Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, is allowing cruisers to plan their winter getaways earlier than ever in the Caribbean, and for the first time, they can indulge in the relaxation of exclusive spa cabins as well. Guests can experience “Italy in the Tropics” through an onboard ambience that captures all the charms of Italy. Cruisers can choose between two ships, Costa Fortuna and Costa Mediterranea, and three regions including the Eastern, Western and Southeastern routes from Ft. Lauderdale between December 2008 and April 2009.

Costa introduced the revolutionary spa cabin concept to the travel industry, and is now bringing the new “Ischia” wellness program experience to the Caribbean aboard the Costa Mediterranea, undergoing renovations in April 2008. There will be 44 exclusive accommodations where guests will enjoy privileges including a personalized wellness consultation, three complimentary treatments, two fitness or meditation classes and complimentary access to the Wellness Restaurant, offering a wide array of spa-friendly cuisine. Spa cabins, available in ocean view, veranda and suite categories, will feature aromatherapy diffusers, special shower and air filters, and a mini bar stocked with healthy food and beverage selections. In addition, guests with these accommodations will be offered priority spa reservation times.
Costa’s ports-of-call in the Caribbean include Casa de Campo, Catalina Island, La Romana and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Key West, Florida; Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. John and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten, Leeward Islands and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Early booking fares for seven-night sailings begin at $549 and are cruise only, per person, and based on double occupancy. Government taxes are additional. All fares are subject to change and based on availability.
“We hear from our guests time and time again just how unique and special our Caribbean experience is and how it’s unlike anything else they’ve tried in the region - in our 2008-2009 season, not only will they be able to enjoy this flair for la dolce vita that they know and love, but they can also enjoy our revolutionary spa cabin concept in the tropics,” said Lynn Torrent, President & CEO of Costa Cruise Lines-North America. “We take great pride in the special blend of Italian warmth and style we offer onboard-within our two ships that sail the Caribbean for five months, we give our guests a lifetime of Italian style memories.”
Costa’s unique and authentic onboard Italian flair provides guests with a feeling of “Italy in the tropics” on its Caribbean routes. For many, sailing Costa offers a “new” way of experiencing the Caribbean ports of call they know and love - bringing to mind the romance and warmth of Italy without having to cross the Atlantic. From homemade pastas and delectable desserts, to Italian greetings including “buon giorno” in the morning and “buona sera” in the evening, the “amore” of the old world stays with guests long after they disembark from their cruise. Festive onboard activities include everything from on-deck bocce ball games, tarantella dancing under the stars and Italian cooking lessons during “Festa Italiana,” to the famous “Roman Bacchanal” soir??e, where guests don tasteful togas and celebrate as the Romans did centuries ago!