The Costa Deliziosa, launched from the Fincantieri shipyards in 2010, holds a unique place in the Costa Cruises fleet. This ship remains the flagship for the very long voyages of the company, particularly the world tours. We analyze it here from the perspective of its actual positioning, technical strengths, and structural limitations.
Aging of the Costa Deliziosa: What the 2018 Renovation Changed (and What It Did Not Fix)
The last documented renovation of the Deliziosa dates back to 2018. On a ship of this generation, six additional years of operation leave visible traces, particularly in the interior cabins and circulation areas.
The wall coverings, the carpets in the corridors, and the furniture in the standard cabins show signs of heavy use. The suites and Samsara cabins, positioned at a higher end, maintain a better overall condition, but the gap in finishing compared to Costa ships launched after 2020 is clear.
The high-value common areas have held up better and retain their charm. We were able to consult a review of the Costa Deliziosa ship which confirms that the atmosphere on board remains a strong point despite the ship’s age.
The Samsara Spa is a facility that has no equivalent on all ships of comparable size. The maintenance of these facilities remains satisfactory.
Short Cruise or World Tour: The Deliziosa Should Not Be Judged by the Same Format
The experience on board changes radically depending on the duration of the trip. The current programming of the Costa Deliziosa alternates between cruises of 3 to 7 nights in the Mediterranean and crossings of several dozen days, up to the world tour format of 137 days.
On a short format (departing from Bari or Trieste to Greece, Montenegro, or Croatia), the ship perfectly fulfills its role. The stops follow one another, the time spent on board is limited, and the variety of activities is more than sufficient.
What a Prolonged Stay Reveals
Beyond two weeks, the structural limitations become apparent. The storage in standard interior and exterior cabins is designed for one-week stays. The storage spaces in standard cabins are insufficient for a trip of several weeks.
The rotation of menus in the main restaurant follows a cycle that, on a long format, ends up repeating. However, the dining options remain one of the ship’s strengths, with the cuisine of Bruno Barbieri and the Samsara restaurant.
For passengers considering a world tour or a long transatlantic segment, we recommend targeting the higher categories (suites or balcony cabins) which offer a more suitable daily living space.
Itineraries from Bari and Trieste: Greece, Croatia, Montenegro
The recent programming concentrates the Costa Deliziosa on loops in the Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean. Departures from Bari and Trieste serve ports such as Corfu, Argostoli, Kotor, Split, and several Italian ports.
- Stops in Greece (Corfu, Argostoli) offer a good port time / sailing time ratio, with full days at the dock
- Kotor in Montenegro remains one of the most spectacular stops in the area, with the entrance into the Bay of Kotor at dawn
- Split and the Croatian coast allow for independent excursions without going through onboard packages, which reduces the overall budget
- The departure from Bari has the advantage of an airport well served by low-cost airlines, unlike Trieste
These 7-night all-inclusive itineraries represent the best value for money on the ship. The duration limits the impact of the Deliziosa’s weaknesses while fully enjoying its strengths (Italian dining, spa, quality stops).
Cabins and Suites on the Costa Deliziosa: Choose According to Cruise Duration
The ship offers several categories of cabins, including balcony cabins, suites, and Samsara cabins dedicated to wellness. The interior cabins, the least expensive, are suitable for a short cruise in the Mediterranean but become restrictive beyond that.
The Samsara Cabins, a Relevant Choice for Long Formats
The Samsara cabins provide privileged access to the spa and include wellness services. On a long crossing, this access makes a real difference in daily life on board. The Samsara cabins justify their extra cost only on cruises of more than ten days.
The suites, located on the upper decks, offer significantly more living and storage space. For a couple traveling for several weeks, moving to a suite transforms the experience.
Families and Children On Board
The ship offers entertainment for children, but the Deliziosa is not the most suitable ship for families with young children on long formats. The dedicated spaces remain limited compared to newer units in the fleet. However, on a short summer cruise with beach stops, the ship is quite suitable.
The Costa Deliziosa remains a ship with a strong character, driven by a strong Italian identity in dining and design. Its positioning on very long crossings makes it an atypical choice in the Costa fleet. For a one-week cruise in the Adriatic, the value-for-money ratio is hard to beat in this range. On a world format, the choice of cabin category becomes crucial for the quality of the stay.
