Staterooms

CostaAtlantic's cabins are bright and spacious, and well laid out with ample storage. Colors run to the subdued pastel oranges and greens, a nice counterpoint to the vividness of the public areas. Trim is in light-colored wood veneers and laminates. The ship's small inside cabins, totaling only 22 percent of the total, measure a decent 160 square ft. But the really telling number is 678: that is the tally of staterooms with balconies, a figure that represents more than 80 percent of the total number of oceanview cabins. Of these, 58 are suites, ranging from Grand Suites (650 square ft.) to Panorama and Oceanview Suites (360 square ft.). Suites have comfortable deck furniture usable for scenery viewing, conversation, and limited dining. Ocean view staterooms with verandas measure 210 square ft. The Category Four ocean view cabins on Roma Deck (Deck 4) have obstructed views. There are four handicapped-accessible cabins.

Most accommodations have twin beds which convert to a queen. All staterooms feature televisions, direct-dial phones, hair dryer, safe deposit box. Bathrooms have stall showers and a basket of toiletries. Cabin mini bars are refilled per guest usage as indicated on an "honor system" checklist. Stateroom televisions offer 14 channels of English-language programming. An interactive channel allows selection of pay-per-view movies ($7.95), shore excursion booking and shipboard account review (though this was not working properly when we sailed). There are five channels showing ship-produced programming -- everything from bridge-cam to GPS and navigational display to live shipboard activities, shore excursion and shopping presentations. There is a channel for commercials of shore-side merchants, and a gaming information channel. The remaining six English-language channels include major cable and broadcast channels.

Special amenities for the suite passenger include whirlpool tubs, terry cloth robes and slippers, additional toiletries, sparkling wine and cold canapes (embarkation day only), daily fruit baskets, an additional Captain's cocktail party, and complimentary dinner at ClubAtlantica. There is also personalized butler service, though we found the butler largely invisible and ineffective (a request for a shoeshine resulted in shoes being returned the following day -- unshined -- along with a selection of cellophane-wrapped self-shine products). There is also priority embarkation and disembarkation, though only the disembarkation portion of the equation worked. Check-in personnel at Port Everglades knew nothing about priority check-in.

Caveat: The electrical power in cabins is primarily 220-volt. Although there is one 110-volt outlet, in some cabins it is inconveniently situated (in suites it is located in the bathroom). There are no converters available for loan onboard, so bring an extension cord or your own converter.

Suite stateroom Deck: Amarcord, I Clowns Panorama Suites PS feature an ocean view with veranda, two twin beds that convert to a queen, a sitting area, private whirlpool bath, shower, telephone, television, hairdryer, safe deposit box, and minibar. 360-sq.-ft. suite.

Balcony stateroom Deck: Amarcord, I Clowns, Roma Oceanview Staterooms with Veranda 7 feature an ocean view with veranda, two twin beds that convert to a queen, a private bath with shower, telephone, television, hairdryer, safe deposit box, and minibar. 210-sq.-ft. stateroom.

Interior stateroom Deck: Luci Del Varieta Interior Staterooms 1 feature two twin beds that convert to a queen, a private bath with shower, telephone, television, hairdryer, safe deposit box, and minibar. 160-sq.-ft. stateroom.