Port of Savona

Savona is home port of Costa Cruises, one of the largest cruise lines in Europe. Although Costa Cruises allows passengers to embark in almost every port, their cruises are planned using Savona as their main port (Barcelona is the second one). 
However, during the winter season, Costa Cruises often plan long cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean and Dubai that do not touch Barcelona. So the only option is to embark in Savona.

Although the nearest airport is Genoa (45 kilometers away) it only receives charter flights or Alitalia connections via Rome. Therefore, the easiest and cheapest option is book a flight to Milan.

 

Map www.costacruceros.es

If you are planning to get to Savona the day before your cruise, you can take advantage and visit Genoa, a very nice city with one of the best aquariums in Europe.

 
GETTING TO SAVONA. The cruise terminal is exclusively for Costa Cruises passegers, although other companies such as Carnival and IberoCruceros use it as a port of call.

You have three different ways to reach the port of Savona:

• BY TRAIN. Starting from Malpensa airport you have to take the "Malpensa Express" to "Milano Centrale" station (about 10 €) . There are some trains that reach only Cadorna station, so you have to swich trains get to Centrale by subway. Centrale is the starting point for the direct train to Savona (25 € ). Be careful because there are some trains with transfer at Genoa "Piazza Principe".

• BUS + TRAIN. From Malpensa, Direct Express Bus goes to "Centrale" station in Milan (10 €). It takes longer by bus than by train (an hour or more depending on the traffic). From Milano Centrale we can take the train to Savona.

• CAR RENTAL . We can find many companies at the airport. The cost including delivery in Savona is about 150 € (compact category). The return offices are near the port in Vittorio Veneto street. It can be a good option if you do not travel alone and you divide the cost between the three or four occupants.  

HOTELS. As you know, we usually advise to fly the day before the start of the cruise. You can find a very good hotel near the Palacrociere, the NH Savona Darsena (rooms starting from 100 €).

LINKS:
NH Savona Darsena
Malpensa Express (Tren)
Malpensa Express (Bus)
Trenitalia
Avis Rent a Car
Europcar
Video Palacrociere
Costa Cruceros

Las Palmas

The cruise season in Las Palmas, like the rest of the Canary Islands, begins on in Autumn. AIDA, Tui and Thomson use Las Palmas as their homeport for the winter season. Other companies like Costa Cruises an MSC Cruises also used Las Palmas during 2013 as home port in winter for cruises to Africa and Madeira.
 
The port of Las Palmas is quite comfortable and easy to access and exit for cruise passengers. It has a large shopping center with superb views to the port. If you are embarking in Las Palmas read our article Port of Las Palmas

Las Canteras (by N.G)

OFFICIAL TOURS: We can find almost every destination such as panoramic tours, visits to the south of the island (Mogan and great beaches of Maspalomas)...
 
ALTERNATIVES: You can find a rent a car in the cruise terminal at affordable prices (Cicar), but it is advisable to book before arrival.I would take the car  and drive to Maspalomas to enjoy the beach, one of the great attractions of the island. It is well known throughout the world an its one the favorite destinations for sun and beach holidays worldwide.If you want to enjoy a day at the beach you have annother option which is Playa de las Canteras in Las PalmasYou can also take the tourist bus to Triana, which is a large pedestrian street with shops. 

WHERE TO EAT: Inside Centro Comercial El Muelle we can find a variety of restaurants, including major fast food restaurants ( if you are traveling with children)Another attractive option is a small steakhouse style restaurant called the Novillo Precoz (Portugal St. Nr. 9) near Playa de las Canteras

SHOPPING: Centro Comercial El Muelle, Triana and Mesa y López are the best options.

LINKS

Rent a Car Cicar
El novillo Precoz Restaurant
El Muelle Shopping Mall
City Sightseeing Las Palmas

Port of Las Palmas

Las Palmas is home port for Aida, Thomson and TUI during the winter season. It is also an usual port of call on transatlantic routes. This winter (2013), MSC will be using Las Palmas as home port for MSC Armonia instead of placing this ship in Egypt.  

The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is quite comfortable and is just 800 meters from Plaza de Santa Catalina. It has a shopping mall next to the Pier (Centro Comercial El Muelle)

It can accommodate large cruise ships like the Queen Mary 2 (who visited the island on its maiden voyage) or the Independence of the Seas, which has made numerous calls in the pasts winter seasons.

