Costa Atlantica
Editor's note: This ship is no longer sailing as part of the Costa fleet.
The 2,114-passenger Costa Atlantica might be familiar to cruisers who have traveled with Carnival before. It’s a near sister of parent company Carnival Cruises’ Carnival Spirit. It’s also the decorative progeny of Carnival’s longtime interior designer Joe Farcus, known for his over-the-top flourish of design and color. In 2015, the Atlantica was given $18 million worth of modifications and upgrades and is now permanently based in Shanghai.
What We Love
Pools, Glorious Pools: The Costa Atlantica has no less than three top-deck pool areas surrounded by sheltered and open decks with Jacuzzis. One pool can be covered with a sliding glass Magrodome in inclement weather.
Loads of Open Deck Space: Vast swaths of deck areas are home to everything from wide-open sunning spaces to a basketball court, a jogging track, and plenty of small nooks and crannies to escape the hustle and bustle.
New Spa Cabins: In the latest refit, the underutilized spa was replaced with 48 new spa staterooms that are located atop the ship, many of which have especially large balconies providing spectacular views.
Best Known For
The First Round-the-World Cruise From China: In the spring and summer of 2015, the Costa Atlantica sailed an 86-day circumnavigation of the world from Shanghai. (Three more round-the-world Costa cruises are planned for 2016 and 2017.)
Soaring Atrium: This class of ships has a jaw-dropping 10-deck-tall atrium festooned with frescoes, neon, fiber-optic lighting, and a trio of panoramic glass elevators.
Who It's Good For
Asian Cruisers: Since the ship relocated to Shanghai, the food, entertainment, and amenities have been tweaked to provide a comfortable and user-friendly environment for Asian-based cruisers.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
It’s Definitely For a Foreign Market: This is not a ship for those seeking an American-style cruise experience.