The most family-friendly cruise ship: Costa Fascinosa

Costa Fascinosa, a Concordia-class cruise ship operated by Costa Cruises with 3,780 passengers, was awarded as the winner of the family friendliness category at the award ceremony of the “Kreuzfahrt Guide Awards 2013” which took place on the “Cruise Night” at this year’s Cruise Congress in Hamburg, Germany.

The jury explained the decision by mentioning, that the cruise ship does not only describe itself as family-friendly, but that it actually is family-friendly: Children and teenagers up to the age of 18 years can travel for free in the cabin of their parents. In addition, the cruise ship provides a baby-sitting service free of charge until 1:30 a.m. as well as a water-playground for two different age groups within the view of parents, who can relax on the sun deck in the meantime. The fair value of a cruise on board of Costa Fascinosa, which is often very important to young families, was also assessed positively by the eleven experts. “We are very
pleased about this award and also by the fact, that a distinctive characteristic of our Costa fleet, namely the Italian warmth and love to children, was appreciated by our guests as well as the experts”, said Hanja Maria Richter, Manager Communication at Costa Cruises Germany.

Costa Fascinosa entered service on 6 May 2012 cruising to the eastern Mediterranean. She was deployed to South America in November 2012, before returning to the eastern Mediterranean for the summer 2013 season.

Costa Fascinosa cruise ship in Venice

Costa neoCollection by Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises has announced the beginning of a new style of cruising on board its ships with the advent of the Costa neoCollection. The new “slow cruise” collection is exclusive to the Italian Company, which has always been an industry pioneer, having in the past introduced innovative ideas like fly+cruise packages, the
“Around-the-World” voyage and grand cruises, mini-cruises and Mediterranean winter cruise vacations.

The Costa neoCollection is an invitation to make the most of every minute, enjoy the holiday in a more leisurely way and linger longer. This is basically a brand new type of cruise experience tailored to suit individual taste and let each person go at their own pace, both on board and ashore, making it ideal for couples and groups of friends.

The cruise routes are exclusive, on board smaller cruise ships sailing to new destinations, off the beaten path and inaccessible to bigger ships. The itineraries are designed with longer stopovers in each port, often overnight and part of the next day so as to allow you maximum time on shore and the chance to explore in depth each place en route. There is attention to detail on board combined with the discovery of cultural heritage and scenic nature ashore. Cruising is not one size fits all – hence Costa’s range of made-to-measure options, notably a series of specially devised shoreside excursions for small groups, and fine food & wine products based on the authentic taste sensations of the places visited, thanks to the new, important collaboration between the Italian company and the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo.

The Costa neoCollection debuts on February 9, 2014, from Dubai, with a special cruise on the Costa
neoRiviera, the latest addition to the Costa Cruises fleet; this is a one-off 62-day voyage of discovery, the “Grand African Tour”: a totally innovative circumnavigation of the great continent offering a unique opportunity to combine the sea and the most beautiful Indian Ocean beaches with all the adventure of a safari in South Africa. The Costa neoRiviera will also add a new dimension to cruising in spring and summer, sailing on 12-day itineraries to the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean, away from the bustle of mass tourism. Starting June 1, 2014, and throughout the summer, the neoCollection style will also be featuring on the Costa neoRomantica, with 13 and 15-day premium cruises in Northern Europe, beyond the North Cape or to the finest Baltic cities.

The Costa neoRiviera (624 cabins) and the Costa neoRomantica (789 cabins) are welcoming and relaxing ships; their relatively small size makes them ideal for slow cruising and means they can sail to smaller ports that are gateways to great get-away-from-it-all destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Corsica and the west coast of Sicily. The shipboard ambience is warm and cozy as is the interior design while the service is even more refined and personalized; the unhurried pace of the cruise gives you more time to mingle and share experiences with your fellow Guests.

Costa neoRomantica

The quality that is the hallmark of the Costa neoCollection is present throughout: from the time of booking to the actual slow cruise experience itself. Before leaving, Guests can consult a team of experts and personalize their itinerary by booking the shoreside tours that best match their tastes and interests. Once Guests are on board, a Concierge assists them in the choice of custommade solutions embracing not only excursions but also a vast array of shipboard and shoreside amenities, such as the newly introduced “Dinner under the stars”, a romantic candlelit soirée with a gourmet menu under the canopy of starry skies.

