Italian experience on the seas of Asia
An East-meets-West holiday is guaranteed onboard the cruise liner Costa neoRomantica ,a ‘floating hotel’ that will keep guests entertained, amply fed, fighting fit and well rested.
FROM travelling in different types of planes and squeezing into sharecabs, to risking my life in tuk-tuks and riding pillion on modified motorcycles, I had done it all except for sail in a cruise ship the likes of those I had seen as a child in Swettenham Pier, Penang.
So, imagine my joy when, in mid-August, I finally had the chance to go on a cruise ship – and get a taste of Italy and Japan while at it!
The Costa neo-Romantica promised me five days of “Italy at Sea” with authentic Italian dishes, wine and cheese, as well as opera shows and dance parties.
An evening of wine and cheese at Enoteca Verona was an unforgettable experience, as guests could choose from over 80 wine labels and 100 types of cheese from around the world.
The cruise also promised the beauty of coastal Japan for its ground excursions, specifically the port cities of Fukuoka, Maizuru, Kanazawa and Sakaiminato, and a bonus stop in Busan, South Korea.
Despite the long journey from Kuala Lumpur to Fukuoka, I was wide awake with excitement as we arrived at the port. In true Japanese fashion, immigration and check-in procedures were done in record time, with polite greetings from everyone.
Inside, I thought my cabin would be small, but I was surprised to see a comfortable bed and bathroom, as well as plenty of room for daily floor exercises.
The Costa neoRomantica was recently re-styled at a cost of over 90mil (RM451mil), resulting in an elegant grand floating hotel.
If you cannot live without connectivity, like me, fret not. I was well connected while on board, and although it came with a price tag of US$30 (RM125) per 1MB, it was worth it as I had no problems connecting with my friends on Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp.
I was already impressed by what the cruise had to offer, but after I took the lift up to the open deck, I realised we were just getting started. Up there, I witnessed what I could only describe as the moment every person dreams of having on a cruise holiday.
A number of guests were sunbathing along the open deck, sipping drinks from the Lido Bar Saint-Tropez and keeping an eye on their younger charges in the pool.
Our media group was taken to relax at the Lido Bar Montecarlo private bar and jacuzzi, complete with cabanas and a spectacular, unhindered view of the sea.
For health and fitness, the cruise ship also has the Samsara Spa, an indoor gym, and a running track on the open deck for those who want a workout after all the food.
Speaking of food, there was definitely no shortage of that on board, as guests had access to food roundthe-clock in different restaurants.
For the main meals, we could choose between being served at the Botticelli restaurant, binging at the self-service buffet in Giardino, or having meals delivered to our cabins.
Since I am prone to late night hunger pangs, I made regular visits to the Grill Capri’s noodle and salad bar from 10.30pm to midnight, and went for their sandwiches and salads between midnight and 6am.
There are speciality dining restaurants on board that are chargeable, like the Mamma Trattoria where I had a fine six-course dinner paired with the right wines. Guests also need to pay to dine at the La Fiorentina Steakhouse on board, but the luxurious experience will be worth every penny.
No Italian dining is complete without pizza, so my groupmates and I were delighted to discover Pizzeria Napoli just below the open deck. What’s special is that it is the only restaurant on a cruise ship with a wood-fire oven, serving up pizzas so delicious that we returned three more times during our trip!
Before anyone thinks that life on a cruise is just about food, I have to add that there is so much to do in between stuffing our faces silly.
There are entertainment shows, with at least two different ones each night. Cabaret Vienna, the cruiseliner’s show lounge, hosts a different performance each night, ranging from dance to music and magic tricks.
It’s easy to lose track of what’s happening on such a huge ship, but all the fun activities are covered in the Today programme booklet delivered to the cabin each day.
Guests can also sit back and relax with pre-dinner drinks and live music in the intimate setting of Grand Bar Piazza Italia on Deck 8.
One night I truly enjoyed was the Captain’s dinner and dance party, where ship officers danced with children of guests, dressed to the nines in tuxedos and ballroom
gowns. The dashing officers also manned a “pop-up bar” to serve handcrafted drinks to guests, before giving the ladies a golden opportunity to take to the dance floor with them.
Other dazzling nights included a White Party where the guests all came in white, and a masquerade party with original Venetian masks available for purchase.
We were also enthralled by dance and opera performances by a group of European entertainers from whom we could not tear our eyes away.
Now, of course, there were periods when we took the opportunity to explore the cities where the ship docked. Shore excursions are available; for a hassle-free visit and peace of mind, it is best to book through the cruise liner.
At the end, I was happy to have ticked off “cruise ship” from my bucket list of travel experiences. I now know life on a ship is far from boring when you choose the right cruise.