Staterooms

Of CostaMediterranea's 1,057 cabins, 678 have balconies. Standard outside and verandah staterooms (210 square feet) feature a dressing table with an efficient hair dryer hooked up in the drawer, TV, and a bed that can be converted from queen to twin. Many cabins, including 71 of the 212 inside cabins (160 square feet) have a third and fourth bed that pull down from the ceiling. Closet and drawer space is ample for a seven-day cruise. There are outlets for American electrical plugs, though they aren't always clearly marked. All cabins have a mini-bar and easy-to-use safe.

Bathrooms are compact with showers only. Shampoo (no conditioner) and lotion are provided. The balconies have mesh chairs that don't recline plus a table. The privacy partition between each verandah extends a few inches beyond the rail, so you can't peek around to the next room (which is a good thing!). There are eight disability-equipped rooms that span several categories.

The ship's 58 suites are especially attractive, with charming details like the Murano glass table lamps that everyone wanted to take home. (They're bolted in place.) The suites come in three categories, ranging in size from 352 to 650 square feet (including verandah). The smallest is called a "Suite." The next category up is a "Panorama Suite," which features a larger sitting area. The "Grand Suite" has separate living and sleeping areas. The ones in the aft corners have nifty wrap around balcony space. All suites have good-sized granite tiled bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and double sinks. The balconies have teak furnishings, including lounge chairs. Passengers in these quarters get a variety of special services-VIP check-in and early disembarkation, butler service, sparkling wine, full-course in-suite dining, a complimentary meal at Club Medusa, plus such added amenities as terry robes, slippers and a daily fruit basket.

Cabins onboard are fairly attractive and spacious and feature a large number of outside or balcony cabins. With the standard inside and outside cabins, you are merely paying for location and there is virtually no difference in cabin size - 160 sq.ft. - it is wise to simply book the lowest outside or inside cabin categories and not pay extra to simply be up one deck higher. (Be aware of the obstructed view outside cabins on four deck, however, which are a notable exception to this rule.) All cabins have safes and mini bars and have two lower beds that can be converted into a queen bed. Outside cabins with verandah are 210 sq.ft. and suites range from 360 sq.ft. to 580 sq.ft.

Some cabins will be affected by noise from the lounges, however, including the furthest 10 cabins forward on deck one. Cabins on five deck forward also are noisy from the main lounge one deck below, and cabins on eight deck amidships can easily hear the nighttime parties from the pool deck going on above them. Note also that the ship's exterior undulates, protruding out in places and retracting in at others. Those balcony cabins at the extreme end where cabins are further inboard make you feel as if you are peering out from a cave as you lose satisfying view fore and aft. If possible, book a balcony where the ship is bulging out.

Grand Suite Deck: Narciso, Pegaso, Prometeo, Teseo Grand Suites GS feature two lower beds, which may convert to a queen bed, private veranda, sitting area, whirlpool bath, private bathroom with shower, television, minibar, minisafe, air-conditioning, telephone, and hairdryer. veranda. Aft: 367-sq.-ft. suite. 282-sq.-ft. veranda. Midship: 372-sq.-ft. suite. 118-sq.-ft. veranda.

Veranda Stateroom Deck: Narciso, Orfeo, Pegaso, Prometeo, Teseo Veranda Staterooms 11 feature two lower beds, which may convert to a queen bed, private veranda, private bathroom with shower, television, minibar, minisafe, air-conditioning, telephone, and hairdryer. 175-sq.-ft. stateroom. 70-sq.-ft. veranda.

Oceanview Stateroom Deck: Circe Oceanview Stateroom 5 features two lower beds which convert to a queen-size bed, large porthole window, private bathroom with shower, television, minibar, minisafe, air-conditioning, telephone, and hairdryer. 175-sq.-ft. stateroom.

Interior Stateroom Deck: Pegaso, Prometeo Interior Staterooms 3 feature two lower beds, which may convert to a queen bed, private bathroom with shower, television, minibar, minisafe, air-conditioning, telephone, and hairdryer. 160-sq.-ft. stateroom.