The choice of food & wine is simply staggering: whether you are ashore or on board, Costa’s common denominator is the determination to preserve and highlight local gastronomic traditions based on wholesome ingredients available in the various ports of call. The menus on board comprise regional recipes designed to foster the great local culinary and cultural traditions, with the assistance of the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo. These gourmet menus come with a list of hand-picked wines, which can be sampled by the glass. In keeping with the leisurely pace of the neoCollection cruises, you can dine at any time between 6.30 and 10.30 pm without having to choose a particular sitting.

The slow food approach continues ashore, where you can go on food & wine excursions with tasting of local products. Indeed, the Costa neoCollection shoreside tours are specially designed, original, exciting and planned down to the last detail to let you lap up the culture, scenery and flavors of each place along the route. So as to enhance the independent tourist feel, each excursion is arranged in small groups of not more than 25 people.

Costa Cruises neoCollection itineraries
The Costa neoCollection kicks off in style with an extraordinary 62-day voyage sailing from Dubai on February 9, 2014, destination Mother Africa. The “Grand African Tour” on the Costa neoRiviera will be an exclusive one-off experience and a chance to discover the superb coastline of India, the paradise islands of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Mauritius and Reunion, then on to Madagascar, circumnavigating the African continent on a route taking in Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, St. Helena, Senegal, Cape Verde, the Canaries and Morocco. Two months amidst the unforgettable Indian Ocean beaches, wildlife safaris in South Africa and huge sand dunes with a sheer drop to the sea below. Highlights include the discovery of the “world apart” in Madagascar and Maputo, “the City of Acacias”, with the Iron House and train station both designed by Gustave Eiffel. Then of course there are the metropolises like Mumbai, Cape Town and Dakar, where you can appreciate authentic hands-on experience of everyday life in these cities. Last but not least, iconic and exotic Casablanca is the final stop before you head “out of Africa” and back to Europe.

This voyage can be purchased as a whole trip from Dubai to Savona or, for those with less time to spend, divided into separate segments from Dubai to Cape Town or Cape Town to Savona. In spring/summer 2014 the Costa neoCollection will also be changing the way Mediterranean cruising is experienced. The Costa neoRiviera will be operating on two 12-day vacations that are the quintessence of slow cruising, featuring destinations that are off the beaten track and enabling Guests to experience authentic Mediterranean travel.

On the “Mediterranean Heart” itinerary on the Costa neoRiviera, departing Savona from April 11 through May 25, 2014 and then resuming from September 12 through October 4, 2014, Guests can visit Provence,
including the pearls St. Tropez and Cannes, thanks to the stopover in Toulon. The overnight stay in Barcelona means you can soak up the Catalan city’s pulsating nightlife. Porto Empedocle (Sicily) is the gateway for unforgettable tours to the celebrated temples in the Valle dei Templi, the archeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, Erice, San Vito Lo Capo and Modica. The next stop is Malta. Following this, a whole day right up until two o’clock in the morning is set aside for visiting the famed Amalfi Coast. Finally, Livorno is ideally placed for excursions to staggeringly beautiful cities that need no introduction, namely Pisa and Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

The 13-day “Mediterranean Spirit” itinerary, also provided by the Costa neoRiviera, will operate from June 5 through September 1, 2014, giving Guests the epitome of a Mediterranean summer taking in the loveliest
and most historically evocative islands in Mare Nostrum – Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Capri, Malta and the Isle of Elba – as well as the Amalfi Coast and the Côte d’Azur. With Savona as her homeport, the Costa neoRiviera will head for Toulon (France), Propriano (Corsica), Olbia (Sardinia), Trapani (Sicily), Malta, Capri, Salerno and Portoferraio (Isle of Elba). The range of tours on offer on this cruise is quite extraordinary and includes seaside trips to inimitable gems like the Costa Smeralda, San Vito lo Capo, Positano, Amalfi, Portofino and the island of Favignana.

Contributing to the allure of the Costa neoCollection is one of the summer favorites with lovers of spectacular scenery: Northern Europe. The Costa neoRomantica, Costa Cruises’ luxury ship, will be offering 13 to 15-day summer cruises bound for the Baltic cities and the fjords, beyond the North Cape and towards the icy wastelands of the Arctic Ocean.

