Costa Cruises

MS Costa Fortuna

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Operator: Costa Cruises
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 2003 / 2003
Length / Tonnage: 893 / 105,000
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 1,358 / 3,470
Officers / Crew: Italian / International
Operating Area: Year-round Mediterranean

COSTA FORTUNA is Costa Crociere's new flagship and at 105,000 gross tonnage she is the largest cruise ship in the history of Italian seafaring. She is built on the same hull design that sister company Carnival Cruise Line has used for the Destiny-class series of ships.

She is the first large passenger ship to emerge from the shipyards in Sestri Ponente since the Michelangelo in 1965 – the same yard that built the legendary "Rex" (1932), "Andrea Doria" (1951), "Cristoforo Colombo" (1953), "Federico C" (1957) and "Leonardo da Vinci" (1958). COSTA FORTUNA is 105,000 gross tonnage, 272 metres in length, 38 metres in breadth and 66 metres high.

Her maximum capacity is 3,470 passengers, including 2,716 in lower berths: she is the largest cruise ship built by an Italian yard for an Italian company ever to fly the Italian flag. The ship offers guests a wide array of facilities for relaxation and entertainment: 11 bars, 4 restaurants, a theatre on three floors, 2 swimming pools, casino, disco, and a ballroom.

The COSTA FORTUNA is dedicated to the legendary Italian liners that provided regular passenger services between Italy and the Americas. Her interiors were designed by Joe Farcus who is the principal designer for the the Carnival Cruises fleet. As a result, her interiors are - how can we say this - a bit more "lively" than the interiors of the rest of the Costa fleet.

The public areas on the ship bear the names and the years of entry into service of some of the most famous and elegant Italian ocean liners. For example, the ship's theatre, which extends over three decks, is named after the Rex launched in 1932, two of the restaurants are called "Ristorante Raffaello 1965" and "Ristorante Michelangelo 1965", while the main bar is the "Gran Bar Conte di Savoia 1932".

These historic passenger ships provided inspiration for Farcus in the styling and design of COSTA FORTUNA's public areas. For example, there are a number of scale models of some of these transatlantic liners on board COSTA FORTUNA. A huge 20 foot model of the Michelangelo is located at the entrance to the restaurant of the same name, while a 10 foot model of the Rex built in 1932 graced the theatre. Other memorabilia from the legendary Italian liners includes copies of posters and advertisements from the time – mainly the 1920s and 1930s – which are displayed throughout the public areas.

For more recent history, just glance up at the ceiling of the main lobby, called "Atrio Costa", where you will be able to admire 26 three to six foot models of all the ships that have been members at one time or another of the Costa fleet. The passenger decks of COSTA FORTUNA are named after European and American ports where Costa's liners used to frequent.

The Conte de Savoia Grand Bar is one of the largest and most popular lounges on the ship. It is a great meeting place before and after dinner and also serves as an entertainment venue, dance hall bar and cafe. It is furnished in baroque style and it ceiling was inspired by the frescoes of the Palazzo Colonna. The name is taken from an ocean liner which sailed during the 1930s.

Other notable public rooms include the Rex Theatre, which was named after the Italian liner built in 1932, spans three decks and it's decor was inspired by the Italian film director, Fellini. There is also a two deck high Discotheque, a casino, conference center, Internet Cafe and nice sized gymnasium.

The Classico Roma bar is another of the 11 bars and lounges on board and offers passengers a more intimate setting than some of the other rooms. It also has a detailed model of the Roma Transatlantic liner of 1926.

The Neptunia Casino is your typical gaming room gone to sea although it is a bit smaller than you might find on the ships of Carnival or Royal Caribbean. The Vulcania Disco is open late and attracts the dance crowd who can move to the beat of the music along with a giant animated statue of the god Vulcania. If you want to hear live music, you might want to check out the Conte Rosso Piano Bar of the Conte Verde Dance Hall.

If you are looking for exercise or outdoor activities make sure you check out the Saturnia Spa which overlooks the ships bow and the two swimming pools located on the Oceana and Barcelona Sun Decks. One of COSTA FORTUNA's 2 swimming pools has a retractable cover so you can use it even if the weather is not cooperating.

The Squok Club is the place to be if you are one of the younger passengers on board and it has plenty to keep them occupied and happy.

The Michelangelo Restaurant is located at the ships stern and spans two decks. The room is spacious and elegant and has a ceiling that is decorated with frescoes inspired by the Great Masters. In the entrance hall, there's a tribute to the transatlantic liner Michelangelo, with a working 20 foot long model.

The Raffaello Restaurant, which is named after the Michelangelo's sister ship, is located amidships and also spans two decks. The ceiling here is inspired by works of art in the Vatican Palace.

The Conte Grande Club, which is located high up on the ship's aft decks is the extra tariff, alternative restaurant and offers a more intimate dining experience. The menu here is devised by Zeffirino, a Genoese culinary establishment with a worldwide reputation, and offers patrons Italian and Ligurian cuisine. Dinner guests can select their hors d'oeuvres, fresh pasta first courses and desserts straight from a trolley. The glass ceiling which lets in the moonlight is also a nice touch.

For those looking for something more casual, the Cristoforo Columbus Buffet restaurant serves breakfast and lunch in a cafeteria-style setting. Pizza and tea are also available here during the late afternoon.

She has a total of 1,358 cabins of which 857 oceanview (63%), including 64 suites, 458 with a large balcony and 335 with a porthole. All cabins are equipped with satellite TV, air conditioning, cable radio, hairdryer, safe, and mini bar. The voltage in the cains is 220V / 60 Hz - 110V / 60 Hz

Few ships cater for so nationally and linguistically varied a passenger list as does a Costa ship, yet few ships come near handling different language groups in the same ship nearly as well.

On most cruises in and around Europe expect small groups of Americans and plenty of Italians. Germans, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese and British passengers often choose a cruise for Costa's "Cruising Italian Style". They come because the Costa fleet has earned an enviable reputation among European passengers for classy interiors and high standards of catering and service.

In the Caribbean, expect the number of Americans to increase significantly plus a fair number of people from South America.

COSTA FORTUNA offers extended cruises to the eastern and western Mediterranean from Genoa, Italy year round.

If you're an "English-only" kind of guy or gal, this ship is NOT for you. If you are uncomfortable in the presence of foreigners, stay away because this welcoming ship is not specifically geared to the English speaking North American market and the five language announcements alone will drive you batty! However, if meeting people from other countries and cultures and making friends with people who don't live down the block is your then by all means consider the COSTA FORTUNA.