# Costa Smeralda

- Kind: ship
- Data version: 2026-10-14
- Reference month: 2026-10
- Checked: 2026-07-03
- Page: https://cruise-pitta.com/en/ship/costa-smeralda

For reference only. Bookings, prices and schedules are not guaranteed. Check current details with the official provider.

## Overview

- Cruise line: Costa Cruises
- Size: Mega
- Market segment: Casual large resort
- Ship: Costa Smeralda
- Class: Excellence class
- Year built: refurbished 2025
- Region: Mediterranean, Middle East, Other

Costa's flagship and the line's first ship powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). At about 185,000 GT, it has an 11-deck-high central atrium, water slides and several specialty restaurants. Its interior design draws on the regions of Italy, and it suits families and first-time big-ship cruisers. It sails mainly in the Mediterranean in summer. For winter 2026-27, Middle East sailings have been cancelled and the ship will operate in Europe.

- Family-friendly
- First-time cruise friendly
- Value-focused

Checked: 2026-07-03

[See the ship’s size](https://cruise-pitta.com/en/ship/costa-smeralda/scale)

## Specifications

Checked: 2026-07-03

| Item | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Gross tonnage | 185,010 GT |
| Passenger capacity | 5,224 |
| Crew | 1,678 |
| Decks | 20 |
| Cabins | 2,612 |
| Length | 337 m (1,106 ft) |
| Year built | 2019 |
| IMO number | 9781889 |

## Ship character

Checked: 2026-07-03

| Item | Score (0–5) |
| --- | --- |
| Families | 5 |
| Adults | 3 |
| Luxury | 2 |
| First-time cruisers | 4 |
| Entertainment | 5 |
| Dining | 4 |
| Japanese-language support | 1 |

### Great for

Family trips
First-time cruisers
Entertainment-focused travelers

### Less suited to

Quiet adults-only cruising
Travelers requiring Japanese support

## Japanese language support and practical onboard information

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.

| Item | Value | Label | Description | Scope | Sources | Checked |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Public bath | Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite | Official | — | — | [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |
| Japanese food | Japanese food at extra cost | Official | — | — | [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |
| Japanese language support | — | Official | — | Line-wide | [costa-cruise.jp (Language: Japanese)](https://costa-cruise.jp/) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |
| Payment in yen | Payment in yen not accepted | Official | — | Line-wide | [costa-cruise.jp (Language: Japanese)](https://costa-cruise.jp/faq/) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |
| Smoking | Smoking in designated areas only | Official | — | Line-wide | [costa-cruise.jp (Language: Japanese)](https://costa-cruise.jp/faq/) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |
| Dress code | Formal nights | Official | — | Line-wide | [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/useful-links/useful-info.html) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |
| Power outlets | Plug types: A, C | Official | — | Line-wide | [costa-cruise.jp (Language: Japanese)](https://costa-cruise.jp/faq/) | Checked: 2026-10-04 |

Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Pitta / Not stated: no information found in official sources

English text in preparation.

## At a glance

Checked: 2026-07-03

| Item | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Kids club | Yes |
| Adults-only areas | Yes |
| Waterpark | Yes |
| Casino | Yes |
| Theater and shows | Yes |
| Spa | Yes |
| Cinema | Unknown |
| Accessible cabins | Yes |
| Solo cabins | Unknown |
| All-inclusive | No |

- Japanese support rating (editorial): 1/5

Five-point rating of the scope of Japanese-language services

## Cabins by category

Checked: 2026-07-03

| Cabins | Description | Cabin count / recommended decks | Size | Capacity / 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) (Estimated) | Maximum 4 people / Twin beds (convertible to king size); a sofa or Pullman-style bed accommodates the 3rd and 4th guests | Balcony: No, Window: No, Concierge: No, Connecting: Unknown, Solo: No, Accessible: No | [Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified) |
| 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) (Estimated) | Maximum 4 people / Twin beds (convertible to king size). | Balcony: No, Window: Yes, Concierge: No, Connecting: Unknown, Solo: No, Accessible: No | [Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified) |
| 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). | 1522 cabins / Decks 5, 8–12, and 14–17 | 19 m² (205 ft²) (Estimated) | Maximum 4 people / Twin beds (convertible to queen size) + sofa bed. | Balcony: Yes, Window: Yes, Concierge: No, Connecting: Unknown, Solo: No, Accessible: No | [Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified) |
| 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) (Estimated) | Maximum 4 people / Twin beds (convertible to king size) + sofa bed. | Balcony: Yes, Window: Yes, Concierge: No, Connecting: Unknown, Solo: No, Accessible: No | [Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified) |
| 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) (Estimated) | Maximum 4 people / Twin beds (convertible to king size) + sofa bed. | Balcony: Yes, Window: Yes, Concierge: Yes, Connecting: Unknown, Solo: No, Accessible: No | [Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified) |
| 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) (Estimated) | Maximum 4 people / King bed (convertible from twin beds) + living room sofa bed. | Balcony: Yes, Window: Yes, Concierge: Yes, Connecting: Unknown, Solo: No, Accessible: No | [Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified) |

