Based on the Concordia-class design, Costa Fascinosa was constructed by Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Venice.

Part of a five-ship expansion of the Costa Crociere fleet, the vessel entered service on 6 May 2012.

[2] 25 name pairs were shortlisted and placed on the company's website, where over 42,000 visitors voted on their favourite.

[2] Favolosa (Italian for "fabulous") and Fascinosa ("fascinating" or "glamorous") were selected as the winning name pair.

[7] She was transferred to South America in November 2012, before returning to the eastern Mediterranean for the summer 2013 season.