This European line celebrates Europe in bold fashion: think late-night disco, Italian pizza and gelato, and multiple language announcements ringing through the halls. It might not be the cruise experience most Americans are used to, but the line does mirror its parent company, Carnival, in one big way: really cheap prices. Here’s everything you need to know to get a great deal on a Costa cruise:
1. Choose a European itinerary.
You can find some of the most budget-friendly Western Mediterranean cruises in the industry — we’re talking $300 to $400 for a seven-night sailing — during the off-season. Just make sure to factor in the cost of flights to and from ports such as Marseille, Rome, or Barcelona.
2. Pick a ship close to home.
If you want to cut out the cost of an international flight, choose a ship that home ports in the U.S. Costa Deliziosa sails out of Fort Lauderdale in the winter on 10-day Caribbean itineraries before repositioning to Europe in spring.
3. Watch for promotions.
In the past Costa has wow-ed families with "kids sail free" promotions, as well as "two for one" fares.
4. Choose a short itinerary.
If you want a quick getaway or a relaxing transfer between two cities on a leg of your vacation, a three-night cruise is a wallet-friendly option. $200 for a three-night Mediterranean cruise, anyone?
5. Wait until the last minute.
Guess what? Procrastination pays off when it comes to this European line. If you’re able to drop everything and go, wait until the weekend before the sailing and watch the prices plummet as the sailing approaches — you’re sure to find a selection of Mediterranean cruises below $500.
6. Book in the off season.
Like most cruise lines, Costa slashes fares the most in January, February, and March for Wave Season, when most people book their cruises.
7. Choose an older ship.
The line’s older ships usually have the best prices. We’ve seen three-day Mediterranean cruises on Costa Mediterranea (built in 2003) for $209. But even on the line's newest build, the shiny Costa Diadema, you can still find a great deal. We recently saw a seven-night Mediterranean cruise on this impressive new build for a mere $599.
8. Consider a new part of the world.
If you have "been there, done that " when it comes to the Caribbean — or you're just feeling adventurous — you can venture out to the Eastern hemisphere with this line without dropping a lost of cash. We've seen a seven-night round trip sailings from Dubai on Costa Mediterranea for $650, which sure beats paying for hotels, food, and flights in this pricey region.