On June 25 and August 2 and 26, 2014, the Costa neoRomantica is scheduled to sail from Amsterdam on the 13-day “Northern Capitals” itinerary. After stopping at Bornholm (Denmark), the Costa neoRomantica
will call at “green” Helsinki (Finland) and the splendid, imperial St. Petersburg (Russia), where she will spend 2 days and one night. Next, Costa’s most elegant fleet member will head for quaint Tallin (Estonia),
Stockholm (Sweden) – where a visit to the old town with its medieval buildings and cobbled alleys is a must – and Visby (Sweden). The last port call is Copenhagen (Denmark), oozing history and tradition, with ancient buildings sitting alongside modern architecture and interior design shops.

Anyone who wants to admire the midnight sun at the northernmost tip of Norway can choose the 13-day “The Kingdom of Light” itinerary, which will depart on the Costa neoRomantica on June 1 and 13, July 21 and August 14, 2014. This is a unique opportunity to visit unforgettable, inimitable destinations where fjords, waterfalls and thick vegetation are the dominant natural features of the stunning landscape. The Costa
neoRomantica will leave Amsterdam bound for surprising Norway with a stopover in Hellesylt, and from there to Geiranger en route to what many consider to be Norway’s most beautiful fjord. The next port of call is the historic city of Trondheim followed by the North Cape, continental Europe’s northernmost point, where from May through July the Land of the Midnight Sun offers its most romantic natural spectacle. The cruise then moveson to Tromso, the famous base for many polar expeditions, surrounded by woods, fruit trees and flowers. At the Lofoten Islands, amidst peaks overlooking turquoise water and fishing villages, you can unearth the real essence of natural Arctic splendor. The last calls are at Olden and Bergen, with its typical local wooden houses, former warehouses and little shops.

Lastly, for anyone wishing to experience their shortest ever night and discover the icy kingdom, the Costa neoRomantica is offering “Beyond North Cape”, an exclusive one-off cruise departing from Amsterdam on
July 7, 2014. This is an extended panoramic voyage off the Norwegian coast, beyond the Arctic Circle, to the Svalbard Islands.

The Costa neoCollection Cruise Ships
The Costa neoRiviera (48,200 gross tonnage and 624 cabins) with her cozy, comfortable, intimate spaces is a ship that reminds you of a large sailing yacht. She is the expression of the new way of interpreting the cruise experience. With her 624 staterooms including 94 suites, 4 panoramic suites and 6 grand suites – all fitted with private verandas – the Costa neoRiviera exudes a charming atmosphere reminiscent of the Italian and French Rivieras. The ship has three restaurants (including one buffet), six bars, two shopping arcades, three swimming pools, including one for children, jacuzzis, a beauty & wellness center with thalassotherapy, hydrotherapy and massages, fitness center, show lounge and disco.

The Costa neoRomantica (56,000 gross tonnage and 789 cabins) is the “jewel” in the Costa crown. The ship is modern, stylish and exclusive with a dazzling array of amenities: from the opulent Samsara Spa – wellness area in a uniquely invigorating atmosphere – to the four restaurants and the Wine & Cheese bar. Lovers of traditional Italian cuisine will enjoy the Costa neoRomantica’s pizzeria equipped with a genuine wood burning brick oven. Light and airy, the substantial use on board of glass and wood paneling is one of the distinguishing features of the ship’s interior decoration. The different public areas blend into one another in an intriguing interplay of sleek lines and transparency, leaving even more space for the real star of the show on any cruise: the sea.

Holland America Line 2014 Europe Cruise Season

For travelers who would like to explore Europe with a cruise ship in 2014, Holland America Line's 2014 Europe Cruise season itineraries offers eight of the cruise line's 15 ships, 57 unique itineraries on 105 departures cruising to many fantastic European destinations from the tip of Norway to the beautiful beaches of Turkey.

In 2014 Holland America Line's ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Noordam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Prinsendam will be cruising in Europe. "The allure of Europe is that it offers everything for an ideal vacation: culture, history, culinary excellence, shopping, sun and excitement," said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line's executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Europe is the most diverse region in the world, from the snow-capped fjords of Norway to the olive groves of Greece, and our cruises explore every corner of the continent."

The 2014 Europe cruise season showcases Holland America Line's focus on destination diversity, timeless appeal and high-quality experiences, with maiden calls at Antalya, Turkey; Burgas, Bulgaria; Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), the Netherlands; Itea and Kavala, Greece; La Palais on Belle-Ile-en-Mer, France, and Montoir-de-Bretagne (Nantes), France.

