Costa is known for celebrating its Italian roots (think lots of Mediterranean and Italian cuisine), and you'll find that North Americans are typically outnumbered by Europeans on the majority of Costa Pacifica's sailings. The budget-friendly cruises also attract a lot of families, and the vibe onboard the 3,012-passenger ship is fun, lively, and loud.
Family-Fun Activities: Families love the Grand Prix simulator, huge poolside movie screen, water slide, video game room, and four swimming pools (two with retractable roofs that can be used no matter what the weather).
Samsara Spa Cabins and Suites: The Samsara Spa is gorgeous, and if you book a Samsara cabin or suite you get direct access to both the spa and the Samsara restaurant — as well as two treatments included in your fare.
Buzzing Bars and Lounges: The ship's 13 bars and lounges each feature a different kind of music and most are high energy — perfectly pitched for having fun and people watching.
Multigenerational Families: A multitude of onboard activities, appealing entertainment venues, and port-intensive itineraries make Costa Pacifica a good choice for a family vacation.
Budget-Minded Travelers: As is the case with all of the line's ships, Costa Pacifica's wallet-friendly fares appeal to value-conscious cruisers.
Quiet Time Is Elusive: While constantly hearing music might be fun for some, it can prove annoying to guests seeking a more subdued cruise experience. And like the line's other ships, Costa Pacifica caters primarily to Europeans with announcements made in at least five languages — Italian, German, French, Spanish, and English — so even if there's not more public announcements than on other large mainstream ships, it certainly seems that way after a while.
Record No More: Costa Pacifica was the first cruise ship to have a recording studio, where you could sing and get an expertly mixed CD to take home, but alas the unique feature was removed.
