SOVEREIGN 24th September 2016 (part 4)

Monday 26th September 2016
We arrived at the port of Olbia at 8 a.m. and well before that I was on deck enjoying seeing the other ships coming and going. I had been here only a couple of weeks ago but it was still fun to enjoy this port, and this time I was on board SOVEREIGN rather than watching her come in to Olbia!

Luigi P.A., the Moby Cargo ship. It was still before sunrise and I was looking across the bay.

This was another Moby Cargo vessel, called Pietro Manunta

We approached our berth at Olbia and could see Cruise Smeralda and Athara

It was almost sunrise over the nearby high mountain, so we had a lovely view of another vessel approaching the harbour

We turned, to come in astern onto our berth

Deck view forward

By now the sun had appeared over the mountain and gave us unexpected views of Moby Otta coming through the approach channel

Our mooring ropes were being handled by a man in the tiny Caterina

We could see Cruise Olbia, Moby Aki and Sea Cloud II

Janus was berthing nearby

The changing light gave me this view of Moby Otta

Moby Otta turning, ready to berth

Artwork, seen as I headed for breakfast

Ruby red glass door handles


Several of us walked around the port to photograph the ships, and then into town to enjoy a walking tour of our own.

The ex-Bimini Superfast, registered in Panama; the name could just be seen under the current name of Cruise Olbia

Moby Aki from the quayside

The colourful Moby Otta with those lovely aft decks

Sea Cloud II


We returned to the ship by a shuttle bus, ready for lunch and a restful afternoon before sailing late afternoon.

Pietro Manunta as we left Olbia

Mega Express Three, a mile or so away as we left Olbia


Tonight is scheduled to be a Black & White Night, with many passengers prepared for that; we enjoyed drinks, dinner and conversation.


Ships seen: Cruise Smeralda (Grimaldi), Athara (Tirrenia), Cruise Olbia (Grimaldi) previously the Bimini Superfast registered in Panama, Moby Aki, Luigi P.A. (Moby Cargo), Pietro Manunta (Moby Cargo), Caterina (the harbour ropes man), Sea Cloud II, Mega Express Three (Corsica Ferries/Sardinia Ferries), Moby Otta


To be continued...

COSTA DIADEMA 1st November 2014 Part 9 (the final one)

Part 9 (the final one)

Friday 7th November 2014
Today is ship Christening Day, and here we are early in Genoa ready for the festivities later today.

On the way to breakfast I could see big face masks decorating the upper level of the Lido

The rocking chairs were partly-filled with rain water out on deck

Grand Holiday, seen as we sailed slowly into Genoa harbour

Moby Drea and Moby Otta

Grand Holiday's stern

Dionea

A private yacht under construction!

Excelsior

Nordic Stockholm

Snow capped mountains in the distance

Moby Baby and Moby Ale

Deira

Builder's plate


The sky is blue again, the sun is shining and the ship seems to have been cleaned thoroughly yet again ready for the dignitaries due on board soon. We managed to extract a programme of the day’s events from the reluctant hand of a female member of reception staff, and could see that we needed to be in what I like to call ‘posh frock’ etc. by 3 p.m. this afternoon. Now we can plan our morning.

We were berthed at Genoa’s historic Maritime Station so it was an easy walk along to the Porto Antico to see what we could see. We visited the Maritime Museum for a short while, a favourite bookshop nearby, and then walked along to take photos of COSTA DIADEMA across the water in the cool sunshine.

Costa Diadema in Genoa on her Christening Day


We stopped for coffee in a small quayside café which was noted for its ‘pizza and chips’. Then the charms of Eataly called loudly so two of us ascended to the top floor restaurant/shop, to enjoy the views and the food. There were Panettones by the hundred and probably seventy sorts of pasta all on sale – it was fascinating, but resistible.

Panettone in Eataly

More


Back on the quayside there was time to take photographs of ship and self and the shiny new rat-catchers on the ropes, before embarking to prepare for the Costa Cruises official Naming Ceremony of their new flagship.

Preparing for the Christening


Newly embarked passengers were attending lifeboat drill as we progressed to our seating place in the Orlov Lounge. To me and many others in the UK the name Orlov always raises a smile because it is the name of the Meerkat family used to advertise a marketing comparison website. It has gained extraordinary fame through Aleksandr Orlov and his descendants.

We had front-row seats around the dance floor in front of one of the many large screens in all the public rooms on board, and then the sparkling wine and canapés were served. The screens showed the Costa dignitaries and guests arriving for the Naming Ceremony in the Theatre, and soon we saw the COSTA DIADEMA Captain Massimo Garbarino, together with the Godmother of the ship, travel agent Carolina Miceli, accompanied by her Maids of Honour from Germany, France, Spain and China, form the start of a parade.

Captain and Godmother

Main group on the Theatre stage


All this was filmed and shown on all the public room screens as they progressed throughout the whole ship. I thought this was such a lovely idea and it was exciting when they arrived in the Orlov Bar and Lounge; cameras flashed, people cheered as they circled the room and I think everyone felt pleased to be present on such an occasion. They returned to the Emerald Theatre for the actual Naming Ceremony.

