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

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of setting sail on a brand-new cruise ship, and my recent sailing aboard Norwegian Aqua, the latest addition to Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, was an experience to remember. From seamless embarkation to outstanding dining and entertainment, this cruise delivered the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

 

Effortless Embarkation
Boarding Norwegian Aqua in Southampton was a breeze. I arrived at the port at my allocated time, presented my barcode, sailed through security, and showed my passport. Within moments, I was onboard, and to my delight, my cabin was ready immediately.

 

A Spacious and Comfortable Cabin
I stayed in a B4 grade family balcony cabin on the 16th deck, which exceeded my expectations. There was plenty of wardrobe space, a spacious room layout, and a generously sized shower. For those who needed, the sofa in the cabin was a sofa bed allowing the cabin to sleep four passengers. The balcony was a perfect retreat, offering just the right amount of space to enjoy peaceful ocean views. NCL have done a fantastic job with the light and modern décor of the cabin too, making it a perfect relaxing space.

 

 

Exploring the Ship
Navigating Norwegian Aqua was effortless. I often find myself lost on large cruise ships, but the well-planned layout made it easy to get around. Plus, I never had to wait long for an elevator—a rare and welcome bonus on a cruise ship!

Again, NCL have really stepped up the game with their décor onboard. Norwegian Aqua really has a sense and feel of a modern luxury hotel at sea. All venues and lounges onboard the ship feel spacious and welcoming. A real highlight space for me onboard was the Vibe Beach Club. Offering an exclusive oasis on the top deck of the ship, it is an adult only get away with a bar, hot tubs and upgraded loungers.

 

A Culinary Adventure at Sea
Dining onboard was a highlight of my trip. With so many options, finding a delicious meal was never a challenge. Dining venues I enjoyed:

• Surfside Grill: A great self-service spot for quick and tasty bites throughout the day.
• Indulge: A unique concept where guests can order via a convenient tablet at the table. Offering different cuisine from Indian and Italian to Latin American it has something for everyone
• Hudson’s: One of the main dining rooms, where breakfast was always a treat thanks to the friendly and attentive staff.
• The Local: A casual dining venue perfect for a relaxed pub style meal. Their burgers and pretzel bites were delicious.
• Sukhothai: A standout specialty restaurant offering mouthwatering Thai cuisine. I especially loved the fried bananas with coconut ice cream, a must-try dessert!

 

 

World-Class Entertainment
The entertainment lineup on Norwegian Aqua was varied and engaging. I attended:

• Revolution: A show featuring Prince’s greatest hits. For those looking to get the most of the show, I would recommend entering on deck 6, where there is standing space in and around the moving stage. You will be fully immersed in the show.
• Elements: A dazzling mix of magic and dance that left me mesmerized. The all-new show features stunning magic, acrobatics and captivating dance.
• Syd Normans Pour House: With an amazing house band we got to witness a talented singer performing Amy Winehouse and Adele’s greatest hits.
• A Murder Mystery Event: This was an exciting way to spend the day working in groups to solve a murder mystery puzzle. A perfect event for those travelling in a group.

 
Relaxation and Recreation
While I didn’t make use of the gym or waterslides, I was impressed by the Aqua Coaster and the variety of pools, hot tubs, and infinity pools onboard. Though the weather was a bit too chilly for me to swim, the Vibe Beach Club was the perfect place to unwind. With a cabana bed, a refreshing mocktail in hand, and a good book, I found my slice of paradise at sea.

 

 

Little Extras That Made a Difference

Some additional perks of my trip included the Complimentary TV shows and movies in the cabin. With the drinks package included with my sailing there were also plenty of drink options. In addition, there was also a Starbucks onboard.

 

Final Thoughts
My experience aboard Norwegian Aqua was truly unforgettable. Whether you're a family, a couple, a group of friends, or a solo traveller, this ship has something for everyone. The entertainment may not be Broadway-level, but there’s plenty to keep you entertained throughout the voyage. I only wish I could have stayed longer!

If you’re considering a cruise with Norwegian Aqua, don’t hesitate. This ship delivers an exceptional experience from start to finish. I’m already counting down the days until my next adventure at sea!