessert. So, you won’t get big plates on these courses, but you can always ask for more!

Also, the quality of the food on board is exceptional. I think it’s very similar to a Michelin Star restaurant. It’s no wonder Costa collaborates with some of the world’s best Michelin Star chefs to create the food you eat on board. The selection is excellent, and the presentation is always Michelin-perfect.

Another thing that you will find very different on Costa is that no place serves food 24 hours a day—well, other than room service. You’ll have your breakfast in the morning. Lunch between 12 and 2 pm. The buffet serves snacks between 4 pm and 5 pm, which the Italians call Merenda. Then you have your dinner, with the first seating at around 6:30  pm and the second seating around 9 pm .

A couple of venues on board serve food until very late, for a fee, at night in particular, the Salty Beach burger joint and the pizza place called Pummi d’Oro. Lastly, some parties often have a huge buffet around midnight. So, the first seatings at 4:45 pm will not happen at Costa. 

We have to mention that the desserts in the main dining room on Costa are the best we have ever had. They are incredibly tasty, beautiful, and very innovative. During one of our many trips, we learned from the corporate pastry chef that Costa is using natural ingredients and trying to develop recipes that use less refined sugar without compromising the taste—and this means a healthier dessert that’s still delicious.

And if you want a taste of good Italian food while on a trip here, you may also check out Italy’s best restaurants . 

Things Passengers Must Do For Themselves

Unlike cruises where everything gets handled for you, Costa leaves three critical tasks up to passengers:

1. Register Credit Card : Costa lacks automated payment systems that link to your online profile or boarding information. You must visit onboard kiosks to register any credit or debit card you intend to use for purchases and expenses.

2. Join Costa’s Loyalty Membership (C-Club) : Membership benefits like member-only sales are not automatic. You have to intentionally enroll in Costa’s C-Club to reap advantages like coupon savings plus discounts on specialty dining, spas, excursions, and other amenities.

3. Review Costa App : Since English announcements are not guaranteed, reading the daily onboard schedule (“Oggi a Bordo”) becomes critical for activities, entertainment, and port/dining hours. Downloading Costa’s app unlocks mobile access to this itinerary, ship maps/menus, and more. Unfortunately, the app remains unavailable in North America as of early 2024 but should appear on its own later this year.

Purchase All-Inclusive Package

We highly recommend purchasing the all-inclusive package when booking your Costa cruise. This package offers the best value compared to paying for drinks individually. Without the all-inclusive package, you must pay for every drink on board, including tap water, which Costa does not provide free of charge despite its portability.

The all-inclusive package includes unlimited water, coffee, specialty coffees, tea, juice, soda, wine, beer, digestives, and most cocktails at no additional cost. Housekeeping services are also covered. 

Important PSA: you can’t bring water on a Costa cruise . While some guests carry a refillable water bottle and avoid the package, this approach is impractical for an entire cruise. With the all-inclusive package, you don’t have to worry about tallying costs for basic necessities.

For non-alcoholic drinkers, Costa offers individual water, soda, and coffee packages at additional expense. However, these limited packages fail to match the comprehensive value of the all-inclusive.

Cost Of Upgrading Your Drinking Package 

Upgrading to the all-inclusive drink package runs about 21 euros per day when purchased on board. Still, it costs significantly less if booked before your cruise. For this added fee, you can access superior alcoholic beverages, juices freshly squeezed on demand, and specialty coffees.

And hey, since we’re talking about drinks, knowing the legal drinking age in Italy might be useful. 

Lots of Young Families and Children Onboard

Compared to North American cruises, you’ll immediately notice Costa attracts a much younger passenger demographic. There are hordes of children and teenagers aboard, especially during summertime and holidays when school is out. Costa excels at engaging kids and teens with outstanding youth centers and non-stop entertainment. Young families in their 20s and 30s with children represent many travelers.

If you prefer an adults-only atmosphere, consider sailing in spring or fall when schools are in session. Families tend to book shorter one-week cruises, so embarking on longer 14+ day itineraries can also sway demographics older. But if you enjoy multi-generational travel, kids clubs, and a lively atmosphere, Costa’s family orientation makes it an ideal choice. Just be aware that summer, holidays, and quick getaways disproportionately draw youth due to the exceptional children’s programs and competitive pricing.

Epic Nightlife

Fellow travelers describe Costa as Italy on the sea , especially regarding nightlife. The ships’ late-night revelry epitomizes Italian zeal for la dolce vita. Parties typically kick off around 11:30 p.m. once dinner wraps up, but the fun rages on well into the wee hours.

