Costa Smeralda

Costa Smeralda has the standard array of cabins and suites, all featuring subdued, modern décor.  Standard throughout: queen-size bed (convertible to two single beds), desk with ottoman seat, bathroom with shower, hair dryer, pool towel, 40-inch TV screen (most channels will be European), mini-safe, mini-bar, USB outlet, 110 AC power outlet, telephone. Some cabins are equipped to sleep three or four, with a pull-down berth and/or sofa bed. 

Least expensive options are Interior cabins, which are found throughout the ship and do not have a window—these can be as small as 140 square feet (snug for two).  There are a variety of Sea View cabins with a rectangular window. Sea Balcony cabins start at 146 square feet inside, plus balcony (about 44 square feet), while 106 Sea Terrace units on decks 8 and 9 are larger and have a balcony about twice as deep. Families can spring for the Sea Terrace Premium units, which include an interior covered terrace with day beds (ideal for cool-weather sailings), plus an oversized balcony; these sleep four. There are 28 suites, all located at the four corners of the ship, fore and aft, with wraparound balconies.

As ADA requirements don’t apply to ships not sailing out of the US, information on Costa Smerelda’s accessibility features is somewhat slim. There are special cabins to accommodate those with disabilities, such as no step to get into the bathroom and larger doors to accommodate wheelchairs, and specially equipped cabins can be provided upon request. In addition, Braille markings and inscriptions can be found in elevators and on cabin doors.

Naturally, Italian cuisine is a focus for Smeralda—Costa claims the ship works its way through 500 traditional recipes from across Italy’s 18 regions, and the wine list is thick with bottles from fine Italian vineyards. The menu for the main dining room, located on decks 5, 6 and 7 aft, might be better described as continental, overall. Typical dinner entrées include such daily changing fare as pasta with sardines, lobster au gratin with vegetable tagliatelle, and pork knuckle medallion confit with cous cous. Select gourmet items are available for an upcharge, such as spaghetti with lobster or grilled Piedmontese Fassona tomahawk steak, and portions on these items are quite generous, often suitable for sharing. There is a vegetarian selection, albeit limited.

Breakfasts are similar to what one finds at European resorts, leaning to breads, cereal, fresh fruit, cured meats ranging from Prosciutto di Parma to Calabrian Nduja, and such cheeses as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Fontina, and the “house” made mozzarella. Hot breakfasts are available, including eggs cooked to order, omelets, pancakes, and steak.

The ship’s 11 restaurants include a bustling buffet, La Sagra dei Sapori, located midship on deck 8, which serves three meals through the day. The packed venue can be a bit of a scramble at 9 a.m., but lunchtime is easier on port days, and dinner is modestly attended. Owing to the pandemic, the buffet is not self-serve, and servers pile plates generously.  

Food options with a surcharge include Archipelago, Smeralda’s gourmet venue, with three menus overseen by noted chefs Bruno Barbieri (who directs Costa’s culinary program), Hélène Darroze and Ángel León.  Ristorante LAB (Taste Laboratory) offers cruisers a hands-on cooking experience under the supervision of Costa’s chefs. Less formal, dedicated pizzaiolos prepare delicious Naples-style pies at Pizzeria Pummid’Oro, starting at 7 euros with dessert. The burger and fries combo at the pool grill, a poke bowl option, gelato bar, Nutella bar, sushi bar, and Il Bacaro, which serve Venetian bar snacks called Cicchetti all involve an upcharge of a few euros.  There’s also a Teppanyaki Restaurant, which offers a copious meal alongside an “acrobatic” show by the chef, for 34 to 48 euros per person. Tip: Before boarding download the app and join the Costa Club.  It costs nothing, and membership generates discounts of 15 to 50 percent off many food and drink items.  

Room service is also available 24 hours, and afternoon tea is served at La Sagra dei Sapori daily at 4:30 p.m.

In addition to bar service available in each dining venue, Costa Smeralda has about a dozen standalone bars spread around the ship. The more unique options include the Campari Bar overlooking the Colosseo, which specializes in cocktails made with the bitter aperitif, including molecular creations; an Aperol Spritz bar serving its eponymous drink and Spazio Bollicine a dedicated prosecco bar. Live music percolates at the Mastroianni Grand Bar, Quelli della Notte Jazz Club, and Il Cielo in una Stanza Piano Bar.

Mixed drinks average $9-12, with beer and most wines by the glass priced somewhat less. Drink packages start as low as $22 per day for wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 

The main show lounge at night is Sanremo Theatre, located in the bow on Deck 6. Here, stage shows feature dance performances and guest musicians, and tributes to performers like Michael Jackson; most shows start at 9:00 p.m. or later. Theme parties are held on some evenings, such as the Bollywood evening, and Voice of the Seas is a singing competition in the style of the TV show “The Voice.” The other evening venue is the three-level Colosseo at decks 6, 7 and 8, midship. Equipped with wraparound LED screens, the ship schedule reveals live music, game shows, virtual bands, acrobats each evening, and a deejay spins Euro tunes at other hours.  

You’ll also find a live jazz combo at Quelli della Notte, a piano bar at Il Cielo in una Stanza with live music and singalongs, while the Mastroianni Grand Bar is the main dance floor offering a variety of musical genres. “That’s Amore” sung Michael Bublé-style is typical. The Beach Club pool is used for Silent Disco on some evenings.

By day, the Piazza Trastevere on Deck 8 forward is used for games, quiz challenges, and cultural lectures. Another venue is the open-air Piazza di Spagna on decks 17-18 aft. The airy space is used for all-ages games with the Animation team and light aerobics, exercise and Zumba led by the gym staff. 

Note that much of the ship’s entertainment is conducted in Italian, but the music needs little translation—even the game shows in Italian can be entertaining for non-native speakers. 

The Solemio Spa sprawls across a good piece of Deck 16. The eye-popping facility includes 16 treatment rooms, a hammam, relaxation rooms, a Thalassotherapy pool with swing chairs, a salt room, and a snow room filled with real snow. A wide variety of treatments are available, at prices comparable to most quality resorts.

The Virtus Gym is accessed through the spa entrance and the overall facility is stocked with well-maintained cardio equipment and weights. Some fitness classes are free, while others such as yoga and spinning classes have an added fee.