Italian Style · Mediterranean Spirit · Worldwide Voyages

Costa Cruises

Discover the joy of Italian cruising with Costa – where la dolce vita meets the open sea, vibrant entertainment, and authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

A large cruise ship sailing across the ocean during a vibrant, dramatic sunset with orange and purple clouds. The ship is illuminated against the stunning sky, creating a majestic maritime scene.

Italian Cruising at Its Finest

Founded in 1948 in Genoa, Italy, Costa Cruises is one of the leading cruise lines in Europe and a beloved name worldwide. As part of the Carnival Corporation family, Costa infuses every voyage with genuine Italian spirit. With a modern fleet of stunning ships, Costa offers a unique blend of Italian hospitality, exceptional dining, exciting entertainment, and beautiful destinations – all at outstanding value. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveller, Costa delivers an experience that feels distinctly, wonderfully Italian.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Costa Cruises – Contemporary, Italian-Inspired Cruising

Fleet: 5 modern ships carrying approximately 2,000–6,600 guests each

Destinations: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, South America, Middle East, Asia, and world cruises

Service: Warm Italian hospitality with international flair and attentive crew

Signature Feature: Authentic Italian design, cuisine by world-class chefs, and an energetic, social atmosphere that brings la dolce vita to sea

  • Full-board dining across multiple restaurants and buffet venues
  • Entertainment and live shows nightly
  • Pool areas, fitness centre, and sports facilities
  • Kids’ and teens’ clubs (Squok Club and teen zones)
  • Access to spa and wellness areas (treatments at additional cost)
  • Port talks and destination enrichment programmes

Beverage packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and spa treatments available as upgrades. All-inclusive packages available for added value.

  • Authentic Italian cuisine crafted with regional recipes and fresh ingredients – a culinary experience you won’t find on any other cruise line
  • Vibrant, social atmosphere with themed parties, Italian piazza-style gathering spaces, and spectacular entertainment
  • Outstanding value for families with complimentary kids’ clubs and family-friendly cabins
  • Extensive Mediterranean and European itineraries with deep knowledge of European ports

Main Restaurant: Elegant multi-course Italian and international dining with open and fixed seating options

Lido Buffet: Casual dining with a wide variety of international and Italian dishes throughout the day

Specialty Restaurants: Premium dining experiences including teppanyaki, steakhouse, and seafood options (surcharge applies)

Pizzeria: Authentic wood-fired style pizza – a Costa signature, complimentary for all guests

Gelato Bar: Handcrafted Italian gelato made fresh daily

Costa’s culinary philosophy celebrates regional Italian traditions, with menus designed in collaboration with renowned Italian chefs and featuring dishes inspired by the destinations you visit.

Costa Cruises is a wonderful choice for families. The Squok Club offers age-appropriate activities for children ages 3–17, divided into dedicated groups so every child has an engaging experience. From creative workshops and treasure hunts for little ones to gaming zones and social events for teens, there’s never a dull moment.

Family-friendly cabins and connecting staterooms make it easy to keep everyone together, and Costa frequently offers special kids-sail-free promotions. Multi-generational families will love the variety of activities, dining options, and entertainment that appeal to every age group.

Our expert advisors at Cruise Help can help you choose the perfect ship and cabin configuration for your family — we’ve been there and we know exactly which options work best.

At a Glance

Italian Cruising

Great Value

La dolce vita at an outstanding rate

  • Authentic Italian cuisine & dining
  • Vibrant entertainment & nightlife
  • Family-friendly with kids’ clubs
  • Mediterranean & worldwide itineraries
  • Italian-designed ships & interiors
  • All-inclusive packages available
  • Complimentary pizzeria & gelato

Upgrade packages available for added value

Explore

Discover Costa

A large modern cruise ship sailing across a serene, expansive ocean under a cloudy sky. The vessel leaves a distinct wake behind it, creating a striking contrast against the smooth, blue water.

A Taste of Italy at Sea

Food is at the heart of every Costa cruise. Their culinary program is built on authentic Italian traditions, with menus crafted in collaboration with renowned Italian chefs. From the elegant main restaurant offering multi-course dinners with regional Italian specialties, to the beloved complimentary pizzeria serving wood-fired style pizza throughout the day, every meal is a celebration. The gelato bar serves handcrafted Italian gelato daily, and specialty restaurants offer elevated experiences for those special evenings. It’s not just dining – it’s a journey through Italy’s culinary regions, right from your table at sea.

Entertainment & Onboard Life

Costa brings the energy and passion of Italy to life every evening with spectacular theatrical productions, live music, and themed deck parties. The ships feature grand atriums inspired by Italian piazzas – perfect gathering spots where guests mingle, enjoy a cappuccino, and soak in the social atmosphere. From casino nights and dance classes to poolside festivals and late-night DJ sets, there’s always something happening on a Costa ship. It’s a lively, joyful atmosphere that’s uniquely Italian – relaxed during the day, electric at night.

A large white and yellow Costa cruise ship sailing across a calm, deep blue ocean, showcasing the vessel's sleek design and impressive size.
A large white cruise ship with yellow and white color scheme sailing across a serene, flat blue ocean under an overcast sky. The vessel appears to be a modern, sleek cruise liner with multiple decks and balconies.