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.

## Dining

Checked: 2026-07-03

- Onboard currency: EUR

### Included in the fare (no extra charge)

#### Main Dining Rooms (La Colombina / Arlecchino / Il Meneghino / Il Rugantino)

- Category: Included
- Cuisine: Mediterranean and Italian-centered international cuisine (common menu)
- Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (hours vary by room)

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.

#### La Sagra dei Sapori Buffet

- Category: Included
- Cuisine: International buffet (pasta, grill, soup, tapas, dessert station)
- Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Large buffet with the same brand as sister ship Costa Toscana, organized into stations for pasta, grilled dishes, cheese, and more.

### Specialty dining (prices in the onboard currency)

#### Pizzeria Pummid'Oro

- Category: Extra charge
- Cuisine: Italian pizza
- Hours: Lunch through evening

A paid pizzeria from the same brand as sister ship Costa Toscana. Handmade pizzas are reported to start at about $10 (approximately €9) each.

- Beer: Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each (standard bar prices shared across sister ships)
- Soft drinks: Soft drinks such as cola, about €2.5
- Water: 500 ml €2, 1 L €3.40

| Menu | Price (onboard currency) |
| --- | --- |
| Margherita | About €9 (Costa Club member discount available) |
| Specialty pizzas (mozzarella di bufala, etc.) | About €15 |

#### Archipelago

- Category: Extra charge
- Cover charge (onboard currency): Tasting menu €55 (about 60 seats)
- Cuisine: Seafood-focused course cuisine supervised by a European Michelin-starred chef
- Hours: Dinner only

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.

- Beer: Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each
- Soft drinks: Soft drinks such as cola, about €2.5
- Water: 500 ml €2, 1 L €3.40

| Menu | Price (onboard currency) |
| --- | --- |
| Tasting menu (5 dishes, choose 1 of 3 chefs) | €55 |
| Molecular cuisine special (nitrogen-sealed bubble preparation) | Included in course |

#### Teppanyaki

- Category: Extra charge
- Cover charge (onboard currency): Set-course system (three menus: Chef's, Classic, and Vegetarian)
- Cuisine: Teppanyaki (chef-led live cooking performance)
- Hours: Lunch and dinner (Deck 8)

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.

- Beer: Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each
- Soft drinks: Soft drinks such as cola, about €2.5
- Water: 500 ml €2, 1 L €3.40

| Menu | Price (onboard currency) |
| --- | --- |
| Classic teppanyaki (appetizer + grilled grouper or salmon, squid, and chicken) | Course-based pricing |
| Vegetarian teppanyaki (seasonal vegetables, teriyaki tofu, okonomiyaki) | Course-based pricing |

#### Sushino

- Category: Extra charge
- Cover charge (onboard currency): All-you-can-eat €15
- Cuisine: Sushi and rolls
- Hours: Lunch and dinner

Paid sushi restaurant under the same brand as sister ship Costa Toscana. A poke bowl menu is also available.

