Costa Voyager
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Launched in 2000 for Royal Olympic, a Greek cruise line that is no longer in operation, Costa Voyager now sails year-round Middle Eastern cruises from Dubai that are particularly popular with European passengers. It’s a ship that’s primarily geared to the needs of adults, though renovations have added some facilities for kids.Read More
The smallest ship in the Costa fleet was built for the now defunct Greek cruise line Royal Olympic and launched in 2000 as Olympic Voyager. After a stint as Grand Voyager in the Spanish cruise line Iberocruceros, the ship was transferred to Costa as a replacement for Costa Allegra to sail chartered cruises tailored for the French market.
Costa Voyager may seem diminutive next to her larger fleetmates, but her interiors don’t suffer from a lack of public rooms that include those expected on a Costa ship—a piano bar, coffee bar, and disco—as well as up-to-date features such as a computer room and hotspots for Wi-Fi use. Originally lacking children’s facilities, this ship now has a club room for junior cruisers.
Europe’s number-one cruise line combines a Continental experience, enticing itineraries, and Italy’s classical design and style with relaxing days and romantic nights at sea. Genoa-based Costa Crociere, parent company of Costa Cruise Lines, had been in the shipping business for more than 100 years and in the passenger business for almost 50 years when it was bought by Airtours and Carnival Corporation in 1997. In 2000 Carnival completed a buyout of the Costa line and began expanding the fleet with larger and more dynamic ships.
An ongoing shipbuilding program has brought Costa ships into the 21st century with innovative large-ship designs that reflect their Italian heritage and style without overlooking the amenities expected by modern cruisers. Acknowledging changing habits (even among Europeans), Costa Cruises has eliminated smoking entirely in dining rooms and show lounges. However, smokers are permitted to light up in designated areas in other public rooms, as well as on the pool deck.
- 6 passenger decks
- Dining room, buffet, pizzeria
- Wi-Fi, safe, refrigerator
- 1 pool
- Fitness classes, gym, hot tubs, sauna, spa, steam room
- 6 bars, casino, dance club, library, show room
- Children’s programs
- Laundry service
- Internet terminal
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
Cabins are quite small but are pleasantly decorated in pastel colors and have adequate closet and drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves. Twelve suites have a wood-and-glass divider separating the sleeping and seating areas, abundant storage, and walk-in closets. They are the only accommodations that have balconies. All categories have a TV, small refrigerator, personal safe, and hair dryer. In addition, suites have butler service and choices from a pillow menu.
Bathroom extras include shampoo and bath gel. Bathrobes are provided for use during the cruise for suite occupants.
None of the accommodations is designed for wheelchair accessibility.
Food & Drink
The main restaurant serves open seating breakfast and lunch; dinner is served in two traditional assigned seatings. Casual meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as pizza, are available in the Lido buffet. The pasta station is always a top choice for lunch or dinner. Costa is one of the few cruise lines to continue the seagoing tradition of midnight buffets. There are no specialty restaurants, but there is a coffee bar. Room service is available 24 hours from a limited menu, but there is a charge.
Entertainment
The main show lounge is suitable for cabaret performances by the resident singers and dancers as well as guest entertainers and Costa’s signature parties, during which the entertainment staff goes into overdrive to encourage passenger participation. There is a quieter and intimate piano bar as well as a disco where the action continues late into the night.
Spa & Fitness
The spa offers a complete menu of treatments including facials, body wraps, and massages, and there are two hot tubs available. Men’s and women’s changing rooms feature complimentary saunas and steam rooms.