Discovering the World’s Hidden Stories on a Costa Cruise

My journey aboard a Costa cruise began on a weekend in mid-November. Sailing in late autumn brought a bit of apprehension regarding the (possible) sea conditions, but the chance to travel with fellow journalists and experience life on board the Costa Toscana, Costa’s flagship, truly intrigued me.

I was also on the lookout for new stories for my readers.

My Third Cruise

I’d already been on a cruise ship before. My first time—also with Costa—was 30 years ago (1993), and another one with the same company was 25 years ago. Both cruises visited the Cyclades in Greece, in the heart of summer. Many years and many changes, both to the ships and how we travel—especially with the advent of the internet—have passed since then. My curiosity was running high; I was eager to board Costa’s flagship, the only ship, along with the rest of the Costa fleet, flying the Italian flag.

A Different Kind of Cruise

This cruise felt different from my previous experiences. Not only was I sailing in late autumn, but I also had the chance to attend workshops, interview people on board, explore ship life, and discover the port cities. In short, it was the perfect blend of work and pleasure.

Working On Board as a Travel Journalist: The Perks

No Need to Switch Hotels

One of the biggest perks for a travel journalist is not having to change hotels every day or travel between destinations. Even better, instead of “wasting” time moving between airports or train stations, thanks to this floating hotel and the overnight journeys between ports, I had plenty of time to get back to my room, work, prep my gear for the next day, or freshen up for dinner.

Always Connected

Using the Costa app subscription, I had unlimited internet access—an absolute must for today’s travel journalists. And what a fast connection! The tech innovations on Costa Toscana are obvious in every detail. The onboard Wi-Fi never faltered or slowed, anywhere on the ship.

Interviewing Experts and Locals in Every Port

One of the most exciting draws of joining a Costa Cruise as a journalist was the chance to interview onboard experts and locals at every stop. I got to explore new places—or revisit familiar ones forever changed by time—gathering invaluable insights for my stories.

Seeking hidden tales while engaging with locals at every port fueled my curiosity. In Marseille, for example, I chatted (in my rusty French spiced with English) with a street food vendor. With the cruise themed around “chocolate,” I couldn’t resist a Nutella banana crepe in Marseille.

In Barcelona, I enjoyed my favorite paella outdoors in the seaside Barceloneta district.

Life On Board

Foodies are spoiled for choice on a Costa cruise. Most of the cuisine is Italian, but there are numerous international restaurants as well. There’s truly something for every palate.

After dark, while sailing, passengers can pick their favorite show, try their luck at the casino, or relax at one of the many lounge bars—like “Ferrari,” where you can sip sparkling wine in good company. There’s also a pool and spa, perfect on those at-sea days that are part of every cruise.

We enjoyed calm seas every day. No rough waters disrupted our voyage. Speaking of health, with nearly 6,000 passengers and 1,400 crew onboard, there were two overnight medical stops: one off Sanremo, one in Cagliari (the ship turned back just after departure), both to assist passengers needing further care. Passenger well-being always comes first, even if it slightly delays arrivals.

Exclusive Tours and Special Events

Costa Cruises gave special attention to cruise guests. Both us journalists and those who joined this themed voyage could pick exclusive tours and special events, all enriching our experience. For us journalists, it was another opportunity to create compelling content for our audience.

During the cruise, we were treated to behind-the-scenes ship tours—from the bridge to meeting the captain—with meticulous organization throughout.

Chococruise: Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples, Civitavecchia

My cruise (November 17-24) was one of Costa’s themed voyages—entirely dedicated to chocolate! The Chococruise itinerary included two international and four Italian Mediterranean cities. As far as cruise ports go, for ship access and proximity to city centers, Naples and Genoa top my list.

Despite all my travels, I’d never been to Marseille, which was our first stop. Then came Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples (with San Gregorio Armeno and San Biagio dei Librai, the traditional home of Neapolitan nativity artisans), Civitavecchia, and a return to Genoa.

