Ship Portrait and report from on board the Costa Mediterranea Costa Cruises
The Costa Mediterranea Costa Cruises was built in 2003, is 293 m long and has 85,619 GT. Overall, the cruise ship has 1,057 cabins, of which 660 have a private balcony. For an 11 year "old" cruise ship balcony cabin share of 62% is by no means a bad cut.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
The interior is inspired by Italian palaces of the 16th and 17th century, Venetian influences are everywhere to be found in the design. Interior Designer Costa Mediterranea is, like its sister ship "Costa Atlantica", who lives in Miami interior designer Joseph Farcus. The since 1978 working for Carnival Farcus shows the way on most cruise ships of Carnival Corporation & plc responsible for the interior design and is known for his extravagant and eye-catching style.
Let's start again on the lower decks.
Deck 1 houses adjacent to the large Giardino Isola Bella Lounge, which represents one of the evening meeting on the Costa Mediterranea, the Selva Disco. The Selva Disco is equipped with a modern stereo system, extending over two decks and has built-in bar with plenty of seating. Overall, Disco is very inviting and appealing.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Located on Deck 2 and 3, as on almost all cruise ships in the bow the great theater. On the Costa Mediterranea it is called Osiris and the theater can accommodate a total of three decks. Contrary to our expectations, the theater is almost classic and simple in design, all seats have small tables where drinks can be parked. This is practical and not universally standard.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
On the port and starboard side of the Osiris Theatre are tucked two long passages that call themselves Winter Garden.While the colorful designer lamps on the walls and the wall paneling remember not necessarily to a conservatory but these two transitions are during the day as a perfect retreat from which one even has a pleasant sea view.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Calm down, it should not always go in Winter Garden, because this is at the same time on one side of the access to the Virtual World of Teens traveling on board. In the virtual world the teens can go to various play equipment car race or deliver a duel in virtual soccer. The offer is very diverse. The Squok club for younger guests is located on Deck 5 in the bow area above. Unfortunately, access to the time of our visit was not possible.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Kids & Teens under 18 years traveling onboard most ships of Costa Cruises now. More specifically, traveling up to two children up to 18 years for occupancy of upper beds in the cabin with 2 adults free and pay only the mandatory service charge. We are happy to inform you about regarding the exceptions in person. These rules.
On deck 3, the upper level of the Selva Disco and much of the public ranges. The Talia Lounge is located at the main restaurant Degli Argentieri and is recommended as one of the venues before dinner or as a chill retreat for entertaining evenings with friends and acquaintances. Comfortable lounge chairs invite you to linger and optical separations between the seating arrangements create an intimate atmosphere.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
At the rear, the Costa Mediterranea is the large main restaurant Degli Argentieri, which as a classic restaurant is available to guests with reserved tables in table two times. The walls are adorned by Italian designs and sculptures, the overall design is quite restrained and not overloaded cheesy. In addition to a variety of large tables with 8 seats have small groups, couples and families the opportunity to dine at significantly smaller tables. So we can also discover 2 or 4 tables in both the pane and in the open gallery during our tour.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Heart of the Costa Mediterranea is the Maschera d'Argento Atrium with the Maschera d'Argento bar as a central meeting point in the middle. Barstool made of leather and an elegant granite bar stone give rise to a quite high-quality impression.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Well, the colorful plastic lamps and the shrill tones not necessarily meet the taste of a typical German cruise guest but overall the Atrium of Costa Mediterranea quite handsomely. Particularly striking is already at this stage of our tour of the excellent overall impression of the ship. Noticeable signs of wear can be hardly recognizable and the cleanliness is excellent.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
A casino may, of course, not missing, looks at the Costa Mediterranea, of course, not very different from how on all cruise ships. Overall, this area shows but bright and friendly, not directly mediated the typical casino character. Beautiful are the various seating.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
The casino is directly connected to the Grand Canal Bar Costa Mediterranea.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
It now leaves the casino on the starboard side, so you will find yourself directly on the Casanova Square. This open and spacious area connects the casino, the Casanova bar, card room and the front staircase together.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Even if the design is a little playful, so also the Casanova Square does not appear cluttered and tacky. The heart of the Casanova Square is a large staircase in Las Vegas style up to deck 3 The flooring consists mainly of granite, comes across as high and elegant. Only the Casanova Bar sprayed through the use of many gold elements a slightly oriental character.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Laterally from the main course of Casanova Square the traveler has the opportunity to relax and watch the hustle and bustle of the Casanova Square. In addition to different seating is separated separately a cardroom to find. Surely this has to even board games or as a meeting place for a little chat. The materials used here fall directly into the eye - Granite worktops, window sills marble, solid wood chairs and thick rugs nestle perfectly into a harmonious overall picture. We find the widespread statement, the Costa Mediterranea was the "most colorful" ship of the fleet, not applicable.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
In the area of the front staircase, we switch to the "Bacco deck '(deck 3).
Now we see almost the top of Casanova Square, which is indeed connected by the staircase described to the deck 3. So lie directly above the Casanova bar the Roero Bar and Oriental Lounge. Italian chic with American influences fits as a description for the color scheme of the interior quite well. Comfortable lounge chair, couch many areas, a large dance floor framed by columns and glossy lacquered wood tables are the most striking features of the Oriental Lounge and the Roero Bar.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Compared to current new buildings in the Internet zone or the Internet Point with integrated library seems relatively small.For the separate room next to the Oriental Lounge is a quiet retreat where you can read undisturbed own or borrowed magazines or books.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Shopping fans are certainly in the Via Condotti store and buy there one or another souvenir, a new bag, clock or necklace.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
On the way towards the stern we cross again the region of the atrium, discover the Photoshop and Photo Gallery.
