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Med Sea & Atlantic cruise aboard the 'Costa Victoria'
Our second cruise itinerary was as follows:
| 17.03.2007 | Journey to Savona by bus | Overnight stay at lake Como |
| 18.03.2007 | Arrival Savona & Embarkment Costa Victoria | |
| 19.03.2007 | Barcelona | city tour & shopping |
| 20.03.2007 | at sea | |
| 21.03.2007 | Casablanca | city tour & mosque Hassan II. |
| 22.03.2007 | at sea | |
| 23.03.2007 | St. Cruz de Tenerife | trip to Puerto De La Cruz |
| 24.03.2007 | Funchal / Madeira | day trip Sao Vicente |
| 25.03.2007 | at sea | |
| 26.03.2007 | Malaga | sightseeing on our own |
| 27.03.2007 | at sea | |
| 28.03.2007 | Return to Savona and trip home by bus |
In the early morning of Mar 17, 2007 we set off for our second common cruise. Our goal was Savona in Italy. We reached Lake Como after a bus trip taking several hours. An overnight stay was planned here before we finally reached Savona on the next day. Our cruise aboard the Costa Victoria (12 passenger decks, 964 cabin compartments, app. 2.394 passengers) should start here.
We entered the cruise terminal which was as huge as a small airport. And finally we saw the Costa Victoria, as big as a city block.
The check-in was done quickly, and after some security checks we could enter aboard the Costa Victoria. We had a quick glance into our cabin:
We had booked an inside cabin this time. Folks, we will never make that mistake again! Small, poky, stuffy, and the air condition could not be regulated. With this first shock in mind, we went to the buffet restaurant for lunch. The next disappointment followed: the restaurant was noisy. We felt like being in a factory canteen. The plates were made of plastic! After lunch we explored our new home. The ship is really BIG. We had some problems in getting our bearings first. At setting sails (17:15 pm) we rushed to the upper deck. No tune was played at sailing (neither at landing!). Half an hour later we attended the mandatory sea rescue exercise.
For diner we were allocated to some other people on a table which we should keep for the rest of this journey. The passenger age pattern was completely ignored, though. We had the possibility to compile our own menu but we had to notice as well that the presentation of food was somehow loveless. We made no flavoured experiences whatsoever throughout this journey. Decoration and quality were left behind a bit - what a bummer!
Barcelona/Spain
At 13:00 pm we reached the port of Barcelona. We chose the guided "city tour of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia". We first mounted the "Montjuic" and visited the famous olympic constructions. We had a breathtaking view over the city. On we went through city streets with unconventionally shaped buildings towards downtown, towards the cathredal "Sagrade Familia". Sagrada Familia is one of Gaudi's most famous works in Barcelona: a huge religious building, having been under construction since 1882 (no typo!) and will be completed in about 30 - 80 years.
Sagrada Familia 
In the medieval part of town, the "Barrio Gotico" we visited the cathedral. It is a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic architecture which was built on the foundations of a Romanesque basilica. Then we strolled over to La Rambla or Les Rambles: a boulevard in the center of Barcelona which is exactly 1258.59 meter long. It connects the Plaça de Catalunya with the port.
On the "Ramblas" 
We bought two warm jackets because the temperature in Barcelona was really low for this time of season. At 7.00 pm the ship casted off for further adventures.
Our first day at sea followed. A day at sea can be spent relaxing - or with many activities. We opted for relaxation because the evening was filled with activities: the cocktail reception followed by Captain Marco Derin's welcome gala dinner. Here is the menu:
Cocktail di Gamberi
Shrimp cocktail in sauce Aurora
Paté Maison tartufato
Maison paté with truffles
Godola di ananas
Pineapple "ship"
Lobster bisque
Consommè de pollo e manzo con gnocchetti
Chicken and beef broth with gnocchi and chives
Crema fredda di melon
Cold Melon Cream
Fagottini Bianchi e verdi
Small white-green ravioli with truffle sauce
Cannelloni gratitnati alla boscaiola
Baked cannelloni filled with cheese and spinach
Filetto di salmone in salsa olandese
Salmon fillet with hollandaise sauce served with polenta and asparagus
Filetto di manzo in salsa ai tre pepi
Filet of beef with spicy pepper sauce served with baked potatoes
Anatra all’arancia
Duck a l'orange with sauce bigarde served with Berny potatoes
Scaloppine di vitello al marsala
Veal with Marsala
Cotolette di borlotti al forno
Chip of Borlotti beans with spinach and pine nuts
Insalata Elegante
Mixed vegetables with balsamic vinegar and walnut oil
At 9.00 pm we passed the Straits of Gibraltar which is 8 nautical miles "wide" at its narrowest point. We had thus left the Mediterranean Sea and entered into the Atlantic Ocean.
Casablanca/Morocco
At 7.30 am we reached the port of Casablanca. Casablanca is an emerging and dynamic city with broad avenues and modern buildings but it cannot be considered as being beautiful. We believe the charm of Casablanca results from them old movies like "Casablanca" (starring Humphrey Bogarts and his famous sentence "Here's looking at you, kid"). We began our city tour with a visit to the Central Market. On we went via Boulevard de la Resistance towards the Royal Palace and Palace of Justice and the quarter Habous. Later we had the opportunity to have a look at the Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes. Even later we reached the Place of Mohammed V. The tour guide was indeed religious (or proud) as we now had a very detailled tour through Mosque Hassan II, the second biggest mosque in the islamic world (behind Mekka). App. 3 hours later we had the opportunity to shop in a bazaar for a while.
