Welcome aboard the Costa Serena, the Asian Games floating hotel

NAGOYA: Athletes from Mongolia savored a buffet featuring mozzarella crafted by a specialist, while participants strolled across the carpeted floors of the Costa Serena. The cruise ship, capable of accommodating nearly 4,000 people, serves as a floating hotel for Asian Games participants in Japan. Despite the continent's flagship sports event drawing criticism for a lack of accommodations and unreliable transportation, the organizers decided against constructing a traditional athletes' village to cut costs.

Instead, over 17,000 athletes and officials, more than the Olympics' attendance, are residing in various accommodations, including hotels, temporary wooden units, and the Costa Serena. This innovative approach could serve as a model for future multi-sports competitions. Tom Stevens, a Canadian rowing coach representing Lebanon, expressed satisfaction with the ship's amenities, stating that the food is plentiful.

He noted that even those accustomed to cruising found no issues aboard. Despite occasional challenges with ground transportation, Stevens emphasized that his stay on the Costa Serena has been largely positive. The vessel, measuring nearly 300 meters in length and currently docked in Nagoya's port, offers a comfortable environment for the athletes and officials.

As the Games face scrutiny, Stevens acknowledged some inconveniences but attributed them to logistical issues rather than the ship itself. Once the competitions conclude, the Costa Serena will return to its role as a cruise ship, sailing back to Buenos Aires by Christmas.