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

Sea Cloud II

Sea Cloud Cruises entered the world of luxury cruising in 1979 with the Sea Cloud, a windjammer. In 2001 the family grew with the adquisition of River Cloud II, and Sea Cloud II.

SEA CLOUD II

Sea Cloud II is a three-masted windjammer that was launched in Las Palmas in 2001. Unlike other ships in its class, the Sea Cloud II has no automation for operations such as raising sails, so these operations are performed manually. The language on board is English and German. She can carry 94 passengers at maximum capacity attended by 65 crewmembers, so it is clear that we are talking about a luxury cruise ship. The 47 outside cabins are divided into several categories:

• EXTERIOR DELUXE. The features of this category are ​​16 square meters and 6 special cabins that reach 19 square meters (located in the center). There are also two single cabins for passengers traveling alone or children traveling with their parents
• JUNIOR SUITES. They are in the Promenade Deck and are 23 square meters long.
• OWNER SUITES. Two jewels of Sea cloud II with 27 square meters and equipped with bath tube and shower. Are located in the top of the ship near the library

Every cabin is equiped with telephone, hairdryer, air conditioning, shower and TV. Decoration is spectacular, as it has a lot of wood and marble in bedrooms and bathrooms, which gives elegancy and quality to every cabin.The Sea Cloud II facilities are comfortable and sized according to the number of passengers.

JUNIOR SUITE

• RESTAURANT. The Sea Cloud II's restaurant has open seating. You can sit with whoever you want to enjoy the cuisine offered by the chef. As a nice touch of luxury,  drinks like wine and beer are included with meals, and is not house wine. Different types of wine are selected by the staff to add value to your experience. Soft drinks, water etc ... are included all day. You will also enjoy free minibar in your cabin
• LIDO BAR. If weather allows it, dinner seating is also open shift at Lido deck with tematic meals, barbecues, paella... 
• LOUNGE. A very comfortable living room with a small bar and a piano. Sea Cloud II has a pianist to entertain the passengers at the evenings after dinner
• LIBRARY. An Apple Computer is presiding the library. Internet use is not for free, but Sea Cloud II offers the passengers sending and receiving emails for free through the ships system at no extra cost.
• GYM. A small room with some equipment and sauna will keep you fit during the cruise (if you want to). The ship has a massage and beauty specialist.
• SWIM PLATFORM. When the Sea Cloud II sets anchor, a swimming platform is deployed so passengers can enjoy and swim at the sea. 
• HOSPITAL. The Sea Cloud II has a hospital and a doctor, which gives extra tranquility to the passengers.

Sea Cloud II is a luxury cruise ship much more different from what we're used to. Passengers booking a Sea Cloud Cruise will feel the luxury of a five star cruise company, but with a large dose of adventure. It is clear that the Sea Cloud II does not have large stabilizers to mitigate the days of rough seas, but it does not matter to the passengers. It is more important living Sea Cloud experience and a different vacation.

I must admit that we did not expect such a luxury ship and we are impresed with the sense of family of Sea Cloud II, where every crewmember knows every passenger by name. Such details makes the passenger feel at home during your vacation and we will try to travel with Sea Cloud II as soon as possible.
 

I must thank Julia Eble, member of Sea Cloud Cruises headquarters, who helped us to find the right moment to visit the ship, and of course the great welcome given by Sea Cloud's II cruise director Christian showing us every corner of the ship in Tenerife

LINKS:
Photo Gallery
Sea Cloud Cruises Web

Valencia

Valencia is emerging as an alternate departure port to Barcelona and Malaga. European companies such as Costa and MSC are placing big ships like Costa Serena and MSC Orchestra in Valencia for the summer season. Also Royal Caribbean has been using this port and Malaga for Adventure of the Seas itineraries in the summer season, but they will discontinue in 2013.

I must admit that the city has impressed me, it is very modern and with plenty of room. The Port is quite large and its expanding to improve their facilities and host large cruise ships (Adventure of the Seas docks in the cargo area)

But if we get to Valencia on a ship like Costa Serena it'll dock at the passenger terminal of Acciona near the exit of the port.

COSTA PACIFICA AT VALENCIA

OFFICIAL TOURS: The most common and popular is the Oceanographic and Palau de las Artes (built by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava)

ALTERNATIVES:

• We can go to Oceanographic on our own. From the port you can take a taxi to this area for 10 € . Here we can also visit Palau de las Artes y Ciudad de las Ciencias built by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava.

• Go to the historic center. It's better to take the subway to Xativa station. The nearest subway station to the port is located about a mile from Acciona terminal. Once you clear the terminal turn right to Maritim Serreria station (Line 5)

WHERE TO EAT: We can not leave without trying the typical paella. It's best to go to Malvarrosa beach where you'll find many restaurants and terraces with a nice look at the beach. La Pepica, La Marcelina, Azahar ... saying which one is the best is quite complicated. All of them have their fans and detractors. I can say that La Marcelina is pretty good and not as expensive as I expected for these kind of restaurants near the beach (paella for two with salad and beer came out about 40 € the two)

SHOPPING: In the city center near the cathedral you can find many shops
If we have been in  the Oceanography there is a large shopping center (El Saler) with known franchises (Mango, Zara, Woman Secret) restaurants (Foster's Hollywood, Mc Donalds, Tony Romas, supermarket and a cinema

LINKS:
Valencia Metro
Oceanografic

Venice

Considered the Mediterranean city of love, Venice has one of the most beautiful port entrances that can be admired from a balcony stateroom of a cruise ship.

Over the last years more and more cruise companies like Celebrity Cruises are using Venice, not only as the starting point of their routes, but also as port of call for their long routes (12-14 nights), spending a whole night docked.