Several convenient roundtrip options will be available from nine ports: Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Boston, Mass.; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Venice, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dover (London), England; Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Piraeus (Athens) and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Many of the itineraries also can be extended into Collectors' Voyages ranging from 14 to 37 days, which offer the ultimate European cruise experience. These artfully crafted longer cruises combine back-to-back itineraries, enabling guests to visit more ports and spend extra time exploring centuries of art, history and culture.

Known as Holland America Line's intimate explorer, ms Prinsendam will sail 13 unique European itineraries
in 2014 that feature six of the maiden calls.

Here are some notable new itineraries from Holland America Line 2014 Europe Cruise Season:

D-Day 70th Anniversary 
Travelers looking for a memorable and moving vacation can embark Eurodam April 29, 2014, for a 12-day "D-Day 70th Anniversary" sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Copenhagen. The ship will call at ports in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar before arriving at Portland, England, where guests can visit the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eurodam continues north to Cherbourg (Normandy), France, where the famous World War II battle took place June 6, 1944. The cruise calls at Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium, before concluding at Copenhagen. Cruise fares begin at $1,899 per person, double occupancy.

12-Day Baltic Adventure
From May through August, Eurodam will sail a new 12-day Baltic itinerary roundtrip from Copenhagen that features three overnight calls in some of the most exciting cities in the world: St. Petersburg, Russia; Stockholm, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark. The overnight visits allow for an evening Russian ballet performance, an enchanting nighttime cruise along Stockholm's waterways or a performance at the famed Copenhagen Opera House. The ship also calls at ports in Estonia, Finland and Germany. Cruise fares begin at $1,899 per person, double occupancy.

14-Day Iberian & Gallic Explorer
Departing May 10 from Civitavecchia (Rome), Prinsendam sails a 14-day voyage to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) that explores the French wine country with an overnight call at Bordeaux, France. The extended visit allows for an exclusive dinner at a vineyard or extra time to sample local French cuisine. The cruise also visits ports in Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Belgium and additional calls in France. Cruise fares begin at $2,699 per person, double occupancy.

14-Day Bourgundian Explorer
Cruising from Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) Sept. 7 to Barcelona, Spain, Prinsendam visits 11 ports in six countries during the two-week journey. After a call at Vlissingen, the Netherlands, guests will enjoy a day of scenic cruising along the Scheidt River. An overnight at Brussels (Antwerp), Belgium, allows extra shopping time for luxury items such as leather, diamonds and chocolate. The cruise continues on to ports in France, including the maiden call at La Palais, Belle-Ile-en-Mer, as well as Spain and Gibraltar before reaching Barcelona. Cruise fares begin at $2,599 per person, double occupancy.

16-Day Black Sea Explorer
Prinsendam's roundtrip Piraeus (Athens) itinerary that departs Oct. 5 extends from 14 to 16 days in 2014, allowing for two full nights at Istanbul, Turkey, and an overnight at Sevastopol, Ukraine. With extra time at Istanbul, guests can take in sights like the Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque at their leisure. The cruise also includes the maiden calls at Kavala and Burgàs. In addition to ports in Turkey, Ukraine, Greece and Bulgaria, the ship also calls at Constanta, Romania, and guests will enjoy scenic cruising by Mount Athos, through the Bosporus Strait and Dardanelles. Cruise fares begin at $4,199 per person, double occupancy.

14-Day Mediterranean Enchantment
Near the end of the European season when there are fewer crowds and more comfortable temperatures, Ryndam sails from Istanbul to Barcelona on a 14-day itinerary that features nine calls throughout Turkey, Egypt, Greece and Italy. Departing Oct. 18, guests can visit some of the most historical sites in the region, including Ephesus at Kusadasi, Turkey; the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx at Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt, and Mount Etna at Messina, Italy. This itinerary also features the line's maiden call at Antalya. Cruise fares begin at $2,099 per person, double occupancy.

Other Unique Experiences
Additional exciting Holland America Line Europe itineraries enable guests to be among the few to cross the Arctic Circle, transit Germany's Kiel Canal or cruise the Gironde Estuary into Bordeaux. Other unique experiences include visiting the stunning Guggenheim Museum at Bilbao, Spain, and searching for "Nessie" the sea monster in Loch Ness at Inverness, Scotland. Those interested in taking a dip in the famous "Blue Lagoon," Iceland's unique geothermal seawater, can choose the 18-day trans-Atlantic cruise aboard Eurodam, which includes an overnight stay at Reykjavik.