We’ve never witnessed such ebullient, crowded dance parties as those that regularly occur on Costa’s ships. Even passengers not keen on huge social events can discover smaller-scale entertainment from 10 p.m. onwards, whether karaoke, dancing, or activities.

Now, we’ve had many people ask, “ Do you dress up every night on a Costa cruise?” The answer is no. Costa cruises do not require formal attire or dressing up every evening. Formal nights are optional for those who wish to participate. Smart casual clothing suffices for specialty dining venues, with no obligation to wear formalwear unless desired. Just maybe don’t rock up to dinner in your tighty-whities. 

Booking Excursions in Advance

Booking shore excursions early applies to every cruise line, as the best and most popular tours sell out fast. Costa allows you to pre-reserve all your tours in advance without requiring upfront payment. 

You simply settle your excursion bills once onboard the Costa ship and have the flexibility of canceling minus penalty up to 3 days pre-departure. So, securing your ideal itineraries promptly is the best option and will make your cruise experience much easier. 

Moreover, Costa ships will wait for lagging shore groups, so you needn’t stress about tardy returns delaying departure. You can venture freely, knowing your floating hotel won’t desert you. 

Speaking of independent exploration and activating an international eSIM before sailing enables seamless cell and data coverage throughout your travels, sidestepping punitive roaming charges. You can purchase full-trip access for around $10 or under, or you may consider options like tourist phone plans in Italy . 

Adapting to European Style Onboard

As an Italian cruise line, Costa maintains European standards and conventions onboard. Cabins have European electrical outlets, requiring travel adapters for devices from North America, Australia, and the UK. Moreover, all posted times use the 24-hour clock rather than 12-hour AM/PM, so 17:30 translates to 5:30 PM. Before your cruise, acquaint yourself with the 24-hour format to avoid confusion checking schedules.

Further European influences mean Celsius temperatures and metric measurements for distances, weights, and volumes. Menu listings for a 500-gram tomahawk steak equate to a 16-ounce cut by American scaling. 

As you explore the ship and make reservations, mentality prepares for metrics. Though the differences seem subtle, these European touches lend Costa its regional authenticity so guests can fully immerse in la dolce vita at sea. Tip: Knowing some basic Italian restaurant etiquette can be helpful down the line.  

Download the Costa Mobile App

The Costa app proves essential for navigating your cruise. View daily menus and schedules, make restaurant reservations, connect to the internet, track your expenses, and message fellow passengers. 

Most critically, the app streams the mandatory safety drill to your device, sparing you from queues and crowds at the lifeboat muster stations. You must still register attendance at your assigned muster area, but the process goes quickly.

Regrettably, at the time of this article’s writing, the app remains unavailable for download in North American app stores. 

However, Costa’s onboard app manager assured a full North American rollout by the end of January 2024. This news is a relief since the app greatly enhances the cruise through its many functionalities. Relying solely on the printed daily program, “Oggi a Bordo,” delivered to your stateroom or cabin, seems antiquated compared to what the app offers.

Until the app launches stateside, the Oggi a Bordo program plus the welcome packet from your cabin containing ship details, internet codes, and purchasable ship packages will suffice for planning your days and discoveries aboard. 

But, once released, we highly recommend downloading the Costa app to maximize your cruise through smarter scheduling, simplified reservations, and streamlined shipboard life.

Relaxed Upselling Environment

A refreshing aspect of Costa is the lack of aggressive upselling onboard. You won’t face high-pressure sales tactics to purchase add-ons or upgrades—something we highly appreciate.

The crew modestly informs passengers of the special packages, activities, and ship offerings but ultimately leaves decisions up to the individual. Costa’s laid-back Mediterranean approach lets you vacation at your own pace without constantly fielding invites or sales pitches.

Frequent Embarkation/Disembarkation

A notable aspect of cruise ship travel (not just for Costa) that first-timers need to know is that passengers often embark and disembark at multiple ports along an itinerary, which is especially common on Mediterranean and Emirates cruises. Costa Cruise carries an average of 12.4 million guests every year . This frequent embarking/disembarking procedure carries several advantages for passengers.

First, boarding is expedited since procedures repeatedly occur at various ports instead of just once for all passengers. There are fewer bottlenecks and queues during boarding with this method.

