Costa Smeralda
Excellence class · refurbished 2025 · Mediterranean, Middle East
Costa's flagship and its first ship to use LNG (liquefied natural gas) as fuel. Its approximately 185,000 GT scale includes an 11-deck-high central atrium, water slides, and several specialty restaurants. The onboard design draws on Italy's regions, making it suitable for families and first-time large-ship cruisers. It sails the Mediterranean in summer and is based in Dubai for Middle East cruises in winter 2026-27.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9781889)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Payment in yen not accepted
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
The basic fare 'My Cruise' (includes the cabin, full board meals, and entertainment) has a higher-tier plan that adds the My Drinks drinks package (estimated to have the same fare structure as sister ship Costa Toscana).
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)Draft beer EUR 4.70 (M)/EUR 5.70 (L), bottled beer 33cl EUR 4 each (estimated standard bar prices shared across sister ships)
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and waterSoft drinks such as cola, about €2.5
- Extra chargeDrink packageMy Drinks (including alcohol): about €35/day; My Soft Drinks, with soft drinks only: €27/day; alcohol packages may cost up to about €52/day.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiA purchase plan covering the whole voyage is available (estimated to be at the same level as sister ship Costa Toscana).
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)€10 per person per night (ages 15 and over); ages 4 to 14 pay about half; under age 4 is free (the same company-wide Costa policy as its sister ships)
- Extra chargeLaundryNo self-service laundry. Charges are generally per item (estimated to follow the same Costa common policy as sister ship Costa Toscana).
- Shore excursionsExtra; varies by port
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Savona (Italy)
- Departure ports: Savona, Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Tunis (Tunisia), Palermo (Sicily), Civitavecchia (Italy, near Rome)
- All ages
- Themed on 'Italy's Finest,' it is characterized by luxurious Italian design by the renowned designer Adam D. Tihany. Named after Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), the upscale resort area on Sardinia, it presents a more refined 'Dolce Vita' atmosphere than sister ship Costa Toscana (themed on the Tuscany region). It mainly operates Mediterranean cruises but has also been deployed to the Middle East (UAE and others) in winter; it has been announced that there will be no Middle East deployment in winter 2026-2027.
- Mainly attracts families and couples from southern Europe, including Italy, France, and Spain. Like its sister ships, it generally follows a European format without Japanese-language services or Japanese cuisine.
Equipped with dual-fuel engines fueled by LNG (liquefied natural gas), it appeared at its entry into service in December 2019 as 'the world's second fully LNG-propelled cruise ship and the first from a major cruise company' (Costa's first LNG ship, ahead of sister ship Costa Toscana). Compared with conventional heavy fuel oil, it is designed to cut sulfur oxides to almost zero and to substantially reduce particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and CO2 emissions.
Ship character
- • Family trips
- • First-time cruisers
- • Entertainment-focused travelers
- • Quiet adults-only cruising
- • Travelers requiring Japanese support
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogJapanesenote.com
note.com · Sailed May 18, 2024 · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- ArticleJapanesecruise-mag.com
cruise-mag.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogJapaneseAffiliate links disclosedameblo.jp
ameblo.jp · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- YouTubeEnglish▶ COSTA SMERALDA - Visite du Navire et Cabines - SHIP TOUR / Rundgang
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishFull, Unbiased Review of Costa Smeralda in Dubai (2025) | Owen Places
owenplaces.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
English text in preparation.
Sources
- Officialcostacruises.com
- Secondary sourcecruiseindustrynews.com
- Secondary sourcecruise-arabia.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org (2)
- Secondary sourceblog.cruise.com
- Secondary sourcecruisingjournal.com
- Secondary sourcereportergourmet.com
- Secondary sourcecruisebooking.com
- Secondary sourceporthole.com
- Secondary sourcecruisenation.com
- Secondary sourceplanetcruise.com
- Secondary sourcecruisingjournal.com (2)
- Secondary sourcefamvia.com
- Officialcostacruises.com (2)
- Officialcostacruises.com (3)
- Secondary sourcedisabledcruiseclub.com
- Officialcostacruises.com (4)
- Secondary sourcewallpaper.com
- Secondary sourceblooloop.com
- Secondary sourcetihanydesign.com
- Secondary sourcemaritime-executive.com
- Secondary sourceoggiabordo.com
- Secondary sourcecostacrociere.it
- Secondary sourcecruiseshipparadise.home.blog
- Secondary sourcecruisetotravel.com
Source: Wikipedia “Costa Smeralda (ship)”, “Excellence-class cruise ship” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interior (IC/IP) The largest category, with 788 of the ship's more than 2,600 rooms: standard windowless cabins. The 15 m² design matches sister ship Costa Toscana. 788 cabins / Decks 4–5, 8–12, and 14–17 | 15 m² (161 ft²) | Maximum 4 people Twin beds (convertible to king size); a sofa or Pullman-style bed accommodates the 3rd and 4th guests | Check the official page | |
Oceanview (EC/EP) Cabins with large fixed windows. They have no balcony, but at 23 m² they are more spacious than balcony cabins. The sister ship has the same number: 168. 168 cabins / Decks 4–5 | 23 m² (248 ft²) | Maximum 4 people Twin beds (convertible to king size). | Window | Check the official page |
Balcony (BC/BP) The main category and largest by number, with 1,522 rooms, nearly the same as sister ship Costa Toscana (1,534 rooms). Includes a private balcony (approximately 4 m²). 1,522 cabins / Decks 5, 8–12, and 14–17 | 19 m² (205 ft²) | Maximum 4 people Twin beds (convertible to queen size) + sofa bed. | Balcony | Check the official page |
Terrace Suite (TC/TP) The cabin is the same 19 m² as a balcony cabin, but this intermediate grade features a larger step-out balcony (approximately 8 m²) with furnished patio seating. The sister ship has the same number: 106. 106 cabins / Decks 8–9 | 19 m² (205 ft²) | Maximum 4 people Twin beds (convertible to king size) + sofa bed. | Balcony | Check the official page |
Aft-Facing Balcony Suite (S) A stern-side suite with 27 m² plus a 5 m² balcony. Only 14 rooms are available, fewer than the 20 on sister ship Costa Toscana, making this a rarer category. 14 cabins / Decks 8–15 (mostly toward the stern) | 27 m² (291 ft²) | Maximum 4 people Twin beds (convertible to king size) + sofa bed. | BalconyConcierge | Check the official page |
Forward-Facing Grand Suite (GS) The highest grade onboard, with only 8 forward-facing grand suites. Each has a 33 m² living area and a 9 m² wraparound balcony, with the same design, size, and number of rooms as sister ship Costa Toscana. 8 cabins / Decks 9, 11, 12, and 17 (toward the bow) | 33 m² (355 ft²) | Maximum 4 people King bed (convertible from twin beds) + living room sofa bed. | BalconyConcierge | Check the official page |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Squok Club — A free kids club divided by age into Mini (ages 3-6) and Maxi (ages 7-11), with a dedicated play area for children aged 6 months to 6 years and their parents.
- • Baby Club / Servizio Tata — Extended and private childcare services provided by dedicated nannies. Assumed to use the same Costa program as sister ship Costa Toscana.
- • Casino — A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and more.
- Onboard currency
- EUR
- Gratuities
- The service charge (gratuity) is not included in the fare. Instead, a fixed amount per night is automatically added to the onboard account after boarding. It applies uniformly to all ships and all guests regardless of fare type (Basic/Comfort-type/Deluxe), and guests are not expected to reduce or remove it at their discretion.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Mainly 220V (depending on the ship, some are a mix supporting 110-220V/60Hz). Japanese devices that are 100V-only may not be usable without a transformer, so please check.
- Formal nights
- The number of gala nights roughly scales with cruise length: about 1 on a 3 to 4 night cruise, 2 on a 7-night cruise and 3 on a 10-night cruise. On Mediterranean cruises, 1 to 2 is typical.
- Medical facilities
- There is a medical center staffed by doctors and nurses, available 24 hours for emergencies. Consultations and treatment are not free and are charged to your onboard account each time (travel insurance generally cannot be used directly at the counter, and costs are usually claimed afterward). An exact Costa-specific fee schedule could not be confirmed from public information.
- Bringing items onboard
- Bringing alcohol on board is prohibited in principle, whether at embarkation or at ports of call, and anything found in X-ray screening is confiscated until the end of the cruise. Wine and champagne may be allowed only if approved by prior application, in which case a corkage fee of €10 per bottle is charged. Alcohol purchased at ports of call or in the onboard duty-free shops is also held until the end of the cruise (effectively confiscated).