On each Europe cruise, Holland America Line's "On Location" enrichment program brings local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences to life both onboard and ashore to deepen guests' appreciation of the region. Guests might enjoy a Turkish Taraf with live belly dancers, Garden of the Gods deck party, Nordic Jazz and Food Festival, German Bierfest with a live "oompah" band, regional beer and wine tastings, cultural cooking demonstrations, special tapas sail-away parties and more.

Explore4 Early Booking Promotion Gives Added Perks for Planning Now
Presently, Holland America Line is offering the Explore4 early booking promotion that features a free Signature Beverage Package or beverage card, a free specialty restaurant dinner, free or reduced fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom and 50 percent reduced deposits for bookings on select 2014 cruises made before October 15, 2013. Guests may receive all four offers when booking a qualified itinerary.

Source : Holland America Line's 2014 Europe Season Features 57 Unique Itineraries On 105 Departures

Royal Caribbean Promotion: Kids Travel Free in 2014 Europe Cruise Vacations

Royal Caribbean International's limited time only "Kids Tour Free" promotion offers free shore excursions for kids 12 and under in Europe cruises when two adults in the same stateroom book the same excursion. Kids Tour Free offer is for the guests who purchase their Europe cruise from August 24 through September 30, 2013 and can book their shore excursion through December 15, 2013.

You can also receive $1,000 off your cruise vacation when you book a balcony or suite stateroom on a 7-night cruise or longer, and book your flight with ChoiceAir. You can save even more by reserving two adult shore excursions in Europe, so the kids can tour free! Choose any ship and itinerary sailing Europe in 2014 to receive a free shore excursion for each child.

Royal Caribbean offers variety of options in Europe 2014 cruise itineraries: Seven-night itineraries on-board Spelndour of the Seas from Venice, Italy, visiting the Greek Isles and Turkey; Liberty of the Seas from Barcelona, Spain, or Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, to the Mediterranean and Brilliance of the Seas sailing from Southampton visiting Scandinavia and Russia.

On Liberty of the Seas there are many fun entertainment options for the kids: guests can enjoy the DreamWorks Experience, featuring parades, themed activities and events based on DreamWorks Animation’s popular feature-film characters, including Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of “Shrek;” and Alex the Lion and Gloria the Hippo from “Madagascar.” Guests also can take in the Broadway musical Saturday Night Fever as well as take a spin on the ship’s ice skating rink or hang ten on the Flowrider surf simulator.

“As kids head back to school, it’s the perfect time for families to start planning their next vacation, especially when you can take advantage of a value driven offer like Kids Tour Free,” said Lisa Bauer, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Royal Caribbean International.  “A Europe cruise vacation is the ideal itinerary to bring text books to life as young minds explore one of our many educational and enriching ports and shore excursions. Plus, the best way for families to enjoy all that Europe has to offer is to combine it with a diverse array of onboard activities from the Flowrider surf simulator and rock climbing wall to a Broadway show and spectacular entertainment for an experience only found on Royal Caribbean.”

Splendour of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas offer their guests Centrum experience – which includes a new high-flying entertainment experience where aerialists glide through the vertical space of the five-story atrium – while enjoying a classic cocktail at the  60’s-inspired R Bar.

Royal Caribbean Promotion: Kids Travel Free in 2014 Europe Cruise Vacations

Royal Caribbean Europe Cruises are not only limited to sailing: while in Europe you can join shore excursions designed with families in mind:  from a visit to the Tivoli Gardens and Theme Park in Copenhagen, Denmark ; and a family bike tour in Dubrovnik, Croatia, to learning how to make authentice Italina pizza in Sorrento, Italy, or experiencing a Russian folk-art tradition at a hands-on Matryoshka doll workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia. Guests can enjoy their time ashore with the peace of mind that all excursions are led by experienced and insured tour operators who offer in-depth knowledge of the cities and attractions visited.

If you are interested in Guests interested in “Kids Tour Free” offer visit RoyalCaribbean.com/KidsTourFree for more information.  To explore European cruise vacation itineraries, visit RoyalCaribbean.com/Europe. 

