The Costa Serena just one vessel in the Costa Cruises fleet, but is typical and symbolic of Costa. The interior of this beautiful ship is inspired by the mythology of ancient Rome.
On board there is so much to do you will probably run out of time to pack it all in. 5 restaurants to choose from every night and 13 bars to enjoy a drink and spot of entertainment. On top of this there is 4 swimming pools, 5 Jacuzzi’s, a multi-purpose sports court, outdoor jogging track and the Costa Samsara Spa.
The Samsara Spa is a unique health spa exclusive to Costa Cruises. Between 3,500m squared and 6,000m squared Wellness Centre which is spread over 2 decks. Included are a gym, Thalasso pool, treatment rooms, sauna and steam room.
A spa is a crucial part of any cruise and so it is important that the spa and health suite is up to scratch. With the Samsara Spa exclusive to Costa you will have the opportunity to indulge in the peace and tranquillity of the Costa Cruises experience.
Costa Cruises have announced details of cruises onboard Costa Serena that are to be dedicated to legendary footballer Pele.
The first cruise dedicated to Pele (Edson Arantes Do Nascimento) will take place on 28th June 2009; departing from Venice. This Med Cruise cruise is to be called El Crucero de Pele – Sabor Brasil and will see an exhibition of historic collectors’ items following the life of Pele, including a selection of never before seen video clips.
Pele will be joined by some of Europe’s top footballers of the 20th century as well as many presidents of football federations, confederations and clubs.
The itineraries see Costa Serena call at Venice and Bari in Italy, Olympia, Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece and Dubrovnik in Croatia. Onboard programmes include cocktails with Pele, gala dinners, themed parties, a selection of shows and excursions, a carnival and a photo shoot with Pele.
For the full press release see The Cruise News.
Costa Cruises have announced details of their Christmas Cruises with a programme of Mediterranean and United Arab Emirates cruises.
Costa will be offering onboard festivities from Christmas Eve with a continental feast. Christmas Day will see full Christmas dinners served along with carol singers, a visit from Santa and a trivia quiz.
You can spend your Christmas being pampered in the spa, taking a dip in the pool, soaking up the sun and enjoying a variety of shore excursions.
Costa Concordia will depart Italy for an 8 night cruise on 21st December 2008 visiting Tunisia, Malta and Greece.
Costa Serena will depart Italy for an 8 night cruise on 18th December 2008 visiting Spain and Portugal.
Costa Marina will depart Italy for a 14 night cruise on 14th December 2008 visiting Spain, Morocco, Canary Islands and Madeira.
Costa Victoria will depart Dubai for a 7 night cruise on 20th December 2008 visiting Oman, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
For the full press release see The Cruise News.
Costa Cruises are offering half term cruises to the Mediterranean onboard of ten of their fleet. These are great value for money experiences that are not to be missed.
Onboard you will find cabins that sleep three and four people or if you would prefer you can benefit from the inter-connecting cabins to find a cabin size to suit.
Entertainment is provided for all including plenty of children’s entertainment such as treasure hunts and dance classes.
Details of Costas half term cruises include:
• Costa Serena travelling on a seven night cruise to Greece and Turkey from 26th October 2008.
• Costa Magica travelling on a seven night cruise to Italy, Spain and Provence from 26th October 2008.
• Costa Concordia travelling on a seven night cruise to Spain, Tunisia and Malta from 26th October 2008.
For the full press release see The Cruise News.
In August and September 2008 Costa Cruises are to be hosting several ship visits for agents to get a closer look at what Costa Cruises is all about and four of the fantastic cruise ships on offer. The ship visits will take place onboard Costa Marina, Costa Mediterranea, Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria.
September will be the last opportunity to see Costa Victoria for two years as she will not be returning to the UK in this time.
