Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s n.1 cruise company, has launched a brand new itinerary, never offered before by any other cruise operator.  Throughout the 2011 summer season, the Costa Magica (102,600 gross tonnage and 3,470 total Guests) will be offering exclusive 11-day cruises taking in the capital cities of some 7 different European countries.

“Only Europe’s number 1 cruise company could come up with an itinerary like this one, symbolically uniting Europe and enabling Guests to visit 7 of the continent’s top short break destinations on the one trip,”  commented Costa Crociere S.p.A. President Gianni Onorato.  “This is another new vacation idea that we wish to give our customers:   every year we always do our utmost to innovate and improve, so as to offer our clientele a unique holiday experience that will amaze them and turn their dreams into reality.”

The new itinerary lets Guests visit many of Europe’s most popular and fashionable weekend getaway destinations, all combined into the one vacation.  The capital cities included are Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo and Edinburgh (for further details: www.costacruise.com). board the Costa Magica the enjoyment of a classic weekend break actually lasts 11 days, with the added advantages, firstly, of the convenience of not having to continually pack and unpack and, secondly, of the service excellence synonymous with the Costa Cruises brand and guaranteed by over 60 years of experience.  This is a truly “cosmopolitan” cruise that allows Guests to discover an array of very different cultures, landscapes, architecture and people.  Not only a cultural journey, but also a trip packed with fun and entertainment, embracing the very best of the attractions on offer in the top European cities – whether it’s a Parisian bistro, a shopping spree in London, fresh local seafood in a restaurant in Copenhagen’s Nyhavn area, or a leisurely stroll along the canals of Amsterdam.    Given the wealth of destinations included in the itinerary, Costa Cruises will offer its customers a shore excursion package, including 5 tours, at a special price.

The first departure on this new cruise route is scheduled for May 28 next year, with the last sailing departing on September 5, 2011.  The Costa Magica will be calling at the following ports:  Le Havre, with excursions to Paris; Dover, gateway to London; Amsterdam; Hamburg, with trips to Berlin; Copenhagen; Oslo; and Edinburgh.  For the cruises leaving on May 28, July 17 and August 6, the port call at Edinburgh will be replaced by a stopover in the Scottish harbor of Invergordon, which is the seaway to Loch Ness and the Highlands.

The Costa Magica, which was built in Genoa at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente yard and entered service in 2004, is designed to offer the ultimate in hospitality:  the 1,358 roomy cabins all feature cutting-edge facilities.  The central idea behind the design of the interiors, which are the work of architect Joseph Farcus, is a fantastic voyage to some of the most magical places in Italy.  The central pool deck, with the Lido Maratea and Lido Palinuro, is shaped like an amphitheatre, while the aft pool deck, the Lido Positano, has a retractable glass roof so that Guests can swim in any weather.  There is also a children’s splash pool.  One of the highlights of the Costa Magica is the 1,300 m2 Spa where you can pamper your body and soothe your spirit.  The two restaurants and buffet offer the best of Italian and international cuisine; the most refined palates will relish the à la carte Club Vicenza restaurant.

Other “fun ship” facilities include 11 bars, a theater extending over three decks, a disco, dance clubs, a game room, a casino and an Internet café.  In accordance with the finest tradition common to the Costa fleet as a whole, art in all its forms plays a major role on the Costa Magica, which features some 360 original works and 5292 copies.  Particularly worthy of note are the works by teachers and students from the Brera Academy of Art, notably Fernando De Filippi, Nicola Salvatore, Aldo Spoldi, Stefano Pizzi, Pablo Togni, Christian Ribecchi and Bruno Lucchi.