Costa Cruises announces Around-the-World in 83 days from Shanghai

Italian cruise line Costa Cruises has announced the first around-the-world cruise departing from China which will sail across three oceans and five continents around the globe in 83-days cruise. Costa Cruises partners with Shanghai Airlines Tours for the cruise. The around-the-world cruise will depart from Shanghai, China's largest city by population, and visit 23 destinations in 16 countries and regions.

After departing from Shanghai on March 22 2014, the cruise ship Costa Atlantica will first stop in Vietnamese cities of Ho Chi Minh and Vung Tau from where the guests will be taken to tropical paradise islands of Phuket (Thailand), Sri Lanka and Maldives. From the tropics, the cruise ship will sail to Oman's Salalah and then Egypt's Sokhna before visiting Heraklion, Santorini and Athens in Greece.

After Greece, cruise tour of European cities will continue to Catania in Italy, Marseilles inFrance, Barcelona in Spain and Lisbon and Funchal in Portugal. In these countries Guests will be able to sample the best that Western Europe has to offer from fine wines to high-fashion in addition to learning more about these culture-soaked cities.

Costa Atlantica will cross the Atlantic Ocean to New York from Europe and later head south to Miami, Ocho Rios in Jamaica before a transit in the Panama takes her to Pacific Ocean. Manzanillo in Mexico, Kahului and Honolulu in Hawaii, and Guam, will complete this once-in-a-lifetime trip, allowing Guests to discover wonderful exotic destinations. After 83 days from setting off, Costa Atlantica will bring its world explorers back home to Shanghai on 13 June 2014.

“As a pioneer of the cruise industry in China and the first international cruise line to operate homeport cruises out of Shanghai since 2006, we are always challenging ourselves to bring more innovative holiday options to this market. China’s first Around-the-World cruise is a perfect example of this and is the lynchpin of our Asia strategy over the next couple of years. It heralds a new milestone in China’s cruise industry,” said Mr. Foschi, Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation Asia and Chairman of the Board of Costa Crociere S.p.A.,. “With our partners at Shanghai Airlines Tours, we will offer our Chinese Guests the chance to explore the world in a way that has never been possible before.”

Cost Atlantica cruise ship will sail 83-days around-the-world cruise which will start and end in Shanghai.
Costa Atlantica is seen here at Naples.

Costa Cruises is introducing Costa Atlantica to the China market in 2013 before her 83 days around-the-world cruise from Shanghai. Costa Atlantica’s interior design celebrates Italian cinema and the arts: Fellini and La Dolce Vita, Madame Butterfly, the historic Caffè Florian in Venice, Via della Spiga in Milan, the Tiziano Restaurant. A significant majority - 58 suites and 660 cabins -of the 1,057 total cabins have balconies. A spa, four Jacuzzis, four pools, a theatre, disco and children’s area will keep Guests entertained between the frequent excursions. Berlitz, the world's most trusted guide to cruising.

Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Cruises, expressed his thanks to Costa’s partners for their help in making China’s first Around-the-World cruise a reality. “I am very grateful for the ongoing support we have received from the local government, tourism boards and our local tourism partners. Together we are working hard to supply Chinese travelers new and enticing cruise products. China remains one of Costa’s key markets and today’s partnership with SAT and our world cruise announcement highlights our commitment to the region.”

The announcement of China’s first Around-the-World cruise comes during China’s ‘Marine Tourism
Year’ which was launched in Sanya at the beginning of January 2013. The aim of the Tourism Marine Year is to boost the development of marine tourism resources, as well as bring Chinese citizens closer to the ocean. Costa Atlantica will depart from Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. This port has made a significant contribution to China’s cruising industry since it was first established, and Costa Cruises has repeatedly made use of its top-class facilities. Setting Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal as the homeport for China’s first Around-the-World cruise exemplifies the close relationship between Costa Cruises and the Chinese authorities as both work to further develop China’s cruise industry. It also underscores Costa’s steadfast commitment to bring

2014 Europe Cruise Tours, Scandinavia and Baltic cruises by Royal Caribbean International

Norwegian-American cruise line Royal Caribbean International is deploying one of its vision class cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, for 2014 Scandinavia and Baltic cruises from Hamburg, Germany. Bookings for Legend of the Seas’ 2014 Scandinavia and Baltic cruises from Hamburg are open since April 11th 2013.