Las Canteras (by N.G)

GETTING TO THE PORT. The port entrance is 400 meters away from Plaza Santa Catalina, which makes the access easy and comfortable for passengers. The cruise terminal is located about 400 meters away from the port entrance. The main access is on the side of Centro Comercial El Muelle.


AIRPORT. The airport of Gran Canaria ( Gando ) is in the southern part of the island. The distance to the city center is about 20 kilometers.There is a bus (Nr. 60) starting at the airport to San Telmo (main bus station) for 2€ . We can also choose to go to Santa Catalina for 3€. The bus leaves every 30 minutes.We can also go by taxi for about 30 €.

HOTELS. Although it may be attractive to choose a hotel in the vicinity of Playa de las Canteras, the best choice the AC Gran Canaria. This iconic hotel belonged to the Sol-Melia few years ago was renovated by its current owners to adapt to AC- Marriott standards.However, there are othes cheaper alternatives like Reina Isabel hotel and Cristina hotel less closer to the port but near Las Canteras beach.

LINKS

Hotel AC Gran Canaria
Reina Isabel
Hotel Cristina

Santa Cruz de la Palma

The port of Santa Cruz de la Palma can accommodate large ships like Queen Mary 2 or Liberty of the Seas, who have visited the island.The port is next to the city, Santa Cruz de la Palma, and it is one of those ports passengers appreciate, because we don't have to spend money in shuttle services .Santa Cruz de la Palma is a small town with about 15,000 inhabitants

OFFICIAL TOURS: This stop is usually short. The company will offer small tours (4 hours maximum) like panoramic views of Santa Cruz de la Palma, a view of Caldera de Taburiente from la Cumbrecita or Quad and bike tours .

ALTERNATIVES: In the terminal we can find a car rental company (CICAR) at low prices. We can rent a car an visit the island on our own, but it is advisable to book before arriving at La Palma. 
For example , you could take a route from the port, visit the Virgen de las Nieves Sanctuary, go to La Cumbrecita and take some photos from La Caldera de Taburiente and finish the tour in Fuencaliente, area of volcanoes.
Another alternative would be to go to the Roque de los Muchachos, one of the best astrophysical observatories worldwide but this will take a Little longer.
If you don't want to rent a car you can walk through the city. It is advisable to go along Calle Real (O'Daly ) and stop at the Bodeguita del Medio and drink a Mojito (Alvarez Abreu 58 ), then go to Plaza de España and finish the visit near the old boat in Avenida de las Nieves. If it's warm summer day and ask for an han made ice cream called "San Telmo" (local production). You can find them in kioks

WHERE TO EAT : In Santa Cruz de la Palma , a good choice is La Bodeguita del Medio. If we took a car, the best place to find local food is the Chipi Chipi, on the road to Las Nieves, but you have to get there early
If we are in the area of ​​the Llanos and headed to Fuencaliente, on the road we can fin Bodegon Tamanca, a restaurant with in an old winery .


SHOPPING: On the main Street you can find some shops and Handcrafts
LOCAL FESTIVITIES : La Palma has two main festivals

• THE DESCENT OF VIRGEN DE LAS NIEVES. Every five years local people take the image from las Nieves to Santa Cruz and there is a dance with local Dwarfs, a show full of magic and much secrecy.
• THE INDIANOS . It is the particular celebration of Carnival in Palma. The revive the days of the return of migrants to their homeland, where tradition dictates wear white clothing

Deshacer cambiosEnlaces de interés:

Rent a Car Cicar
Restaurante Chipi Chipi
Bodegón Tamanca
La bajada de la virgen
Los Indianos

Alpha

 

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Port of Malaga

Malaga is a strategic port for transatlantic crossings because it is the nearest port to the Canaries and Funchal. Also cruises starting from Southampton often choose this port as a port of call (although other companies also stop at Cadiz or Gibraltar). The port of Malaga is quite comfortable and has a modern terminal that can accommodate large cruise ships at the end of the dock and medium-sized ships close to the terminal with figer access. If you can spend a couple of days before the cruise and visit the city, you can check our review of Malaga

GETTING TO THE PORT. The port entrance is about 500 meters from Larios Street (city center), which makes this port very comfortable. The cruise terminal is about 2 miles from the entrance of the port and there is a local shuttle-bus service that takes you to the ship for 2 € one way or € 3.50 roundtrip.

