The Queen of the Mediterranean will offer a complete immersion in Italian flavors and the joyful lifestyle.
Costa Crociere presents the rich gastronomic offering that will be on board the new flagship, the Costa Diadema, and that will allow passengers to fully experience the atmosphere of an Italian holiday, trying traditional dishes and enjoying the relaxed lifestyle of La Dolce Vita.
The Regina del Mediterraneo will be the ambassador of Italy's excellence on the Mediterranean Sea, delighting passengers with a diverse culinary selection where Italian dishes and products will reign supreme. Thanks to the various dining spaces on board, all with direct sea views, guests will experience the atmosphere of a lively Italian seaside promenade, enjoying the pleasure of relaxed time, just like the best Italian holidays.
On board the Costa Diadema, there will be ample opportunities to savor exquisite dishes: a meal featuring delicious Barilla pasta, a coffee break at any time of day with Illy Caffé, and a wine tasting with a wide variety of labels to suit all palates, including Ferrari sparkling wines, which have also created a special label for the christening of the new flagship, taking place on November 7th. Costa Crociere's Executive Chefs, such as the renowned Fabio Cucchelli, have created Italian menus based on the finest regional traditions, which can be enjoyed in the various restaurants during your relaxing days on board.
The perfect place to experience the unique atmosphere of the Costa Diadema is the open-air promenade, a Terrazza , which encircles the ship from bow to stern on deck 5. Here, passengers can stroll or, even better, relax in one of the bars and restaurants with outdoor cabanas, which are extensions of the indoor dining options. On this wonderful promenade deck, guests can sample top-quality wines, selected in collaboration with AIS, the Italian Sommelier Association: a list of 80 labels from more than 50 Italian wineries. Some of the most popular include Frescobaldi, Antinori, Cusumano, Fontanafredda, Batasiolo, Jerman, Felluga, Pasqua, and Planeta, which can be tasted in the comfortable setting of the Gran Duca di Toscana Wine Bar.
You can also experience the authentic Italian aperitivo in the various bars on board, with different specialties to drink with friends in a lively atmosphere: a tasty tradition of the Italian lifestyle to enjoy, just before dinner, in the total comfort of the Costa Diadema.
At the Bollicine Bar, the selection includes a range of DOCG Superior Prosecco wines, Spumante wine, Champagne, and various Prosecco cocktails, such as the classic Spritz made with Aperol or the more distinctive Campari. Passengers will feel like they're on an Italian beach at the beautiful Teodora Bar, located at the stern: while admiring the incredible sea views, they can choose from a wide selection of cocktails to create their own personal aperitivo. Those who opt for the Gran Duca di Toscana Wine Bar can sample top-quality Italian wines, accompanied by a selection of premium Italian salami and cheeses, allowing them to appreciate the different flavors: an aperitivo for connoisseurs!
As dinnertime approaches, passengers eating at the Pizzeria will be amazed by a 100% Italian pizza, available in 14 varieties: moreover, the pizza is prepared by pizzaioli , graduates of the renowned Accademia Italiana della Pizza.
For those seeking exotic culinary experiences, the Tepannyaki restaurant's fusion cuisine will welcome all guests to the elegant, oriental-style restaurant and lounge. The chef will cook on a traditional Japanese teppanyaki grill (the classic teppanyaki grill ) right in front of the passengers, who will be seated around the counter in a lively atmosphere. The expert chef will amaze everyone with an authentic show cooking demonstration, including food preparation and incredible culinary acrobatics.
Guests of all ages will be delighted to enjoy 18 varieties of traditional Italian gelato made with high-quality Agrimontana ingredients and six different types of crêpes at Gelateria Amarillo. The Costa Diadema's gelateria will also offer excellent sweets and pastries: gourmet will have the opportunity to savor high-quality chocolate and pralines from Italian master chocolatier Guido Gobino, as well as macarons from master pastry chef and chocolatier Luigi Biasetto.
During the afternoon break , with the whole family at the Gelateria, travelers can enjoy the typical tiramisu “babà”, the “sfogliatelle”, three types of chocolate cakes and three other specialties from different regions of Italy: the most absolute expression of Italian excellence!
The Dresden Green Pub will also be available for enjoying a good pint of beer. Here, in the ambiance of a Bavarian brewery, passengers can choose from a wide variety of beers, from traditional lagers to more unusual options like double malt and red ales. This selection includes bottled beers from prestigious international and Italian brands, along with a wide variety of draft beers, including Italian craft breweries. Meanwhile, on Deck 4, the Grand Bar Orlov will transport cruisers back to the charming atmosphere of the 1950s, with live music and dance performances on its central stage.
The flagship's restaurants include the à la carte Club Restaurant, the Fiorentino Restaurant, the Adularia Restaurant, and the Corona Blu Restaurant, where passengers can enjoy traditional menus featuring Italian pasta as a highlight, with quality guaranteed by Barilla, one of Italy's oldest and most beloved brands worldwide. The Corona Blu Restaurant's extensive menu is served in different areas throughout the day, from the salad bar to the Focacceria, the Lo Spiedo, the grill, and many other unique corners, each offering specialties from the destinations visited. In the evening, the buffet transforms into a refined restaurant with table service.
For discerning travelers, especially those interested in a healthy lifestyle, the Costa Diadema will offer light and flavorful menus at the Samsara Restaurant. Especially after a relaxing day at the Samsara Spa for a complete rejuvenation, passengers can enjoy dishes designed to nourish both body and soul. This special restaurant will be available to all guests staying in Samsara cabins and suites and, upon request, to all passengers on board. Similarly, for all the restaurants on the Queen of the Mediterranean, Costa's professionals have selected the most appropriate Italian wines to pair with each dish: the perfect combination of food and wine.
Kitchens and chefs at the Costa Diadema
The galley staff of the new flagship comprises a total of 212 people, led by an Executive Chef, five Kitchen Assistants, fifteen Chefs de Partie, and five Teppanyaki Chefs. All of them have received specialized training prior to joining a Costa ship. Training workshops simulate onboard activities with both theoretical and practical sessions and are conducted at Costa Campus centers, the company's training schools, or through specific courses held in partnership with local Italian authorities. Costa employs a total of 27 executive chefs, 18 of whom are Italian.