 2014 cruise schedule of Legend of the Seas is exiting:

• On July 2014, Legend of the Seas will re-position from Stockholm to Hamburg sailing a 14-night itinerary throughout the Baltic Sea that features a three-day call at St. Petersburg, Russia; a maiden call for the cruise line at Fredericia, Denmark; and a return to Klaipeda, Lithuania.
• Every Sunday in August 2014, she will sail for a 7 nights roundtrip itinerary from Hamburg, calling at Oslo, Stavanger, Geiranger and Ǻlesund.
• On Sept 7th 2014, she will depart for a 16-night transatlantic sailing to Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J. Alternatively, vacationers also can embark in Oslo for the seven-night, round trip Norway itinerary, or for the ship's trans-Atlantic crossing.

Legend of the Seas will join other eight Royal Caribbean cruise ships to sail European waters in 2014. Other cruise ships are Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Splendour of the Seas.

Legend of the Seas can carry 2,074 passengers and offers a wide range of facilities for her guests such as a theater, cinema, spa, pools, fitness center, bars, dance center, a golf course, rock-climbing wall, shopping center, a teen disco and a 2 story dining room called the Romeo & Juliet. She is the most travelled ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. During her 14 years of career in the fleet, it has called Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Alaska, Caribbean, the Baltic, Mediterranean and the Middle East as home port.

Legend of The Seas

Royal Caribbean International has also announced its new 2014 Europe Cruise Tours, which combine a cruise with an exclusive land tour program that explores some of Europe’s most vibrant cities and interior regions such as Madrid, Florence, Rome and more.  The cruise line offers four  Cruise Tours that combine one of five ships with a three- to five-night land program that offers the best value to explore the many inland metropolises and attractions, as well as the coastal ones. Royal Caribbean takes care of all the planning for immersive Europe land tours, each featuring expert Adventure Specialists who act as guides, historians and concierges; carefully selected accommodations in the heart of each incredible city; premium baggage handling service throughout; transfers between cities, airport and ship; and built-in free time for guests to create their own one-of-a-kind adventure.

Two Royal Caribbean Cruisetour programs combine a Mediterranean cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas orSplendour of the Seas with either a four-night Madrid & Barcelona or a three-night Italian Lakes, Como & Venice land tour. On the latter itinerary, guest spend two nights in Como of the famed Lake Como and visit the quaint Italian town of Bellagio. Another immersive Italy cruisetour combines a Navigator of the Seas sailing with a five-night itinerary that includes all the must-see attractions of Venice, Florence & Rome. Furthermore, the Paris & London cruisetour combines a sailing aboard Adventure of the Seas or Brilliance of the Seas with a four-night itinerary that showcases Paris and London’s top, iconic landmarks.

Cruises take the top spot for easter 2013 says Costa Cruises

Cruises are one of the vacation destinations of choice for Easter. Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s no. 1 cruise company, has received about 15% more bookings for Easter 2013 departures from Guests who have chosen the Italian company’s ships compared to Easter 2012 figures.

Costa Cruises, the only cruise company flying the Italian flag, is offering cruises in the Mediterranean with 4 ships of the fleet for Easter 2013. The Costa Favolosa departed on March 25 for a 1-week “Sunshine cities” cruise to the most beautiful cities in the western Mediterranean: Savona, Barcelona, Palma de Majorca, Malta, Catania and Naples. The Costa Magica departed on March 25 for a 1-week cruise to the cities of art and crystalline seas in the eastern Mediterranean, with calls to Savona, Naples, Athens-Piraeus, Olympia-Katakolo, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Venice. The Costa Mediterranea will depart from Savona on March 28 for a 6-day “Lime Green” mini-cruise to must-see destinations like Barcelona, Palma, Ajaccio and Marseilles. Then, the Costa Pacifica will depart from Savona on March 30 for a 1-week “Scent of Citrus” cruise to the most characteristic destinations in the western Mediterranean: Marseilles, Barcelona, Palma de Majorca, Cagliari, Palermo and Civitavecchia/Rome.


For next Easter, that this year falls during what is still a good time for visiting exotic estinations, Costa Cruises also offers 1-week cruises to discover the “Pearls of the Caribbean”, the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean, on board the Costa Luminosa, as well as the “The thousands and one nights” cruise, again a 1-week voyage to the Arab Emirates and Oman with departure from Dubai on board the Costa Atlantica and the Costa Classica.

