Diadema to Mediterranean

This enormous, 133,000 ton ship, based on the same design as the Carnival 'Dream' class ships, is currently the flagship of Costa Cruises. The company markets her as 'Regina del Mediterraneo'- quite literally, the Queen of the Mediterranean. And a very regal poise she has, too.

Costa Diadema carries several different nationalities on these winter cruises, and the result is that every on board announcement has to be made in five (or more)  different languages. It can be tedious at times. But the ship herself is lavish, luxurious and stunningly beautiful, both inside and out. No expense has been spared to create a stunning palazzo on the briny, with something on board for every age and taste.

Bear in mind that Italian passengers in particular tend to keep their children up late-far more so than Brits in particular are used to. Thus, it was nothing unusual to see large, extended families roaming the ship after midnight. It's just the Italian way of life.

Food on board runs the gamut, from very good to pretty indifferent. The same can be said of the service in general, though most of the staff were charming, and very hard working. Floor shows tended to be big on special effects and compilations of European chart hits; understandable when you're trying to entertain a mini United Nations at sea.

Nicest area for me on the Costa Diadema was the broad promenade deck that encircles the ship. With two large hot tubs cantilevered out over each side and a string of bars and outdoor cafes lining the superstructure, it's a wonderfully languid, expansive zone to stroll at any time of the day; typically Italian styling where people watching is very much the order of the day, every day. It must get really busy during the long, warm days of summer.

Cabins run from bright, comfortable insides and ocean view rooms, to balcony cabins (I got more use of my balcony than I expected on this January cruise) to some wonderfully expansive upper deck suites. Something very different for a winter break, to be sure.