Costa Cruises is presenting a new feature related to winter 2022-23, perfect for enjoying a warm weather vacation with just a few hours’ flight from Europe. The Italian company’s flagship Costa Toscana will offer week-long cruises, including flights, with two-day and one-night calls in Dubai, Muscat and Abu Dhabi. Updated health protocols will also allow guests who are not vaccinated to go on vacation.
From December 17, 2022 to March 11, 2023, Costa Toscana, the latest flagship in Costa Cruises‘ fleet, will offer a week-long itinerary to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Cruises are available with the ‘flight+cruise package, which provides the greatest convenience without having to worry about transfers to get to the ship or luggage once arriving at the airport.
Costa Toscana’s new offer will provide more time for visiting the destinations included in the itinerary, thanks to the two-day, one-night long calls in Dubai (UAE), Muscat (Oman) and Abu Dhabi (UAE). On the New Year’s cruise, the overnight call will be in Dubai only, to celebrate the New Year in style.
Discover from a unique perspective
The company offers a wide range of excursions to discover from a unique perspective, with authentic experiences in the heart of each place, these wonderful destinations, which combine the modernity of futuristic architecture with the charm of the desert and ancient traditions. For example, in Dubai, a very special tour is the helicopter ride, which offers breathtaking views of this incredible city. Another not to be missed experience is the jeep desert tour. In Muscat, guests can try a cruise along the coast of Oman aboard the Dhow, a traditional wooden boat. In Abu Dhabi, guests can choose to visit one of the city’s three most famous theme parks: the Ferrari World for sportsmen who love speed and racing; Warner Brothers World, to meet famous cartoon characters; and Yas Waterworld, a huge water park with 43 attractions including slides, water games and pools. Alternatively, people can relax on the exclusive beach of Al Maya Island, a true earthly paradise just minutes from Abu Dhabi.
For golf enthusiasts, the ‘cruise and golf’ package will soon be available, combining the best of golf with the best of cruising, and allowing guests to play golf at some of the most beautiful clubs in the UAE and Oman during the ship’s calls.
Life on board
Costa Toscana’s onboard offerings will also be tailored according to the destination. Starting with the gastronomic offer, signed by Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze, and Ángel León. These three world-renowned chefs will introduce the cruise destinations through taste, with the Destination Dishes, available in the main restaurants that interpret the tradition and flavors of the place that will be visited the following day. Again, the three Archipelago restaurant menus, one by each chef, are designed to explore the sea being sailed through food. The on-board entertainment program will see the debut of an unprecedented and spectacular show, called Essence, inspired by the Arabian Gulf’s ‘Arabian Nights’ atmospheres.
Costa Toscana is a traveling ‘smart city’, able to be powered by liquefied natural gas and equipped with cutting-edge technological innovations designed to reduce environmental impact. The interiors are the result of an extraordinary creative project, curated by Adam D. Tihany, created to enhance and bring to life the colors and atmosphere of this wonderful Italian region in a single location. Furniture, lighting, fabrics and accessories are all ‘Made in Italy’, created by 15 partners highly representative of Italian excellence. The onboard offer is perfectly integrated in this extraordinary context: from the Solemio Spa to the areas dedicated to entertainment; from the thematic bars, in collaboration with great Italian and international brands, to the 21 restaurants and areas dedicated to the ‘food experience’. For the youngest guests there is the Splash AcquaPark, with its slide positioned on the highest deck, a new area dedicated to video games, and the Squok Club.
Updated health protocols
The new itinerary also includes a major update of health protocols, which will allow all guests, even those who have not been vaccinated, to book a vacation onboard Costa Toscana. Guests who have completed the vaccination (2 doses + booster; 1 dose J&J + booster; 2 doses + cure, attested by certificate with QR code) will be able to embark without the need for any pre-embarkation test. Guests without vaccination or with incomplete vaccination will only need a negative result of a test performed within 48 hours of embarkation*. Children under the age of 5 can embark without vaccination nor test.
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*For guests embarking in Dubai: antigenic test from 5 to 15 years old, and PCR molecular test from 16 years old and above. For those embarking in Abu Dhabi: antigenic test from age 5 to 11, and PCR molecular test from age 12 and above.