Ship Highlights
- Plenty of open deck space and lounge chairs
- Made to order pizza nightly
- Accommodates nearly 2,000 passengers
- Grand Bar Orpheus provides lively nightspot
- Relaxed dress code
- Part of Carnival
Cuisine
The food on board the Costa Victoria ship is good, especially the Italian specialties like pasta and antipasto. There are two main dining restaurants: the Sinfonia and Fantasia. If you want quick food for breakfast and lunch, head to the Bolero Buffet on Deck 11. You can also try the Pool Grill by the pool or the Terrazza Grill at the Cafe Terrazza aft of the ship.
If you get a craving for pizza, you'll want to check out the Pizzaria, which serves up made-to-order pizzas every night. The specialty restaurant, Il Magnifico, features a la carte dishes that really tempt the palate. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
Entertainment and Nightlife
An Internet cafe, casino, lounge and bars provide entertainment on board the Costa Victoria ship. The Grand Bar Orpheus, Capriccio Lounge and the Planetarium Bar all offer entertainment options at night. Smokers are accommodated within certain areas. The Festival Theatre is where all the shows are held, featuring singing, dancing and even acrobatics. But overall, the presentations are standard and nothing too outrageous. Catch the singing duo each night in the Orpheus Bar for something different.
Cabins
There is a wide range of cabin selections to choose from, whether you want an inside stateroom, ocean view, suite or balcony. Bathrooms are standard with no extra toiletries provided. Inside each room, you'll find mini-bars, TVs, safes and hair dryers. Suites feature bathrooms with showers and tubs, as well as toiletries. There are a little more than 900 cabins on the ship.
Recreation
There are a few fun ways to spend your days. Relax at the spa on Deck 6 for a massage, manicure, facial or body wrap. The services are extra and the fees can be expensive, so be sure to budget for this. You'll find the only indoor pool here, but you have to be 18 years old or older to enjoy it.
To keep fit, work out at the onboard gym, complete with step machines, free weights and running machines. The most popular place on the ship is the pool and the staff offers games.
Onboard Fees
Costa Victoria cruises, require mandatory service charges in lieu of tips. You will be charged extra for Pilates and yoga classes. And if you eat at a specialty restaurant, such as Il Magnifico in the La Tavernetta bar, you'll pay out of pocket for meals. Room service is complimentary if you order breakfast, but at other hours of the day, you must pay.
Taking the Kids
The Squok Club offers lots of projects and entertainment for children ages 3 to 12, split up into two age groups. Costa appeals to parents because their under-18 kids get to cruise for free if they share rooms with two adults. Choose from the Mini Club for ages 3 to 6 or Maxi Club for ages 7 to 12. Free babysitting is available to parents who wish to go off the ship for an excursion. For the older set, the Teen Club, geared toward 13- to –17-year-olds, usually features one big activity per day and a party or disco at night.