As on Deck 2 are the main Degli Argentieri Restaurant is a bar and a lounge upstream. The bar is part of Dionisio Dionisio Lounge and loads during the day for a cocktail, a cup of coffee or tea. In the evening meet for an aperitif or a nightcap.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
So we leave the two lower decks 2-3 and go up on deck 9 First welcomes us in the front area of the ship Venus Beauty Salon, where the friendly staff upon request conjure a new haircut or offer completely customized nail treatments.
Next door extends over two decks of Ischia Therme Spa area with great ocean view fitness area, treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish steam bath, whirlpool and relaxation areas. The hot tub is a large area surrounded with glass walls, which are supported by white columns. This makes it possible to look directly from the jacuzzi in the gym and on the sea.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
As the Costa Mediterranea was put into service eleven years ago, as the Ischia Thermal Spa was one of the largest spa areas at sea. Today, size and design are certainly no more records on but ultimately convinced everything perfectly and brilliantly clean. The Costa Mediterranea is so far flawless.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
If we now also on the sun deck, then drop another first hot tub and large pool Armonia eye. Even if the design therefore on deck in typical Costa dress comes and we did not like the yellow Costa-lanterns still so convinced the excellent overall picture here. Flooring, pool tiles, sun beds, showers - how old was the ship again? Somewhere wear tracks must be found, we believe. However, stick to the shower head not even water stains, the glass sparkles in the sun as well as all metal railings and boundaries. The varnish wood railing around the pool deck glistens with the water on the Elbe to the bet, the Elbe water rather has a slight yellow tinge.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
We go further in the direction Armonia Lido. When Armonia Lido is in principle to the outside of the buffet restaurants. This is covered by a glass roof trailable (Magrodome) and exactly in the middle are the Cadmo pool and an additional Jacuzzi. The covered Cadmo pool has the same size as the Armonia pool and is well suited to swim a few laps.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Instead of the silver-colored aluminum-Chairs would certainly appealing wooden look and would create a warmer atmosphere than the bare metal. For Pool Events is a fully equipped stage available.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Extra space is now offering the Perla del Lago Buffet restaurant as well as the Posillipo Pizzaria. Both restaurants actually merge into a main restaurant at the stern of the Costa Mediterranea and although their age quite inviting designed and easy split.
The different dishes, salads and drinks can be found respectively at different stations, so that should hold at peak times the queues in particular limits.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Very good like the fact that there are still a number of inclusive beverages with meals at the drink counter. These are not "real" fruit juices but at least the offer is in direct comparison to competitors MSC here yet. Iced Tea, Coffee and tea are also still available for free.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
In the Pizzaria obtained at any time of the day quite a large selection of pizzas.
The real fun is the whole free area at the stern of the Costa Mediterranea. Besides the fact that this large outdoor deck is covered with real wood and surprised us very positively, there is another pool plus jacuzzi. We like to mention again that the optical state is absolutely perfect. For the supply of drinks is also ensured, since the Apollo Bar is adjacent to the region of the Apollo Lido.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
On deck 10 the water slide in the Costa Mediterranea is installed in its size certainly is, even after 11 years still standard, although, of course, no more cheers will trigger. The entire sun deck is spacious and incidentally occupied with wood. Sun beds are available in sufficient numbers. Too bad that there is no shade.
The kids pool on Deck 11 (Lido Squok) is actually more of a wading pool and somehow completely unattractive. Even in this area there is no awning. On hot summer days or in warm trades you are exposed unprotected to the sun and felt certainly rather Sahara atmosphere as refreshing water fun. In addition, although the completely flawless, non-slip flooring, but it has been heated up uncomfortably on the day of our visit on board. The outside temperature was a mere 24 degrees. Running without shoes is likely to be impossible in sunlight for children.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Best views and excellent food served in the à la carte Club Restaurant Club Medusa. This magnificent specialty restaurant is located on deck 10 and 11th
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
The chefs offer an exceptional dining experience in an elegant and luxurious atmosphere in the Club Medusa Restaurant.The whole area is very open and flooded due to a glass dome light completely. Some places offer beside the culinary experience even one of the senses. If you sit on the balcony in the atrium, so it looks the same nine decks into the depth.Food in high altitudes could be called that.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
Only criticism as part of our tour aboard the Costa Mediterranea is the children's pool, which would have loveless can not be made and no sun protection. The multi-purpose sports court on deck 11 before the signal mast leaves nothing to be desired, however. Sea breeze is likely to provide a permanent cooling also, if it blows then.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
The ship can be seen in a wonderful condition and the age of at least 11 years nowhere. In our view, the design for a cruise ship in the Costa fleet is still rather be described as cautious and discreet. Of course, the taste of German cruise passengers the coloring is not necessarily true but convinced the ship in all respects.
Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures
The lunch buffet at the restaurant meets the expectations for a oriented for international guests breakfast and can basically nothing to be desired. In addition to hot and cold dishes, there is a large salad bar and different desserts are allowed for the grand finale are not missing too. Diabetes is of course separate desserts.
The ship is the way in many areas and barrier-free and therefore suitable for wheelchair users!
