Costa Cruises

From European Cruise Guide

ABOVE: Costa Romantica in Venice. INSET BELOW: Costa Mediterranea departs from Barcelona; close-up of stacks and waterslide.

Costa Crociere is the largest cruise line in Europe, with 14 ships in service or scheduled to debut in 2009. The company, which is based in Genoa, Italy, welcomes English-speaking travelers aboard its multilingual voyages.

Unlike most cruise lines, Costa has a Mediterranean season that runs throughout the year and Northern European cruises in the warmer months. Several transatlantic crossings are also sandwiched into the schedule, since a number of Costa ships operate in the Caribbean during the winter months. The fleet's vessels have been growing in size over the years, with several ships reaching 114,500 GRT and a capacity of 3,780 guests.

Costa Cruises attracts a younger crowd in Europe than many U.S. and British cruise lines do (especially during school breaks, when children and teens are likely to be on board). If you're looking for a chance to cruise with a middle-class crowd from the Continent instead of fellow Americans, Canadians, or Britons, Costa should be on your shopping list.

Cruise line's Web site:

Costa Cruises
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Top photo copyright © Costa Crociere S.p.A. Used by permission.

Copyright © 1996-2009 Durant and Cheryl Imboden.