Costa Tropical

[JeePee]

Hi,

Did somebody travel with the Costa Tropical in Europe ?

Cruise departure from Rome ( Civitavecchia ), Catania, Marmaris, Patmos...?

Did the ship is noisy ou ok ?

Did the port of call are interesting ? Tell me the most you can.

Thank you.

[2cruiseagain]

Bump

[MartyS]

I'd like to know about this ship too!! We are very interested in going on the Sept.5, 2005 cruise!! We heard there are very few Americans,But thats ok!!Marty

[Italian Cruiser 1975]

Costa Tropicale is the former Carnival Tropicale, transferred to Costa Cruises in early 2001.

 

She was well refurbished at the Mariotti Yards of Genoa so inside she is a very pretty ship.

 

2005 is her last season with Costa: in October she will be transferred to P&O Australia and renamed Pacific Star.

 

Her 7 days cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean are very interesting but the time in port is quite limited, Marmaris apart.

 

I have visited all her ports of call.

 

Catania: a nice city, with many " baroque " buildings and churches. Try the faboulos " cannoli siciliani " pastries. I suggest to take an excursion to the nearby Taormina, with the wonderful greek-roman theater and the stunning view on Mount Ethna.

 

Patmos is a wonderful and quiete greek island. St. John the Evangelist lived here for many years in a grotto, now part of an orthodox monastery, and wrote here the Apocalipse Book. Taking a taxy you can reach in few minuts the St. John's Monastery. There are two monasteries related to the Saint.

 

Myconos is a cosmopolitan islands, very nice with her white churches and houses. The ship generally docks at Tourlos. Costa offers a free transfer to Myconos city, that is plenty of typical shops and restaurants. Don't miss the area called " The Little Venice ".

 

Marmaris is a modern port with many yachts and pleasant beaches in the nearby. The city itself isn't really much interesting, apart for a small turkish fortress. If you go to the Tourist Office they can easily arrange a tour to the hellenistic city of Kaunos. From a river boat you will see the imposing tombs carved in the rock and you will reach the small archeological site. You can also decide to spend some time on the wonderful beach: the caretta caretta turtle is at her home here. An indipendent tour is far less expansive than those offered by Costa.

 

Santorini is simply unfergettable: she was problably the legendary Atlantis, destroyed by its volcano. The small villages of Thera and Oia are wonderful. An excursion by boat to the " Caldera ", with its hydromineral waters is very pleasant.