On May 2003 Costa Mediterranea was delivered to Costa Crociere. The Costa Mediterranea is the fifth ship in a series of Panamax size cruise ships of a new type for Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines, and is the second ship in this series built for Costa Crociere. The very successful Costa Atlantica was delivered in June 2000.

Her sisterships are Costa Atlantica delivered in 2000, Carnival Pride and Spirit in 2001, Carnival Legend in 2003 and Carnival Miracle in 2004. These new generation cruise ships are designed for competitive cruise operation long into the new millennium, through latest technology and a new layout optimized for cruise market needs and market perspectives.

Compared to earlier cruise liners of Panamax-size, the relative number of outside passenger staterooms and staterooms with balcony is very high; 80% of all the 1,057 passenger staterooms face the sea and 70% are fitted with a balcony. This is achieved, compared to the Panamax-ships built in the 1990's, by adding one passenger cabin deck to a more narrow superstructure.

Main Characteristics of the Costa Mediterranea

Overall Length	292.50 m
Breadth	38.80 m
Draught	8.0 m
Passenger Cabins	1057
Passengers	2680
Crew	897
Speed	22 knots