Costa Favolosa. How was it and why? A Review with Pictures, Menus and Video...

[cruisetrail]

Preface

 

 

Costa Cruises (Costa Crociere) is an Italian cruise line with a long history originating in 19th century.

 

 

 

 

The first new passenger ship built for Costa was the Federico C (1958).

 

Here we can see the Fedrico C in a spectacular company of two greatest ocean liners of the time.

Fort Lauderdale.

SS France is on the foreground at the place that is now occupied by the Oasis/Allure of the Seas (Teminal 18).

The Federiso C is seen at the place of Terminal 21.

The mighty RMS Queen Elizabeth is on the background at the place of modern Terminal 26 (now frequented by Holland America Line).

 

 

 

Now Costa is under control of the Carnival Corporation.

The majory of the cruise ships operated by Costa are based on the platforms designed for Carnival.

The most numerous of them belong to the Carnival Destiny family.

The Carnival Destiny is a notable ship in maritime history.

In 1996 the Destiny was the first purpose built real mega cruise ship, among other "the firsts" she desrvingly gained at the time of the construction.

 

We'll be talking about the Costa Favolosa (2011) - the latest (along with her sister ship Fascinosa (2012) and probably the last newbuild derivative of the Destiny class.

The original concept is now 17 years old.

However, over the years the original design has undergone massive improvements. Most of them are related to upper decks of Destiny class ships. The Costa Favolosa is some 20 meters longer and 13.000 GT larger than the Destiny.

The Favolosa has gross tannage about 114,000 GT (GT is a measure of volume, not weight, 1 GT is equal to 100 cubic feet) and carries about 3,000 passengers (double occcupancy). Maximum capacity is about 3,800 pax.

The Favolosa is an example of a successful improvemet of an existing design.

This ships belongs to so-called Concordia sub-class.

But in fact the Favolosa is a further derivative of the sub-class, and she is a much better ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2013 by cruisetrail

[cruisetrail]

What is Costa Favolosa?

Cruise ships are so different - from classy resort ships to overcrowded floating casinos.

Where is the Favolosa on this map?

 

The answer will take for a while to come.

 

Where to start?

From the bow!

 

 

The Favolose offers a spectacular forward observation deck with wings. It's above the bridge - exactly where it should be.

In addition, there are a few more - forward looking terraces descending from the bridge to the bow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Adriatic sea.

Beautiful weather.

The sea is like a pond covered with oil...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisetrail]

This is how wind deflectors were designed in 1996.

BTW it works.

I had an enjoyable time on Favolosa observation decks watching rich Mediterranean sceneries.

Marvelous!

Now take a closer look at the wind deflectors...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This part of the bow deck if for the crew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2013 by cruisetrail

[cruisetrail]

We continue our tour around the open spaces of the Costa Favolosa: observation decks, sun decks, pool decks, promenade deck...

 

Next stop is a quiet sun deck on top of the forward part of the superstructure. A shower is available there.

 

The two red spots - two stends with binoculars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This small private sun deck is better seen on the model of the Favolosa:

 

 

 

 

Here we see a significant difference between the Favolosa and an older Carnival ship.

A yellow water slide on the Favolosa is where midship pool area begins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisetrail]

The sundeck space around midships pool area was full on Favolosa.

As clustered as it is on Celebrity S-Class ships, not less.

Celebrity has smaller sun/pool deck area, but carry less passengers...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very clever people have worked on the Destiny project.

On the Favolosa (since the Concordia) the midship pool area has been significantly enlarged, and the sliding roof is now here - midship - where it's supposed to be, not above the aft pool where it was originally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisetrail]

The midship area under closed sliding roof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children playground and splash pool are located right in front of the yellow funnel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midship pool area on the Favolosa: water slide, two pools (one under sliding roof), busy sun deck, kids playground & splash pool.

 

 

As we move further aft, we find a nice area near the funnel - two open decks from where you can enjoy vieuws. I believe the style of this area comes from the past. It closely resembles old fashioned steamers of the 20s and 30s.

The project has been out for many years. So the Favolosa has absorbed interesting design features of the past and present, as well as the modern technology.

 

A part of SS "Asturias" on board the Costa Favolosa:

 

Edited December 9, 2013 by cruisetrail

[cruisetrail]

Immediately behind the funnel we can see a sports court.

I use a phota of the sister ship Fascinosa as an example:

 

 

 

 

 

And now - the stern!

This is a single most distinctive design change vs Concordia sub-class.

Costa has princessized their two newbuilds Favolosa and Fascinosa.

The new ships now have aft pool area with open sea views.

None of the previous Destiny class ships have the stern like this.

We can call it "princessized" or "hollandamericanized". Anyway, the ship has grown to a higher level of comfort.

 

 

 

 

Compare aft upper decks on the Favolosa new stern design with an older Carnival ship.

 

Costa Fascinosa:

 

 

 

Carnival Valor:

 

 

 

 

How much more life is now on the Favolosa!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2013 by cruisetrail

[cruisetrail]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aft pool is relatively small:

 

 

 

 

Kids immediately invaded the pool.