- Beer: Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each
- Soft drinks: Soft drinks such as cola, about €2.5
- Water: 500 ml €2, 1 L €3.40

| Menu | Price (onboard currency) |
| --- | --- |
| All-you-can-eat plan | €15 (estimated to be comparable to sister ships) |
| Takeaway box | €10 (same as above) |

#### Gelateria Amarillo

- Category: Extra charge
- Cuisine: Gelato (made onboard), chocolate, and crepes
- Hours: All day

Specialty shop for Italian gelato and chocolate made onboard every day. Also includes a Nutella bar.

| Menu | Price (onboard currency) |
| --- | --- |
| Crepes | About €4 (estimated to be comparable to sister ships) |

## Facilities and activities

Checked: 2026-07-03

### Highlights

- CoDe Museum: Opened in 2019 on Costa Smeralda as the world's first cruise ship design museum. About 500 m² with more than 470 exhibits (the prototype for the CoDe Museum on its sister ship Costa Toscana)
- Colosseo: An atrium theater, 3 levels high, with LED screens
- Teatro Sanremo: A show lounge named after the Sanremo Music Festival
- High ropes course and mini golf: Active attractions on Deck 16
- Solemio Spa Snow Room: An interactive relaxation facility that uses real snow

| Facilities | Category | Kind | Scope | Amount | Description | Links |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Deck 16 Aqua Park | Included | Waterslides | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | An activity deck on Deck 16 with water slides and a splash zone. | Unknown |
| High Rope Garden & Mini Golf | Included | Sports | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | A high ropes course and mini-golf course on Deck 16. A Costa Smeralda facility not confirmed in data for sister ship Costa Toscana. | Unknown |
| Outdoor Pools | Included | Pool | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | Several outdoor pools, plus a separate adults-only pool and solarium area on the upper deck, as on the sister ship. | Unknown |
| Squok Club | Included | Kids | Adults only: No, For children: Yes | Free (Estimated) | 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. | Unknown |
| Baby Club / Servizio Tata | Extra charge | Kids | Adults only: No, For children: Yes | Extensions and private care are charged by time (estimated at about €10/hour, similar to the sister ship) (Estimated) | Extended and private childcare services provided by dedicated nannies. Assumed to use the same Costa program as sister ship Costa Toscana. | Unknown |
| Solemio Spa | Extra charge | Spa | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | 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). | Unknown |
| Gym | Included | Sports | Adults only: No, For children: No | Machine use is free; some fitness classes are charged (Estimated) | A fitness gym equipped with Technogym machines. | Unknown |
| Casino | Extra charge | Casino | Adults only: Yes, For children: No | Unknown | A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and more. | Unknown |
| Atrium Colosseo | Included | Theater | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | 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. | Unknown |
| Teatro Sanremo | Included | Theater | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | 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). | Unknown |
| Bars & Lounges | Extra charge | Bar | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | 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). | Unknown |
| CoDe - Costa Design Museum | Included | Signature attraction | Adults only: No, For children: No | Unknown | 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. | Unknown |

## Families, adults-only areas, and practical information

Checked: 2026-07-03

### Children and families

- 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.

### Adults-only areas

- Casino — A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and more.

### Practical information (line-wide)

| Item | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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. |

Checked: 2026-07-03

- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/useful-links/service-charges.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/new-rates.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/comfort-plus.html)
- [sightdoing.net](https://sightdoing.net/costa-cruise-onboard-costs/)
- [cruisemummy.co.uk](https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/costa-cruise-drink-packages/)
- [travelmarketreport.com](https://www.travelmarketreport.com/cruises/articles/costa-cruises-introduces-simplified-rates-for-north-american-market)
- [travelagentcentral.com](https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/costa-cruises-streamlines-fare-structure)
- [emmacruises.com](https://emmacruises.com/costa-cruises-laundry-services-packages-price-lists-and-alternatives/)
- [icruise.com](https://www.icruise.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises-smoking-policy.html)
- [mycosta.costacruises.eu](https://mycosta.costacruises.eu/web-checkin.html)

## Itineraries on this ship

### [7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona](https://cruise-pitta.com/route/costa-smeralda-7n-barcelona)

- Region: Mediterranean
- Itinerary: Oct–Nov 2026
- Departure months: 2026-10, 2026-11
- Ship: Costa Smeralda
- Cruise line: Costa Cruises
- Duration: 7 nights
- Departure / arrival: Barcelona → Barcelona
- Port: Barcelona › Palma de Mallorca › Civitavecchia (Rome) › +2 › Barcelona
- Cruise type: Round trip / 6
- Amount: From $471.00 · Price on the US site (USD, incl. taxes; JPY is an estimate)
- Fare level: Lower

Checked: 2026-07-22

### [7-Night Cruise from Las Palmas](https://cruise-pitta.com/route/costa-smeralda-7n-las-palmas)

- Region: Other
- Itinerary: Nov 2026
- Departure months: 2026-11
- Ship: Costa Smeralda
- Cruise line: Costa Cruises
- Duration: 7 nights
- Departure / arrival: Las Palmas → Las Palmas
- Port: Las Palmas › Las Palmas
- Cruise type: Round trip / 2
- Amount: Unknown
- Fare level: Standard

Checked: none (unverified)

## What is included and what costs extra

Checked: 2026-07-03

### Included in the fare / extra

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Meals (main restaurants) | Included |
| Alcohol | Extra charge |
| Gratuities | Extra charge |
| Wi‑Fi | Extra charge |
| Specialty dining | Extra charge |
| Shore excursions | Extra 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).

