Costa Cruises hasn't gone too far out on a limb with its latest and largest ship, the Costa Diadema. But the self-proclaimed "Queen of the Mediterranean" does represent a subtle evolution of the product.
Diadema (an Italian word for tiara) isn't a game changer or a departure from form. Its single perpendicular funnel, with its blue C against a canary yellow background, marks it as part of the Costa fleet.
The ship's basic design mimics that of the Carnival Magic, Dream and Breeze, produced for sister line Carnival Cruise Line.
But wait. What's that near the funnel? A pirate's ship and castle, part of a cool two-story playground and waterpark for kids on an expanded upper deck that also includes more room for sports and sunbathing.
More from the Costa Diadema
Also toward the top of the 132,500-gross-ton Diadema, the largest of Costa's 16 ships, is an extra deck that accommodates Costa's first spa-class cabins: 141 staterooms on Decks 11 and 12 adjoining the 67,000-square-foot, four-story Samsara spa.
Guests traveling in a Samsara cabin can also dine in their own wellness restaurant, which features low-calorie, healthy meals. Priority in seating is given to Samsara guests.
A 1,640-foot promenade, the longest in Costa's fleet, encircles Deck 5 and measures 16 feet across and up to 26 feet wide in the areas where six cabanas and two whirlpool tubs are located.
The cabanas are semi-enclosed and serve as an extension of the public room adjacent to each. Six bars and restaurants feature outdoor seating areas in the cabanas, and both the cabanas and whirlpool tubs extend out from the side of the ship, creating the sensation of being suspended over the sea.
Inside, there is a beer hall serving eight varieties of European draft beer. The Birreria Dresden Green spans two decks with a spiral staircase and also features live entertainment in the style of a Munich beer garden.
Other bars include Vinoteca Gran Duca di Toscana, a wine bar, and Bar Bollicene, which offers a selection of prosecco sparkling wines along with classic aperitifs to quaff before dinner.
Costa's dinner menu is organized in the classic Italian fashion, with first and second courses sandwiched between appetizers and desserts. The pasta dishes, as one would expect, stand out among the menu offerings.
At dinner I skipped dessert to save room for gelato; Costa's version was the best I've experienced on a cruise ship. Another hit with passengers were the dessert crepes made with Nutella hazelnut spread or other sweet toppings, such as banana or strawberry.
The Diadema’s central pool, edged with water sofas, is covered by a movable roof. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Among the nicest areas on the Diadema is the central pool, which is covered by a movable roof, an essential feature in the Mediterranean winter months. It is edged with water sofas in a shallow rim around the deeper pool area and serves in the morning as a lido area for breakfast that I found pleasant because of its spaciousness.
In addition to the new children's water play area, Diadema has a Grand Prix race car simulator, a laser maze called Star Laser and a 4-D Cinema, which all cost extra to use.
Shoppers may thrill to the Diadema's Galleria Shops, the largest collection on a Costa ship, with many choices for jewelry and watches. The store section is strategically positioned on Deck 4 on the way to the Fiorentino main dining room.
The layout of Diadema is a bit challenging. Through traffic on Deck 3 between two dining rooms, for example, is blocked by a galley that requires guests to go up a floor to pass between them. The ship's deck maps are hard to scan, as are signs that mass a large number of room names in a variety of fonts in a small panel.
Interiors on the ship are full of smooth surfaces, with wavy designs and mother of pearl decorations. There is no overall theme, according to Joe Farcus, who has designed Costa ships since 2000 but has said the Diadema is likely the last in his 35-year career.
Americans will be familiar with Farcus' work designing many of the early Carnival ships. There is less theme park influence on Costa ships, but his touch is evident in features like the pulsing blue/green hemispheres that line the atrium of the main elevator bank or the frosted spherical lights found throughout the ship that rotate through the colors of the rainbow.
Costa has emphasized its Italian heritage through a new advertising slogan, "Italy's Finest." Although it has been owned by Carnival Corp. since 2000, the Genoa-based line has been carrying passengers in Italy since 1947 and handles six out of 10 cruises sold in Italy, according to President Neil Palomba.
In its marketing in North America, Costa targets passengers looking for a European-style experience. "It is the largest cruise market in the world," Palomba said. "Of course it is very important and fundamental to Costa."