Costa Victoria

The 1996-built Costa Victoria was Costa Cruises' only Sky-class ship. The company had ordered a sistership under the name "Costa Olympia." However, during construction, the shipyard Bremer Vulkan (Bremen, Germany) went bankrupt, and the unfinished hull was sold to NCL - Norwegian Cruise Line. Costa Olympia (renamed Norwegian Sky) entered service in 1999. The NCL ship Norwegian Sun (built 2001) was also based on the modified Costa Olympia design.

On June 13, 2020, Carnival Corporation sold Costa Victoria to San Giorgio del Porto SpA (a shipyard in Genoa, Italy) specializing in ship repair and conversion. The new shipowner, Genova Trasporti Marittimi, is a fully-owned subsidiary of Genova Industrie Navali Srl (founded in 2008 and part of the GIN Group). The ship’s 10 scheduled cruises from Savona (between July 5 and October 12) were canceled. More details are available on Costa Victoria’s CruiseMinus / accidents page.

Before being scrapped in 2021, the vessel (IMO number 9109031) was Italy-flagged (MMSI number 247109000) and registered in Genoa. After the sale by Costa-Carnival, she arrived and anchored off Piombino, Italy on June 13. Renamed "St Victoria" by new owner Piombino Industrie Marittime (2020-21), the ship's AIS transponder went silent on June 27 at 8:44 UTC. The 25-year-old liner remained laid up in Italy until 2021, as the new owner considered converting her into a permanently moored hotel ship. In mid-January 2021, it was announced the vessel would be towed to Aliaga Shipbreaking Yard (near Izmir, Turkey) for scrapping.

Initially, the GIN Group planned to use Costa Victoria as a floating hotel for workers and ship crews at its drydocks in Genoa (T Mariotti Shipyard, specializing in luxury newbuilds) and Marseille (Chantier Naval de Marseille, home to the Mediterranean’s largest drydock). However, these plans were not realized. After more than six months berthed in Port Piombino, the ship deteriorated and became unseaworthy.

The 1,928-passenger liner Costa Victoria (max capacity 2,394 passengers plus 790 crew) had a more spartan design and lacked the bold neon decor often associated with interior architect Joe Farcus. Launched in 1996 and refurbished in 2018, Costa Victoria underwent a major drydock in 2004 that added 242 balconies and mini-cabins. The vessel underwent a major transformation during her USD 18 million refurbishment at Singapore's Sembcorp Marine Shipyard, completed on November 11, 2013. Her final drydock was in 2018.

In addition to the crew, passengers were also assisted by Pepper robots—humanoid robots introduced fleetwide in 2016. These mobile robots greeted guests at embarkation and provided information and assistance during the cruise, including tips on dining, entertainment, enrichment programs, casino and shopping promotions, and shore excursions. Pepper robots communicated in English, German, and Italian and could interpret human emotions through voice and facial analysis.

Decks and Cabins

Costa Victoria staterooms (964 total, in 9 grades) included 20 Suites, 242 Balcony, 311 Oceanview, and 391 Inside cabins. Most were between 120-150 ft² (11-14 m²). The ship had 6 wheelchair-accessible (ADA) cabins. The largest accommodations were the 6 Window Suites, ranging from 335-475 ft² (32-45 m²).

The vessel had 13 decks, with 11 passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Ristorante Sinfonia was one of Costa Victoria's five restaurants, located on deck 5 and offering two fixed dinner seatings. Ristorante Fantasia, also on deck 5, served the same menu. Ristorante Buffet Bolero was the casual venue, open for breakfast and lunch with various food stations. Afternoon tea included drinks, sandwiches, and cakes. Complimentary 24-hour room service was also available.