### Onboard costs (original currency)

- Onboard currency: EUR

| Item | Category | Amount |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drinks (one beer) | Extra charge | Draft beer EUR 4.70 (M)/EUR 5.70 (L), bottled beer 33cl EUR 4 each (estimated standard bar prices shared across sister ships) (Estimated) |
| Soft drinks and water | Extra charge | Soft drinks Soft drinks such as cola, about €2.5 / Water 500 ml €2, 1 L €3.40 (Estimated) |
| Drink package | Extra charge | My Drinks (including alcohol): about €35/day; My Soft Drinks, with soft drinks only: €27/day; alcohol packages may cost up to about €52/day. (Estimated) |
| Wi‑Fi | Extra charge | A purchase plan covering the whole voyage is available (estimated to be at the same level as sister ship Costa Toscana). (Estimated) |
| Gratuities (automatic service charge) | Unknown | €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) (Estimated) |
| Laundry | Unknown | No self-service laundry. Charges are generally per item (estimated to follow the same Costa common policy as sister ship Costa Toscana). (Estimated) |
| Shore excursions | Unknown | Extra; varies by port (Estimated) |

Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.

Checked: 2026-07-03

- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/useful-links/service-charges.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/new-rates.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/comfort-plus.html)
- [sightdoing.net](https://sightdoing.net/costa-cruise-onboard-costs/)
- [cruisemummy.co.uk](https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/costa-cruise-drink-packages/)
- [travelmarketreport.com](https://www.travelmarketreport.com/cruises/articles/costa-cruises-introduces-simplified-rates-for-north-american-market)
- [travelagentcentral.com](https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/costa-cruises-streamlines-fare-structure)
- [emmacruises.com](https://emmacruises.com/costa-cruises-laundry-services-packages-price-lists-and-alternatives/)
- [icruise.com](https://www.icruise.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises-smoking-policy.html)
- [mycosta.costacruises.eu](https://mycosta.costacruises.eu/web-checkin.html)

## Boarding, atmosphere, and links

Checked: 2026-07-03

### Boarding and logistics

- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Savona (Italy)
- Departure ports: Savona, Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Tunis (Tunisia), Palermo (Sicily), Civitavecchia (Italy, near Rome)

### Atmosphere and guests

- 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.

[Check the official page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html) (Unverified) / Checked: none (unverified)

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.

## Links

### Official

- [Official ship page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/entertainment.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda/itineraries.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/cruises-for-disabled.html)

### Boarding notes and videos

- [Mediterranean Cruise (Costa Smeralda) \| Travel and Spirituality of a Tokyo-Based Office Worker Around 40](https://note.com/ample_cobra8766/n/n7160a7ae99c1)
- [cruise-mag.com](https://www.cruise-mag.com/cruisestory/13572/)
- [ameblo.jp](https://ameblo.jp/aaprilis/entry-12829918360.html)
- [▶ COSTA SMERALDA - Visite du Navire et Cabines - SHIP TOUR / Rundgang](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1P2PTj_QVA)
- [Full, Unbiased Review of Costa Smeralda in Dubai (2025) \| Owen Places](https://owenplaces.com/my-middle-east-cruise-on-costa-smeralda-an-honest-full-review/)

