Costa Cruises

MV CostaRomantica

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Operator: Costa Cruise Lines
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 1993
Length / Tonnage: 718 / 53,700
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 654 / 1,308
Officers / Crew: Italian / International
Operating Area: Winter in the Caribbean, Summer in Europe
Telephone / Fax: Tel 115 2232 / Fax 115 2231

Almost identical to her sister ship COSTA CLASSICA, the newer COSTA ROMANTICA epitomizes the sophistication of Italian design. Like her sister, this ship is "CLASS!" Now sharing top billing for Costa's " Cruising Italian Style" these ships, along with the COSTA VICTORIA, position Costa Cruises in a special and very separate niche. Like the CLASSICA, the ROMANTICA was developed in the design office of shipbuilder Fincantieri under the direction of Claudio Fornasini, the shipowner's technical representative. Responsible for the development of this ship's interiors were the same crew - senior architect Pierluigi Cerri and his assistant Ivana Porfiri of Gregotti Associati of Milan and in the creation of this slightly larger ship they repeated all the basic essentials of the older one.

So the COSTA ROMANTICA shares her sister ship's unique form which generally elicits quite a strong response from any observer. Theirs are stark, modern profiles yet externally, they refer to the look of the traditional ocean liner through the use of such features as circular cabin portholes and a line of deck windows of the public areas separating the cabin decks from the upper decks, reminiscent of the sheltered promenades of the great liners. The original feature of the COSTA CLASSICA's set of three elliptical funnels makes the COSTA ROMANTICA immediately recognizable as one of the two sisters.

Drawn from the original plans of the COSTA CLASSICA, where interiors were conceived with passenger flow in mind, interiors in the COSTA ROMANTICA differ from many cruise ships in the American market by utilizing an overall concept of its decor. Nearly as bold as her sister, yet softer in tone and execution, the COSTA ROMANTICA embodies the best of contemporary Italian Style without falling into the trap of overdecoration. While it is not particularly cozy, there are some very private spots tucked away throughout the public spaces of this ship.

Interior furnishings and lighting were chosen from the best of contemporary Italian designs and the COSTA ROMANTICA differs from her sister ship in the choice of warmer and softer colors and materials. After all, this ship's name is "Romantic" and much of her atmosphere does that name justice. Ten different kinds of marble were used to decorate the interiors of the COSTA ROMANTICA. Yet stone as well as glass, chrome, brass and steel stand backdrop to the refined elegance "Euroluxe" needed to provide. Not everyone likes the bold modernity of this ship's interiors, but I find the COSTA ROMANTICA the most exciting ship I've seen in over thirty years.

Costa Ships are destinations unto themselves, so please forgive this detailed description of ROMANTICA's decor. Besides the trio of funnels, a circular lounge set atop the bridge stands as a signature piece for the COSTA ROMANTICA. After serving as observation lounge by day this room comes alive at midnight as the Diva Disco. As in the CLASSICA, a central feature of this ship is the glass roofed entrance foyer. Soaring to the dramatic height of five decks, this one also incorporates a suspended staircase linking the two uppermost decks and looks down to the centerpiece, a kinetic sculpture in titanium and synthetic fibre by the Japanese artist Susumu Shingu.

All of today's cruise ships must have a show lounge, and the COSTA ROMANTICA is no exception but her L'Opera Theater is perhaps the ship's most spectacular location. It's two decks high and the lower part of its walls are panelled in mahogany bordered by brass, while the upper parts are clad in glass mosaic in blue and gold. An idealized recreation of a Renaissance theatre, this 630 seat theatre is quite an exceptional duplex space.

One of the more suggestive settings is PIAZZA ITALIA, the ship's Main Lounge and Bar. Centrally located on Deck 8 and extending both upwards through five decks and down three, the well at the center overlooks the main foyer and Shingu's artwork. Crossroads of the ship's social life, Piazza Italia's shades of green and blue furnishings soften the coolness of walls and pillars clad in pink marble and Venetian stucco. A very strategically placed room, it has three main attractions: a long and semi-circular bar, the bandstand with its teak dance floor and the suspended central staircase linking this area with the Patisserie, Pizzeria and shopping areas on the deck above. Most importantly, the sofas in this area are dreamily comfortable!

On Deck 9 are more public rooms. Located at the stern and enclosed by glass walls on three sides and in shades of green, the Tango Ballroom seats 320 revelers. Especially eye-catching is the emerald green marble standing as backdrop to the bar at the forward end of the room. Next is the Excelsior Casino. Here arranged in a great circle under a huge deco light fixture are the gaming tables. Walls at the forward end are covered entirely in mosaic from a design by the artist Roberto Sambonet. So deep are the greens and blues in here that some say the room has the distinct atmosphere of an Amazon forest. The COSTA ROMANTICA seemingly lacks for nothing. There are public rooms for all kinds of moods and desires - from pizzas and pastries to cards and books, from business meetings to holy devotions, the COSTA ROMANTICA has a place for that.

Kids traveling with you? Deposit them in the Costa Kids Club youth center and you may forget they're aboard. Same goes for teens who seem to like the Teen Club.