There are four ship visits scheduled for when they dock in Dover between 31st August and 16th September. The dates for the ship visits are:
Costa Marina on 31st August 2008 in Dover
Costa Atlantica on 3rd September 2008 in Dover
Costa Victoria on 6th September 2008 in Dover
Costa Mediterranea on 16th September in Dover
The ship visits include a guided tour of the cruise ship, a presentation into the insight of Costa Cruises, lunch and coffees as well as free time to explore the cruise ships at your own accord.
Carnival have sold Pacific Star, one of their P&O Cruises Australia fleet, to Royal Caribbean for an undisclosed fee. She will be pressed into action by Pullmantur Cruises, the Spanish cruise line purchased by Royal Caribbean in 2006.
Pacific Star will be renamed for the fourth time in her history following the sale. She was built in 1982 and christened Carnival Tropicale before being moved to Costa Cruises and renamed Costa Tropicale.
Currently cruising in the southern hemisphere, she has a capacity to carry 1,350 passengers and weighs 35,000 tons. The date for the transfer has not yet been announced.
Estimated Inaugural: February, 2007
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises
Ship Name: Carnival Freedom
Size: GRT: 110,000
Capacity: 2974 (double occupancy)
Builder: Fincantieri – Sestri, Italy
This is an additional Conquest class vessel ordered as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri, two of which ended up going to the Carnival brand. As a Conquest-class, it will not fit through the Panama Canal. Given that there is an almost two-year lag between this ship and the previous one of this class delivered (Carnival Liberty), there will likely be some progressions in the design.
Estimated Inaugural: April, 2007
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Ship Name: MSC Orchestra
Size: GRT: 89,600
Capacity: 2,550 lower berths – 3,000 total & 1,000 crew
Builder: Aker France – St. Nazaire, France
This will be the second of the Musica class.
Estimated Inaugural: May 19, 2007
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Ship Name: Liberty of the Seas
Size: GRT: 160,000
Capacity: 3600 lower berths
Builder: Aker Finnyards – Finland
This will be the second of the “Ultra Voyager-class” When it is delivered the class will still have bragging rights to being the largest passenger ships in the world.
Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2007
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship Name: Emerald Princess
Size: GRT: 116,000
Capacity: 3100
Builder: Fincantieri – Monfalcone, Italy
This is an additional Caribbean-class vessel ordered as part of the four-ship order with Fincantieri, the only one in the order designated for Princess. It will be the third in the series. It has not necessarily been designated for the Caribbean as the previous two were, but it will likely have a long life in whichever ocean it starts since it will not fit through the Panama Canal.
Estimated Inaugural: May, 2007
Cruise Line: Costa Cruises
Ship Name: Costa Serena
Size: GRT: 112,000
Capacity: 3000 (double occupancy), total capacity 3,780
Builder: Fincantieri – Sestri, Italy
This will be the second of Costa’s Concordia class. Deployment is thought to be year round in the Mediterranean.
Estimated Inaugural: October, 2007
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship Name: Norwegian Gem
Size: GRT: 92,000
Capacity: 2,384 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany yard)
This will be the third in the Norwegian Jewel series with 540 staterooms and suites with private balconies.
Estimated Inaugural: December 11, 2007
Cruise Line: Cunard Cruises
Ship Name: Queen Victoria
Size: GRT: 90,000
Capacity: 2000
Builder: Fincantieri – Marghera, Italy
This ship will be similar to HAL’s line of Vista-class vessels, but with Cunard’s own twists in the design and slightly larger. It will be built to Panamax standards, so it can be used in both the Atlantic and Pacific. 86% of the cabins will be outside, 71% of those with private verandahs. In September 2004 the design was enlarged as part of an order of four other ships from Fincantieri. It was originally slated for 88,000 tons and a capacity of 1968. Eleven meters were added to the length raising the tonnage to 90,000 and increasing the capacity to 2000, but the ship will still be able to transit the Panama Canal.
Initial Deployment: The first two voyages will be round trips from Southampton. Cunard says it will be used for a mix of cruises, ocean crossings and world cruises.
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