Second, the choices of boarding ports expand, allowing passengers flexibility to embark from whichever is most optimal. No single port bears the full brunt of boarding all at once.

Third, passengers can typically remain on board later, often until noon, rather than mandatory pre-dawn disembarkations. There is less crack-of-dawn hustle or abrupt exits.

The main drawback is repeating safety protocols like lifejacket drills while new passengers cycle on. You may hear the safety spiels more frequently, too. But overall, frequent embarkation smooths passenger transit, expands options and relaxes rigid disembark timetables that rush travelers off ships.

Quick Tip: Don’t Forget Your Essentials

There’s only a limited selection of toiletries and feminine products available. No problem if it’s port-intensive, but it would be a different story if you have several sea days. So, prepare as needed!

Trying Specialty Dining and Activities

While Costa’s inclusive main dining rooms serve exceptional rotating regional Italian cuisine nightly, we strongly recommend branching out across the diverse specialty restaurants, too, to round out your immersive culinary education. 

Our favorites include the dedicated pizzeria whose Naples-style pies outshine any found stateside and the teppanyaki grills presenting dinner as chef-directed theater. The sushi bars and steakhouses onboard also compete favorably with upscale venues on land.

Likewise, we suggest sampling various evening entertainment and late-night offerings in addition to stage shows and lounge sets rather than just your habitual favorite types of fun. Sing karaoke one night, laugh at the comedy club the next, then dance til dawn at raging discos. Attend a classical concert, blackjack tournament, or wine/food fest too! Say “yes” to exploring fresh adventures and meeting fellow global cruisers outside your native language and culture.

Great Value for The Money

Overall, Costa offers exceptional value for your money. In fact, the cruise we are on right now costs us €120 (approximately USD120) per person per day with the all-inclusive package , meaning the drinking package and gratuities, which is a really good price for a truly all-inclusive experience.

Not only that, it is worth mentioning that excursions on Costa are very well priced, and you can also purchase a package that includes four half-day excursions that you can choose from and a 25% discount for all the other excursions .

Make Sure to Sign Up For The C-Club

The C-Club is Costa’s loyalty program, and as we mentioned before, you have to sign up yourself; you are not automatically enrolled, as is the case on other cruise lines. Signing up for the program is very important because it allows you to have some great discounts on board that only members get. For example, the Gourmet experience is 50% off if you belong to the C-Club, independent of your status level in the program.

Well, we hope that we have answered all your questions about what you need to know for your first Costa cruise. If you’d like some help booking a cruiser, let us know, and we’ll help you out. We hope you’ve learned how to maximize your trip in this wonderful Italian Cruise line guide!

How much luggage can I take on Board?

If you travel for seven nights or less, you can carry one suitcase plus carry-on luggage per person . If you travel 8-14 nights, you can carry two suitcases + carry-on luggage , and if you travel over 14 nights, you can carry three suitcases + carry-on luggage per person . The recommended maximum weight per bag is 23 kg (approximately 50 pounds)

How Many People Can Fit into a Costa Cruise Cabin?

Most Costa ships offer cabins suitable for up to 4 guests . The Costa Diadema features larger cabins accommodating up to 5 guests.

What Do You Wear on a Costa Cruise?

During the day, casual lightweight clothing like cotton, swimwear with coverups indoors, and weather-appropriate items like sweaters and rain jackets suffice. More formal evening wear is only required in the ship’s restaurants. 

Can You Wear Heans on a Costa Cruise?

Yes, regular (non-distressed) jeans are acceptable daytime cruise wear. Costa maintains a relaxed dress code, allowing jeans in all areas except the main dining rooms, which require casual business attire in the evenings.

In March 2017, Rick and Andrea started Travel Addicts Life as a way to share their travel photos and videos with the world. And boy did it ever grow!  Today, we are proud to offer content here on Travel Addicts Life, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

Thanks for reading!

Rick & Andrea

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Oui In France

5 Things I didn’t expect on our Costa Toscana cruise

If you ask Americans to name some popular cruise lines, Costa isn’t going to be the first company that comes to mind. Costa is Italian and more popular with Europeans but it is absolutely worth a look no matter where you’re from. Tom and I had the pleasure of cruising with Costa on an 8-day Mediterranean cruise on their newest ship, the Costa Toscana. Check out this Costa Toscana review post with all the details. We absolutely loved it!

Several things about our Costa Toscana cruise surprised me. I hadn’t been on an ocean cruise in years, so I went in with an open mind not knowing what to expect. Let’s get into 5 things that surprised me on our Costa Toscana Mediterranean cruise.

