Costa Cruises Review: Is This Italian Line Right for British Cruisers?
Costa Diadema docked in Palma Mallorca
When people talk about European cruise lines in the UK, names like MSC Cruises often dominate the conversation. Yet one cruise line that perhaps deserves a little more of your attention is Costa Cruises.
As Europe’s largest Italian cruise operator, Costa offers a distinctly different cruise experience from many British and American cruise lines. It’s louder, livelier, more international, and unapologetically Italian. After our first cruise with Costa, we quickly realised that comparing it directly with UK-focused cruise lines doesn’t really tell the full story.
Costa does things differently. The question is: is that a good thing?
After spending a week onboard, we came away genuinely surprised by what this line offers and why it has built such a fiercely loyal following across Europe.
Who Are Costa Cruises?
Costa Cruises is one of Europe’s most established cruise brands, boasting a rich maritime history dating back more than 75 years. Today, the cruise line operates a massive fleet of modern ships sailing throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, the UAE, and beyond.
Costa is often described as an "Italian-style" cruise experience, and that description is absolutely accurate. From the food and entertainment to the vibrant atmosphere onboard, there is a distinctly European feel throughout the journey.
If you're expecting a traditional British cruise experience with early dinner times and quiet pub quizzes, Costa will feel very different. However, if you enjoy lively ships, international passengers, excellent food, and late-night entertainment, Costa has a tremendous amount to offer.
First Impressions: A Different Style of Cruising
One thing that stood out to us immediately was how relaxed the overall experience felt. Boarding was straightforward, the staff were welcoming, and despite being a multilingual cruise line, communication was never an issue.
Before sailing, we had wondered whether language might be a challenge. After all, Costa is an Italian cruise line attracting guests from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and beyond. In reality, we needn't have worried. English is widely spoken throughout the ship. All essential information, daily planners, and menus are available in English, and the crew members communicate confidently across multiple nationalities.
Costa also provides dedicated language hosts and guest services support for different nationalities, helping British passengers feel completely comfortable throughout their holiday. The result is a genuinely international atmosphere that feels refreshingly global.
Ships Designed for Fun
One thing Costa does exceptionally well is creating mega-ships packed with activities. Whether you're travelling as a couple, a family, or a multi-generational group, there is usually something happening somewhere onboard.
Most modern Costa ships feature an incredible lineup of amenities:
Pools & Decks: Multiple swimming pools, large outdoor sun deck spaces, and water attractions/slides.
Family Spaces: Extensive kids' clubs split by age group and dedicated sports facilities.
Leisure: Shopping galleries, a full-service spa, and numerous themed bars and lounges.
Nightlife: A multi-story theatre, live music venues, and late-night nightclubs.
What impressed us most was the clever layout and variety of spaces. You could easily find energetic, high-octane entertainment in one venue while enjoying a quiet, sophisticated drink in another.
Families, in particular, are exceptionally well catered for. The children's facilities are some of the most extensive we've seen at sea, with dedicated entertainment teams ensuring younger guests are thoroughly entertained.
Tom and Dom Travel just about to board Costa Diadema
The Infectious Costa Atmosphere
Perhaps the biggest difference between Costa and many other mainstream cruise lines is the energy level. Costa is lively. Very lively. From morning fitness sessions until the early hours of the morning, there always seems to be a buzz on deck.
The entertainment team deserves special recognition. We genuinely believe they are among the hardest-working entertainment staff we've encountered on any cruise line.
Throughout the day, they host an endless stream of activities:
High-energy poolside games
Interactive quizzes and social gatherings
Dance lessons (expect plenty of salsa and bachata!)
Large-scale theme events and interactive competitions
Their energy is infectious. Even passengers who initially claimed they would simply sit back and relax on a lounger often found themselves joining in. Unlike some cruise lines where entertainment feels strictly confined to the main theatre, Costa's energy spills out across the entire ship. Every corner feels alive.
Evening Entertainment That Surprised Us
If daytime activities impressed us, the evening entertainment exceeded all expectations. Costa clearly understands how to create memorable nights out.
The theatre productions were particularly impressive, featuring a mixture of high-production musicals, acrobatics, guest entertainers, and internationally recognised performers. Because Costa caters to a multinational audience, the shows brilliantly embrace this diversity. Productions often rely heavily on music, visual storytelling, dance, and incredible lighting effects rather than heavy English dialogue, creating a performance style that feels uniquely European.
Then there are the themed parties—and Costa takes these very seriously. Themed evenings (like their famous White Night or Silent Discos) transform entire sections of the ship into giant celebrations.
Tom & Dom Insider Tip: Potential passengers should know that Costa fully embraces a late-night Mediterranean culture. Some of the biggest deck parties, theater shows, and events don't even begin until many passengers on British cruise lines would already be tucked up in bed. If you enjoy a vibrant nightlife, you'll absolutely love the schedule here.
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A show in the main theatre on Costa Diadema
Food: Authentic Italian Flavours
When cruising with an Italian company, expectations regarding food are naturally sky-high. Thankfully, Costa delivers where it matters most.