The Costa Chief Executive made a short speech, as did a Fincantiere shipyard person, and then local and area Italian representatives, and finally came the moment when the bottle of Champagne was hurled (electronically) and smashed again the hull of the ship. The ship was then blessed by the Cardinal of Genoa Angelo Bagnasco.

Finally in the Theatre on stage there was a short presentation of the ship’s bell to the Captain. This was unexpected, to me, but I thought that was a lovely touch and an ideal completion of this part of the festivities. The wine kept flowing throughout all this.

There was then a slight rush to get warm clothing ready for the fireworks and Diadema Sky Lights display at 6.30 somewhere out in the Harbour. The decks were packed with onlookers and we all enjoyed the wonderful display. The sounds echoed round the hills of the city and were joined by whistles from other vessels in the harbour so it was very exciting to be there.

The moon rose over the city

and the fireworks started

More fireworks


Another highlight after this was the COSTA DIADEMA, Genova, 7th November 2014, Menu di Gala. This was designed by Costa’s Michelin-Star Acclaimed Chef Fabio Cucchelli and was much acclaimed by my knowledgeable companions. I know I particularly enjoyed the Controfiletto di Wagyu, crème di formaggio Montasio e topinambur, which translates as Wagyu strip Loin, Montasio cheese cream and Jerusalem artichoke. The service and wines were first-class and much enjoyed.

The evening progressed with music and a Masquerade Party up on Deck 10’s Lido Diana, and I finally went home rather late and swinging a very elegant black face mask from one finger. Phew, what a day, and what a celebration!


Ships seen: Grand Holiday, Moby Drea, Moby Otta, Dionea, Excelsior, Majestic, Moby Baby, Moby Ale, Nordic Stockholm, Deira and Costa Diadema.

Saturday 8th November 2014
We arrived back in Savona in darkness, but the five of us enjoyed a final breakfast together as the sun came up. Soon the ship was cleared by the authorities and we were able to disembark and head homewards to our various countries.

Ships seen: Costa Diadema, Costa Classica, Azamara Journey, and 5 laid-up Corsica Ferries seen as we went west towards Nice Airport,


I had enjoyed my time on board COSTA DIADEMA because of the good company of my travelling companions and the chance to attend a Ship Christening for the very first time. This was my sixth Costa ship sailing so I did notice the oddities of the ship itself, such as the lack of restaurant seating for all on board when offering free-style dining, the unexpected location of bars and speciality restaurants and the unusual design and layout of the ship inside. I do like the Italian Costa experience and I’m very glad to have experienced Costa’s new flagship COSTA DIADEMA on her Maiden Voyage.

C is for Costa

Costa Diadema Christening in Genoa 7th November 2014

Costa Victoria 20th April 2011 Part 1

18th April 2011
Today I’m flying from Gatwick airport to Genoa in Italy, prior to joining the COSTA VICTORIA in a couple of day’s time. Lucky me. I haven’t landed there before so it was disconcerting to look out of the port side aircraft window and see blue sea right up until the moment we landed and the brakes were put on, as we hurtled down the runway. It was only as the aircraft turned at the end of the runway that I could see that it stopped not far ahead of us and there was water on three sides.

Only last week I’d met a retired seaman who had docked in Genoa in 1959 and immediately been asked to join a Mission to Seafarers team who were about to play a quick game of football on the land that was still being reclaimed to build an airport! He asked me to think of him when I landed at Genoa! Because he played for a Mission to Seafarers side, and I’m on my local Mission Committee, I put this in my diary.

The Airport bus took me into the centre of the city, and a local bus took me to my hotel near the ferry terminal. I checked in and asked if it was possible please to have a room looking out over the harbour and the ships and was allocated one on the 6th floor. Gosh, it was good – my hands were unpacking but my eyes were taking in all the ships I could see from the window: MSC LIRICA, THOMSON DREAM, MOBY OTTA, MARRAKECH,


AURELIA, JANAS, FANTASTIC, LA SUPREMA and MAJESTIC were all in a curved line in front of me.




I could take quick pictures as first MARRAKECH (with a tug)




and then MAJESTIC left. Over on the far side of the harbour I could see the funnel of a Moby ship and yellow hulls of what could be Sardinia/Corsican ferries so I was looking forward to a harbour trip tomorrow.

Across the road at the Ferry Terminal I found out the arrivals and departures for the day





then walked along the roadway to look at the cruise ships before they left for the night.




The air was warm and comfortable under a blue sky and I watched ZEUS PALACE berth where MAJESTIC had been. How strange to see her in GNV colours now, but she still looks good.


The sun was getting low as I returned to the hotel for dinner and another look at my ship photographs of the day.

Ships seen: MSC Lirica, Thomson Dream, Moby Otta, Marrakech, Aurelia, Janas, Fantastic, La Suprema, Majestic, Zeus Palace