Before joining the Costa fleet, the ship had sailed on a total of more than 600 cruises carrying around one million passengers.

On March 23 the Costa Europa arrived in the Genoese dry dock, where she was refurbished at a cost of approximately 5 million euros, with the addition of distinctive trademark features bringing her into line with the rest of the Costa fleet.

Major alterations included the creation of the "Medusa Ball Room", with seating capacity for 450, named after a large fresco depicting the legend of the Gorgon; the "Delo Bar", an exclusive area with a cosy atmosphere ideal for enjoying a quiet cocktail; and the "Squok Club", reserved for Costa Crociere's youngest Guests and featuring a fresco that explains the legend of Europa. The refit also involved the substantial upgrading of the suites and the Casino as well as other important improvements in the crew spaces.

This vessel stands out on account of her classical and refined style, her high standard of comfort and her splendid works of art. The main feature is the clever combination of roomy lounges and cosy corners in a classy atmosphere. The outside areas are also vast and comfortable with two swimming pools, one with a sliding roof, two jacuzzis and a sports centre with two multi-purpose courts.

The ship leaves Genoa on 27th April on her first 11-day cruise bound for Greece, followed by another trip to the Balearic Islands, the Canaries and Spain. On 19th May she is due in Amsterdam, from where she will be operating throughout the summer with destinations amidst the spectacular, unique and exclusive scenery of Northern Europe: the great capitals of the North, the Norwegian fjords and a route stretching as far as the Arctic Circle and the Spitzbergen Islands. From September to October the Costa Europa will return to the Mediterranean, operating in Greece and Spain.

The Costa Europa is the first of four ships which will be added to the Costa Crociere fleet by the end of 2004 in a 1.5 billion euro expansion programme .

She will be followed in the summer of 2003 by flagship Costa Atlantica's sister Costa Mediterranea, currently under construction at the Finnish Kvaerner Masa-Yards. At the end of 2003 the Costa Fortuna Ð the first of the two 105,000 gross tonnage vessels commissioned from Fincantieri in Genoa Sestri Ð will make her debut; at the end of 2004, with the entry into service of her sister ship Costa Magica, the Costa fleet will reach a total capacity of around 19,000 passengers.