We returned to the ship and stayed on deck for the rest of the day (since we classified Casablanca as not being interesting enough for further sightseeing). At 10 pm the Costa Victoria phased out for the next destination.
We spent another relaxing day at sea. With a good book lying on a sun lounger, wrapped into thick blankets (as the wind was chilly), we got ourselves comfortable. In case of getting bored with reading we could have chosen one of those activities from the daily programme instead:
7.00 Early riser breakfast
7.30 breakfast buffet
8.45 morning walk
9.30 gymnastics instruction
10.00 seminar on shiatsu massage
or ring-toss tournament or quiz
10.15 handicraft lesson
10.45 Dancing Lessons
11.00 conference "The secret of the Berbers"
or vegetables carving show
11.30 group games
12.00 group dances
12.00 seminar for weight reduction :-)
12.00 lunch
15.00 Massage Seminar
15.30 card players meet
or quiz of the day
15.45 Ping Pong Tournament
or waltz lessons
16.00 seminar on preventive calistenics
16.00 stomach legs butt (aerobic)
or crafts corner or tea time
16.15 We learn the "Mausina dance" (no idea what Mausina is)
16.30 Dance in the salon
17.15 Gymnastics
18.30 Dinner (1. session)
19.30 theater performance
and various music performances in the bars
23.00 election Mr. Costa Victoria
from 0.30 Disco
St. Cruz/Tenerife
At 8:00 am we arrived at the port of St. Cruz de Tenerife. It was our second time seing this port. Our bus trip started on the Rambla del General Franco down to the valley of Orotava. This place was built in the 15th century by some wealthy and established families of the island. A walk led us off to the famous Casa de los Balcones. This is a typical example of a Nobiles Canarian house with long pine wood balconies.
Then we visited the Botanical Garden of Puerto de la Cruz where we could admire a lot of exotic plants.
Later a visit to the center of Puerto De La Cruz which is the main tourist center in the northern part of the island. While strolling along the beach promenade of this former fishing village we saw many tourist shops, but also famous natural attractions as well as the swimming pool of the Martianez Lake, a masterpiece of architect Cesar Manrique.
At 17:00 pm we left Tenerife. In the evening we made ourselves comfortable with a small cocktail in one of the bars.
Funchal/Madeira
At 8:00 am on the next morning we reached Funchal. If you visit Funchal you have to have a ride with a basket sleigh. So this was our first to-do in Terreiro da Luta where we could enjoy a panoramic view over the city of Funchal before we entered one of the traditional basket sleighs, the so-called "Cestinho". As it drizzled the run was really fast and exciting. After that we went through extensive vineyards and sugar plantations to Cabo Gira (in Portuguese: Cape of return) near the village Câmara de Lobos. Its height is estimated at 560m to 589m. This makes it the second highest sea cliff in Europe and the world.
Later that day we went to Santana. Santana is famous for its traditional thatched cottages which are the well-known symbols of the island of Madeira. The thatched roofs must be replaced every four to five years. Back to Funchal we strolled through the village and took this occasion to visit a craft business shop and watch the famous Madeira embroideries. Furthermore we had the opportunity for a tasting of this delicious drop which made Madeira famous around the world.
At 17.30 pm we sailed off for Malaga. At night we enjoyed the "Incredible voice Keeniatta" in the ship theatre. And before our landing in Malaga we had a further day at sea. We enjoyed this penultimate day at sea although the weather was not very nice - temperature between 13° und 17° and many clouds.
Málaga/Spain
After arriving at 8:00 am we went out on our own to discover the place - as Málaga is also famous for its many shoe stores Birgit decided to have a closer look into the one or other store. But business before pleasure. Málaga is (after Seville) the second largest city in Andalusia. It is the capital of the Province of Málaga and the sixth largest city in Spain. First we went to the Alcazaba de Málaga, the fortress of Málaga. The castle stands on a ridge that rises above the town to the east and is connected to the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a second castle. From there you have a wonderful view into the bullring of Málaga.
Then we visited the La Catedral - a cathedral that was built on the foundations of a mosque by the Christian invaders around 1528. It is also called "The one-armed man" / "La Manquita" as the second tower was never completed due to lack of money. On we went to the birthplace of painter Pablo Picasso and the Picasso Museum. And we approached the Calle Marques de Larios, the biggest shopping street of the city where you can find above all the exclusive fashion boutiques of Málaga. The narrow side streets make this road very attractive for window shopping as well, but of course we were mainly interested in visiting the countless shoe shops. Only two new pairs of shoes were allowed to accompany us on the way forward.
At 13.00 pm we said farewell. The stay in Málaga was too short. But we could look forward to another highlight on this day: the captain's gala dinner.
Very good meal, but before the dessert was served the tune "O sole mio" was played and the service staff asked the female passengers for a dance. Pure horror spread over bumble bee's face because dancing was a mystery to her at that time. (After our return from this cruise we immediately started taking dancing lessons.) Well, she survived the dance and the dessert came. After this diner we had to persevere until midnight. The Buffet Magnifico sweetened this night. It was really worthwhile. We could convince ourselves about the capability of the cuisine: everything was decorated and presented perfectly, and all we tasted was great. But why only for the Buffet Magnifico?
A last relaxing day at sea followed. At night we packed our bags and had our last diner on board.
At 8:30 am on the next morning we reached Savonna again. At 9:00 am we disembarked. We travelled overall 3.305 nautic miles on this cruise. One nautic mile approximates 1.852 metres.
Want some more photos of this cruise? Please click. |
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This page was last updated on: 15.02.2011