Italy, France & Spain from Rome with Stay

Date: 22 Aug 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Celebrity Ascent
Line: Celebrity Cruises
Date Sailed | January 0001 |
Cruise Line | Costa Cruises |
Ship Name | Magica |
Destination | Bermuda |
This was a rare sailing, on an Italian ship from Florida to Bermuda and back. Needless to say, most of the passengers were American on this particular voyage.
It is safe to think of Costa as the 'Italian Carnival', especially as Carnival owns and bankrolls it. And the Costa Magica herself is a direct copy of the Carnival Destiny class, right down to the cabin furnishings and layout.
So, we have the same big, interior boulevard. Thronged with a row of gloriously over the top bars and lounges, it gives a kind of feverish, frantic feel to the area. A quartet of lifts swoop silently up and down through the monumental, ten storey lobby, complete with lobby bar. In short, the Costa Magica is a glittering, stupendous theme park, filled with good things to do from bow to stern, and all overlaid with a thin film of 'Disneyland Italian' styling. All in all, quite a brew.
Up top, there are pools for children and adults alike, although the latter is simply an idea in practice. Stepped, tiered decks are packed with sun beds. There is live music and party games, and no shortage of hot comfort food grilling, boiling and simmering around all day.
Costa Magica is an exuberant ship, and passengers on board loved the huge ballroom, one of the most beautiful at sea. There is also a two level disco and, right aft, another, quieter pool area that was quite magical at sunset.
It was nice to have a balcony cabin, just to escape the on board hugger mugger at times. This is very much a late night party ship, with two main dining rooms that are as much about theatre as the mediocre food they serve. Waiters sang and danced on plinths on designated theme nights.
The Costa Magica is a colossal, yet commodious ship, whimsically decorated, undeniably dramatic, and yet supremely comfortable. But there are thousands of people on board, so expect lines for getting ashore, at the buffet, and for getting in and out of the show lounge. Go with an open mind.
Dining and Food | 6 / 10 |
Spa and Gym | 9 / 10 |
Entertainment | 8 / 10 |
Childrens Facilities | 8 / 10 |
Accomodation | 8 / 10 |
Shore Excursions | 6.5 / 10 |
Service | 7 / 10 |
Luxury | 7 / 10 |
Value For Money | 7 / 10 |
Drinks Packages | N/A / 10 |
Date: 22 Aug 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Celebrity Ascent
Line: Celebrity Cruises
£2,499 OUTSIDE
£2,699 BALCONY
Date: 4 Aug 2024
Duration: 18 nights
Ship: Norwegian Star
Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
£3,399 OUTSIDE
£4,099 BALCONY
Date: 11 Aug 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Norwegian Encore
Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
£1,774 OUTSIDE
£1,978 BALCONY
Date: 27 Jul 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Marella Voyager
Line: Marella Cruises
£1,807 OUTSIDE
£2,057 BALCONY
Date: 22 Jun 2024
Duration: 13 nights
Ship: Silhouette
Line: Celebrity Cruises
£2,479 OUTSIDE
£2,649 BALCONY
Date: 8 May 2025
Duration: 23 nights
Ship: Azamara Pursuit
Line: Azamara Club Cruises
£4,155 OUTSIDE
£4,776 BALCONY
Date: 10 Jul 2025
Duration: 9 nights
Ship: Rotterdam
Line: Holland America Line
£2,199 OUTSIDE
£2,299 BALCONY
Date: 22 Dec 2025
Duration: 20 nights
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Line: Cunard Cruise Line
£3,941 OUTSIDE
£3,991 BALCONY
Date: 2 Apr 2025
Duration: 12 nights
Ship: Grandeur of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£2,349 OUTSIDE
£2,799 BALCONY
Date: 9 Jul 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Silver Dawn
Line: Silversea Cruises
Date: 20 Nov 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Seabourn Ovation
Line: Seabourn
Date: 23 Aug 2025
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Quantum of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£2,749 OUTSIDE
£2,879 BALCONY
Date: 1 Mar 2025
Duration: 14 nights
Ship: Carnival Splendor
Line: Carnival Cruise Line
£2,649 OUTSIDE
£2,899 BALCONY
Date: 23 Sep 2024
Duration: 21 nights
Ship: Queen Victoria
Line: Cunard Cruise Line
£2,860 OUTSIDE
£3,054 BALCONY
Date: 16 Jan 2025
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Wonder of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£2,279 OUTSIDE
£2,299 BALCONY
Date: 11 Jul 2025
Duration: 16 nights
Ship: Queen Anne
Line: Cunard Cruise Line
£1,801 OUTSIDE
£2,301 BALCONY
Date: 16 May 2025
Duration: 9 nights
Ship: Allure of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£1,629 OUTSIDE
£1,679 BALCONY
Date: 3 May 2025
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Silver Endeavour
Line: Silversea Cruises
Date: 28 Jun 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Anthem of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£1,255 OUTSIDE
£1,265 BALCONY
Date: 12 Jul 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Norwegian Escape
Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
£2,249 OUTSIDE
£2,579 BALCONY