Costa Classica

Costa Classica was inaugurated in 1991 as a step upward toward luxury, and in 1999 there was a plan to stretch her, which was abandoned in favor of an extensive refurbishment in 2000. You can get drunk on the lavish display of art on this ship, set at about $20 million when she was launched, with an incredible amount of sculpture, original painting, hangings, murals and crafts, even for a Costa vessel. The nude figures in the lobby are gone now, and problems with sound carrying in the dining room, which originally reverberated from the Carrerra marble floor, have been solved. With rich wood paneling and the charming leather chairs that have been used in Costa's later ships, the Classica emerged from her refit gorgeous and very popular. This is a romantic ship, from the moment the white-gloved attendants escort passengers to their cabins, and service has real panache.

Built in                          1991   

Refurbished in                2001

Passenger Capacity         1,680 (total beds)

Number of Crew            590

Total Cabins                  654 (6 for Handicapped Guests)

Tonnage                        52,926 t

Length                          220.6 m

Beam                            30.8 m

Decks                            13 (11 for Guests Use)

Max Speed                     20 Knots

Cruising Speed               18.5 Knots