On 4th September, I boarded Costa Cruises’ Costa Luminosa at the port of Harwich. It was my first time stepping foot on a Costa ship and I was intrigued to learn more about the Costa cruise experience. I had always perceived Costa Cruises to be flamboyantly decorated with garish colours, however after visiting the ship, I now know that although some areas are very vibrant and bold, they are also beautiful at the same time.
Once onboard, we were greeted by the impressive view of the Supernova Atrium. Ascending an incredible 10 decks high, it was mesmerising staring up at the glass skylight. Beautiful blown-glass chandeliers surrounded the atrium area giving a beautiful gentle glow of light.
The stunning two-deck high Taurus Restaurant is located at the aft of the ship. Although rather crowded with not much room to pass between tables, the actual size of the restaurant is impressive.
The Bellatrix Library is one of the most vibrant and contemporary libraries I have ever seen on a ship. Although it wasn’t the largest library, it did have a good selection of books available in several different languages.
The Galleria Shops offer a good variety of boutique shops and souvenirs. I loved the funky wood and blue-tiled curved walls that lead through the shopping area.
The Sirius Café is a great coffee and chocolate shop complete with a chocolate fountain!
The Antares Piano Bar is the perfect place to relax in the evening listening to the wonderful sounds of a pianist or talented singers as well as karaoke sessions.
The spectacular Phoenix Theatre spans three decks and is capable of seating 800 guests. The aisles are very wide, perfect for easing that end-of-show congestion.The lower level of the theatre offers sofa style seating, with large tables to place drinks on. The upper level has individual seats, with comfortable high-raised backs and cup holders in the arm rests.
The Elettra Grand Bar is a fabulous ballroom and is home to nightly dances, quiz games and music.
The Vega Casino is very spacious and contains a mixture of slot machines, roulette and card tables, in addition to pool tables. Also situated nearby is the Virtual World Arcade.
The Dorado Lido is the main swimming pool onboard. The retractable roof means that no matter the weather, guests can enjoy a pleasant swim. The pool area features two whirlpools as well as a movie screen.
The Samsara Spa is home to a large gym, giant relaxation pool, a beauty salon as well as a sauna and steam room.
Onboard Costa Luminosa, guests can experience the sensation of driving a Formula 1 race car at Scuderia Costa. There is also a racing themed bar situated close by, perfect for a refreshing pit stop! Situated at the opposite side of the ship, There is a small miniature golf course as well as a golf simulator.
The outdoor decks onboard Costa Luminosa are very spacious. In addition to the usual jogging track, there is even a lane dedicated for roller-skating! Behind the funnel is a small basketball court, as well as an observation area, complete with scenic binoculars.
Overlooking the aft of the ship is the Delphinus Lido. This adults only pool area also has two hot tubs as well as plenty of sun loungers. The nearby Delphinus Bar offers cool, refreshing drinks and is surrounded by plenty of tables under four canopies.
The Andromeda Self Service Restaurant offers delicious European dishes, such as bratwurst sausages, pasta and the best pizza I have ever tasted! The buffet surrounds the top of the Supernova Atrium, which means you can look straight down to the Elettra Grand Bar several decks below!
The two-deck high Altair Disco is the party-lover’s hotspot. Featuring a giant video wall and a dance floor, this it the perfect venue to dance the night away!
The Oriental-themed Samsara Restaurant offers light and healthy dishes complimentary for those staying in Samsara cabins, or available to all other guests for a €20 cover charge. The restaurant is intimate and uses delicious, fresh ingredients.
That concludes our tour of Costa Luminosa. The ship was certainly a lot better than I was expecting and there was a good selection of venues and features onboard for all ages. I would certainly consider a Costa cruise in the future. With 7-night Mediterranean cruises starting from just £499, I would highly encourage you to give Costa a go too!