Costa Serena
Built in Italy in 2007, the decor of this 3,000-guest Concordia-class ship is inspired by the gods and goddesses of ancient Roman and Greek mythology. Although part of the Miami-based Carnival Corporation, Costa Serena rocked a distinctly European vibe for years, with announcements made not only in Italian and English but also in Spanish, French, German, and a handful of other languages — reflecting the multicultural makeup of its passengers. That all changed in April 2015 when Costa Cruises moved Costa Serena to a new home port in Shanghai to cater to the Chinese market. The ship is now in Southeast Asia, catering to the largely Asian passenger base and cruising from a variety of homeports.
What We Love
The Culinary Mix: While Costa’s bustling, two-story dining rooms are traditionally known for focusing on pasta and continental dishes, Serena’s repositioning has added a pan-Asian flair with Sushini at Costa, the line’s first sushi bistro. Guests can still enjoy plenty of pasta, pizza, and gelato at the eight onboard restaurants and snack bars.
The Thalassotherapy Pool: Located in the two-level spa, the large jetted pool is an ideal spot to relax before or after a massage.
Best Known For
Jam-Packed Itineraries: Cruise passengers who want to see a different city every day — in three or four countries — will appreciate Costa Serena’s fast-paced itineraries_._ That said, the ship might only be in port for five or six hours.