Athletes’ life on boat: Tight but cozy

NAGOYA – From the outside, she looks like she strayed from a Mediterranean cruise. From the inside, she’s home to thousands of athletes at the 20th Asian Games.

Meet Costa Serena – the floating Athletes’ Village of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

There have been complaints, but for Gilas Men 3x3 ace Nic Cabañero, there’s no seasickness, no dizziness – just tight but cozy quarters on a luxury liner.

“Pag nasa loob na kayo, di nyo naman maiisip na nasa barko ka. Sayang nga walang bintana yung room na na-assign sa amin, sa kabilang side meron,” he said.

It’s a common first reaction inside the Costa Serena, docked at Kinjo Pier in Nagoya Bay – the massive centerpiece of the Nagoya Asiad’s cost-saving accommodation plan.

In Cabañero’s photo, the cabin shows a functional vanity and desk area complete with a flat-screen television, telephone, kettle, and counter space for daily supplements and personal items.

The sleeping areas are cozy – twin beds with white linens separated by a small nightstand under framed artwork. Space is highly utilized, with bags filling the floor, including the unmistakable red “Team Philippines” hardcase luggage emblazoned with the iconic yellow sun.

Despite the tight squeeze – and complaints from other delegations about short beds and food in the huts – Filipino athletes are adapting.

Organizers scrapped the traditional sprawling athletes’ village. Instead, more than 17,000 athletes and officials – up from the 15,000 budgeted – are spread across hotels, wooden container-style huts at Garden Pier, and the ship.

Some coaches and officials were moved to different hotels and Airbnb units as registrations ballooned.

Costa Serena is an Italian-flagged Concordia-class luxury liner built by Fincantieri that entered service in 2007 – sister ship of the infamous Costa Concordia. At 114,000 gross tons, 290.2 meters long, and 14 decks high, it was once Italy’s largest cruise ship with 1,500 cabins, 557 with private balconies, eight restaurants, 10 bars, seven swimming pools, theater, casino, and spa.

It arrived Sept. 15 and will stay berthed until Oct. 6, serving not as a sightseeing ship but as a hotel. Engines off, gangway down.