### External sites and sources

- [cruiseindustrynews.com](https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2025/06/costa-cruises-reveals-2026-27-deployment/)
- [cruise-arabia.com](https://cruise-arabia.com/2025/06/22/costa-cruises-to-homeport-costa-smeralda-in-dubai-for-2026-27-winter-cruise-season/)
- [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Smeralda_(ship))
- [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excellence-class_cruise_ship)
- [blog.cruise.com](https://blog.cruise.com/2025/05/06/lng-powered-largest-costas-ship-smeralda/)
- [cruisingjournal.com](https://www.cruisingjournal.com/en/cruise-guide/on-board-dining/teppanyaki-experience-on-costa-smeralda)
- [reportergourmet.com](https://reportergourmet.com/en/news/5583-archipelago-3-top-chefs-in-one-restaurant-the-fine-dining-experience-on-costa-cruises)
- [cruisebooking.com](https://www.cruisebooking.com/ships/costa-smeralda/dining)
- [porthole.com](https://porthole.com/mangia-mangia-on-costa-smeralda/)
- [cruisenation.com](https://www.cruisenation.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises/costa-smeralda)
- [planetcruise.com](https://www.planetcruise.com/en/costa-smeralda)
- [cruisingjournal.com](https://www.cruisingjournal.com/en/reportages/costa-smeralda-many-new-features-for-costa-cruises)
- [famvia.com](https://famvia.com/cruises/costa-cruise-line/reviews/costa-smeralda-review)
- [disabledcruiseclub.com](https://www.disabledcruiseclub.com/about/disabled-costa-cabins.html)
- [wallpaper.com](https://www.wallpaper.com/design/design-museum-cruise-ship)
- [blooloop.com](https://blooloop.com/museum/news/design-museum-cruise-ship-costa-smeralda/)
- [tihanydesign.com](https://www.tihanydesign.com/?00AA2FEC)
- [maritime-executive.com](https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/costa-smeralda-enters-service)
- [oggiabordo.com](https://www.oggiabordo.com/post/costa-drinks)
- [costacrociere.it](https://www.costacrociere.it/costa-club/magazine/costa-smeralda/solemio-spa-smeralda.html)
- [cruiseshipparadise.home.blog](https://cruiseshipparadise.home.blog/2020/01/26/costa-smeralda/)
- [cruisetotravel.com](https://www.cruisetotravel.com/2019/12/31/a-culinary-taste-of-italy-on-board-costa-smeralda/)
- [costa-cruise.jp (Language: Japanese)](https://costa-cruise.jp/)
- [costa-cruise.jp (Language: Japanese)](https://costa-cruise.jp/faq/)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/useful-links/useful-info.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/useful-links/service-charges.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/new-rates.html)
- [costacruises.com](https://www.costacruises.com/experience/comfort-plus.html)
- [sightdoing.net](https://sightdoing.net/costa-cruise-onboard-costs/)
- [cruisemummy.co.uk](https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/costa-cruise-drink-packages/)
- [travelmarketreport.com](https://www.travelmarketreport.com/cruises/articles/costa-cruises-introduces-simplified-rates-for-north-american-market)
- [travelagentcentral.com](https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/costa-cruises-streamlines-fare-structure)
- [emmacruises.com](https://emmacruises.com/costa-cruises-laundry-services-packages-price-lists-and-alternatives/)
- [icruise.com](https://www.icruise.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises-smoking-policy.html)
- [mycosta.costacruises.eu](https://mycosta.costacruises.eu/web-checkin.html)
- [View on VesselFinder (IMO 9781889)](https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9781889)

### Related Cruise Pitta pages

- [See the ship’s size](https://cruise-pitta.com/en/ship/costa-smeralda/scale)
- [7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona](https://cruise-pitta.com/route/costa-smeralda-7n-barcelona)
- [7-Night Cruise from Las Palmas](https://cruise-pitta.com/route/costa-smeralda-7n-las-palmas)

## Current position (external site)

[View on VesselFinder (IMO 9781889)](https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9781889)

External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Pitta.

Checked: none (unverified)

## Cruise stories and videos on external sites

5 links

These are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Pitta. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.