However, a man in Costa uniform was there right away and said something to the kids and their parents.

The kids got out of the pool and never retuned.

They had more than enough to do on the water slide, kids pool, etc..

We could enjoy adults only pool area for the duration of the cruise.

Good job, Costa!

 

 

 

 

[cruisetrail]

Note a position for the jacuzzi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued...

[Salve]

Very nice. Having been on the Fascinosa I'm waiting for more ...

Edited December 9, 2013 by Salve

[chrispb]

Those 2 photos - one of Favolosa and one of a Celebrity ship - looks like plenty of spare sun beds on Costa but not on the other ship which isn't what you claim.

 

I loved the Favolosa:)

[cruisetrail]

Almost...

What is missing?

 

Promenade deck.

The Favolosa unfortunately does not have wrap-around promenade that is a must for a classy cruise ship.

At least a U-shape promenade going around the stern would fill the bill.

No.

There are only two strips of what is supposed to be a promenade deck on the Favolosa. They are nicely done, but only two strips.

It's so annoying to be limited by those two dead ends.

What a miss!

Strangely, there are no loungers or chairs there.

It looks like Costa does not want us to fully enjoy our sea travel...

 

 

Lifeboats on Costa are suspended leaving space for two promenade areas (one on each side).

 

 

 

 

The promenade areas are beautiful. We can only regret that they don't constitute a real promenade deck.

Dead ends spoil the whole experience..

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, what the Favolosa has is much better than what we see on Celebrity Solstice or MSC Divina.

 

 

Promenade on Costa Favolosa:

 

 

 

 

[cruisetrail]

There are hidden white corridors behind the lifeboats.

This is where all passengers go for emergency drill.

Once the drill is completed, this area is abandoned and forgotten.

 

However, this is a HUGE space.

In fact, it's a second promenade that is actually U-shaped (connected in the forward part - I wish the "official" promenade was like this!).

 

It resembles enclose promenades on ocean liners.

Technically it's not enclosed - there are no walls between these passages and lifeboats. And the views are obstructed.

Again, this is a huge wasted space on the cruise ship.

There were no signs "crew only". No limits, nothing.

 

Tied of crowds, noise, smoke?

Just one step - and you are in a hidden marvel of the Favolosa.

The easiest way to quickly get from point A to point B without struggling through the labyrinth of crowded public rooms.

Stairs connect these white corridors with the "official" promenade making a "ship outside the ship" system to navigate and explore the ship in so unusual and exciting way.

Note that the "white corridors" are clean like a hospital.

 

Looking aft:

 

 

 

 

Looking forward.

The curved wall on left leaves more room for the theatre behind it. The passage is actually inside the volume of the massive balcony:

 

 

 

 

At the corner:

 

 

 

 

A transverse connection to the other side of the ship:

 

 

 

 

Access to the bow:

 

 

 

 

Edited December 10, 2013 by cruisetrail

[cruisetrail]

Promenade...

Suspended lifeboats....

White corridors and muster stations...

Where is all that?

 

Yes, Destiny class design is quite complicated.

 

This simple diagram will help you better understand what is what and where it is:

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of a ship that is so close in design to the Costa Concordia, can we skip lifeboats?

No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisetrail]

The Favolosa has regular lifeboats and tenders - slightly larger and more maneuverable vessels that are intended to carry passengers between shore and ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our "Out and About Ship Tour" is ending at the stern.

 

Besides improved upper decks, the stern shares the rough geometry of the original Carnival Destiny:

 

 

 

 

 

And finally a visible (on the model) part of Costa Favolosa propulsion system: two screws mounted on traditional shafts (no azipods):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued...

 

.

Edited December 10, 2013 by cruisetrail

[phider]

What is Costa Favolosa?

Cruise ships are so different - from classy resort ships to overcrowded floating casinos.

Where is the Favolosa on this map?

 

The answer will take for a while to come.

 

Where to start?

 

I think we all know what the conclusion will be. Do we have to get pulled through the pain?

 

You did the same stunt in the MSC-forum.

 

Philip

[chrispb]

I think we all know what the conclusion will be. Do we have to get pulled through the pain?

 

You did the same stunt in the MSC-forum.

 

Philip

Quite so.:)

 

I find the whole thing VERY obsessive:confused:

[Projunior]

He goes on a ship that he know does not have a Promenade deck that goes all the way around. Then he gripes about how the Promenade deck does not goes all the way around. So very wearisome. Sigh. Let me guess: tomorrow he'll prattle on about how awful the food was. Same tired script, repeated ad nauseum.

[chrispb]

He goes on a ship that he know does not have a Promenade deck that goes all the way around. Then he gripes about how the Promenade deck does not goes all the way around. So very wearisome. Sigh. Let me guess: tomorrow he'll prattle on about how awful the food was. Same tired script, repeated ad nauseum.

 

All those so-called "hidden spaces" are easily accessed and not so "hidden". I didn't even miss a wrap around deck - it's so easy to nip up stairways and do a full circuit - really don't see what the fuss is about:cool: