Thread: Costa to sail from the U.K.

Costa Cruises is bringing mainland Europe closer to the UK and launching a brand new 11-day itinerary taking in the capital cities of seven European countries.

Departing from the UK on Costa Magica, ‘A Taste of the Great Capitals of Europe’, will transport guests to the delights of Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo and Edinburgh.

The first departure is scheduled for 29 May 2011 from Harwich. Cruises will sail from Dover on 8, 18 and 28 June, 8, 18 and 28 July and 7 and 17 August 2011. The final cruises of the season will depart from Harwich on 27 August and 6 September. Costa Magica will call 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 cruises leaving on 28 May, 17 July and 6 August, the port of call at Edinburgh will be replaced by a stopover in the Scottish harbour of Invergordon, the seaway to Loch Ness and the Highlands.

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. In accordance with the finest tradition common to the Costa fleet as a whole, art in all its forms plays a major role on 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.

They are smart to open up new itineraries. Regular cruisers get tired of the same ports and if their favorite cruise line doesn't switch things up from time to time they will lose customers to other lines with more varied itineraries.

Thanks for posting this Curtis! I found this information myself the other day.

Looks like Harwich will be much more exciting next year!