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The sight of one of Costa Cruises’ flagship ships, Costa Smeralda, is imposing in the port of Barcelona, the embarkation point for this adventure. It is a giant of up to 20 decks, with more than 2,600 cabins, almost 340 metres long and with capacity for over 6,500 people.
“It’s like a floating city!” exclaims an astonished Yolanda, aged 51, for whom this is her first experience on a ship like this, weighing 200,000 tonnes. Just in case, she has brought seasickness tablets, which she will not need at any point along the route because the rolling of the ship is barely noticeable.
Italian flair
Boarding is quick. The Italian spirit is evident as soon as you step on board in the design and in the names of the areas that bring the ship to life. All the furniture, lighting, fabrics and accessories are made in Italy. Each deck is named after an Italian city or destination: Rome, Venice, Capri, Palermo, Genoa, Milan, Naples or Trieste, among others. Each one pays tribute to its city with its own colours and decorative elements, reinforcing the feeling of travelling through Italy.
The heart of the ship is the Colosseum, a central area where the best shows are staged. At the stern, the Piazza di Spagna is a wide staircase that connects three levels. In this space, which can hold up to 1,800 people, guests gather to enjoy open-air parties and other events that take place during the voyage.
On the balcony of the upper deck, the glass floor makes you feel as if you are flying over the sea. From here you get a panoramic view of Barcelona, which becomes smaller and more distant as the ship begins to sail. It is a seven-day cruise calling at Ibiza, Palermo, Rome, Savona and Marseille before returning to Barcelona. In our case we will only be on board for five days, disembarking at the port of Civitavecchia, the gateway to the Eternal City.
“We’re delighted because everything we could possibly want is here and we’ve come determined to have a great time,” says a group of retired Spanish women, happy to meet more compatriots, who are few and far between on these trips: of the more than 5,000 people travelling on this Costa Smeralda cruise, only 390 are from Spain; most passengers are Italian, followed by French.
“We also have groups coming from China, Japan and even Russia. Their numbers are growing all the time,” says Zarella from Guest Relations. Still at the stern is the Passeggiata Volare walkway, 65 metres above the sea, which offers views of the open sea and the wake trailing behind the ship.
At the front, in the bow, Trastevere Square is a space in which to relax and enjoy music and a cocktail at Il Bacaro, a Venetian-style bar. This Italian atmosphere extends to the cabins as well, decorated with the colours and geometric patterns of the city after which each deck is named.
Fun around the clock
Everything on this ship is designed for the enjoyment and entertainment of its guests, from sunrise to sunset. There are shows and activities aimed at different types of audience, such as pop and hip-hop dance performances, acrobats, video games, themed parties, virtual bands and the talent contest The Voice of the Sea. Its Sanremo theatre turns into a nightclub at night, where whole families dance to the rhythm of the music; for those looking for a different atmosphere, the Quelli della Notte jazz club is another option, with live music.
Gastronomy is also a central part of the cruise experience. Every day there are dishes inspired by the ports of call on the itinerary and a strong emphasis on Italian cuisine. The ship has a wide variety of restaurants with internationally renowned chefs and themed gastronomic spaces. In one of them, the Teppanyaki, diners not only enjoy Japanese cuisine prepared live in front of them but also the chef’s show, juggling spatulas and leading songs that we all end up singing together.
Sport and relaxation
There are plenty of options for those who want to keep in shape. The gym even offers a personal trainer if you wish, and there is a football pitch on the upper deck where younger passengers can show off their ball skills.
During the day, adults and children alike can enjoy the four pools and the AcquaPark, a water park suspended over the Mediterranean with slides that snake along with views of the open sea. If you are not keen on so much hustle and bustle, there is a spa area, with a beauty salon, thalassotherapy pool, snow, salt and relaxation rooms, a hammam and various treatments with massages.
Life on board is just as enjoyable while sailing as it is in port. During the voyage there are Sea Destinations, experiences at sea such as stargazing or watching the sunset off the bay of Ibiza, with music, shows and entertainment. On land, you can go on excursions, with Land Experiences that take you to northern Ibiza to visit the Can Marçà caves at the port of San Miguel, to the island’s capital itself, or in Palermo to visit the city and its catacombs.
It is precisely this combination of sailing, leisure and discovery that explains why, despite the occasional image crises that affect the sector, cruises are more popular than ever. The Costa Smeralda brings together children, young people, adults and retirees in an experience designed for all ages. Yolanda, who boarded feeling a little anxious in case the sea might get the better of her, ends the voyage with a smile. She did not feel seasick once and enjoyed every stopover, the shows and the Italian and international cuisine. She returns home with a great taste in her mouth, a mobile phone full of photos and videos and, she admits with a laugh, a few extra kilos.
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