Costa Magica
Editor's note: This ship is no longer sailing as part of the Costa fleet.
Costa Magica may have been modeled after Carnival Cruise Line’s Destiny-class vessels, but she’s Italian through and through. With a festive ambience, culinary treats galore (pasta, pastries, pizza), and extravagant décor (oversize photos of Portofino, mannequins of knights and ladies), this 2,720-passenger ship is an Italian celebration of la dolce vita_._
What We Love
Ample Deck Space: Besides the amphitheater-style deck around one of the four pools, there are plenty of spots on the Mantegna and Canaletto decks where you can grab a chaise, order an Aperol spritzer, and enjoy sunshine and salty breezes.
Choice of Embarkation Ports: Costa Magica cruises the Mediterranean and the French Caribbean, where you can board in a variety of ports (for example, Rome or Marseille) to enjoy the itinerary segment of your choice. And since the entire ship isn’t embarking at once, you can expect shorter wait times and less chaos.
Best Known For
Italian-Themed Dinners: Menus spotlight a different region of Italy each evening, with dishes that go far beyond familiar fare. One course may be Venetian-style salt cod with baked polenta, another a Taranto-style pasta with mussels, tomato, and chili pepper. Whatever the menu del giorno, it will be sure to pique (and satisfy) your appetite.
The Nightlife: Early to bed? Not on this ship — the disco doesn’t even open until quarter past midnight. The rest of 's 11 bars and lounges range from animated to intimate: The dance floor is never empty at the Gran Salento Bar, nibbles are paired with Primitivo and Chianti Classico at Capo Colonna, and soulful Latin music is the specialty at the Spoleto Ballroom.