On board all ships in the fleet, including the new Costa Diadema, both children and adults will be able to feel fully immersed in a very special Christmas.
On some of Costa's ships, the Italian shipping company has also prepared excursions specially designed for all those who want to experience Christmas to the fullest while enjoying a unique vacation.
Christmas will also be special this year for all those who decide to spend it aboard one of the ships in the Costa fleet.
Costa Cruises, the number one cruise company in Europe and the only Italian-flagged cruise line, has prepared special activities and moments for the whole family for this special time of year, as well as specific Christmas dishes, for departures between November 2014 and January 2015.
The excursions on some of the ships have also been adapted to the Christmas spirit, so passengers can experience the best of Christmas both on board and on land.
From a wonderful week in the Classic Mediterranean aboard the Costa Diadema and Costa Fascinosa, to a dream week amidst the exoticism, luxury, and contrasts of the United Arab Emirates aboard the Costa Serena or Costa neoRiviera. And for those who wish to extend their Christmas holidays to make them even more memorable, there are 10-day Caribbean cruises on the Costa Mediterranea and 14-day cruises from Barcelona on the Costa Celebration, with an overnight stay in Istanbul.
In addition to the entertainment and cuisine designed to offer the very best during this magical time of year, all the ships will be beautifully decorated with lights, ornaments, and Christmas gifts for everyone to enjoy. It will be a special time for children, who can wait for Santa Claus in the theater: everyone will receive a small early Christmas gift and can write their letter and leave it in a large box to ensure it arrives on time. Furthermore, the crew will be dressed in festive attire for the children's enjoyment. And there will be arts and crafts activities to create Christmas decorations.
Adults can also immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit and participate in the traditional Secret Santa game with other passengers on the ship. They can also leave a small gift under the tree, up to a maximum of €10, which will be raffled off among all participants. This fun activity will help maintain the magical Christmas spirit that fills every city for weeks before Christmas.
Gastronomy, a hallmark of the Costa fleet and yet another example of the cruise line's commitment to excellence, always embodying the best of the Italian lifestyle and the local delicacies of the ports visited, will be no exception this holiday season. While in previous years passengers may have spent hours in the kitchen preparing something special for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, now is the time to relax and be impressed by our chefs with the best of Italy. A special menu has been prepared, traditional yet with a luxurious touch, featuring dishes such as cream of potato soup with caviar topping, crab salad, foie gras, roast turkey, panettone, and capon consommé with cappelletti, among others. All are carefully prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients by our onboard chefs.
The magic of Christmas, also on land
Some excursions have also been adapted to the dates we'll be experiencing in the coming months on three of Costa's fleet ships. Passengers on the Costa Diadema, the cruise line's new flagship, will be able to attend Christmas Mass during their stop in Naples. The excursion will begin with a tour of the historic center, passing through Piazza Matteotti and arriving at Piazza del Gesù. After a leisurely stroll along Via San Gregorio Armeno, world-renowned for its workshops and shops specializing in Nativity scenes and figures, guests can, if they wish, attend Holy Mass in one of Naples' most charming churches.
On December 24th at 6:30 PM, the Costa Fascinosa embarks on a leisurely excursion to Rome, where the ship will dock overnight. Passengers will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city at sunset, followed by a delicious dinner featuring primarily seafood (as is local tradition) at a select restaurant. Immediately after dinner, the ship will proceed to St. Peter's Square to take their seats and participate in the iconic Midnight Mass celebrated by the Pope.
The following day, to complete the Christmas experience, a leisurely and beautiful 9-hour excursion will allow cruise passengers to admire the beauty of St. Peter's Square and the Basilica at their own pace, as well as view the traditional Nativity scene. From December 8th to January 6th, in Piazza Navona, they can also explore the lively Christmas market where decorations, ornaments, handcrafted souvenirs, and traditional Christmas sweets will delight everyone and create unforgettable memories.
