The sight of one of Costa Cruises’ flagship ships, Costa Smeralda, is imposing in the port of Barcelona, the embarkation point for this adventure. It is a giant of up to 20 decks, with more than 2,600 cabins, almost 340 metres long and with capacity for over 6,500 people.
“It’s like a floating city!” exclaims an astonished Yolanda, aged 51, for whom this is her first experience on a ship like this, weighing 200,000 tonnes. Just in case, she has brought seasickness tablets, which she will not need at any point along the route because the rolling of the ship is barely noticeable.
Italian flair
Boarding is quick. The Italian spirit is evident as soon as you step on board in the design and in the names of the areas that bring the ship to life. All the furniture, lighting, fabrics and accessories are made in Italy. Each deck is named after an Italian city or destination: Rome, Venice, Capri, Palermo, Genoa, Milan, Naples or Trieste, among others. Each one pays tribute to its city with its own colours and decorative elements, reinforcing the feeling of travelling through Italy.
The heart of the ship is the Colosseum, a central area where the best shows are staged. At the stern, the Piazza di Spagna is a wide staircase that connects three levels. In this space, which can hold up to 1,800 people, guests gather to enjoy open-air parties and other events that take place during the voyage.
