Around the World With Costa Deliziosa
I caught up with the Costa Deliziosa on its 100-day Around the World Cruise while at port in San Francisco. While cruise ships can look similar from the outside, it is what awaits inside that makes them unique. The Costa family is an Italian line of ships that oozes Italian style at every turn. Our first glimpse of the ship’s interior was when we arrived in the atrium lobby with soaring ceilings, art, bold colors, and rich materials. The mélange of colors, textures, and style reminded us of Carnival, creating a celebratory vibe throughout the ship.
The ship offers a plethora of places to settle in and relax. Guests can enjoy coffee while surrounded by views and opulent art in the atrium lobby. With four restaurants, 11 bars, three swimming pools, a spa, a casino, a disco, and loads of entertainment, this is one cruise to remember. While in port the ship offers two days to enjoy the sights while returning to the comfort of your room at night’s end.
The Costa Deliziosa has 1,130 cabins offering guests the choice of room types including 772 balcony cabins and 52 Samsara Spa cabins with special spa access, some with verandas, and suites. Samsara rooms come with upgraded linens, slippers, and cozy bathrobes. Guests who reserve these accommodations will have exclusive spa access, including a special set of Elemis bath accessories and a “Welcome Ritual,” all included in the cruise price.
Speaking of the spa, it occupies two decks with panoramic views. Samsara provides a variety of luxurious treatments based on Ayurvedic principles. Guests can indulge in pampering featuring European treatments such as a Thalassotherapy pool, a rock sauna, or a Turkish bath scented with rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender. Before all treatments, spa guests can begin their path to rejuvenation in the Tepidarium, a warm thermal bath. There are special couples treatment rooms for those who wish to indulge in a combined spa experience.
One of the distinguishing characteristics is the use of bold colors and interesting materials, such as various types of marbles, granite, mother-of-pearl, and Murano glass, woods, and beautifully applied finishes throughout the ship. With more than 340 works of art and 970 Murano glass chandeliers the décor is stunning. The ship attracts an international clientele and was recently awarded Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Award in the Top Mega-Ship Cruise Line for 2013. It was easy to see the reason for the award.
Wandering around the ship during the tour left us with quite an appetite. For lunch we enjoyed a choice of red or white wine with our four-course meal. Our delicious lunch included a sautéed shrimp starter and a savory risotto with artichokes followed by sea bass and a decadent chocolate dessert. After an indulgent meal it made sense that the fitness center is so large, so guests can work off the calories of their meal.
The ship offers a variety of onboard entertainment including a casino, nightclub, and disco; 18-hole golf simulation; a Grand Prix driving simulator; a 4-D theater; a performing arts theater; a fitness center; and PlayStation World. There are three swimming pools, one featuring a retractable roof, along with four hot tubs.
For those who have always dreamed of seeing the world the Costa Deliziosa offers the perfect opportunity to do so in luxury and style.
Details: Costa Deliziosa weighs 92,600 tons and is 294 meters long, traveling at speeds of 23 knots. There are 13 passenger decks, and the ship can carry 2,260 passengers. It sails from the homeport of Savona, Italy. The Around the World Cruise begins in Savona, cruises through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles, then travels on to Hawaii and Singapore and then back to Savona via Dubai.
