Costa Cruises Celebrates 50 Years of Caribbean Cruising
In 1959, the 552 berth ship featured sleek, elegant interiors designed by Nino Zoncada. The accommodations were all in one class and had bathrooms and air conditioning, heralding a new era of pleasure cruises. Guests sipped cocktails and played cards on the lido deck, creating the indelible impressions of cruising's heyday that would eventually become a more accessible luxury for guests to enjoy.
Today, Costa Cruises is still cruising from South Florida. The Costa Fortuna is beginning her second season from Port Everglades, offering seven-night cruises on rotating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries through March. The 105,000-ton Costa Fortuna has a double capacity of 2,720, with 1,359 cabins—857 ocean view and 458 with large verandas. The ship offers guests a stunning array of facilities including 11 bars, 4 restaurants, a theater extending over three decks, three swimming pools, a casino, disco, ballroom and a gym.
For reservations or more information, contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com.
Photo of the Franca C Courtesy of Costa Cruises
Comments
fantastic ship – 550 beds – max occupancy for cruises 350/400 beds
good eating – nice staff – professional officers – pratically a family cruise every week – 7 days from Italy to Greek islands in summer and Caribbean cruises in winter – I was the first ship coordinator for cruises -
My grandparents took me on a cruise through the Caribbean on the Franca C in 1966. A tiny and rather spartan cruise ship by today’s standards, you really had a sense of being on the sea. And just a few hundred passengers assured that the crew could attend to each with service I doubt could be matched today.