Costa Cruises Adds Italian Spice to Caribbean Sailings

Despite the popular notion that seven-day Caribbean cruises have become a cookie-cutter commodity, some less-familiar products in the market actually cut against that stereotype.

A recent voyage on the Costa Fortuna demonstrated that a cruise ship can evoke the feel of the so-called “global village,” where cultures and nationalities mix easily and amicably.

With an onboard product and passenger base that skew more heavily European than those of competing lines, Costa’s seven-day Caribbean cruises immerse ethnocentric Americans into an eye-opening melting pot not typically experienced on vacations near our shores.

Launched in 2003 and sailing year-round in Europe until now, the Costa Fortuna made its North American debut this season. Befitting her heritage, this Italian import is stylish and sexy.

Although the ship’s superstructure is based on the Carnival Destiny-class platform, her interior design is Italian-focused and themed to pay tribute to Costa’s past transatlantic liners.