Club Atlantica ©Ray Fischer 2005

High above the ship's Atrium on Deck 10 is the Club Atlantica Restaurant, Costa's premium alternative dining experience. For a $20 (plus 15% service fee, wine not included) per person surcharge, guests can dine on specialties designed by top Italian Chef Gualtiero Marchesi, either from an Italian menu or a Tuscan Steak House menu (or a combination of the two). Although the menus were a bit confusing (as though they couldn't decide just what type of restaurant to be), the food was delectable and the service exquisite, well worth the additional fee. Kudos to Executive Chef Salvatore Palumbo, whose kitchen works around the clock to produce over 10,000 meals each day. His efforts and expertise are especially apparent here.

Note: Club Atlantica serves dinner from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. At 10:00 p.m., the Club Atlantica balcony becomes a "Cigar Corner." There is no partition between the balcony and the restaurant, so be sure to dine early unless you relish the smell of cigars with your dessert. On the evening we dined there, an eager cigar aficionado lit up considerably earlier than 10:00 and our server intervened; however the smoke lingered in the air.

Although many cruise lines are eliminating them, Costa still provides the traditional midnight buffets, which are creative and varied and reflect the entertainment theme of the evening. Flambéed desserts were offered late one night in the lounges. On another night, it was an Italian buffet. Perhaps the most fun was the buffet staged right in the ship's galley when several hundred guests gave new meaning to the phrase "raiding the refrigerator."

Accommodations

Veranda Stateroom ©Ray Fischer 2005

The unusual category of “French Veranda” includes a sliding glass door opening to the outside, but no actual balcony on which to step or sit. As these are fully-obstucted staterooms, the view is extremely limited to the lifeboat directly outside, allowing guests to see straight up or down, and whether it is daytime or nighttime, but not much else.

Guests in the 58 suites enjoy extra-roomy accommodations plus additional amenities, including full size whirlpool bathtubs, sitting areas, VIP check in, sparkling wine and canapés upon arrival, and butler service. Each day a fresh fruit basket is delivered to the suite, along with menus for full-service in-suite dining (room service is available in all cabins on a much more limited basis). Suite guests enjoy plush bathrobes, slippers and luxurious toiletries, and receive an invitation to a special Captain’s cocktail party and an evening for two in Club Atlantica.

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