Costa Serena is a Concordia-class cruise ship for the Italian cruise line, Costa Crociere. The name Serena was intended to symbolize harmony and serenity. Costa Serena was constructed by Fincantieri in Sestri Ponente. She had an older sister ship, Costa Concordia, launched in 2005.
Although there are subtle differences, there are many Carnival hallmarks in the layout: the amazing nine-story atrium lobby, the top-deck waterslide, the busy thoroughfare of Deck 5, where almost all the bars are located, and the pair of two-deck dining rooms, Vesta and Ceres, at the center and aft of the vessel.
I sailed when the ship was at almost 100 percent capacity, which was quite an experience. There were hordes of people everywhere — all the time. At one point, I counted 23 people in a Jacuzzi that looked more suited to 12, some of them standing in the middle as there was nowhere to sit.
Costa Serena does, however, absorb its 3,780 passengers well, provided you don’t want to sit directly by the pool, where plenty of territories is staked out with towels.
Having said this, American passengers have to be prepared for the broad cultural mix on this ship. Southern Europeans, particularly Spaniards and Italians, are exuberant holidaymakers, dancing by the pool, dancing in all the bars, and moving around in large family packs. Children are rarely put in the kids’ club and swarm all over the pool areas, including the adult pool. Everybody goes to bed late, whatever their age. There’s no regard for standing in line, whether waiting for an elevator or trying to assemble a salad at the buffet. In the main, it’s one big, happy, multicultural family. But if you don’t like crowds, kids or noise, choose another ship or travel in the low season.
Costa Serena cruise ship deck plan shows a total of 1507 staterooms for 3014 passengers (max capacity is 3617 guests), served by 1070 crew/staff. The boat has 13 passenger decks (all named after zodiac constellations), 5 restaurants, 13 lounges and bars, 4D cinema, 4 swimming pools (2 with retractable glass roofs), and 5 outdoor Jacuzzis (plus 6x Samsara Spa Suites with their own hot tubs), 18 elevators. Serena has no self-service laundromats on board.
On Costa Serena, there are a total of 312 original artworks and 5990 prints on display at various places throughout the ship.
Besides the ship’s staff and crew, Costa cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots – the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions, and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
| Name | Costa Serena |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Operator | Costa Crociere |
| Port of registry |  Italy, Genoa |
| Ordered | 1 October 2004 |
| Cost | €450 million (£372 million, US$570 million) |
| Yard number | 6130 |
| Laid down | 1 February 2005 |
| Launched | 4 August 2006 |
| Completed | 9 March 2007 |
| In service | 2007 |
| Identification |
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| Status | In service |
| Notes | [1][2] |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Class and type | Concordia-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 289.59 m (950 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 35.5 m (116 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 8.30 m (27 ft 3 in) |
| Depth | 14.18 m (46 ft 6 in) |
| Deck clearance | 2,908 mm (114.5 in) |
| Propulsion | Two shafts; fixed-pitch propellers |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Capacity | 3,700 passengers |
| Crew | 1,100 |
