Discover the Costa Smeralda: Italy's Finest at Sea
Named after Sardinia’s breathtaking Emerald Coast, the Costa Smeralda is a stunning flagship of the Costa Cruises fleet. Launched in 2019 as the first vessel in the Excellence (Helios) class, this spectacular 185,000-ton cruise ship was designed to be a floating tribute to the warmth, style, and hospitality of Italy.
Whether you are looking for a vibrant family vacation, a romantic Mediterranean getaway, or world-class gastronomy, the Costa Smeralda offers an unforgettable experience wrapped in authentic Italian design.
Technical Specifications
To understand the sheer scale and capability of this magnificent vessel, here are the core facts:
185,010 GT
Gross Tonnage
2019
Year Built
6,554 Maximum
Passenger Capacity
1,678
Crew Size
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Home Port
Pioneering Sustainable Cruising with LNG
The Costa Smeralda is not just beautiful; it is also an environmental pioneer. It is one of the world's first cruise ships to be fully powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This advanced dual-fuel technology drastically reduces the ship's carbon footprint, virtually eliminating sulfur dioxide emissions and significantly lowering nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. When you sail on the Smeralda, you are experiencing the future of sustainable, green cruising.
Onboard Highlights & Entertainment
Costa Smeralda
Designed under the creative direction of renowned architect Adam D. Tihany, every deck of the Costa Smeralda represents a famous Italian city, from Palermo to Bellagio.
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The Colosseo: The true heart of the ship. Spanning three decks, this vibrant piazza-style atrium features giant LED screens, glamorous lounge bars, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering spectacular ocean views while you enjoy acrobatics and live music.
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Passeggiata Volare: For the brave, this glass-bottomed walkway is located at the highest point of the ship, offering panoramic views of the sea directly beneath your feet.
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CoDe (Costa Design Museum): A 4,300-square-foot onboard museum dedicated entirely to the excellence of Italian design, featuring fashion, transport, and homeware.
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Aqua Park Smeralda: A fantastic space for adrenaline seekers and families, featuring twisting waterslides and splash zones.
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Solemio Wellness Center: A sprawling spa offering a thalassotherapy pool, a snow room, a salt room, a hammam, and a wide variety of rejuvenating treatments.
Costa Smeralda The Colosseo
World-Class Dining Options
With 11 distinct restaurants and 19 bars and lounges onboard, culinary exploration is a major part of the Costa Smeralda experience.
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Archipelago: An innovative fine-dining venue featuring exclusive menus created by three world-renowned, Michelin-starred chefs.
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Pummid'Oro Pizzeria: Authentic, wood-fired Italian pizza made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including mozzarella made right on board.
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Food LAB: An interactive seaside cooking school where you can learn to roll sushi, craft perfect aperitifs, or cook classic dishes alongside Costa's expert chefs.
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Casual & Specialty Bites: Grab authentic Japanese dishes at Sushino, enjoy sweet treats at the Nutella at Costa cafe, or experience the lively, interactive dining of the Teppanyaki restaurant.
Costa Smeralda Archipelago
Modern, Italian-Designed Staterooms
The accommodations on the Costa Smeralda were designed by the Milan-based firm Dordoni Architetti, with custom furniture from Italy's top manufacturers. The ship features standard inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins, alongside luxurious suites.
A standout feature of this ship is the Terrace Suite (Sea Balcony) category. These innovative staterooms include a beautiful winter garden annex leading out to a private balcony, giving you a private oasis to enjoy a sunrise breakfast or an evening cocktail.
The Ultimate Guide to Costa Smeralda Cabins and Suites
When booking a cruise on the beautiful Costa Smeralda, choosing the right stateroom is crucial to your experience. Designed by the Milan-based firm Dordoni Architetti, all 2,612 cabins on this massive Excellence-class ship feature bespoke Italian furnishings, smart TVs, and decor that matches the distinct Italian city theme of each deck.
Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly inside stateroom, an innovative Terrace Suite, or the sheer luxury of a Grand Suite, this guide breaks down every cabin category on the Costa Smeralda to help you choose the best room for your vacation.
Understanding the "Classic" vs. "Premium" Cabin Tiers
Before diving into the room types, it is important to understand Costa’s pricing tiers, which apply to Inside, Ocean View, and standard Balcony cabins:
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Classic Cabins: These are typically located on the lower decks or at the extreme forward and aft of the ship. They offer standard amenities, including 24-hour room service (for an extra fee) and a thermostat-controlled environment.
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Premium Cabins: Located in the most desirable mid-ship areas and higher decks. Guests booking Premium cabins enjoy extra perks, such as free continental breakfast delivered to the room (upon request), complimentary 24-hour room service, and a 10% discount on a future Costa cruise.
Costa Smeralda Inside
Costa Smeralda
Insider Secrets for Sailing the Costa Smeralda
The Costa Smeralda is a massive, bustling ship with a distinct European flair. To help you navigate this mega-ship like a seasoned pro, here are some insider hacks and tips you won't find in the official brochure.
1. The "Free Water" Hack
Unlike many American cruise lines where water and basic coffee are available 24/7, the Costa Smeralda turns off the buffet beverage machines outside of designated meal times. If you want a drink between meals and do not have a beverage package, you will be directed to a bar to purchase water by the glass.
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Insider Tip: Pack a high-quality reusable thermos or water bottle. Fill it up at the buffet stations during breakfast or lunch so you have free, cold hydration in your cabin or by the pool all afternoon.
2. Skip the Buffet; Use the MDR for Breakfast
The Costa Smeralda holds over 6,000 passengers, but its primary buffet on Deck 8 is surprisingly small for the ship's capacity. During peak breakfast and lunch hours, finding a table can be a challenge.
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Insider Tip: Head to one of the Main Dining Rooms (MDRs) like Il Rugantino or La Colombina. They are open for breakfast and lunch, offering a much calmer, sit-down atmosphere. Furthermore, use the Costa App on your phone—it features a live crowd tracker that tells you exactly how busy each dining venue is at any given moment.
3. Embrace the "Late Night" Italian Schedule
Because Costa caters heavily to a European, and specifically Italian, demographic, the ship operates on Mediterranean time. If you are used to finishing dinner by 7:00 PM and watching a show at 8:30 PM, you will need to adjust your internal clock.
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Insider Tip: The real energy on the Costa Smeralda doesn't peak until late. The main deck parties and nightclub events often don't truly kick off until 11:00 PM or 11:30 PM. Do as the locals do: enjoy a leisurely, late dinner, and take a mid-afternoon nap so you have the energy to enjoy the spectacular nightlife.
4. Beware the "Glass Wall" Bathroom
If you are booking a budget-friendly Inside Cabin, be aware of a unique design quirk: the bathroom is separated from the main living space by a glass wall covered by a curtain, rather than a solid wall and door.
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Insider Tip: These cabins lack a dedicated nightlight. If you get up to use the restroom in the middle of the night and turn the main bathroom switch on, the light will bleed around the curtain and illuminate the entire cabin. Pack a small, battery-operated magnetic nightlight to stick to the bathroom wall so you don't wake up your cabin mates.
5. Have a Backup Plan for Shore Excursions
While the ship is highly international, the primary language onboard is Italian. When booking official Costa shore excursions, the tours are divided by language.
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Insider Tip: If there are not enough English-speaking passengers signed up for a specific English-guided tour, the ship may cancel that specific language group at the last minute. Because the Smeralda visits highly walkable ports like Barcelona, Marseille, and Naples, have a DIY backup plan ready, or consider booking third-party excursions in advance to guarantee an English-speaking guide.
6. The Solo Traveler Advantage
If you are cruising alone, the Costa Smeralda is one of the best-kept secrets in the industry. While many major cruise lines penalize solo travelers with a 100% "solo supplement" (forcing you to pay double), Costa is famous for heavily reducing or even waiving these fees on select sailings.
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Insider Tip: Keep an eye out for off-season Mediterranean itineraries. You can often secure a standard cabin on the Smeralda for just a fraction more than the per-person double occupancy rate.