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Travelling with my camera gear from stop to stop—without extra hassle—felt like real “luxury.” I’d do my reporting onshore, return to my cabin, and get straight to work, no heavy lifting. Plus, we enjoyed a morning cooking masterclass themed, of course, around chocolate—full of novelty and sweet surprises. Long live chocolate!

Chococruise, the Chocolate Lover’s Cruise

Launched by a partnership between Costa Cruises and Barry Callebaut, the global chocolate and cocoa leader, the “ChocoCruise – Explore the World of Chocolate” on Costa Toscana offers a unique chance to get hands-on and indulge your sweet tooth.

The cruise was made special by the presence of five of the world’s top pastry chefs from Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Belgium—Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy members and brand ambassadors: Alberto Simionato (Italy), Joël Perriard (Switzerland), Philippe Bertrand (France), Ramon Morató (Spain), Alexandre Bourdeaux (Belgium), and Riccardo Bellaera, Costa’s Corporate Pastry & Bakery Chef.

Tips for Journalists Planning a Costa Cruise

If you’re a journalist aiming to discover and share the world’s hidden stories on a Costa cruise, here are some key tips for making your trip a success.

1. Plan ahead. Before boarding, carefully plan your itinerary and target stories. Research destinations and identify experts and locals for interviews.
2. Bring the right equipment. Make sure to pack all you need for content creation—camera, audio recorder, laptop. Note any special requirements for using gear onboard.
3. Stay open-minded. Unexpected stories may present themselves, so remain flexible and ready to seize new opportunities.
4. Balance work and fun. While focused on top-quality content, remember to enjoy the onboard amenities and activities—you’ll find inspiration and recharge.
5. Respect local cultures. Show genuine interest in and respect for the people you meet and their traditions as you interact ashore.

Costa Toscana, the Flagship of Costa Cruises

Costa Toscana is the flagship of Costa Cruises, a true tribute to Tuscany. Flying the Italian flag, it’s a proud ambassador of Italy’s cruise ship industry. Built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, this splendid vessel made her maiden voyage on March 5, 2022, from Savona.

Cutting-Edge Innovation

Costa Toscana was designed as a floating “smart city” using sustainable solutions and circular economy concepts to reduce environmental impact. It’s powered mainly by liquefied natural gas (LNG), an advanced technology that cuts CO2 emissions by up to 20% compared to traditional fuels. LNG also virtually eliminates nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and particulate emissions.

Costa Toscana also reduces water consumption thanks to its desalination systems, which convert seawater to fresh water. Its intelligent energy-management system keeps usage low, while recycling and waste sorting (plastics, paper, glass, aluminum) are integral to a circular economy approach.

Interiors: Authentic Italian Style

The Costa Toscana’s interiors were crafted with attention to detail for an authentic “Made in Italy” atmosphere. Furnishings, lighting, fabrics, and accessories are provided by top Italian brands such as Molteni&C, Roda, Flos, Dedar, and Rubelli, joined by renowned names like Kartell, Poltrona Frau, and Alessi to create a unique onboard style.

An Extraordinary Culinary Experience

Costa Toscana boasts a spectacular food scene, with 21 restaurants and gourmet spaces. Signature dishes are crafted by internationally acclaimed chefs Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze, and Ángel León. This trio has traveled to discover authentic local recipes from Costa Toscana’s ports of call, presenting them through the Destination Dish and Archipelago restaurant menus. Destination Dishes reinterpret each port’s culinary tradition and flavors to create innovative dining experiences.

Key Technical Specs

• Shipyard: Meyer Turku Oy (Finland)
• Classification: RINA
• Flag: Italian
• Overall length (approx.): 337 m
• Maximum width: 42 m
• Maximum draft (approx.): 8.6 m
• Gross tonnage: 185,000
• Total passenger cabins: 2,663
• Total guests: 6,730
• Total crew: 1,646
• Main engines: 4 x 15440
• Total main engine power: 61,760 kW
• Propulsion: Azipod 2 x 18,500
• Maximum propulsion power: 37 MW
• Operational speed: 17 knots
• Bow thrusters: 4 x 3,500
• LNG
• MGO