BUS SERVICE

AIRPORT. Malaga airport is equiped with all the facilities of an international airport. It is 11 kilometers away from the city center and it takes about 15 minutes at least by car / taxi (depending on traffic). There is also a bus strting from arrivals that leaves you near Larios Street

HOTELS.  The best option is to choose an hotel near Larios Street if you are flying the day before.

We'll give you three different options depending on your budget:
 

• HOTEL VENECIA (cheap option). It is near Larios street and 5 minutes away from the port entrance. It is the cheap option for a night before or after the cruise

• AC MALAGA PALACIO (expensive). It is located at the beginning of Larios Street. You can compare AC hotels to Four Seasons

• PARADOR DE GIBRALFARO (the stylish choice). The Parador is located in the mountain of Gibralfaro with views over the city of Málaga and its port. Rooms with suspended Balconys with nice views. Its the best choice if you arrive a few days before the cruise and you intend to rent a car to visit Nerja, Marbella ...

 

 Overview of the Cruise Terminal from the Costa Fortuna

ENLACES DE INTERÉS

Hotel Venecia

AC Palacio

Parador de Gibralfaro

PALERMO

Palermo is an usual port of call in the Mediterranean and also used by companies like MSC and Costa for minor refits in their ships. The port of Palermo is near the city center, so you don´t have to spend money buying tickets for the shuttle bus.
In my opinion Palermo has little intest for tourists comparing to other ports of call in Sicily like Messina and Catania, which are far more interesting. From Catania and Messina you can visit Taormina and see the Etna, but both are far away from Palermo for the duration of this stop.
So my recomendation is, if the weather is good, spend the day at the swimming pool and enjoy the facilities of the ship

MSC SPLENDIDA IN PALERMO

 

OFFICIAL TOURS: Only panoramic city tours and visits to Monreale, Mondello and Santa Rosalia or Cefalù

 

ALTERNATIVES:
The visit to Monreale cathedral can be interesting. 
You can also take the tourist bus. There are two lines that starting from Piazza Castelnovo (both included in the price of the ticket 20 € / per person). Once you leave the port, you have to go straight between two towers and walk about 10 minutes. There you'll find the City Sightseeing kiosk . If there are people waiting you will be given a number to wait your turn.
You'll also find lost of horse-drawn carriages offering city tours for different prices. The prices will sink the more you leave the port and walk through the streets of Palermo.
There is also annother Tourist Bus thas offers another route (but only one route). It is slightly cheaper than city sightseeing

WHERE TO EAT: You can easily find a good trattoria or restaurant, but you can also return to the ship to take lunch and go out again and save some money

SHOPPING: There are lots of souvenirs shops in the main street and also near the two towers leaving the port

LINKS:

Tourist bus

City Sightseeing Map

 

MSC Divina

MSC Divina is the third Fantasia-class ship built by STX Europe in Saint Nazaire. It entered service in May 2012. Early in 2012 we wrote an extensive review of MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, so now we'll focus on the differences and new features offered by the new MSC Divina.The overall decor is inspired in Venice and the decks are named after the Greek gods. Our followers think that MSC Fantasia decor is very excentric and flamboyant, for example un Jazz Bar, Insolito Lounge or Cantina Toscana. MSC Divina's decor is more sutile comparing to their sisters. More Silver details instead of gold in the facilities like Swarovski stairs and Blackand White Lounge (Insolito in MSC Fantasia)

 

BLACK & WHITE

 

•CYBER (5). The area previously shared space with a library. Now it has only computers with separations in order to ensure the privacy of users

•LIBRARY (16). Now on the 16th floor, near the disco. There is also space and chairs prepared for lectures.

•GOLDEN JAZZ BAR (7). The version of the Jazz Bar deserves special mention as it is the exception for the softer decor of MSC Divina. GOLD colours everywhere with a great impact on everyone who enters the bar for the first time. 

•CANTINA DI BACCO (7). This place is dedicated to wine tasting and tapas like MSC Fantasia and Splendida, but also shares space with a Neapolitan Pizzeria.

•ZEN GARDEN AREA POOL (14). With a small infinite pool. You can only acces this área if you are 18 years old.

•GALAXY (16). The dance floor of the club is still in the side, but on the opposite side where they were a few chairs and a bar has been transformed into a restaurant which serves brunch

SOFIA LOREN SUITE. The godmother of the MSC fleet has given her name to one of the Royal Suites (16007), which has been decorated by her. 


LINKS:

Suite Sofia Loren 16007

Album de Fotos del MSC Divina

MSC Cruceros