Costa Cruises' Costa Pacifica Cruise Ship

The Easter cruises will coincide with an important celebration for the company: March 31, 2013 marks the 65th anniversary of Costa Cruises. To celebrate the anniversary initiatives dedicated to Guests will be held on board all 14 ships of the fleet. The purpose is to focus on an important milestone of a company that, in 65 years, has shared memorable moments with millions of Guests, and continues to look toward the future encouraged and support by its clients’ constant appreciation.

In general, some of the most popular spring 2013 itineraries include short cruises on board the Costa Mediterranea, the Costa Serena and the Costa Deliziosa. The objective of this mini-cruise format is to give even those with only a few days of vacation the chance to discover all the pleasure of a fun-filled and entertaining cruise.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Of The Seas to sail Europe in 2014

Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ship, will be sailing Europe for a short autumn season in 2014. Renowned worldwide for its award-winning Caribbean cruise vacations, Oasis of the Seas now will offer a sampling of its unrivaled Oasis-class experience in Europe. Oasis of the Seas’ 2014 Europe season will open for sale on Apr. 11, 2013.

Oasis of the Seas has been delivered to  Royal Caribbean International in October 2009 and  become the largest cruise ship in the world at that time. ( Royal Caribbean's another cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, is 50 millimeters longer than it).

Guests will sail the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean and delight in Oasis-class exclusive amenities and concepts throughout its seven themed neighborhoods, such as an 82 foot-long zip line, a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide elevating bar, Broadway musicals, the Aquatheater high-diving performance venue, and Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants. Oasis of the Seas also offers amenities that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, such as twin FlowRider surf simulators, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, the H20 Zone kids aquapark, and the Royal Promenade, an interior boulevard that stretches nearly the length of the ship and flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, among many others.

Royal Caribbean’s award-winning family programming also will help ensure that guests of every generation can share in an unforgettable Europe family vacation aboard Oasis of the Seas. The cruise line’s complimentary Adventure Ocean kids program offers ongoing educational and entertaining sessions for three age groups from three- to 11-year-olds, led by college-accredited counselors from 9:00 to 2:00 a.m.  Two curricula for teens age 12 to 17 years offer more organic programming to offer them the flexibility to help shape their day with peers, as well as teen-only sessions on the FlowRider, Rock Wall and Sports Court. Furthermore, Oasis of the Seas also debuted the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery – soon to be fleetwide – that caters to Royal Caribbean’s youngest guests, age six to 36 months old.

 “Nothing can compare to the Oasis-class vacation experience, a testament to Royal Caribbean’s more than 40 years of innovation,” said Lisa Bauer, executive vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Now vacationers can combine Europe’s rich cultures and history with the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship for a regional experience that can only be found on Royal Caribbean. And for those who have always wanted more time to enjoy the myriad activities on Oasis of the Seas, our two trans-Atlantic cruises will offer more than enough time to do everything on board, as well as some surprises along the way.”

Royal Caribbean Oasis Of The Seas will be sailing in Europe for a short autumn season in 2014

Two trans-Atlantic crossings will afford guests the opportunity to experience all of Oasis of the Seas’ unmatched innovative amenities, exclusive entertainment, and variety of dining experiences. On these cruises, guests also will enjoy an exclusive preview of the Quantum-class experience and join in special programs that will amplify the Oasis-class experience. A 12-night eastbound cruise from the ship’s homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Barcelona departs Sept. 1, 2014 and a 13-night westbound cruise will return Oasis of the Seas to Port Everglades from Rotterdam on Oct. 14. Vacationers also can embark the westbound trans-Atlantic cruise at Southampton on Oct. 15.

Guests also can enjoy the world-acclaimed ship on a choice of three Europe sailings. Vacationers can choose among two roundtrip sailings on a five-night Western Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona, and a seven-night Spain itinerary sailing from Barcelona to Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where Oasis of the Seas will enter drydock in Képpel Verolme shipyard for routine maintenance. Additionally, a two-night Bahamas cruise departing on Aug. 30 and a five-night Western Caribbean cruise departing on Oct. 27, both roundtrip from Port Everglades, will bookend Oasis of the Seas’ short 2014 Europe season.

Launched in December 2009, Oasis of the Seas has been heralded as an architectural marvel at sea, spanning 16 decks, encompassing 225,282 gross registered tons, and has a double-occupancy capacity of 5,400 guests. Oasis of the Seas is first ship to tout the cruise line’s neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, comprising Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.        

 Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming.