Colourful, entertaining, and perfect for guests of all ages – those are the first words that come to mind when I think back on my trip aboard Costa Toscana, the newest ship from Costa Cruises. Read on to get a feel for what it's like to cruise with the Italian cruise line.
Although I’ve experienced several of the world’s largest cruise ships, I was once again impressed as I stood on the quayside in Barcelona, looking up at Costa Toscana before embarkation. The ship, with its distinctive yellow funnel marked by the blue ‘C’, is currently the newest in Costa’s fleet (launched in 2021) and, together with her sister ship Smeralda, ranks among the largest cruise ships in the world.
This family-friendly ship can accommodate over 6,000 guests and is packed with exciting features and areas for both children and adults. Whether you're travelling with kids or not, I’m certain you’ll find your own personal favourites on board – and in this blog post, I’ll share some of mine.
Spacious balcony cabins
During my cruise on Costa Toscana, I stayed in one of the ship’s 1,550 balcony cabins – light, stylish, and spacious, decorated in calming shades of blue and orange. The cabin featured a double bed, a daybed, TV and desk, and out on the balcony, a small table and two chairs – the perfect spot to enjoy the stunning views as we sailed.
Speaking of views... Costa has added a fun little detail in the bathroom. There’s a window between the shower and the main cabin (with a view to the balcony), so you can enjoy a sea view while showering! Prefer a bit of privacy? There’s a curtain you can pull across. Still, it’s a fun touch if you want to make the most of your balcony experience.
Dining on board
On Costa Toscana, you’ll find a wide selection of dining venues – including main restaurants and a buffet, all of which are included in the cruise fare. We enjoyed several evenings of delicious food in the main restaurants, where the Italian roots of the cruise line were clearly reflected in the menus. Most mornings, we opted for breakfast in the buffet restaurant, which was also very enjoyable.
The culinary highlight of the trip was undoubtedly our visit to the speciality restaurant Ferrari Spazio Bollicine, where we enjoyed a seven-course tasting menu – each course paired with a glass of bubbly. As you might imagine, the mood was lively after the first few glasses, but the food itself was a real standout. One dish looked just like a cigar in an ashtray but turned out to be goat’s cheese wrapped in potato skin, with “ash” made from onion. It might sound unusual, but it tasted absolutely fantastic – just like every other dish we had. Each course was full of flavour, and the whole experience stands out as one of the best memories from the trip – a definite must-try!
Bars and lounges
One of the things that makes Costa Toscana special is how open and accessible the bar and lounge areas are. It's easy to find a great spot with a lively atmosphere in the evening as you move around the ship – and once you’ve settled in, you can still soak up the buzz of life on board.
I particularly liked the modern Infinity Bar, where you can enjoy delicious cocktails under the open sky, overlooking the sea with lounge music playing in the background. It’s the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink – and a nice contrast to some of the ship’s more colourful venues.
It’s the variety and atmosphere across the different areas of the ship that make it so easy to find something that suits your taste. You’ll find an Aperol Spritz Bar, a Campari Bar – and not least the Heineken Star Club & Bistrò, which was a real highlight for us, with a lively evening atmosphere featuring live music, singing and dancing.
Spacious outdoor areas to enjoy the sun and sea
In general, Costa Toscana offers fantastic outdoor areas with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the surroundings. You’ll find lovely pool areas, jacuzzis – and of course, waterslides for kids and the young at heart. For the little ones, there’s a well-designed Splash AquaPark.
In addition, there’s a sports court, cosy lounge areas, and not least the Volare Skywalk, which is elevated above the pool deck and offers panoramic views of the ship and the sea. At the aft of the ship, you’ll also find Piazza del Campo, where you can sit and take in the beautiful views from the grand staircase or enjoy entertainment.
So even if you don’t have a balcony cabin, there are still plenty of great spots to watch the sunrise or sunset – and, of course, to enjoy the beautiful sail-ins.
Entertainment with a twist
Something that sets Costa Cruises apart from other cruise lines is how they present their entertainment. In addition to the traditional theatre, the ship features Colosseo – a stage in the central atrium that spans three decks, allowing guests to come and go freely or enjoy the show from one of the nearby bars. There’s plenty of entertainment taking place here throughout the day and evening – we saw a Michael Bublé tribute concert, for example, but you can also enjoy performances such as dance and acrobatics. Once again, it’s a great example of how Costa opens up its spaces – and it really works well.
The more traditional theatre, Poltrona Frau Arena, doubles as both a performance venue and a dance floor in the evenings. Even the ship’s indoor pool area is used for entertainment like Silent Disco. One thing’s for sure – when you cruise with Costa Cruises, you’ll always find a good party somewhere on board in the evening!
All in all, Costa Toscana is a great choice for both families with children and those looking for lively evenings with a vibrant atmosphere. There truly is something for everyone on board, and you get excellent value for money. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the ship’s speciality restaurants, which offer a more intimate, relaxed setting and outstanding culinary experiences. And make the most of the ship’s many fantastic facilities – I’m sure you’ll find your own favourites too! You can read more about Costa Toscana here.
Good to know when cruising with Costa Cruises
-
The cruise line is very family-friendly, and you’ll typically see many families with children (especially during peak season)
-
Because of this, the average age on board tends to be younger than on many other cruise lines
-
There are many Southern European guests on board, so communication (e.g. announcements are made over the PA system) is given in Italian, German, French, Spanish, and English