In a very refined atmosphere 756 diners at a time take a meal in the "Botticelli" Restaurant aboard the COSTA ROMANTICA. In white and the palest of tans, it is a stunning room with sidewalls of oversized windows and floor of white Carrara and red Verona marble. Modern yet formal and elegant furnishings and sliding panels painted by eminent scenographers allow the staff to create different atmospheres at will. There are several distinct sections besides the main room, so if noise bothers you, ask for a table in one of the forward wings. Food is the point here, though, and a meal here was memorable for both the wonderful pasta and warm bread.

Casual dining devotees opt for breakfasts and lunches in the Giardino Buffet. An improved version of her sister's "Trattoria", this room is similar in concept and furnished to the same high standard. As is the case on so many ships, Costa vessels among them, the food is frankly better in the Botticelli Restaurant, but the Giardino is popular for its informality and unstructured eating style. (Meaning:if you want dessert first, eat dessert first, no one will notice). This is an indoor/outdoor eatery and a large canvas canopy covers the open-air buffet terrace at the stern for those who enjoy al-fresco dining. Devotees of air conditioning prefer to eat inside. Consider this arrangement another point in the ship's favor - the COSTA ROMANTICA is one of the few ships to offer enough outdoor eating tables. And for those who never get enough, there is Romeo's Pizzeria, an Italian bistro for freshly baked pizza, pasta and caesar salads. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the "Juliet" patisserie, the ship's Viennese Cafe where pastries and an espresso or cappuccino invite you to linger over convivial conversation.

The reason the COSTA ROMANTICA is 3,100 gross tons bigger than the COSTA CLASSICA is a grouping of 24 "panoramic" suites on the lido deck. With floor to ceiling glass walls overlooking the sea, all of these suites have pear wood panelled walls decorated with tapestries. Bathrooms are lined in Portuguese pink marble and fitted with a shower and whirlpool bath. One deck below are ten suites with private balcony and veranda but the suites above are so compelling, most devotees of private decks seem eager to forego their own sunspot for one of the panoramic suites. Fans of luxury accommodations should find the minisuites an especially good value. Don't worry about getting a balcony on this ship because there is so much to her you won't miss a balcony if you don't have one. Suites are serviced by butlers and additional staff, to ensure occupants a high level of coddling.

At 200 square feet, standard outside cabins are among the largest found at sea, but the cabins aboard the competition don't come with the decorative panache exhibited here. All cabins come equipped with luxury linens and have high quality fabrics, teak or cherry wood trim and veneer, television, radio, hair dryer, safe deposit box and 110 volt electricity.

To permit the COSTA ROMANTICA room for those 24 panoramic suites, the Fitness centre with its gymnasium, Beauty Parlour, Sauna and Turkish Baths have been scaled down and repositioned aft of the location they occupy on the COSTA CLASSICA. The spa offers a wide range of beauty treatments at costs ranging from a haircut for about $20 to a full body makeover for some $299 (price subject to change!).

The Capri swimming pool is located aft in a teak panelled ampitheater while amidships is a series of waterfalls terminating in a fountain of blue glass mosaic that stands as backdrop to the main pool.

Like most European cruise operations, the COSTA ROMANTICA does not have the emphasis so common here on a floorshow after dinner. There is one on most nights, but the typical Costa passenger usually wants more participatory and less passive entertainment. Ballroom dancing, parties and tˆtes … tˆtes are more popular here than in corresponding ships. Thus many American observers consider the ship's entertainment weak. But on no other line can passengers enjoy the final night of their cruise dressed in bed sheets for a toga party night.

During the summer season of 1995 28% of all passengers aboard cruise ships in European waters were aboard a Costa ship. In the Caribbean this year, the COSTA ROMANTICA's passenger mix is approximately 80% American and 20% European. In the Mediterranean, passenger mix is about 20% American, 80% European. What European city offers an American such a high percentage of his co-nationals? But keep in mind, if you are uncomfortable in foreign ambiance and don't like to hear other languages, if you wonder what the crew is muttering about, if you fear you will miss out on the best jokes because they are in Italian, if you feel EVERYONE should speak English as a first language, this is not the ship for you.

For the winter 1996-97 season, the COSTA ROMANTICA is cruising the Caribbean on 7 cruises from Miami. After her repositioning cruise to Italy this spring, she will offer twenty five 7 day cruises from Genoa to the western Mediterranean ports. Sails on Sunday for Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma, Barcelona and Marseilles. At affordable rates, Costa Cruise Line offers air/sea/land packages using this ship. Also popular are the ship's two yearly positioning voyages linking the USA and Italy or reverse. Ask your travel agent for details.

Costa Cruise Line discounts frequently and there are bargain rates galore! Keep an eye on the Sunday travel section or ask your travel agent to find out for you. Many travel agents are unfamiliar with Costa so if you want something out of the standardized American cruise market experience, consider Costa.

It's the little things aboard the ROMANTICA that make a Caribbean cruise on her seem as if you've just visited Genoa. The COSTA ROMANTICA features wicker "rocking" chairs outdoors, shaded and comfortable and the perfect place to laze the day away. The pool area's decor mixes nautical themes with Italian design, so though you know you're on a ship, you might also think you are reclining at a fine villa at Portofino. The key to Costa's charm is it's dedication to making you feel as if you are in Europe. The few weaknesses I've found on board are when the line has necessarily conceded to American demands.....hamburgers and hot dogs at lunch, for example. I applaud Costa and its fleet for having an identity...their ships truly stick out of the crowd and cry "Benvenuto"!