Destinations That Inspire

Costa Cruises is the undisputed expert when it comes to Mediterranean cruising. With Italian roots stretching back over 75 years, no one knows these waters better. Sail the Western Mediterranean to Barcelona, Marseille, and the Amalfi Coast, or explore the Eastern Mediterranean gems of Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. Beyond Europe, Costa takes you to the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. They also offer grand world cruises for those who want the ultimate voyage. Wherever you choose to go, Costa’s deep European heritage means you’ll experience each port with an authentically Italian perspective.

Experience

The Costa Experience

Authentic Italian Cuisine

Costa’s kitchens are run by top Italian chefs who bring regional traditions to your plate. Complimentary pizza and freshly made gelato are available daily, while the main restaurants and specialty venues take you on a tour of Italy’s diverse food culture.

Vibrant Entertainment

Think grand theatre shows one evening, a lively deck party the next, and live music drifting through the Italian piazza-style social spaces in between. On a Costa ship, the energy never stops.

Mediterranean Experts

More than 75 years of sailing from Italian home ports gives Costa an unrivalled understanding of the Mediterranean. They also venture further afield to the Caribbean, South America, and Asia, always bringing that European perspective to every port of call.

Ships

Our Fleet

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Cruises is the only major cruise line with authentic Italian heritage, founded in Genoa in 1948. This Italian DNA permeates every aspect of the experience – from the cuisine and design to the warm, social atmosphere onboard. Costa ships feature Italian-designed interiors, regionally inspired menus crafted with renowned Italian chefs, and an energetic, convivial ambience that feels like a floating Italian piazza. If you love Italian culture, food, and warmth, there’s truly nothing else like it at sea.

A standard Costa fare includes your stateroom, full-board dining in the main restaurant and buffet, complimentary pizza and gelato, entertainment and shows, kids’ and teens’ clubs, pool and fitness facilities, and port talks. Costa also offers all-inclusive upgrade packages that add beverage packages, specialty dining credits, Wi-Fi, and shore excursion credits for outstanding value. When you book through Cruise Help, you benefit from our exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no booking fees – ever.

Absolutely! Costa is one of the best cruise lines for families in Europe. The Squok Club offers supervised, age-appropriate activities for children ages 3–17, with separate groups for different age ranges. Family-friendly cabins and connecting staterooms are available, and Costa frequently runs kids-sail-free promotions. Multi-generational families love the variety of dining, entertainment, and activities that appeal to every age group. Our expert advisors can help you find the perfect ship and cabin configuration for your family.

Costa offers a range of stateroom categories to suit every budget and preference. Options include Interior cabins (cozy and great value), Ocean View cabins with a porthole or window, Balcony cabins with your own private veranda, and Suites for a premium experience with extra space and perks. Many ships also feature family cabins and connecting rooms. Our advisors know the deck plans inside and out – we can recommend the best cabin location for your needs, whether you’re looking for a quiet spot or easy access to the pool.

Costa is the Mediterranean cruise specialist, offering extensive itineraries throughout the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. Beyond Europe, Costa sails to the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. They also offer extended world cruises for those seeking the ultimate voyage. Costa’s deep knowledge of European ports means you’ll enjoy thoughtfully crafted itineraries with authentic local experiences at every destination.

Costa offers a wonderful variety of dining options. The main restaurant serves elegant multi-course Italian and international cuisine with both open and fixed seating. The Lido buffet provides casual, all-day dining with a wide selection. The complimentary pizzeria serves authentic wood-fired style pizza – a Costa signature beloved by guests. Specialty restaurants (available for a surcharge) offer elevated experiences like teppanyaki, steakhouse, and seafood. And don’t miss the gelato bar for handcrafted Italian gelato made fresh daily.

Costa maintains a relaxed yet elegant approach to dress code. Most evenings are casual smart, meaning neat, comfortable attire suitable for a nice restaurant. Select evenings are designated as gala nights, where guests are invited to dress up — cocktail attire for women and jackets for men are welcomed but not strictly required. During the day, resort casual attire is perfect for dining and activities. The atmosphere is friendly and approachable, with an Italian flair.

Yes! The Costa Club rewards repeat guests with a tiered loyalty program. As you cruise more with Costa, you advance through membership levels and unlock increasing benefits including onboard credits, cabin upgrades, priority boarding, exclusive events, and discounts on future cruises. Our advisors at Cruise Help can help you understand how to maximise your loyalty status and benefits across your Costa voyages.

Costa Cruises offers exceptional value, especially for Mediterranean and European itineraries. Their fares are competitively priced, and when you add their all-inclusive upgrade packages, the overall value is outstanding. When you book Costa through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares – with just one room. Plus, our weekly price monitoring means if the price drops after you book, we automatically adjust your rate. And we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees.

Costa is known for vibrant, Italian-inspired entertainment. Expect spectacular theatrical productions in state-of-the-art theatres, live music throughout the ship, themed deck parties, and social events that bring guests together. The ships feature Italian piazza-style atriums — central gathering places perfect for people-watching, enjoying a coffee, or dancing the night away. From casino nights to cooking classes, trivia to dance lessons, there’s always something engaging happening onboard.

When you book Costa through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares – with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors – led by a founder with 13 years of real cruise ship experience – provides personalised cabin selection advice, itinerary planning, and loyalty programme strategy. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees – ever. With 365-day support, you’re never on your own from the moment you inquire to the moment you disembark.

Get Started

Ready for La Dolce Vita at Sea?

Experience the genuine joy of Italian cruising with Costa. When you’re ready to explore the Mediterranean and beyond with authentic Italian style, speak with our expert advisors at Cruise Help. With exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees – ever – your perfect Costa cruise starts with us!