Other companies like Pullmantur remain here for more than 10 hours, something that helps if you want to visit the nearby islands like Murano for example.

The port is located far away from San Marco, so we'll have to take the ships shuttle service or a vaporetto, which is in fact more a tourist attraction than a transportation

There are several vaporetto lines to get to San Marco, but to me it’s better to go back to Piazzale Roma and take line 1 through the Grand Canal (passing under Rialto and Accademia bridges). The best way to reach Piazzale Roma from the pier is the "People Mover", an electric train (you’ll find it near terminal 107). Watertaxis are very expensive. Anyway there is an information point about transportation in Venice near the cruise terminal 107.

SAN MARCO

OFFICIAL TOURS. We can choose between panoramic views of the city, visits to Murano (famous for its crystal) or the classic gondola ride.

ALTERNATIVES. Pick up a map and get lost in the corners of Venice. There is an interesting route through the most attractive places of Venice. I propose the following:

San Marco> San Moise (by XXII Marzo)> Santa Maria di Giglio> Teatro La Fenice> Campo Santo Stefano> Ponte Accademia> Museo dell 'Accademia> Scuola Grande if S. Rocco> Santa Maria di Frari> Campo San Polo> Ponte Rialto> San Giovanni e Paolo> Church of the Pieta> Hotel Danieli> Ponte of Paglia

If you want to look for a gondola ride, there is a stop at Cavaletto on the western part of San Marco, next to the Hard Rock Cafe. I recommend to negotiate the best price as it depends on the number of people, if the gondolier sings, if you want to drink a glass of prosecco...

WHERE TO EAT: Venice is very expensive, and more expensive as we get closer to San Marco.
If we choose a trattoria or restaurant be sure that the price shown on the list includes every charge like taxes, service charge or gratuities.

Just in case you want to drink a beer in Piazza San Marco, with an orchestra playing some songs, it will cost between 12 and 15 € (a small beer or bottle). If you eat an ice cream, the price is even higher ... So if you want a glamorous place where you can sit down, rest and drink something in Venice, I recommend Hotel Danielli. It is a classic, historical hotel in Venice near the Grand Canal and has beautiful interiors (you can visit it). It will cost 8€ (instead of  5€ on any bar) for a beer with snacks, the restrooms are clean and its worth the money.
A good choice for a sandwich or Panini is Roma Street on the right side of San Marco. It is a long street with  italian fast food restaurants and bars, where you can buy a panini with goat cheese and parma ham

SHOPPING: In the same street (Roma Street) and surroundings there are many souvenir shops, some very curious…

LINKS:
Hotel Danieli
Vaporetto
 

Corfu

This Greek island is located in the Adriatic Sea and it’s an usual port of call for Eastern Mediterranean routes departing from Venice or Athens. It is a small island with no more than 100,000 inhabitants.

Cruise ships dock at the new port, which is far away from the city center and the shopping area. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you from the dock to the cruise terminal. If there are several cruise ships at port I advise you to go to the cruise terminal by foot (500 meters away). From there, if you decide to walk to the city center, there is at least 20 minutes walk through the coast until the end of Patriarchou street. As you arrive at Athinagora Protou, you’ll have to go to the right to the shopping streets.

It is highly recommended to take the shuttle service to Kolla Square near the old fortress. Once there just have to follow the crowd to the center.

PLANO DE VISITA A CORFÚ

OFFICIAL TOURS. There are few options in this destination like panoramic views, Kanoni or Jeep tours

 

 

ALTERNATIVES. If you have taken the shuttle service you can visit the ancient fortress near Kolla Square. There is an information office at the end of the square (in front of the Palace). It is best to do the tour Kapodistriou, Agiou Spiridonos and N. Theotoki if you like to go shopping.

 

WHERE TO EAT. Eleftherias Street is full of terraces and bars

 

SHOPPING. The sponges are typical in Corfu. There is also a liqueur based on Chinese kumquat fruit. You can find all kinds of sweets (Greek and Turkish) with many flavors, including a Kumquat

Dubrovnik

The arrival at Dubrovnik is beautiful. There are two options for the ship in this stop. If she sets anchor near the old port you’ll enjoy the views and save the money of the shuttle service to the city center, because you’ll disembark by tender. The port is in the opposite side of the bay and it’s difficult to go from the ship to Dubrovnik by foot.

This stop is usually quite short, because the next one is usually Venice, the end of most of the cruises, and is 16 hours away.

The shuttle service will leave you near the Pile Gate, the main entrance to the old city. If you arrive with the ships tenders, you’ll be landing at the old port, on the other side of the town

Dubrovnik's currency is the Kuna. One euro is more or less 7,5 kunas. Because Dubrovnik is accustomed to receiving many cruise ships you will not have problems paying in euro (also your coins).

OFFICIAL TOURS. There are few options in this destination and most of them are panoramic tours and a visit to the city center

ALTERNATIVES. Do the same but on our own. Walking through the old town of Dubrovnik is very nice and the city is beautiful. It's best to wander round every corner starting from Stradun. The walk can take about an hour and two of our time.
You can also walk through the fortification around Dubrovnik. The access is near the Pile Gate and you pay about 50 kunas (adults) or 20 kunas (children). There is another less crowded access near the Old Port.

MAP OF DUBROVNIK

 

WHERE TO EAT: We can find many restaurants on the sides of the main street.
At the old port there are a couple of terraces where you can drink a beer while you wait for the next Tender

SHOPPING: On the main street there are many shops of all kinds with discounts for cruise ships passengers

OLD PORT