Costa Concordia

As one of the largest vessels in the Costa Cruises fleet, the Costa Concordia is a well-appointed ship that offers plenty of fun activities and relaxing locations - so you can make your cruise experience whatever you want it to be.

Costa is an Italian cruise line owned by the British-American Carnival Group. It was founded in 1924 and originally operated cargo vessels that travelled between Italy and South America. Today, the line comprises 15 cruise ships that all sail under the Italian flag.

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The Concordia generally travels around the western Mediterranean. It typically departs on seven or nine-night voyages from Barcelona or Rome and popular ports of call include Tunis, Malta, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca and Marseille.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 3,800
Year entered service: 2006
Beam (ship width): 123.0 feet
Draught (ship depth): 26.4 feet
Length: 951.4 feet
Tonnage: 112,000
Crew: 1,090
Maximum speed: 23 knots
Number of passenger decks: 14
Number of lifts: 14
Number of swimming pools: 4
Number of cabins: 1,500

Food, cuisine and dining

There are five fabulous restaurants on the Concordia, ensuring that there's something to satiate any cravings - whether you're looking for a simple sandwich or a multiple-course feast.

Milano and Romana are the names of the two main dining rooms and these both tend to specialise in Italian fare. There's a huge range of pasta dishes, while other options include veal and seafood.

These venues are elegantly decorated, with beautiful lighting, crisp white linens and pretty floral centrepieces. Most of the tables are large, with space for as many as eight guests, giving you the chance to meet fellow passengers and enjoy vibrant conversations. Breakfast and lunch are served in both locations on an open seating basis, while dinner is a more traditional affair with two set services.

If you feel like trying something a bit more casual, then the Parigi Buffet could be a good choice. It offers breakfast and lunch, as well as pizza in the afternoon. It's also a great place to pick up a hot drink throughout the day. In addition, there is Caffeteria Helsinki for specialty coffees and pastries.

Other dining options include the Samsara Restaurant - which is associated with the spa - and Club Corcordia, a gourmet restaurant that specialises in molecular cooking. Room service is also available.

On-board entertainment and activities

Cruises are all about relaxation and the Concordia offers plenty of facilities to make sure you can unwind in a way that works for you.

This means that there are loads of activities, events and entertainment going on all the time - from lounging by the pool to enjoying a show or taking part in a game-show style competition. There's also shopping, an F1 race car simulator, a 4D cinema and a giant outdoor screen that shows movies and sporting events.

There are 13 bars located around the vessel, providing plenty of places to enjoy your favourite beverage and your surroundings. Most of the public rooms are themed around cities in Europe and some of the most popular include the Grand Bar Berlino and the Sports Bar Stoccolma.

Bar Budapest is a wine bar where you can taste an inspiring range of vintages and it even serves complimentary canapes before dinner every night. Meanwhile, there's a cognac and cigar bar, as well as a coffee and chocolate bar.

And for those who want to show off their moves, many of the bars have live music for dancing. There's also the Lisbona disco.

Spas and fitness facilities

The Samsara Spa takes up a massive part of the ship, giving passengers plenty of options when it comes to pampering, indulgence and relaxation.

If you prefer to unwind with exercise, then there's also a large gym with various machines and a fitness studio where classes are regularly held.

Of course, one of the most popular parts of any cruise is the swimming pool - and this is certainly true on the Concordia. The ship has four pools and two of these have sliding glass roofs, allowing swimmers and sunbathers to enjoy the sun's warmth, even in the winter.

One pool is reserved for adults only, ensuring it's a calm and quiet place, while another pool is specifically for kids, with a splash zone and a livelier atmosphere.

There are also four whirlpools situated in different locations on the ship, these provide the perfect place to let your tired muscles relax.

Cabins

With 1,500 rooms and 20 different price categories, there's sure to be a room on the Concordia that suits your specific requirements - whether you're looking for cruise deals or the most lavish of accommodation.

The standard rooms measure around 160 square feet and are available with no view, a view or a balcony. Meanwhile, there are eight Grand Suites, which offer guests around 360 square feet and are the most elaborate rooms on-board.

Most accommodation options are suitable for two passengers, although there are some options available for larger groups or solo travellers. There are also a number of rooms designed for disabled access.