Before I took my first Costa cruise, I researched the company’s vessels on the usual review sites and discovered that they tended to rank lower than the British and American ships.
Delving a bit deeper, I noticed that the criticism was coming mostly from Britons and Americans whose main complaint seemed to be the “Italianness” of the Costa offering.
Basically, some people didn’t like the fact that ships flying the Italian flag catered largely for Italians. They didn’t like the fact that English was demoted in onboard annoucements and during entertainment programs to a second, third or even fourth language. And they didn’t like the food, especially the authentic pizza (presumably because it wasn’t like the pizza they had delivered back home.)
I’m glad I dismissed this for what it was — let’s call it xenophobia — and decided to give Costa a try. Now, I must admit I had a few problems adjusting, but now I’m a Pearl Costa Club member with four journeys under my belt. I like hearing other languages around me, like experiencing other traditions and I like the food.
The Costa Diadema is the flagship of the fleet. Although not as big as the likes of the Norwegian Epic, P and O Britannia or any of the new Royal Caribbean ships, it is big, with capacity for 4,947 passengers and 1,253 crew. Despite this, it is elegant, with a lot of stunning artworks (many, sadly, hidden behind perspex and stairway railings), and welcoming.
(The bright decor of the Italian ships can be overwhelming. As one American guest told me: “I quite like it, but I wouldn’t have it at home, of course.”)
Facilities include a 4D cinema, sports and games areas, excellent and well-priced internet access, and seemingly plenty of room for everyone (although I suspect it was not at full capacity).
Checking in at Costa’s beautiful home port of Savona was fairly easy, especially since I was able to claim an earlier check-in because of my Costa Club status.
The mandatory drill was also easier than on previous ships, since the muster points (in common with ships under other flags) are inside rather than on the deck (as they are on Costa Fortuna and Costa Fascinosa).
The main-theatre entertainment program was exactly as I expected. SOng and dance spectaculars including one, unsually for Costa with a live band), paying tribute to songs of yore — mostly English-language hits but also some Italian favourites that many non-Italians will also remember. There was an artistic acrobatic performance and a two-person circus that was fun.
Mid-week saw the traditional White Party, which was a hit with some of the crowd who, presumably, later retreated to the disco.
Many Italians of a certain age like to dance, and just watching them do so can be great fun — as were the professional Spanish dancing displays in the lounge areas. Inevitably, there is a casino.
I spent many of my nights in the Country Rock Club where, again, bands played American and British hits from the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, and I met a few interesting people from across Europe and the UK.
I had a drop or two of German beer in the Birreria Dresden Green. These indulgences (about 5 euro each) were additional to my 25 euro-a-day inclusive package, which supplied my needs for coffee (the Illy offering on Costa ships is wonderful), house wines, basic spirits and draught Carlsberg.
I loved the food — although, on the last day of my trip something did not love me and I had to be treated for, let’s say, a tummy upset. I’ve spent more than 80 nights on ships in the past four years, so I’m not complaining about two days of discomfort (the other was on the Mariner of the Seas).
Every day saw a new menu with fresh options, and traditional Italian pastas and meat dishes for those who aren’t too adventurous.
There is even a “full monty” English breakfast option.
My brief illness meant I missed my free night in the signature restaurant, Club Diadema, but I enjoyed every sitting in my assigned restaurant, Corona Blu. I didn’t get around to sampling the food from the Japanese eatery, Tavola Teppanyaki, but I heard good reports and did catch some of the chefs’ theatrics thorough the window while passing by.
The cabin was probably the best I’ve had at sea in terms of space. Because it was built around an internal staircase, it offered a lot more room that most ocean-view staterooms, and had two large windows to allow me to watch the world go by.Costa does what it does very well. The staff, mostly from Eastern Europe and the Philippines do a great job, I felt warm and welcome, and I saw some wonderful parts of the world (some for the second or third time). See the links below.
Ports in pictures: Marseille, Barcelona, Savona, Palma, La Spezia
Related video: Dancing Diadema
That full english breakfast looks a bit ropy!
That cabin looks more like a land based hotel! I definitely want to try Costa 🙂
We have also just got off the diadema, there were 4 of us in our party and all of us became very ill. The staff finally admitted there was a virus on board …. But did nothing to increase hygiene or insist passengers use the gel dispensers (like other cruise companies do) we were travelling from 15/03 – 22/03 …. If you were on board the same time you must have noticed several people being openly Ill around the ship.
Hi Debbie, I disembarked on March 19, but as they are “rolling” cruises, so were onboard at the same time for a few days. I agree that Costa doesn’t seem to take the use of the hand sanitiser as seriously as other cruise companies. Not just on the Diaema, but on the Fortuna and Fascinosa, the machines are not so numerous or visible, and nobody is esnuring that they are used. Perhaps “seriously” is the wrong word, since Norwegian (NCL) make a game of it, even including the “washy-washy” guys in their crew show. It seems to work. Mind you, norovirus does infect other ships, too, including Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.