New cruise ships for 2014: Costa Diadema

Five cruise lines that market to North Americans are rolling out new ocean-going ships this year. Here, Paste BN profiles one of the new offerings: Costa Cruises' Costa Diadema. For information on the year's other new vessels, click HERE to return to the main page of Paste BN's Guide to the New Cruise Ships of 2014.

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COSTA DIADEMA

Line: Costa Cruises

Maiden voyage: Nov. 1

Home ports: Savona, Italy

Size (in tons): 132,500

Passengers: 3,724

The buzz: Italian line Costa Cruises' new flagship will be its largest vessel ever and also the largest ship flying an Italian flag, and it'll boast a number of new-for-the-brand features. Among the highlights: A new wine venue called Vinoteca, a beer house called Birreria, a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, a pizza eatery called Piazza Pizza and a gelateria.

New-for-Costa entertainment offerings on the ship will include the Country Rock Club, a nighttime venue featuring classic rock music, and the Star Laser room, offering interactive laser games including Laser Maze. Shoppers will find a new, 11,840-square foot shopping zone called Portobello Market Piazza that boasts designer stores and retail outlets.

Itineraries: Seven-night Mediterranean sailings with stops in Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Civitavecchia (near Rome) and La Spezia, Italy.

Information: 800-462-6782; costacruise.com