A Michael Jackson dance tribute show.

1. On-board activities all day long

I was pleasantly surprised to see all types of on-board activities from morning until well after midnight. Each evening, you get a paper program delivered to your cabin that outlines the following day’s events.

The programming was similar to what you’d see on American cruise ships and it was nice to know there was always something happening during days at sea or any time we ventured out of our cabin. From fitness classes to games to activities for kids to shows and live music and so much more, Costa will keep you busy if you want an active cruise. We loved the acrobatic show and Costa’s version of The Voice, where the singing contestants were passengers on the ship.

The evening entertainment

2. Very attentive staff

All staff members on our cruise were always there ready to lend a helping hand. I had to call reception a few times and never waited on hold for more than a few seconds. The wait staff, cabin steward, the cleaning crew and everyone always made sure guests were taken care of and pointed me in the right direction if I didn’t know where something was.

They also always greeted us with a bongiorno every time we walked by. The attention to customer service was something I didn’t expect because in France, it’s a bit different than what we’re used to in the U.S. I figured since Costa is Italian that the service would resemble how things are done in France. But I was pleasantly surprised that it was never difficult to get help with something.

We made several stops to the gelato shop on board!

3. Do NOT need to speak Italian to be comfortable

This was probably the biggest question mark I had before cruising with Costa. Would we need to speak a little Italian to be comfortable and understand what was going on at shows? Tom and I speak French but would that be enough and what about guests who only speak English? It was a major unknown and we were ready to be lost half the time since we don’t speak Italian.

I’m happy to report that you will be just fine if you only speak English. Many of the staff members including the wait staff and housekeeping don’t speak Italian as their first language and were happy to speak English. I can’t recall even one instance where a staff member didn’t understand English, and that’s everyone from the boat maintenance crew to the photography shop on board, the stores, everywhere.

You will be totally fine if you only speak English on a Costa cruise. That said, the staff speaks Italian as well and during game shows, The Voice, and other events, the host will usually do a quick translation in several languages so everyone can follow along. You’ll hear announcements in several languages to accommodate all guests.

4. Didn’t feel any movement on the boat

I wasn’t sure if the seas would be choppy in the Mediterranean aboard the Costa Toscana in June so I came prepared with my seasickness medication just in case. Better safe than sorry, right? I’m relieved to report that Tom and I didn’t need them at all. The seas were calm the entire trip. This of course depends on the weather and where you’re cruising.

One night around dinnertime, we did notice that we could feel the boat moving a couple of times but it was nothing prolonged or off-putting in the least (and I say that as someone who is prone to motion sickness). Modern cruise ships have stabilizers to counteract the movement of the ship and even in relatively choppy seas, cruising is still a comfortable experience. For 95% of the cruise, I couldn’t even tell we were moving at all unless I looked outside.

To minimize your chances of being seasick, a good rule of thumb is to book a cabin midship on one of the lower decks. Come prepared with some Bonine just in case.

A zucchini appetizer at Archipelago.

5. Variety of dining options

Costa Toscana had a buffet selection and then the main dining room was where most people went for lunch and dinner, which is included in your cruise fare. Then for an additional fee, there were a bunch of other restaurants from which to choose including sushi at Sushino, the Heineken Star Club & Bistro, fine dining at Archipelago, and more.

I didn’t expect sushi or pub fare to be an option on an Italian ship and was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of meal options. There’s something for every taste and there’s certainly more than just pasta and other traditional Italian food. 

Would you take a Mediterranean cruise on the new Costa Toscana? What types of cruises are your favorite?

Disclosure: Thank you to Costa for hosting us on this press trip. All opinions are my own.

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August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm

Hi Diane, I’m glad to hear that you and Tom had a great time on your cruse. What are the policies in regards to COVID-19? Are you required to prove vaccination, be tested or wear a mask? I hope you guys are doing well in Norway.

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Costa Cruises

Costa's Carla C....do you remember her?...some FYI

By Wasasalad , August 3, 2008 in Costa Cruises

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Remember the Costa Carla C

I found this on a website. My first cruise ever was on The Costa Carla C

The former Flandre in service as the Carla C

Flandre , also known as Carla C , Carla Costa , and Pallas Athena , was an ocean liner and cruise ship that took passengers on transatlantic voyages and on Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises from 1952 to 1994 . She was operated by the French Line , Costa Cruises , and the Epirotiki Line .

The Flandre was the French Line's first new ocean liner following World War II . Her maiden voyage was considered a complete disaster, as she experienced mechanical difficulties throughout the voyage. The first sign of trouble was when her fuel line filters became clogged, due to impurities in the oil that she was carrying. This caused her to become essentially "dead in the water" for four hours while her fuel filters were cleaned out, and her boilers restored to normal operation. This was repeated later in the voyage, after which the Flandre 's captain elected to reduce speed for the remainder of the voyage. Upon arrival at the Quarantine Station at New York, she experienced a short circuit in her main electrical switchboard, causing a near-complete loss of power. Nearly three hours later, she had sufficient power restored to raise the port anchor. An additional three hours were required to raise the starboard anchor to allow her to continue.

Unlike most ocean liners' maiden arrivals, where they receive the traditional fireboat welcome while sailing under their own power, the Flandre arrived in New York Harbor and received the traditional welcome while under tow by four Moran tugs, while also running one propeller of her own. Her funnel put out thick clouds of smoke, seeming to almost be straining as it was doing so. She was initially blowing her whistle as she arrived under tow, but after the whistle failed due to her limited power, the ship's siren was substituted.

Flandre 's return voyage was delayed to allow engineers to repair her engines. Following her return to France, all of her 1952 sailings were cancelled, and she returned to her builders for thorough repairs. Repairs would take six months, and she returned for the 1953 sailing season.

During her French Line career, her passenger configuration changed several times, with the Flandre running on the transatlantic route for nine months out of the year, and three months cruising with her near-sister Antilles . In 1967, she would be withdrawn completely, and was sold to the Italian firm Costa Cruises, who renamed her the Carla C .

The first assignment for the newly-refitted Carla C was a charter for Princess Cruises , which marketed her as the "Princess Carla" (the ship was not renamed).

The ship proved problematic at first, after problems were detected with the boilers . In 1974 and 1975 , Costa replaced the boilers with Stork-Werkspor diesel engines and Carla C was returned to service around the Caribbean, where she served until 1992 . In 1984 , the ship underwent another major refit, to ensure safe travel for its passengers for many years to come. In 1986 , the Carla C was renamed the Carla Costa . No other changes occurred with the name change.

Carla Costa was a common sight on the San Juan ship dock on Saturdays and Sundays during that era, and she travelled to Miami , the Bahamas , Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic , the United States Virgin Islands , St. Maarten and many other Caribbean destinations.

Epirotiki Line

In 1992 , the Carla Costa was sold to the Greek Epirotiki Line , and was renamed Pallas Athena , after the Greek goddess Pallas Athene . For the Epirotiki Line, she ran seven-day cruises from Athens to the Aegean Isles and Turkey. On March 23 , 1994 , Pallas Athena was destroyed by fire , which caused the superstructure and funnel to cave in on themselves. She arrived at the Aliaga Company scrapyards on December 25 , 1994 , one of only two surving French Line ocean liners.

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Share on other sites, ocean spirit.

Thank you so much for the information.

Our very first cruise in 1989 was on the Carla and we loved her

To this day, it was one of our favorite trips.

To a fellow Carla Costa shipmate.... lets sing, ci ci ci Carla Costa ci ci ci! ;)

• 3 weeks later...

zorrosuncle

Greetings -- I have been on the Carla about six times.

Cee Cee Cee CC Cee Cee Cee CC Cee CeeCeeCeeCeeCeeCee!

I guess you know what that means!

:) "Carla Costa"

• 1 year later...

apollobeach

My Parents and a group of their friends on a yearly basis in February

took the Carla C out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. I believe their group

began taking the Carla C on a seven night Caribbean cruise beginning

sometime in the late 1960's (or very early 1970's...uncertain as to

actually beginning and ending dates). They took the Carla C the same week

until sometime in the early 1980's. The Carla C sailed out of San Juan

and if I remember correctly the first full day on board was a sea day.

Then they docked at a ports in Venezuela, Trinidad, Barbados, Martinique

and St. Thomas. Again I am not clear as to the order of these ports.

The last port they docked at was St. Thomas. If I remember correctly,

they left St. Thomas and sailed overnight arriving in San Juan the next day.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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Everything I Ate on my Costa Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review

If you are taking a cruise with Costa you may be wondering what the food will be like. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are all included at no extra cost on a Costa cruise.

I have just disembarked a cruise on the Costa Smeralda and in this post we will look at everything I ate in the main dining room, buffet and room service. Menus are also provided.

I took my first Costa cruise in 2018 and the food quality has increased dramatically in my opinion.

Main Dining Room – Il Meneghino – Included in the Cruise Fare

There was more than one main restaurant. We were assigned Il Meneghino Restaurant on deck 6.

My parents and I had separate cruise bookings and so ended up with separate tables in the same restaurant at the same time. We asked if we were able to sit together, and they were very accommodating.

We were given a temporary table for the first night, then they sent a letter to our cabin with a permanent table number on the next day.

We ate at 5.45pm – the earliest time available. This suited us, as we rarely eat late at home.

There are no fixed dining times for breakfast or lunch. Guests are able to eat in the main dining room whenever it is open for breakfast or lunch.

Menus can be viewed in advance on the Costa Cruises App.

From The Main Restaurants Lunch Time Menu

The main restaurant on Deck 5, The Colombina Restaurant, was sometimes open for lunch.

The menu below shows a typical lunchtime selection :

Buffet – Included In the Cruise Fare

The buffet on the Costa Smeralda was open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner. It was shut in-between times, so consult your daily schedule or Costa Cruise App to check it is open before you visit.

The buffet is called La Sagra dei Sapori, and can be found towards the back of deck 8.

The buffet at dinner time consisted of:

• Mini Pizzas
• Ethnic Corner (Usually Chinese)

The sections would be different for breakfast and lunch.

The above photos are of lunches I had in the buffet. The great thing about the buffet is that you can combine anything that you think looks interesting .

The last photo is of the Costa Mini Pizzas, which were delicious!

Afternoon Snacks in the buffet for us meant Churros!

Everyday from 4pm there were a selection of afternoon snacks in the buffet

Churros became a daily routine, in the absence of my normal cookies .

There was also a good selection of sandwiches, paninis, cakes and desserts.

The Salty Beach – Street Food – Additional Charge Fast Food Restaurant

The Salty Beach snack bar can be found on deck 16, under the dome where the indoor pool is situated.

Here you can order either a meal – burger or toasted Panini with fries and a cake for €5 – or just a burger or toasted Panini for €3.50.

At time of writing, this is around $5.50/£4.50 for the meal, or $3.80/ £3 for just the burger or panini.

The burger and chips meal was huge, and we struggled to eat that – and then there was an included cake too.

Both the burgers and toasted paninis were delicious !

Burgers came in a variety of options, including a veggie burger.

Toasted Paninis had a selection of fillings.

There was a variety of cakes, none of which looked familiar to me. Nice to try something different when on a cruise. Some I liked, some I didn’t…

The food was always cooked to order, so was hot and tasty.

Pummid’Oro Pizzeria – Additional Charge Pizzeria

Pummid’Oro Pizzeria can be found on deck 8, towards the middle of the ship.

They serve a selection of Pizzas, and you pay per item, as in a normal restaurant on land.

The pizzas we chose were €9 and €11.

At time of writing, this is around $10/ £8 for one pizza and $12 / £ 9.70 for the other.

If you are a member of Costa Cruises Loyalty Club, you receive a 25% discount. Worth joining for that alone. Joining the Costa Club itself is totally free.

Other Speciality Restaurants Onboard That I Didn’t Try – Additional Charges Apply to all.

There are many other restaurants onboard that you can try at an extra cost, some formal, some informal. Here is a selection of other options available:

Archipelago Restaurant

This is a gourmet restaurant with menus consisting of 5 courses.

You can choose one of 3 different menus, and these are apparently an interpretation of a route you are travelling around the world! (They serve specialities from different places along the way.)

Costa donates € 5 to the Costa Cruise Foundation for every meal sold In the Archipelago Restaurant. This goes towards Social and Environmental projects.

Teppanyaki Restaurant

Food is served in an Oriental-style environment. Here you ca order Japanese seafood specialties. Restaurant tables are arranged around a large cooking table where the chefs prepare each meal at a time.

The Food Lab

The Food Lab is a “Seaside Cooking School” and specialty restaurant where you can try your hand at making your own dinner creations!

An onboard Sushi Bistro which offers dine-in or takeaway lunch or dinner.

Room Service

Room service is available 24 hours a day, at an extra charge. I never ordered from the room service menu on this cruise.

Check your daily schedule or onboard Costa Cruises App to find the latest details on the additional charges for these alternative restaurants.

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