This floating hotel fascinated me from the first moment and gave me a cocktail of emotions and a memorable cruise adventure!
The dice were cast and the bags were prepared for an adventure that promised to be as grandiose as the name of the ship that was going to be my home for the next four days – Costa Toscana.
My heart was pounding, as I was stepping on a huge cruise ship for the first time, an entire universe floating on water. From Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, to Barcelona, new destinations were waiting to be explored, and returning to the Catalan city was like coming home. A truly special journey was beginning to unfold…
Itinerary: Civitavecchia (Rome) – Genoa – Marseille – Barcelona
Costa Toscana: a Floating Microuniverse
Costa Toscana, Costa's newest cruise ship and a colossus of the seas, has a capacity of over 6000 passengers on board and proved to be more than just a means of transport – it was a destination in itself!
This floating hotel fascinated me from the first moment with its gigantic lines, modern design and the promise of a memorable vacation. As we explored the ship, we discovered a whole world: from buffet and a la carte restaurants, spa, theaters and performance spaces, lounge areas to swimming pools and a water park for children, everything is designed to please all ages...
However, many of these services - and the enormous passenger capacity - create congestion and bustle, long queues in buffet restaurants and more. I wouldn't say a cruise vacation is relaxing…
The food, diversified in all 11 restaurants on board, is cooked fresh on board by skilled chefs. Semi-prepared products are not used. Everything is prepared on the plate, including the mozzarella.
The staff consists of over 2000 people (mostly very young), coming from all over the world, seasonally, 6-9 months a year, depending on the contract. Most of them are very hardworking, but unfortunately, they lack the hospitality school.
Furthermore, I confess that the ship itself and its construction impressed me enormously! I was never able to take in her at once and I never stopped admiring her grandeur, but also the power of human creation and implicitly, limitless imagination.
Day 1: From Rome to Genoa, Adventure at Sea
In the early hours of the evening, I left Civitavecchia, the port in Rome where I boarded the cruise. The boarding procedures take some time, from the security control, luggage, pictures to issue the card (on the basis of which all services on board are used, including access to the cabins), then the actual check-in to receive the cabin.
The first night on the cruise ship was like an action movie 😀 The sea turned out to be rough, way too rough for me as an inexperienced cruise traveler, but I was assured that everything was normal. "Define normal!" , I felt like telling the steward! I would not have imagined that this colossus of a ship could move so strongly above the waves that it ended up shaking...
Well, it is certain that I did not sleep at all the first night, but the morning found me eager to explore new places where we anchored and surprise: the sea had become very smooth.
The calmness and vastness of the water mesmerized me (especially now, in contrast to the white night we had had) as the elegant vessel cut steadily through the waters on its way to Genoa, the maritime city that promised both beauty and adventure.
Day 2, Genoa: A Labyrinth Full Of History
Upon arrival in Genoa, I was greeted by a vibrant mix of history and modernity.
Step by step, we explored the medieval streets that made you feel like you traveled back in time, when sailors and merchants brought here riches from all over the world. Along with the smell of fresh focaccia that wafted from the bakeries, I was also surrounded by the murmur of the place, a symphony of daily life that does not differ much from that of a few centuries ago.
The visit of a good few hours consisted of a foray into the rich history of the port city and I did not miss the opportunity to visit the magnificent Catedral di San Lorenzo, where the marble and frescoes speak of Genoese faith and art. I let my eyes feast on its beauties, then I turned towards the vessel that was quietly waiting for its thousands of passengers.
Day 3, Aix En Provence: An Experience Of The Senses
Bathed in the golden rays of a newly awakened sun, I began the day with a sense of effervescence. From the first signs of dawn, the deck of the cruise became my favorite point of contemplation. We had just anchored in the port of Marseille.
Next was the road to Aix en Provence (about 40 minutes from the port by highway), a picturesque little town where time seems to have slowed down, leaving room for beauty to breathe.
Its streets lined with centuries-old plane trees and artesian fountains have a special charm, and the aroma of lavender and impressionistic landscapes completed the idyllic picture.
As the sun's rays slipped in a play of shadows through the branches of the sycamores, I felt inner peace flood my being. Aix en Provence is more than just a stop on the map of France, it is a journey back in time, a sanctuary of art and culture.
Irregular pavements guided me through warm yellow buildings that house art workshops, intimate cafes and small craft shops where I bought an almond paste with dried fruit and a truffle paste, both delicious! In the central square, the hum of conversation and laughter combined in perfect harmony with the crystal clear sound of the fountains, creating the city's urban symphony.
At every step, I was pleasantly enveloped by the intoxicating breeze that carries essences of lavender and herbs de Provence, reminding me of the paintings of Cezanne, the son of this place.
Admiring the baroque architecture and facades decorated with French-style windows, I understood that Aix en Provence is not just a place to visit, but an experience lived with every breath and glance that is lost on the vine-clad hills and lavender fields of distance.
Marseille: A Place Where Tradition Meets The Avant-garde.
Traversing the narrow streets of Marseille, I was surrounded by a different world, a neighborhood where different things were happening at every corner. Right next to the city's cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille) a street riot was taking place, and just a few steps away, two brides with the photographer behind them, were taking their wedding album photos.
Farther on, on another side street, a few individuals were languishing at a unkempt day bar, just like they looked, by the way... So, Marseille with everything!
After walking through all these narrow neighborhood streets, we arrived at the old port of Marseille, a landmark of the city. It is the oldest port in Marseille and is the historical and cultural center of the city, a place for promenades, cultural gatherings, leisure and sports.
The port was the economic center of Marseille until the middle of the 19th century, open to trade from the Mediterranean Sea and then from the French colonies.
I ended my short visit to Marseille at the boulangerie with a quiche lorraine and reflecting on the diversity that this Provençal city so nonchalantly flaunts.
Day 4 Barcelona: Port of Disembarkation and Goodbye Costa Toscana!
On the last day of the cruise, at 10 a.m., the ship docks in the port of Barcelona and thus concludes its story-telling itinerary. When I landed in Barcelona, I was feeling an amalgam of emotions and a lot of tiredness.
I couldn't believe that the four intense days on the Costa Toscana took me through coastal cities where history and modernity dance together under the Mediterranean sky, and here I am, passing like a wave, through three countries!
After going through the disembarkation procedures, I took a bus from the port that dropped me off at the Plaza del Portal de la Paz, Columbus Column to be exact.
It was a joy to see the capital of Catalonia again, to recharge myself with its vibrant energy. After 3 days of intense exploration, the fine sand of Barceloneta Beach was a real blessing. At 20 degrees, the sun was still gently caressing, giving me moments of absolute relaxation and contemplation of the endless horizon.
What I absolutely love about Barcelona (beyond the mild climate) is the way the modern blends harmoniously with the traditional.
And the narrow and cobbled streets hide almost at every corner a historical crampei or a bohemian cafe where time seems to stand still. The steps took me to the vibrant and colorful Passeo de Gracia, where I sat down for a coffee and a portion of tapas, feeling closer to the Catalan culture. This land of contrasts warms my soul and always, when parting, whispers to me in flamenco tones "Hasta luego!"
My cruise vacation story ends here, but the memories remain. I look forward to discovering the new world that will unfold on the horizon of my next adventure! Where will the steps take me?!
