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hstrybuf
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| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
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Posted: Sun Jun 17th, 2007 12:16 am | 1st Post |
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By Anita Dunham-Potter
Travel columnist
In the world of cruising, Costa Cruises is known for its extravagant and costly inaugurals. Indeed, Costa's newest ship, Costa Serena, the largest Italian cruise ship ever built, was recently christened amid much pomp and circumstance, with the whole city of Marseille, France, participating. The ship was launched with a nonstop half-hour fireworks-and-laser-lights extravaganza illuminating Marseille's five famous monuments: the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, Lighthouse Cove and Residence, Sainte Marie Majeure Cathedral, Entrecasteaux Castle and Fort Saint-Jean. In the words of one French guest, it was a "C'est wow!" moment.
More wow
Costa Cruises is a member of the Carnival Corporation family, and the Costa Serena has the same design as Carnival's Conquest-class vessels. But the similarities end there. There's something about the interior of a Costa ship that gives it a totally European ambiance. It is extravagantly furnished and decorated, it has many pampering amenities, and it provides more venues for guests to see and been seen. You could say it's la dolce vita at sea.
Among the ship's amenities are: Samsara Spa, the largest spa-and-fitness center at sea; three swimming pools, two with their own retractable glass dome roofs; a giant movie screen; five Jacuzzis; a Grand Prix race-car driving simulator; a chocolate bar that offers nine kinds of fruit dipped in a chocolate fountain; and menus created by the Italian culinary innovator Ettore Bocchia. As on other Costa ships, you'll find a towering atrium and theater, Internet café and library, shopping promenade, kids club and pool and 13 bars that are always thronged with guests. Accommodations include 1,500 well-appointed staterooms, including 70 suites and 99 Samsara Spa cabins and suites, which have private spa access.
Unlike my Caribbean cruise in January aboard the Costa Mediterranea, Costa's European cruises offer no toga parties or Roman Bacchanal. In Europe, the onboard pursuits have a more cosmopolitan flair. Carnival Chairman Micky Arison tells me, "You come onboard Costa in Europe for an Italian and French experience, not an Italian-American experience. If you love to dance and hear good music, this is for you."
Full story here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19176351/
____________________
Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
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