| Title | Kind | Language | Disclosure | Site | Sailed | Link checked | Link treatment |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Mediterranean Cruise (Costa Smeralda) \| Travel and Spirituality of a Tokyo-Based Office Worker Around 40](https://note.com/ample_cobra8766/n/n7160a7ae99c1) | Personal blog | Japanese | — | note.com | 2024-05-18 | Checked: 2026-10-04 | nofollow (nofollow noopener noreferrer) / — |
| [cruise-mag.com](https://www.cruise-mag.com/cruisestory/13572/) | Article | Japanese | — | cruise-mag.com | — | Checked: 2026-10-05 | follow (noopener noreferrer) / — |
| [ameblo.jp](https://ameblo.jp/aaprilis/entry-12829918360.html) | Personal blog | Japanese | Affiliate links disclosed | ameblo.jp | — | Checked: 2026-10-04 | sponsored (sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer) / Affiliate links disclosed |
| [▶ COSTA SMERALDA - Visite du Navire et Cabines - SHIP TOUR / Rundgang](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1P2PTj_QVA) | YouTube | English | — | youtube.com | — | Checked: 2026-10-05 | nofollow (nofollow noopener noreferrer) / — |
| [Full, Unbiased Review of Costa Smeralda in Dubai (2025) \| Owen Places](https://owenplaces.com/my-middle-east-cruise-on-costa-smeralda-an-honest-full-review/) | Personal blog | English | — | owenplaces.com | — | Checked: 2026-10-04 | nofollow (nofollow noopener noreferrer) / — |

English text in preparation.

## About this data

- Ship detail verification: Source unverified

Checked: 2026-07-03

[Official ship page](https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html)

Photo: Anthony Levrot / CC BY-SA 4.0 / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barcelone_-_ESP_-_2023.07.03_-_Costa_Croisi%C3%A8res_-_%C2%AB_Costa_Smeralda_%C2%BB_%C2%A9_Anthony_Levrot.jpg

## Sources

- official: costacruises.com — https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda.html
- secondary: cruiseindustrynews.com — https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2025/06/costa-cruises-reveals-2026-27-deployment/
- secondary: cruise-arabia.com — https://cruise-arabia.com/2025/06/22/costa-cruises-to-homeport-costa-smeralda-in-dubai-for-2026-27-winter-cruise-season/
- encyclopedia: en.wikipedia.org — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Smeralda_(ship)
- encyclopedia: en.wikipedia.org — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excellence-class_cruise_ship
- secondary: blog.cruise.com — https://blog.cruise.com/2025/05/06/lng-powered-largest-costas-ship-smeralda/
- secondary: cruisingjournal.com — https://www.cruisingjournal.com/en/cruise-guide/on-board-dining/teppanyaki-experience-on-costa-smeralda
- secondary: reportergourmet.com — https://reportergourmet.com/en/news/5583-archipelago-3-top-chefs-in-one-restaurant-the-fine-dining-experience-on-costa-cruises
- secondary: cruisebooking.com — https://www.cruisebooking.com/ships/costa-smeralda/dining
- secondary: porthole.com — https://porthole.com/mangia-mangia-on-costa-smeralda/
- secondary: cruisenation.com — https://www.cruisenation.com/cruise-lines/costa-cruises/costa-smeralda
- secondary: planetcruise.com — https://www.planetcruise.com/en/costa-smeralda
- secondary: cruisingjournal.com — https://www.cruisingjournal.com/en/reportages/costa-smeralda-many-new-features-for-costa-cruises
- secondary: famvia.com — https://famvia.com/cruises/costa-cruise-line/reviews/costa-smeralda-review
- official: costacruises.com — https://www.costacruises.com/experience/entertainment.html
- official: costacruises.com — https://www.costacruises.com/fleet/smeralda/itineraries.html
- secondary: disabledcruiseclub.com — https://www.disabledcruiseclub.com/about/disabled-costa-cabins.html
- official: costacruises.com — https://www.costacruises.com/experience/cruises-for-disabled.html
- secondary: wallpaper.com — https://www.wallpaper.com/design/design-museum-cruise-ship
- secondary: blooloop.com — https://blooloop.com/museum/news/design-museum-cruise-ship-costa-smeralda/
- secondary: tihanydesign.com — https://www.tihanydesign.com/?00AA2FEC
- secondary: maritime-executive.com — https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/costa-smeralda-enters-service
- secondary: oggiabordo.com — https://www.oggiabordo.com/post/costa-drinks
- secondary: costacrociere.it — https://www.costacrociere.it/costa-club/magazine/costa-smeralda/solemio-spa-smeralda.html
- secondary: cruiseshipparadise.home.blog — https://cruiseshipparadise.home.blog/2020/01/26/costa-smeralda/
- secondary: cruisetotravel.com — https://www.cruisetotravel.com/2019/12/31/a-culinary-taste-of-italy-on-board-costa-smeralda/

Source: Wikipedia “[Costa Smeralda (ship)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Smeralda_(ship))”, “[Excellence-class cruise ship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excellence-class_cruise_ship)” ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))