Costa Cruises presents the “Costa Voyages Special Edition” cruises on Costa Smeralda, featuring two unique itineraries that will take guests on a journey to discover Africa, with a dedicated program of on-board and land experiences.

The first cruise departs from Genoa, Italy, on Nov. 15, 2024, and arrives in Dubai on Dec. 21, 2024. The second will take the reverse itinerary, departing from Dubai on March 1, 2025, returning to Genoa on April 7, 2025. During the 36-day journey, Costa Smeralda will circumnavigate Western Africa, visiting Namibia (Walvis Bay) and South Africa (Cape Town and Port Elizabeth), as well as the Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Mauritius, and Oman (Muscat). Further details on itineraries and available departures can be found at www.costacruise.com and at travel agencies.

HEALTHY PROGRAMS BY TECHNOGYM®

For the first time, with the exclusive “Costa Voyages Special Edition” cruises, Costa will offer wellness programs in partnership with Technogym®, allowing guests to perfectly combine workout and vacation.

The program, which is included in the price of the cruise, offers a weekly check-up with state-of-the-art fitness equipment from Technogym® to monitor personal results; access to classes taught by Technogym® instructors; participation in wellness and longevity seminars organized with the support of Technogym®; and use of the Technogym App for individual training sessions during the cruise.

For those who want an even more complete experience, it is possible to purchase the additional “Premium Health” package, which includes the assistance of a personal trainer and a personalized exercise plan created with Technogym®; exclusive gifts; advice on the best treatments at the Solemio Spa; and healthy menus developed together with Technogym® nutrition specialists, available at the Arlecchino Restaurant.

THE SEA DESTINATIONS: SEA OF STARS

Costa’s major innovation is the “Sea Destinations,” brand-new destinations to be discovered aboard the ship while underway, alongside the land destinations available during port calls. For the “Costa Voyages Special Edition” Costa has designed two Sea Destinations dedicated to stargazing, as the ship reaches the deepest darkness of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The captain will introduce this extraordinary experience, allowing the planets and constellations to be admired from a unique vantage point.

LAND DESTINATIONS: THE UNMISSABLE OVERLAND ADVENTURES

The land experiences offered by Costa will make the destinations of the “Costa Voyages Special Edition” cruises unforgettable. These exclusive tours will extend over several days, with guests returning to the ship at the next port of call. 

For example, Costa Smeralda guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a three-day experience on the Garden Route, the most famous scenic route on the African continent, which connects Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, among paradisiacal beaches, colorful lagoons and forests. A three-day safari will explore the wild heart of Southern Africa under the guidance of rangers to observe the “Big Five,” the five great animals of the African savannah (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, African elephant, African buffalo), with an overnight stay in a fully equipped suite.

Costa Smeralda guests can also spend two days immersed in the 7,500-hectare Lalibela Game Reserve, exploring the African plains at sunrise and sunset. Or head off on a three-day tour of the Namibian desert, enjoying adventure among the desert’s red dunes, to be explored at dawn in a 4×4, and the luxury of a 1920s-style safari camp.

COSTA VOYAGES: ONE VOYAGE, A THOUSAND EXPERIENCES

In addition to this exclusive program, the Costa Smeralda’s “Special Edition” cruises will offer the same experiences as the “Costa Voyages”, the new way of experiencing long cruises available only with Costa.

On board, guests will be able to enjoy desserts created exclusively for “Costa Voyages” cruises by Costa’s pastry chefs in collaboration with Iginio Massari, the world-class master of Italian patisserie. During three elegant dinners in the main restaurants, guests will be treated to a unique menu included in their fare, crafted by three distinguished chefs known for culinary excellence on Costa cruises: Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León. For those who want a full immersion in the creations of these three chefs there is the Archipelago Restaurant.

Another event not to be missed is the Banquet Night Party, a buffet accompanied by incredible ice sculptures, carved by master ice carvers, and live DJ sets. “Costa Voyages” also offer the opportunity to toast with the captain, over dinner, to crown the cruise with a memorable moment.

There is never a dull moment on board, with bridge competitions, dance lessons held by the Dancing Maestro and Art & Craft workshops. The more curious will be able to take part in the “Behind the Scene” guided tour to discover all the ship’s secrets. For glamour lovers, Costa will propose three elegant evenings on the cruise. The first is a Gala Night, in which guests can dance with the officers on board; the second is the Fashion Night, a fashion show in which guests will walk on the red carpet in a competition in the latest fashions; the third is the Glamour Night, a dance competition, including tango, waltz, rumba and cha-cha-cha, in which guests will be able to put to good use the lessons taught by the masters on board during the day.

For music fans, “Costa Voyages” cruises offer a unique experience: a show produced in collaboration with the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine. This show is a real journey through the history of rock, from the 1950s to the present day, combining live performances and storytelling. The real protagonist of the evening is the audience, who decide the setlist of the concert choosing the songs to be played by the band on stage.

Canon experts will engage guests in photography sessions, where they will explain how to capture unforgettable memories of their holidays (not available in the ‘Costa Voyages Special Edition’).

In addition to the Costa Smeralda, “Costa Voyages” cruises can also be booked on the Costa Fortuna, Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa, with itineraries from 11 to 15 days, taking guests to the most unusual destinations at the best times of the year, to explore the destinations at leisure: from the wildest islands of the Canary Islands to the astonishing nature of the Azores, from the picturesque Greek villages to the colorful Moroccan souks and the beaches of Normandy, with on-shore experiences off the beaten track. 

More information at:  www.costacruise.com.