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All text and photographs (unless stated otherwise) © Paul Timmerman By the way, because of her height, her builders Kvaerner-Masa Yards had to raise the roof of their covered building dock. She has 5 decks with balconies, which could be realised by lowering down public rooms and locating them in the hull instead of in the superstructure. Her superstructure doesn't have the same beam as her hull, like e.g. the Costa Classica and Romantica have, and it looks as if these decks are placed on top of the ship instead of forming a unity with the hull. Costa Atlantica features the "Costa trademark" the yellow cylindrical stack, like all other Costa ships except Costa Europa. The Costa Atlantica's interiors are glitzy although her designer Joe Farcus, who has designed all Carnival vessels to date has certainly made her look more like a Carnival ship, rather than retaining the Italian atmosphere so typical of previous Costa vessels, by using hard colors and a lot of glitz aboard. However, on the plus side, this ship is the first Costa vessel to have been decorated following a theme like the ships of the Carnival fleet. The interiors are a tribute to the famous Italian film director Frederico Fellini. Decks have names after Fellini movies, ands several public rooms reflect his films. Large pictures depicting scenes of Fellini-movies are scattered around the ship. Cartoonist Milo Manara has produced many drawings with Fellini-themes that are displayed all over the ship.
Caffe Florian, La Strada deck In all there are 1057 cabins on board, of which 857 have an ocean view and 678 have their own balcony. All cabins are of course equipped with telephone, TV, minibar, hair dryer and even a safe. Six penthouse suites offer a bath & Jacuzzi. Costa is a family oriented cruise line, so there are many 3 and 4 passenger cabins to be found on board Costa Atlantica. Total passenger capacity is 2.680 (all beds in use) and capacity based on double occupancy is 2.114 pax. Outside, on deck, two swimming pools are available, one of these has a magrodome, so this pool can be used also in inclement weather, simply by closing the roof. Children have their own pool, and so does the crew, theirs is located on the foredeck. For those who are addicted to jogging, or those who like to take it slow by just strolling around the ship, there is an outside promenade on La Strada deck, which almost entirely encircles the ship.
Piazza Madame Butterfly lounge, La Dolce Vita deck Public Spaces on Costa Atlantica As usual when a recent newbuilding of a Carnival subsidiary is concerned, interior architect Joe Farcus is responsible for the interior design of the Costa Atlantica. His masterpiece onboard is the focal point of the ship, the La Dolce Vita Atrium. On has to spend some time here to absorb it all. There is so much to see. Starting at the lower level on deck two, special high backed leather chair make those sitting on them look like midgets. Looking up, one sees the glass elevators silently climb the wall. The opposite wall features Pompeii-style frescoes in changing colours. Extra large chandeliers, looking like icicles and on top of the atrium, the Murano glass skylight and the special passageway done in Venetian Glass (designed by artist Luciano Vistosi) make this atrium one of the most impressive afloat. Speaking of artists, 21 different artists have done their utmost in creating fine pieces of artwork which is scattered around the vessel. Even in the disco, Dantes Disco and in the Nightclub, Club Atlantica, tucked away in glass cabinets, artwork is present. In all, Costa Atlantica has over 400 pieces of art on display. On board, a booklet is available concerning a self-guided tour giving a complete overview of the art collection of the Costa Atlantica.
Botticelli restaurant, Ginger e Fred deck We will not discuss all public spaces on Costa Atlantica as this would make this short description of such a fine vessel much to elaborate. Apart from the already mentioned Atrium, the Caffé Florian on La Strada deck is a real masterpiece. It is a replica of the original Caffé Florian, which was opened in 1720 by Floriano Francescani under the name of “Alla Venzia Triumfante”. Soon however. This little coffe shop was called simply “Florian”. Located at the famous San Marco Square, Venice,it has been visited by the likes of Casanova, Proust, Goethe , to name just a few. Since 2000, onboard Costa Atlantica, it is possible to visit this café on the high seas. Even the murals have been carefully duplicated, and the silverware and china reminds one of the original café. The Café is reached by a beautifully decorated staircase which has a small fountain underneath. This stairway originates in the Piazza Madame Butterfly lounge, where butterflies can be found in the motif used in the carpet. It has a Oriental atmosphere, at first sight not very logical in this Italian ship. According to Farcus, the connection is that the writer of the opera is an Italian, Giacomo Puccini. Another almost hidden, tucked away special feature are two stone corridors, running on both sides of the ship under the lower level of the show lounge. At the end the ships’ chapel and the adjacent youth center (where all kinds of video games are available) are located. To conclude our list of Costa Atlantica highlights, the Coral Room on Luci del Varieta Deck must be mentioned. Imitation coral is placed in glass show cases on three sides of this lounge with a clear blue background, resulting in a very special atmosphere (like one is actually under water……). It is a fairly small lounge seating 350, and is used for special events like lectures and dancing.
Pool & Lido area In July 2003 we made a Mediterranenan cruise on the Costa Atlantica. It took us several days to get accustomed to this spectacular ship, as there was so much to see and do...... Together with sister ship Costa Mediterranea, they have attracted a loyal following. For a short time the largest vessels in the Costa-fleet, they were passed in size when newbuilding Costa Fortuna (105.000 GRT) arrived on the scene at the end of 2003.
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