Italian cuisine features heavily throughout the main dining room menus, alongside international dishes designed to appeal to its diverse passenger base. The pasta dishes, in particular, were exceptional—cooked perfectly al dente just as you would expect in Italy. Every evening offered a varied selection of courses, with menus often reflecting the specific regional destinations visited during the voyage. This regional influence added an extra dimension to dining and helped create a stronger connection to the ports of call.
Dining Venue | Style | What to Expect |
Main Dining Rooms | Table Service | Authentic Italian pasta, regional dishes |
The Buffet | Casual Self-Service | Heavy continental focus, casual bites |
Speciality Restaurants | Premium (Paid) | Teppanyaki, sushi, fine dining steaks |
Buffet Dining
Costa's buffet experience feels slightly different from many British and American cruise lines. Breakfast leans heavily towards European and continental tastes, meaning you will find an abundance of fresh pastries, cold meats, cheeses, and excellent espresso, alongside standard cooked items.
The buffet layout is generally spacious, and despite serving large numbers of passengers, finding a table was rarely difficult. One thing worth noting is that Costa's approach to late-night food differs from some lines; those expecting extensive, complimentary 24-hour midnight buffets may find the options more limited, though pizza stations and additional paid food choices remain open late.
Speciality Dining
Costa also offers a fantastic selection of speciality restaurants, ranging from sushi and teppanyaki experiences to steak-focused venues and high-end fine dining concepts. What we liked was that speciality dining genuinely felt like an upscale treat rather than simply offering the same main dining room menu in a smaller space. However, we found the standard included dining options strong enough that paying extra for speciality dining never felt essential.
Drinks Packages and Value
One area where Costa performs exceptionally well is value for money. Their drinks packages are straightforward and cover an extensive selection of cocktails, beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, and speciality barista coffees.
Unlike some cruise lines that impose strict daily drink limits or complicated tier pricing, Costa's packages feel refreshingly simple. For guests who enjoy making use of the various bars and lounges throughout the day and night, adding a drinks package represent excellent value.
The ship also features an impressive variety of themed bars, each with its own atmosphere. Whether you prefer sipping a classic Aperol Spritz, enjoying a cold Italian beer, or simply people-watching with a cappuccino in the atrium, there's always a venue that suits your mood.
Dom from Tom and Dom Travel, in the Club Restaurant on Costa Diadema
Is Costa Cruises Right for You?
Costa isn't trying to be a British cruise line, nor are they trying to emulate an American mega-resort. They offer something distinctly, proudly European.
You'll likely love Costa if you:
Enjoy lively, high-energy ships
Appreciate a vibrant, late-night Mediterranean nightlife
Love authentic Italian food and regional pasta dishes
Enjoy a diverse, international atmosphere
Are travelling as a family looking for great kids' facilities
You may be less suited to Costa if you prefer:
Quiet, understated evenings
A traditional British cruise environment (kettles in cabins, British pub quizzes)
A strictly formal or quiet atmosphere
Early nights and early dinner sittings
Final Thoughts
Before cruising with Costa, we weren't entirely sure what to expect. What we discovered was a cruise line that offers something refreshingly different from the standard UK cruise market.
Costa combines energetic entertainment, excellent food, family-friendly facilities, and a genuinely international atmosphere into a holiday experience that feels unique within the cruise industry. It won't be for everyone, and that's perfectly fine. But if you're willing to embrace a more European style of cruising and approach the experience with an open mind, Costa has an incredible amount to offer.
Would we cruise with Costa again? Absolutely. And next time, we'll know to pack our dancing shoes and prepare for some very late nights!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the language barrier be a problem on a Costa cruise?
No. While Costa is an Italian cruise line with a multilingual passenger base, English is one of the main operational languages onboard. All announcements, menus, daily entertainment schedules, and safety briefings are provided in English, and the crew speak English fluently.
What is the dress code onboard Costa Cruises?
The dress code is generally casual and relaxed during the day. In the evenings, it leans towards casual or smart-casual. Most cruises feature one or two optional "Gala" or elegant nights, as well as fun themed evenings like a "White Night" or "Silent Disco," where guests are encouraged to dress to match the theme.
Are tips and gratuities included in the price?
This depends on where you book your cruise. For UK passengers booking through standard channels, a mandatory hotel service charge (gratuity) is typically added to your onboard account daily. Unlike some lines, this service charge cannot be adjusted or removed at guest services, though some promotional fares allow you to pre-pay it as part of an all-inclusive bundle before you sail.
Do Costa ships have kettles in the cabins?
No. In keeping with European styles, Costa cabins do not typically come equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities. However, you can easily get hot tea and coffee at the buffet stations or purchase premium speciality coffees at the numerous onboard bars.
Author: Tom and Dom Travel
2 Jul 2026
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We SURVIVED our FIRST DAY on Costa Diadema
Day 1 of our Costa Diadema cruise to France, Italy and Spain started off very early. For this fly cruise we booked our flights independently from Gatwick to Marseille and we were very apprehensive. We arrived at the port in Marseille very early and were surprised by the welcome we received. Boarding Costa Diadema was unusual but went very smoothly and once onboard we set off to explore the ship.