- Mobile and connectivity
- The EU "free roaming" rule applies only on land, such as at ports of call. If your phone connects to the ship's maritime network at sea, expensive maritime roaming charges outside the scope of the regulation (both calls and data are far higher than usual) apply, so the practical standard approach at sea is to put your phone offline or in airplane mode and use Costa's onboard Wi-Fi package or an eSIM.
Dining
Four main dining rooms spread across Decks 5–7. Their names reference masked characters from Commedia dell’arte (Arlecchino = the jester Harlequin, Meneghino = a Milanese mask, Rugantino = a Roman mask, Colombina = a female jester), differing from sister ship Costa Toscana, whose five venues are named after places in Tuscany. The Arlecchino interior, designed by Jeffrey Beers to resemble an Italian mansion, is among the venues serving menus supervised by chef Bruno Barbieri.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (hours vary by room)
Large buffet with the same brand as sister ship Costa Toscana, organized into stations for pasta, grilled dishes, cheese, and more.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
A paid pizzeria from the same brand as sister ship Costa Toscana. Handmade pizzas are reported to start at about $10 (approximately €9) each.
- MargheritaAbout €9 (Costa Club member discount available)
- Specialty pizzas (mozzarella di bufala, etc.)About €15
Top fine-dining venue onboard, themed around the sea and supervised by renowned chefs including Ángel León, Hélène Darroze, and Bruno Barbieri. Priced at €55, higher than the €49 price on sister ship Costa Toscana.
- Tasting menu (5 dishes, choose 1 of 3 chefs)€55
- Molecular cuisine special (nitrogen-sealed bubble preparation)Included in course
Three menus are offered: Chef’s Teppanyaki (two appetizer and two main-course choices), Classic Teppanyaki (house starter + red grouper/salmon + squid + chicken), and Vegetarian Teppanyaki (tofu teriyaki and okonomiyaki). More specific menu details were confirmed than for the sister ship.
- Classic teppanyaki (appetizer + grilled grouper or salmon, squid, and chicken)Course-based pricing
- Vegetarian teppanyaki (seasonal vegetables, teriyaki tofu, okonomiyaki)Course-based pricing
Paid sushi restaurant under the same brand as sister ship Costa Toscana. A poke bowl menu is also available.
- All-you-can-eat plan€15 (estimated to be comparable to sister ships)
- Takeaway box€10 (same as above)
Specialty shop for Italian gelato and chocolate made onboard every day. Also includes a Nutella bar.
- CrepesAbout €4 (estimated to be comparable to sister ships)
Facilities and activities
An activity deck on Deck 16 with water slides and a splash zone.
A high ropes course and mini-golf course on Deck 16. A Costa Smeralda facility not confirmed in data for sister ship Costa Toscana.
Several outdoor pools, plus a separate adults-only pool and solarium area on the upper deck, as on the sister ship.
A free kids club divided by age into Mini (ages 3-6) and Maxi (ages 7-11), with a dedicated play area for children aged 6 months to 6 years and their parents.
Extended and private childcare services provided by dedicated nannies. Assumed to use the same Costa program as sister ship Costa Toscana.
A wellness facility with 16 treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool with swing chairs, a hammam (Turkish steam bath), a salt room, and a snow room using real snow. More detailed specifications were confirmed than for sister ship Costa Toscana (treatment room count unknown; artificial snow).
A fitness gym equipped with Technogym machines.
A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and more.
A three-deck atrium and theater with walls and a dome covered by LED screens, creating a signature venue also carried over to sister ship Costa Toscana.
A smaller main show lounge than the Colosseum, named after the Sanremo Music Festival and hosting theatrical shows and revues (a venue with the same name was not confirmed in Costa Toscana data).
Bars and lounges located throughout the ship. Drinks are charged separately (assumed to have a standard bar menu at the same level as the sister ship).
Opened on Costa Smeralda in December 2019 as the world's first Sea Design Museum (the original version, predating the CoDe Museum on sister ship Costa Toscana). Located on Deck 7, it covers about 500 square meters and displays more than 470 items. Supervised by former Politecnico di Milano professor Matteo Vercelloni, with the space designed by designer Adam D. Tihany. The theme is Italian masterpieces, including full-size vehicles such as Vespas and Lambrettas, as well as notable furniture and fashion.