Skip to main content
Cruise Pitta

Costa Smeralda

Exterior of Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises), docked in port
Photo credits

Photo: Anthony Levrot / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Excellence class · refurbished 2025 · Mediterranean, Other

Itineraries on this ship: 2

Regions
Mediterranean, Other
Departure months
Oct 2026Nov 2026
View itineraries

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-friendlyFirst-time cruise friendlyValue-focused
185,010 GT
Gross tonnage
5,224
Guests
1,678
Crew
20
Decks
2,612
Cabins
337 m (1,106 ft)
Length
2019
Year built
9781889
IMO number

Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9781889)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Pitta.

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.

Public bath
Official

Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite

Checked Oct 4, 2026Source: costacruises.com
Japanese food
Official

Japanese food at extra cost

Checked Oct 4, 2026Source: costacruises.com
Japanese language support
Official

Confirmed services

Checked Oct 4, 2026Line-wideSource: costa-cruise.jp
Payment in yen
Official

Payment in yen not accepted

Checked Oct 4, 2026Line-wideSource: costa-cruise.jp
Smoking
Official

Smoking in designated areas only

Checked Oct 4, 2026Line-wideSource: costa-cruise.jp
Dress code
Official

Formal nights

Line-wide details: 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.

Checked Oct 4, 2026Line-wideSource: costacruises.com
Power outlets
Official

Plug types: A, C

Line-wide details: 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.

Checked Oct 4, 2026Line-wideSource: costa-cruise.jp

English text in preparation.

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

At a glance

Kids club: YesAdults-only areas: YesWaterpark: YesCasino: YesTheater and shows: YesSpa: YesAccessible cabins: YesJapanese support rating (editorial) 1/5Five-point rating of the scope of Japanese-language services

What is included and what costs extra

Included in the fare / extra
  • Meals (main restaurants)Included
  • AlcoholExtra charge
  • GratuitiesUnknown
  • 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).

Onboard costs (original currency)
  • 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 Soft drinks such as cola, about €2.5 / Water 500 ml €2, 1 L €3.40
  • 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).
  • UnknownGratuities (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)
  • UnknownLaundryNo 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

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.
Find out more

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

Families
5
Adults
3
Luxury
2
First-time cruisers
4
Entertainment
5
Dining
4
Great for
  • • Family trips
  • • First-time cruisers
  • • Entertainment-focused travelers
Less suited to
  • • Quiet adults-only cruising
  • • Travelers requiring Japanese support

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.

English text in preparation.

About this data
Ship detail verification: Ship details have not yet been checked against their sources

Sources

View all (16 more sites)

Source: Wikipedia “Costa Smeralda (ship)”, “Excellence-class cruise ship” (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Cabins by category

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.

Size
15 m² (161 ft²)
Occupancy and beds
Maximum 4 peopleTwin beds (convertible to king size); a sofa or Pullman-style bed accommodates the 3rd and 4th guests

788 cabins Decks 4–5, 8–12, and 14–17

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.

Size
23 m² (248 ft²)
Occupancy and beds
Maximum 4 peopleTwin beds (convertible to king size).

168 cabins Decks 4–5

Window: Yes

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).

Size
19 m² (205 ft²)
Occupancy and beds
Maximum 4 peopleTwin beds (convertible to queen size) + sofa bed.

1,522 cabins Decks 5, 8–12, and 14–17

Balcony: YesWindow: Yes

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.

Size
19 m² (205 ft²)
Occupancy and beds
Maximum 4 peopleTwin beds (convertible to king size) + sofa bed.

106 cabins Decks 8–9

Balcony: YesWindow: Yes

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.

Size
27 m² (291 ft²)
Occupancy and beds
Maximum 4 peopleTwin beds (convertible to king size) + sofa bed.

14 cabins Decks 8–15 (mostly toward the stern)

Balcony: YesWindow: YesConcierge: Yes

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.

Size
33 m² (355 ft²)
Occupancy and beds
Maximum 4 peopleKing bed (convertible from twin beds) + living room sofa bed.

8 cabins Decks 9, 11, 12, and 17 (toward the bow)

Balcony: YesWindow: YesConcierge: Yes

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

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)
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
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

Included Included in the fare (no extra charge)
Main Dining Rooms (La Colombina / Arlecchino / Il Meneghino / Il Rugantino)Mediterranean and Italian-centered international cuisine (common menu)

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)

La Sagra dei Sapori BuffetInternational buffet (pasta, grill, soup, tapas, dessert station)

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

Extra charge Specialty dining (prices in the onboard currency)
Pizzeria Pummid'Oro
Italian pizza• 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.

  • MargheritaAbout €9 (Costa Club member discount available)
  • Specialty pizzas (mozzarella di bufala, etc.)About €15

Beer Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each (standard bar prices shared across sister ships)

ArchipelagoTasting menu €55 (about 60 seats)
Seafood-focused course cuisine supervised by a European Michelin-starred chef• 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.

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

Beer Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each

TeppanyakiSet-course system (three menus: Chef's, Classic, and Vegetarian)
Teppanyaki (chef-led live cooking performance)• 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.

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

Beer Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each

SushinoAll-you-can-eat €15
Sushi and rolls• Lunch and dinner

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)

Beer Draft beer €4.70 (M) / €5.70 (L); bottled beer 33cl, €4 each

Gelateria Amarillo
Gelato (made onboard), chocolate, and crepes• All day

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

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 screensTeatro Sanremo: A show lounge named after the Sanremo Music FestivalHigh ropes course and mini golf: Active attractions on Deck 16Solemio Spa Snow Room: An interactive relaxation facility that uses real snow
Deck 16 Aqua ParkIncluded
Waterslides

An activity deck on Deck 16 with water slides and a splash zone.

High Rope Garden & Mini GolfIncluded
Sports

A high ropes course and mini-golf course on Deck 16. A Costa Smeralda facility not confirmed in data for sister ship Costa Toscana.

Outdoor PoolsIncluded
Pool

Several outdoor pools, plus a separate adults-only pool and solarium area on the upper deck, as on the sister ship.

Squok ClubIncluded
KidsFor children: YesFree

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 TataExtra charge
KidsFor children: YesExtensions and private care are charged by time (estimated at about €10/hour, similar to the sister ship)

Extended and private childcare services provided by dedicated nannies. Assumed to use the same Costa program as sister ship Costa Toscana.

Solemio SpaExtra charge
Spa

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).

GymIncluded
SportsMachine use is free; some fitness classes are charged

A fitness gym equipped with Technogym machines.

CasinoExtra charge
CasinoAdults only: Yes

A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and more.

Atrium ColosseoIncluded
Theater

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.

Teatro SanremoIncluded
Theater

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 & LoungesExtra charge
Bar

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).

CoDe - Costa Design MuseumIncluded
Signature attraction

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.

Itineraries on this ship

Share with AI

Copy or save this page's reference material to discuss it with your preferred AI. Sources and check dates are included.

Example question

I am considering Costa Smeralda for my first cruise. Explain what to watch out for, what is included in the fare, and what costs extra. Do not guess information missing from the material, and list what I should verify on the official website.