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Costa Luminosa Facts &
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ShipParade home |
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On May 5, 2009, Costa Cruises' brand new flagship Costa
Luminosa left Venice on her maiden voyage, only a few days
after being handed over by her builders Fincantieri. The
92,600 ton vessel is the first of three newbuildings that will
be added to the Costa fleet in as little as eight months; all part
of an aggressive expansion program. I joined Costa Luminosa
on May 2
for an overnight cruise from Venice to the Adriatic Sea and was taken by her easy layout and friendly crew. Costa Luminosa's interiors are designed by Joe Farcus and are
somewhat toned down when compared to earlier Costa ships. The
theme on board is "light" and the ship features 120 Murano
glass chandeliers and a two-deck high pool area that is
covered by a sliding glass roof.
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Atrium Supernova |
Atrium Supernova |
Atrium Supernova |
Atrium Supernova |
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There she is. The 10 foot long and 910 kilo
heavy lady lies smack in the middle of the 9-deck high Supernova Atrium on
Costa Luminosa. The metal sculpture was made by the Colombian
artist Fernando Botero and is one of the most eye-catching pieces of art
on board Costa Crociere's new flagship.
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Cabin corridor |
Balcony stateroom |
Balcony stateroom |
Balcony stateroom |
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Costa Luminosa's 1,130
staterooms and en
suites (of which 65% have a private balcony) can be found on six
decks. The average balcony stateroom is quite large, with ample
closet space for a week long cruise. The flat screen TV features
programs in German, English, Spanish, French and Italian - the
same language as all announcements on board. One tip is to book
one of the aft facing balcony stateroom; they have larger
balconies and the view is spectacular. |
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Lido Dorado |
Lido Dorado |
Lido Dorado |
Andromeda Buffet Restaurant |
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Lido Dorado |
Lido Dorado |
Delphinus Pool Bar |
Andromeda Buffet Restaurant |
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The hand of Joe
Farcus, Carnival's prominent interior designer, is all too obvious
when stepping on board. On Costa Luminosa, Farcus
has succesfully combined elements of earlier Costa (and Carnival)
ships. Copied from Costa Concordia and Costa Serena is the Samsara
Spa, with dedicated Spa staterooms and a restaurant. The Lido
Dorado with its sliding glass roof is another feature made popular
on earlier ships. New to Costa Luminosa are the chocolate
Bar (yummie!) and the skeeler court. This is definitely a
family-oriented ship and the kids will love the 4-D cinema, the
Grand Prix simulator, sports court and the 3-deck high theater
with Surround Sound. Proudly flying the Italian flag, this is a
pan-European resort at sea! |
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Upper deck |
Lido Delphinus |
Lido Delphinus |
Lido Delphinus |
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Lido Delphinus |
Arriving at Venice |
Docked at Venice |
Aft decks |
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Children's open deck |
Top deck |
Teen's Zone |
Squok Club |
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At first glance,
the combination of colors and motives used in Luminosa's
interior spaces is rather overpowering. Still, once you get used
to it you notice it works. Joe Farcus always adds a touch a genius
to his ship designs and Costa Luminosa is no different.
With lots of muted earth tones, the interiors are definitely toned
down to reflect a more European taste. Still, the design team
couldn't help using a mind boggling array of furniture and
artwork. My favorite spot is probably the Libra Bar with its many
intimate seating alcoves and its funky silver couches. The Altair
Discotheque is another highlight with its two-deck high wall of
TV's.
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Taurus Restaurant |
Taurus Restaurant |
Taurus Restaurant |
Unique door handles |
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Libra Bar |
Libra Bar |
Libra Bar |
Altair Discotheque |
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Breakfast, lunch
and dinner are served in the gigantic, two deck high Taurus
Restaurant. Count on meals to be served much later than on
US-based ships to reflect the Mediterranean habits. If you are
looking for a quick bite you can head for deck 9 and the Andromeda
Buffet Restaurant. The walls of glass offer spectacular views of
sea and shore and there are many smaller food outlets scattered
across the room, including Oriental specialties, a pasta station
and pizza bar. My tip is to first "walk the room" and see what's
available before you attack one of the buffets!
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Altair Discotheque |
Libra Bar |
Vega Casino |
Vega Casino |
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Vega Casino |
Grand Bar Elettra |
Grand Bar Elettra |
Grand Bar Elettra |
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Forward lobby |
Altair Discotheque |
Grand Bar Elettra |
Antares Piano Bar |
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With a bit of luck
you may eat your lunch alfresco at one of the tables on deck 9 aft
near the Delphinus Pool. The are underneath the yellow tent-like
awning is very popular - mostly because the pool bar serves up all
kinds of coffee specialties. On sunny days you can plunge into the
pool here, or find some more peace and quiet on one of the other
open decks. |
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Sirius Coffee Bar |
Sirius Coffee Bar |
Antares Piano Bar |
Gallery Shops |
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Bar Virgo |
Bar Virgo |
Phoenix Theater |
Phoenix Theater |
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After having spent
24 hours on board, I can safely say this is a ship for all ages.
As the kids are entertained in the Squok Club, the teenagers will
hang around the Grand Prix simulator. Their parents will love the
Sirius Coffee Bar with its divine chocolate truffels (great with
cappuccino!) or the ballroom-sized dance floor of the Grand Bar
Elettra. Life is good on Costa Luminosa. Or, as the
Italians say, ”La vita č bella”!
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