Overview

The largest ship built for an Italian cruise line, Costa Concordia is a larger version of fleetmates, the identical sister ships Costa Magica and Costa Fortuna, which are in turn essentially clones of parent company Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Triumph. Not content to merely copy the features of sister cruise lines, Costa has pulled out all the stops with Costa Concordia. The "Samsara" spa isn't simply an ordinary spa; it's the largest spa at sea, extending over two decks and spanning 20,500 square feet.

Other cool features are two swimming pools with retractable glass roofs (the largest enclosable pool area of any ship), a huge outdoor movie screen on deck (with a multilingual audio system), and a Grand Prix racing simulator -- just like the ones Formula One race car drivers use for training.

Restaurants

Two restaurants serve open-seating breakfast and lunch, while dinner is served in two assigned evening seatings. An upscale alternative, reservations-only restaurant carries a service charge for candlelit dining and an intimate atmosphere -- a perk for suite passengers is a complimentary dinner for two there. The Lido buffet, pizzeria, and 24-hour room service are alternatives to dining room meals. Costa ships retain the tradition of lavish nightly midnight buffets. Room service is available around the clock, although there is a charge for certain items.

Accommodations

Cabins generally follow the outline Costa Concordia's recently introduced fleetmates. Light wood cabinetry, soft pastel décor, mirrored accents, Murano glass lighting fixtures, and small sitting area are typical; all cabins have a small refrigerator, personal safe, and hair dryer. Bathroom extras include shampoo and bath gel in shower-mounted dispensers. Every cabin has adequate closet and drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves. Additional features in the suites include a whirlpool tub, double sinks, and a generous walk-in closet. Suite passengers also enjoy butler service. Passengers who reserve "Samsara" cabins adjacent to the spa facility have direct access to the spa and exclusive access to Ristorante Samsara, which offers a full menu of wellness cuisine. Twenty-seven staterooms are designed for accessibility.