Costa Fortuna has drawn inspiration from the grand Italian steamships that provids regular passenger services between Italy and the Americas. Throughout this Costa cruise ship, scale models of historic cruise ships have been incorporated into the style and design of the Costa Fortuna’s various restaurants and other public areas. For more recent history of these cruise ships, guests can view a tribute to the first (and leading) Italian Cruise Company by glancing up at the ceiling of the main lobby known as the Costa Atrium where models of 26 past members of the Costa fleet are displayed.

With Costa Fortuna, you can have a European cruise experience mixed with American-style comforts, red arrow Elegant breakfast buffet in the main dining room, multiple entertainment options in cozy lounges and the same lay-out as Carnival sibling Destiny.

Dining

Mealtimes on Costa Fortuna generally follow cruise traditions rahter than set the pace for new innovations. At breakfast, expect casual fare in Restaurant Buffet Colombo 1954 — the usual suspects, including omelets made to order, along with cold cuts and cheeses, which are generally more appealing to a European palate.

At lunch expect more of the same, with the addition of an outdoor grill out by the pool, where you can get twice-cooked burgers and grilled chicken and French fries. There’s a daily “tea time” in the buffet venue. Lunch in either of the dining rooms (though Restaurant Michelangelo 1965, located aft, has three sides of windows) is a fantastic treat — particularly on sea days. The menu offers daily specials (the risotto quattro formaggia was divine), and you can always get grilled chicken or steak.

Dinner, as befits a European-style cruise, is the big event on Costa Fortuna — and most of the attention is focused on a more formal-style meal that can last three hours. Alternatives are basically limited to the Restaurant Buffet Cristoforo Colombo 1954, which is transformed into a candle-lit pizzeria from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., and the chic-chic Club Grand Conte 1927, at the top of the ship, which is quite swish (and has a piano player) — the ultimate onboard restaurant for a romantic experience. The latter has a 23 Euro service charge.

Room service is limited, as is fairly typical on European ships. Continental breakfast (cappuccino and cafe Americano, pastries, juices, cereal and yogurt) is available. There is also a space on the breakfast request form where you can write in a hot dish — though there’s no menu from which to select. Otherwise, the 24-hour service is limited to a snack selection — a choice of three sandwiches. For a “snack,” there’s a service charge of 2 Euros.

Public Rooms

As Costa Fortuna’s design scheme pays homage to classic Italian ships, cruise history fans will be intrigued by the public rooms. Some are literal interpretations of rooms found on some of these classic vessels (whose provenance ranges from 1921 – 1965), like the gorgeously elegant Conte di Savoia 1932 Grand Bar, a terrific dancing venue, and the Classico Roma 1926 Bar, for after-dinner cognac and cigars.

Others are more whimsical; the fabulous Conte Rossi 1921 Piano Bar is decked out in a red color scheme (as befits its name), and naturally, the Neptunia 1932 Casino and the Vulcania 1927 Disco are much more contemporary than the originals.

Other features of the “inside” portion of the ship, which spans Decks 4, 5 and 6, include a dynamically designed library-card room (with so few books we urge you to bring your own), the Virtual World arcade (designers didn’t even try to come up with a vintage ship inspiration on this one) and the three-tiered Rex 1932 Gallery, which is the ship’s main show lounge. The shops and photo gallery are also located here.

The Costa Atrium, located on Deck 3 and stretching up to Deck 9, is a great meet-and-greet spot (not to mention a superb place for people watching). Definitely don’t miss the ceiling that covers part of it — cardboard (you can’t tell, though) models of every one of Costa’s ships through history (we counted 26) hang upside down.

Cabins

Of Costa Fortuna’s 1,358 cabins, 522 come with balconies. Sizewise, they run about average — inside and staterooms with a window are fairly basic, with a queen that converts to twins, one chair, a vanity/desk and a mini-fridge. Standard verandah cabins boast one extra amenity — the balcony. All of these feature compact bathrooms with shower. This is a ship where, if budget allows, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a mini-suite, which features a pull-out couch (same bathroom); even nicer are the suites which have separate seating areas, marble bathrooms with whirlpool baths, and a double-wide balcony.

Spa & Fitness

Costa Fortuna has four pools (including one that’s kid-dedicated). The main pool area features two pools, a waterslide, three huge whirlpools, a theater area with professional-style lighting and tiered levels of lounge chairs. We loved that when weather got cool, crew members decked each chair with a variety of wool tartan rugs in different colors and plaids.

Our favorite pool area — we appreciate peace and quiet — is the Lido Colombo, which can be covered in inclement weather. It’s got two huge whirlpools.

It must be admitted — the spa is rather utilitarian. If you’ve been on a Carnival Destiny-class ship you’ve seen it, down to the whirlpool in the center of the fitness facility that appears as if carved out of rocks (that’s the most interesting thing about it). The fitness area is well-enough equipped.

More interesting is the ship’s tennis court — it comes with stadium seating (for big-audience events), unique to Costa Fortuna. There’s also a running track.

Family & Children

There’s the Club Squok, the ship’s kids’ facility. There’s no breaking down of rooms per age category (kids from 3 – 12 head to one room), although teens do have their own rather utilitarian area next door.

source: costacruise.com, cruisecritic.com

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