Costa Romantica

PEOPLE say life is more about the journey than it is about the destination.

Well, when it comes to Costa cruises, nothing can be further from the truth. Dubbed as “the best cruise in Asia,” the 1,697-passenger Costa Romantica is a luxurious and elegantly designed passenger vessel that redefines traveling in style. Every area from the hall to the cabins to the numerous prestigious works of art that adorn every corner including sculptured masterpieces by celebrated Japanese artist Susumu Shingu has Italian romance written all over them.

More than living up to its name, Costa Romantica also boasts of richly embellished public rooms that feature rare woods and Carrara marble as exquisitely detailed by the finest European artisans. There are also the marvelous original works of art including hand-crafted furnishings, paintings, murals, and two sculptured masterpieces by celebrated Japanese artist Susumu Shingu

Other amenities and relaxation areas include a fully contained spa that offers personalized beauty treatments and therapies, a fitness center, three restaurants including the coveted Boticelli and seven bars, two swimming pools and four Jacuzzis, a chapel, the 650-seat L’Opera theater, a disco, casino and even a shopping center. Yes, this is quite the Love Boat.

And if all this grandeur has a familiar ring to frequent travelers, it’s pretty much because Costa Romantica is created by none other than the largest Italian group in Tourism and the number one cruise company in Europe.

With over 60 years of history, Costa’s fleet of 14 ships in service and two more in order are regarded as Europe’s largest and most advanced and regularly sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean.

Each Costa ship including Costa Romantica and the equally famous Costa Classica fly the Italian flag and are known for their own distinctive personalities and unique features. And yes, as countless passengers have already attested, a Costa cruise journey is just as exciting as its ultimate destination itself.

Recently inaugurated by Costa Crociere S.P.A. and the Philippine Italian Association on April 26, 2010 at Pier13 in South Harbor, Manila with Italian ambassador Luca Fornari and his wife Silvana as guests of honor, Costa Romantica now sails over a dozen Asian destinations regularly plying routes from Shanghai (China), to Fukuoka-Kumamoto (Japan), Cheju (South Korea) and back to Shanghai.

Among special cruises to look forward to are the six days and five nights cruise in South Korea and Japan on August 25, August 30, September 4, 9, 14, and 19, October 7 and October 12.

In the case of Costa Romantica, the journey to a thousand miles begins with a single cruise.

Come to think of it, I’ve never been on a cruise. Maybe I should consider planning one soon? Hmmm.

For Costa Romantica booking and inquiries, please call TravelPeople at 400-2505 loc. 8109 to 8107.