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CRUISES

Cruising "Italian Style" on Costa Atlantica




Jana M. Jones, NBC 17 Travel Expert




By Carol and Ray Fischer, our "Romantic Getaways" correspondents. They love to travel, together, to warm places, exciting cities, and any place with a casino. As long as they are together, it doesn't matter where they go. They can always find romance.






Costa Atlantica in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
©Ray Fischer 2005

VO-LA-RE…OH OH…CAN-TA-RE…OH OH OH OH* ...Somewhere on my right I heard, “May I have this dance?” and I was whirled away into the beat, into the festivity, into the arms of…not my husband, but my waiter. Welcome to Cruising Italian Style. Welcome to Costa’s Atlantica.

Atlantica is a mid-market ship attracting families from both North America and Europe during its winters in the Caribbean. With its wide range of age groups and cultures, the atmosphere is informal and unpretentious, occasionally raucous, and often smokier than other ships in the region.

Shipboard life on Atlantica is a feast for the senses. It’s a feeling, a spirit, a joie de vivre that anyone who has visited Italy will identify immediately. It’s about what the Italians love most---art, music, wine, food, fun, and friends with whom to share. You may leave your troubles at the pier when you embark; they’ll be there if you still want to pick them up upon your return.

La Bella Donna (Beautiful Lady)


Lobby Bar
©Ray Fischer 2005
The Atlantica is designed to give passengers a feeling of intimacy and lack of crowds, even at the ship’s maximum (double occupancy) capacity of 2,114. Launched in 2000, she is an 85,000 ton explosion of color, sometimes riotous, sometimes regal. Glass elevators with color changing lights ascend eleven stories, through the main Atrium on Deck Two, past a see-through staircase suspended high above. Crystal chandeliers illuminate the red, black and gold heart of the ship.

The immortal Italian film director, Federico Fellini, had a deep and profound emotional connection with the sea. Costa chose to honor him on its beautiful Atlantica by naming each deck for one of Fellini’s famous films. As passen- gers stroll around the ship enjoying the beautiful paintings, sculptures, tiles and Murano glass, they are reminded of another art -- the art of film. Whether on the decks named Ginger and Fred, La Strada, or 8 ˝, once again we know we are, indeed, Cruising Italian Style.

The Information Desk and Tour Office, as well as La Dolce Vita Bar, (complete with baby grand piano set above and behind the liquor bottles), surround the Atrium on Deck Two. Usually busy, often noisy, this is the place to see and be seen. It is here, as you board the ship, where you will have your first glimpse of some of the 400 plus pieces of art created by more than 21 different artists, each with some Italian “connection,” on this floating museum abundant with Carrara marble, Murano glass, and intricate inlaid mosaic tiles.

*Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu di D. Modugno - Migliacci original copyright 1958


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All content and photos unless otherwise noted copyright Jana M. Jones, on contract to NBC 17. All rights reserved.


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