Here is the full list of Costa Victoria’s restaurants and food bars:

• Ristorante Fantasia (forward Dining Room; open-seating breakfast and lunch, 2 fixed dinner seatings: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
• Ristorante Sinfonia (aft Dining Room; dinner-only with 2 fixed seatings: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
• Ristorante Buffet Bolero (self-service; breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea 4–5 p.m., and dinner; becomes complimentary waiter-served Pizzeria in the evening)
• Caffe Terrazza (outdoor buffet grill area; smoking zone)
• Gelateria e Grill Nettuno (“Neptune Ice Cream Bar and Grill”; part of Bolero buffet)
• Club Il Magnifico (158-seat specialty dinner restaurant; reservations required)
• La Tavernetta (complimentary Pizzeria offering fresh pizza by the slice)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The ship featured two dining rooms, a casino, theater lounge, wellness center (spa and fitness), three swimming pools, and four jacuzzis. Unlike newer ships, the gym and spa were located on Deck 6, and the theater resembled a lounge with a stage. After the Singapore upgrades, passengers received both a cabin key and an onboard charge card.

Below is a list of Costa Victoria’s lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for all ages:

• Atrio Planetarium (7-deck-high atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows, glass elevators, live music; served by Bar Planetarium)
• Terme Pompei Spa (with Elemis products) – Steam Room, Sauna, Treatment Rooms, adults-only pool with whirlpool
• Palestra (Gym with equipment, free aerobics; yoga and Pilates were extra)
• Venus Beauty Salon (includes barber services)
• Giardino d’Inverno (Winter Garden lounge)
• Grand Bar Orpheus (bar/lounge with dance floor and live entertainment)
• Discoteca Rock Star (disco/nightclub with DJ)
• Arcadia Boulevard (photo gallery/shop)
• Area Bambini Peter Pan (kids' playroom; Squok Club with supervised activities and late-night babysitting)
• Area Foto (Photo Gallery)
• Bellavista (foyer)
• Teatro Festival (2-level main show lounge)
• Concorde Plaza (3-deck-high observation/show lounge)
• Galleria Montmartre (Art Gallery)
• Gioielleria e Profumeria (jewelry and perfume shop)
• Duty-Free Shop (tobacco, liquor, convenience goods)
• Portobello Market (brand-name boutiques)
• Sala Carte Jolly (card room)
• Capriccio Lounge & Bar (wine bar with piano and dance floor)
• Tavoli da Gioco (video games arcade)
• Casino Montecarlo
• Bar Sirena (outdoor bar)
• Library and Internet Point
• Cappella (wedding chapel/religious services)
• Pista da Ballo (dance floor)
• Sundeck with 4 whirlpools
• Squok Club (Mini Club for 3–6, Maxi Club for 7–11, complimentary kids program)
• Teen Zone (Teen Junior 12–14, Teen Club 15–17; themed parties and sports contests)
• Campo da Tennis Wimbledon (basketball, volleyball, tennis court)
• Solarium (sunbathing area)
• Jogging Track

Itineraries

From 2012 to 2018, Costa Victoria offered Asian cruises to destinations in Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea, sailing from Singapore and Hong Kong.

In 2017-2018, she was homeported in Laem Chabang (Bangkok) for roundtrips in the Gulf of Thailand. Costa Victoria arrived in Bangkok on January 11, 2017, after a repositioning cruise from Singapore. Between January 11–25, she completed three 4-night Gulf of Thailand cruises, visiting Koh Samui, Sihanoukville, and Phu Quoc Island. This was followed by a 4-night relocation cruise to China.

In summer 2018, Costa Victoria operated 7-day Mediterranean cruises with roundtrips from Civitavecchia-Rome, Savona, Barcelona, and Marseille. Ports of call included La Spezia, Olbia (Sardinia), Ibiza Town (overnight), Palma de Mallorca, and Tarragona (overnight).

In summer 2019, she offered 7-day roundtrips from Bari, Italy. The program ended with a Suez Canal repositioning cruise to India (a 28-day voyage from Venice to Mumbai). For winter 2019-2020, she was homeported in Malé (Maldives) and Mumbai.