Costa Smeralda
Large without feeling impersonal, this LNG-powered flagship frames its public life around three standout signatures: the three-deck Colosseo, the dramatic Piazza di Spagna, and the sea-facing Solemio Spa. In daily use, Costa Smeralda feels shaped less by sheer size than by how these spaces guide the flow of the ship, from open-air views to quieter wellness corners. The result is an Italian-minded vessel with a contemporary profile and a clear identity of its own. It suits guests who enjoy striking design, generous outdoor areas, and a ship whose most memorable moments often come from simply moving through it.
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Costa Smeralda Ship Facts
Class: Excellence Class
Entered Service: 2019
Gross Tonnage: ~185,000 GT
Length: ~337 m / 1,106 ft
Beam (max): ~42 m / 138 ft
Guests: 5,224 (double)
Crew: ~1,646
Decks: 20 total
Signature Features: Beach Club, Bellavista Restaurant, CoDe Museum, Pasticceria
Itinerary Style: Western Mediterranean sailings connect marquee ports in Italy, France, and Spain in a polished weeklong circuit with broad mainstream appeal.
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Onboard Experience
Accommodation
Accommodation leans contemporary and practical, with 1,550 balcony cabins giving the ship a strong outward-facing character and plenty of options for guests who value private sea views. Suites raise the comfort level with more room to spread out, while the customisable minibar, a detail Costa reserves for this ship and Costa Toscana, adds a more tailored feel. The result is polished rather than extravagant, with everyday usability kept in focus neatly.Dining
Dining shifts between modern specialty options and familiar comfort without losing its Italian thread. On Costa Smeralda, Archipelago gives dinner a more curated tone through menus linked to acclaimed chefs, while Sushino at Costa introduces a distinct sushi-bistro counterpoint to the restaurant mix. That pairing helps the ship move gracefully from longer evening meals to lighter, quicker choices, keeping variety visible without making the dining plan feel scattered or forced.Bars & Lounges
Bars and lounges keep the social flow varied by giving different corners of the ship their own tempo instead of repeating one generic cruise-bar formula. The Aperol Spritz Bar leans bright, casual, and unmistakably Italian, ideal for an pre-dinner pause, while the Campari Bar feels more rooted in classic aperitivo culture. Together they shape evenings that can begin lightly, linger comfortably, and still leave room for a change of scene.Activities & Entertainment
Days and evenings offer enough range to keep families and adults on separate tracks when needed without making the programme feel relentless. On Costa Smeralda, the Aqua Park lifts the daytime mood with slides and splash-friendly energy high on the ship, while theatre shows bring a more structured nightly rhythm through musicals, comedy, and variety acts. The combination gives the schedule movement, balancing active hours with something staged after dark.Costa Smeralda Highlights
What stands out is how the ship supports different moods without forcing guests into a single pattern of use. Four swimming pools, including one covered, give weather flexibility and help spread crowds across the decks, while the gym adds a purposeful option for passengers who like structure in sea days. Together these elements make the ship feel easier to inhabit, whether the priority is exercise, downtime, or having to choose.Costa Cruise Line Fleet
To explore more ships from Costa, browse the fleet below and tap a ship name for full details.
Costa Deliziosa
Costa Diadema
Costa Favolosa
Costa Fascinosa
Costa Fortuna
Costa Pacifica
Costa Toscana
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Costa Smeralda FAQ
1 Is there a pool area that still works well in cooler or windy weather?
Yes. Costa lists four swimming pools in total, and one has a retractable glass cover, so there is a more protected option when the weather feels less dependable than a full sun day.
2 Which restaurant feels most different from the ship’s usual Italian-leaning lineup?
Sushino at Costa is the clearest change of pace. It is the ship’s sushi bistro, so it stands apart from the pizzeria, buffet, and more classically Mediterranean dining choices elsewhere onboard.
3 Is Costa Smeralda powered by LNG?
Yes. Costa says the ship is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it one of the line’s newer ships built around that propulsion system.
4 What cabin type makes the most sense if you want private outdoor space without moving up to a suite?
Balcony categories are the practical middle ground here. Costa lists a large number of Sea Balcony cabins, while Sea Terrace cabins add another option for guests who want their own outdoor area without paying for full suite space.
5 Where do the main evening performances usually take place?
The ship’s larger productions are centred in dedicated entertainment spaces rather than only in bars and lounges. Colosseo is one of the main focal points, and there is also a traditional theatre setting for more structured nightly shows.
6 Are there proper kids’ facilities beyond the pools and slides?
Yes. Squok Club is the main children’s area, and Costa specifically presents it for ages 3 to 11 with organised activities, which makes it more useful than relying only on the open decks.
7 What is the best high-up outdoor spot if you care more about views than sunbeds?
Volare Skywalk is the feature to head for. Costa describes it as a panoramic walkway reaching the highest point of the ship, so it makes more sense for scenery and photos than for settling in beside a pool.
8 Is there somewhere quieter to unwind when the open decks feel busy?
Yes. On Costa Smeralda, Solemio Spa is the clearest place to step out of the main traffic flow, whether you want treatments, a wellness break, or simply a calmer indoor stretch on a sea day.
9 What onboard feature works best for families who want something more active than a standard pool?
The Aqua Park is the strongest fit. Costa places it on the highest deck of the ship and presents it as a more energetic alternative to simply sitting poolside, which is useful when children want movement instead of loungers.
10 Can you do anything hands-on with food, or is it all just restaurants and bars?
Yes. Food LAB adds a more participatory option by functioning as the ship’s cooking school, so it suits guests who like trying something practical rather than only dining out.