Costa Atlantica

Costa Cruises, headquartered in Italy and part of the 13-brand Carnival Corporation portfolio, offers a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual ambiance. Costa boasts the most modern, growing fleet of all European cruise companies, by 2004 accommodating some 18,500 guests on an 11-vessel fleet, with more glittering vessels on the horizon. Costa ships, including its new, popular Costa Atlantica, sail to destinations in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. All of the line’s ships – Costa’s yellow smoke stacks are marked by a navy blue C -- spend summers in Europe, cruising to more than 90 ports of call. When sailing within the Mediterranean, Costa Atlantica is mostly peopled by Italians, Germans, French and Spanish. English comes last for multiple-language on-board announcements. By contrast, English prevails on Caribbean sailings largely booked by Americans seeking "Cruising Italian Style" experiences. To train service personnel for its expanding fleet, Costa in 2003 opened a Hospitality Training Institute in La Romana, Dominican Republic, in association with the American culinary and hospitality school of Johnson & Wales University. In 2004, Costa Atlantica sails alternating eastern/western 7-day round-trip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.

Quick View

Costa Atlantica, with plenty of private balconies, combines Old World sophistication of European design heavy on Costa tradition and American cutting-edge comforts and convenience. Costa Atlantica’s 12 passenger decks, each named for Federico Fellini's best-loved films (La Dolce Vita, 8 ½, Ginger & Fred, etc.) has a theatrical flair embellished by some 400 works of art. Interior design was created by Joe Farcus, Carnival Cruise Line’s design architect, who was borrowed to supply excitement worthy of Fellini. Guests rejuvenate with the world-class Ischia Spa, cozy lounges, casino action, and more. The Via Della Spiga features duty-free Italian designer goods, and there’s a glass-enclosed observatory high atop the ship. A wide range of facilities includes a children’s play room and water slide for one of three pools. Caffe Florian, a seagoing replica of Venice's famed 18th century café in St. Mark’s Plaza that drew patrons from Proust and Lord Byron to Casanova and Dickens, is the ultime, elegant place to enjoy an espresso, cappuccino or nightcap.

About Gratuities
Recommended gratuities are $8.50 per person per day distributed among dining staff and stateroom attendant. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.

Disabled Access
Eight cabins accommodate wheelchairs.

Ship Features

Despite megaship size, Costa Atlantica draws high marks for being easy to navigate, with three sets of elevators, forward, aft and center. Among decks named after Fellini films, Deck One (Luci del Varietà) has the Corallo Lounge with an under water motif. Deck Two (La Dolce Vita) has the Caruso Theater, with sofa style seating. Midship are the card rooms, Piazza Madama Butterfly, and the Casino/Bar Fortuna. The "La Dolce Vita" Atrium/Bar has replicas of Pompeian murals and Bird Cage glass elevators. Aft is Dante's Disco Club and the main floor of the Titian Restaurant, with Venetian glass and gilt-framed replicas of Titian paintings. Midship is the Caffè Florian, divided into three distinct rooms, each a delight replicating the famed Venetian landmark. Via della Spiga shops spill over with treasures including Versace liquors bottled in Venetian glassware. The elongated Paparazzi Lounge lets guests steep in nostalgia with oversized photos of film stars including Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Jayne Mansfield, Kirk Douglas, and a blonde Ava Gardner.

Staterooms
Of the ship's 1057 staterooms, 845 offer an ocean view, and 678 of these have balconies. Some oceanview cabins on Deck Four (Roma Deck) have obstructed views.

Stateroom amenities
All cabins have phone, TV, hairdryer, safe, and mini bar, and two lower beds that can be converted into a queen bed. Baths have soap, shampoo, body lotion and shower caps.

Kid & Teen Stuff
A children’s playroom, teen center, and water slide are aboard. Babysitting can be arranged.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
Italian cuisine stars in the two-deck Tiziano Restaurant done in shades of gold with painted ceilings. Club Atlantica, doubling as a bar before dinner and a cigar bar afterward, serves as the ship’s alternative restaurant with live music throughout. There’s also the Botticelli Buffet, Caffe Florian and 24-hour room service. Guests are assigned one of two seatings – early or late -- in the main dining room for evening meals. With exception of two formal nights, dress code is resort casual, although shorts or swim wear are never permitted. Beverages except tea and water are at added cost. Juice and coffee are included with breakfast. Soft drink cards, good for unlimited soft drinks, are available for purchase onboard. Special meals can be requested. Kosher meals should be requested at booking.

Sports / Health / Fitness
CostaAtlantica‘s large, multi-level spa and fitness center is located forward, providing spectacular views for working out with bikes, treadmills, weights, rowing machines or relaxing in a Jacuzzi under a skylight. The U-shaped Promenade Deck does not go all the way around, but there is a jogging track atop the fitness decks. There are three pools, a waterslide, and whirlpools.

Entertainment
The three-deck show lounge presents a different dazzling production show each night. The library doubles as an Internet café. Paparazzi, with its montage of Fellini film photos, is popular to see and be seen. There’s ballroom dancing, and pool activity includes the "Atlantica Olympics." Daytime activities range from Ping-Pong tournaments to salsa dance classes to learning how to prepare cocktails.

Casino
The Fortuna Casino (and adjacent bar) awaits with table games and slots.

Bars
Caffé Florian, named for the famed meeting place of Venice, provides European café authenticity at sea. Other popular spot are Club Atlantica and the Atrium bar are popular late night spots. Public areas and bars are connected by a walkway running along the ship’s starboard side.