Dedicating a ship to the city of Florence inevitably means taking its passengers on a virtual journey, but also offering a real voyage through the wonders of the sea. A journey to the Florentine Renaissance, where every corner is dedicated to the typical beauty of this fascinating period. The artistic and cultural richness of those years is reproduced on board with the right balance, constantly reminding us of the beauty of Florence, but without forgetting that we are on a large, modern ship, with all the comforts and the latest technology available.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 58 – September 2021
A visit to the Costa Firenze can only begin in the Piazza della Signoria, located in the center of the ship, as if it were the heart of the Tuscan capital—a quintessential meeting place, from morning coffee to evening aperitifs. The column with the lion and the lily also serves as a landmark for the upper decks overlooking the grand oval atrium.
Another ideal spot to stop is the Tuscany Lounge, dedicated to the Chianti hills and fine wine. The Frescobaldi Winery occupies the left side of the lounge and offers excellent wines and tastings, while in the center is a dance floor for evening entertainment. The venue also features a bar with views of the outdoor deck. A large LED screen offers a virtual tour of Florence's most beautiful sights and surroundings at any time of day: from the city at night to the neighboring hills, simulating an excursion on a typical Italian Vespa.
The Costa Firenze is a journey to the Florentine Renaissance, where every corner is dedicated to the typical beauty of this fascinating period.
The Lounge della Moda is also a lively and bustling spot, dedicated to the glamour of fashion and featuring a museum-style entrance with two wings of elegantly dressed mannequins. Inside, there's a small central dance floor and a stylish bar that also extends outdoors. In fact, just aft on deck 5, there's an open-air area that offers beautiful sunset views and is perfect for enjoying an aperitif with a sea view.
Various shows and entertainment options are offered at the Viareggio Lounge, dedicated to the masks of the famous carnival, where you can dance until the early hours. The Red Theater, on the other hand, is the venue for theatrical performances, always different and with a wide variety of shows for all audiences.
But there are many exclusive spots on board the Costa Firenze that allow you to enjoy the ship in a more intimate and relaxing setting. The Lido deck, for example, features a beautiful space in the middle of the ship that leads to the central pool on one side, and on the other offers sun loungers with sea views, ideal for reading and relaxing while gazing at the horizon.
The ship also dedicates ample space to shopping, spread across two main areas. Around the Piazza della Signoria, on the two decks above the atrium, are the Piazza Shops, featuring clothing, perfumes, and items bearing the Costa Cruises logo. On deck 5 are the Palazzo Vecchio Boutiques, a small shopping district centered around a statue of Dante, surrounded by fashion brands. My Moments Photo Shop saves the most beautiful photos of your trip, which you can easily access on the multimedia screens.
The Costa Firenze has two swimming pools, one with a movable roof in the central part of the ship and another in the stern area of the Versilia deck.
A ship like the Costa Firenze offers a range of services now considered essential on modern cruises, but also some unexpected features. The Reception and Excursions Office is located on Deck 3, near Piazza della Signoria. The Solemio Spa offers a wide range of treatments and two private suites with complimentary access to the thermal area. The gym boasts state-of-the-art equipment and, with its semicircular shape and location at the bow, offers sea views during workouts.
The Casino Dea Bendata is spacious and very elegant, featuring numerous tables and gaming machines. Separated by a corridor is its VIP area, dedicated to baccarat and higher-stakes games. A little further along, on deck 4, is the Card Room, particularly beautiful for its wood-colored furniture and paintings that reproduce Renaissance frescoes and canvases. The Art Gallery, also on the same deck, along a long corridor, offers a pleasant space and furnishings.
Dining is one of the highlights of the new Costa Firenze, which has expanded its culinary offerings with innovative experiences and a wide variety of options. It features two main restaurants: Ristorante Ponte Vecchio, on deck 3, and Ristorante dei Medici, which occupies two decks aft. The former is an elegant space that plays with partitions created by small arches and other dividers, making it particularly intimate and refined despite its size. Both sides offer sea views, and it has two entrances, one from the stern and the other from Piazza della Signoria. Ristorante dei Medici is undoubtedly a picturesque space that welcomes guests into a beautiful black and white room, reminiscent of the Duomo's tones, with elegant seating, arches, and paintings. The aft section, with its views of the wake, offers an added thrill to fortunate diners.
The ship offers other options such as the Versilia Restaurant, an onboard buffet on Deck 10, open for all meals and offering a lively and informal atmosphere where you can enjoy the buffet, which is always available. On the aft side of the Versilia Deck, you'll find the Pummid'Oro Pizzeria on one side, and on the other, Salada Street Food, also open in the evening, with excellent focaccia, burgers, and delicious Campanian sweets. Those who love Asian specialties will find them at Dim Sum, specializing in gyozas, noodles, and other Asian dishes, while at the Lanai BBQ you'll find classic bites like chicken wings, roasted corn, and kebabs.
The restaurant is one of the strengths of the new Costa Firenze, which increases its gastronomic offering with innovative culinary experiences.
The Teppanyaki restaurant, located on deck 5, is a must-see. It offers an acrobatic cooking show while you savor specialties prepared right in front of you. The Hot Pot dishes are also cooked "live," but in this case, you prepare them yourself. Choose your menu (meat, fish, or vegetarian), a cooking broth, and start cooking your own dinner!
Sushino at Costa, one of the fleet's newest additions, is located in the same area as the specialty restaurants and offers a menu featuring top-quality sushi and sashimi. The Fiorentina Steakhouse is another must-visit, with a wide variety of steaks, excellent fish, and incredible desserts. The neighboring Ristorante Casanova is reserved for suite guests but is accessible to all passengers with a reservation and an additional charge. The Bella Bar acts as a hub for the specialty restaurants, centrally located and providing the perfect setting for enjoying a drink with friends.
On deck 10, the Burger Bar offers seafood specialties such as lobster and crayfish, while Gelateria Amarillo offers excellent ice creams and desserts, to end a great meal on a sweet note.
Younger guests will feel right at home aboard the Costa Firenze. The Squok Club and Teen Club offer ample indoor and outdoor spaces for entertainment tailored to all ages. The Garden Rope, Mini Golf, and Sky Track are fun activities suitable for adults too, as is La Laguna, an area with slides and various water features perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.
The Costa Firenze features two swimming pools: one with a retractable roof in the central part of the ship and another aft on the Versilia deck. The former houses the Bar del Conte, and the latter the Versilia Pool Bar; while not particularly large, they are very attractive and picturesque. Sun loungers and other seating areas are distributed throughout the ship's exterior decks.
On the forward deck is the Giardino dei Fiori, a large sunbathing area with floral decorations, cozy corners, and the Aperol Spritz Bar. A fitness area is located aft and includes a multi-sports court and outdoor exercise equipment. The jogging track for running enthusiasts also runs through this area.
The cabins on board the Costa Firenze meet all requirements, from comfortable interior cabins to balcony cabins, as well as several suite categories. All offer amenities and readily available room service.
The Costa Firenze is a true homage to the Tuscan city, striving to recreate the beauty and artistry of Tuscan landmarks with a modern touch, without diminishing their value and significance. For those who appreciate the modern, minimalist Nordic style so popular today, the Costa Firenze might seem like a throwback to the sumptuous decor of the 1990s. But in reality, considering every detail, it's clear that the decision to name a ship after a Renaissance city was never an overreaction, despite the challenges involved.
State-of-the-art services, a strong focus on onboard entertainment with significant innovations at the technical level, and a commitment to ever-increasing excellence in the restaurant industry are, without a doubt, added value beyond the purely aesthetic appeal of Costa Cruises' new ship.
