Cruise from Italy to Argentina with Costa Cruises

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

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This cruise is held once a year in early winter (mid-November) on two of Costa's newest and most beautiful ships. A cruise in the opposite direction—from Buenos Aires back to Europe—takes place in early spring, in March. During all winter months, the ship sails between Argentina and Brazil. Of course, such a long voyage is not suitable for everyone. Most cruise passengers are experienced in voyages and have taken many shorter cruises in the past. Since the cruise is relatively long, it is suitable for those who can afford a vacation of at least 3 weeks, such as retirees and people without time constraints, and much less so for families and working people; however, surprisingly, there were several children, teenagers, young couples, and many energetic people on the cruise.

The uniqueness of Costa cruises in general, and such a long cruise combining distant continents in particular, is the diverse international population sailing on the ship. The vast majority of passengers are Europeans: many from Italy, Germany, France, and Spain, but also from a wide range of other European countries. There is a significant number of passengers from Argentina and Brazil, as well as passengers from the USA, Australia, and Asia. Along with the staff, which includes workers from 48 countries, the feeling during the voyage is of being on a floating "Tower of Babel." A medley of languages; all announcements, explanations, and menus are in five languages: Italian, Spanish, French, German, and English. This is a real opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Cruise Itinerary:

Departure from Savona in Italy, Barcelona in Spain, Casablanca in Morocco, Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands (belonging to Spain), five different destinations in Brazil: Recife, Maceió, Salvador da Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and Santos.
The ship also reaches Montevideo in Uruguay and finishes at the port of Buenos Aires in Argentina, where the ship stays for two days.

In addition to these ports, the voyage includes 9 sea days: two on the way to Tenerife, five in the Atlantic Ocean, and two along the coast of South America.

Transatlantic cruise map from Italy to Argentina

It is important to note that except for the first two or three days in Europe, this is primarily a summer cruise—both in Casablanca and Tenerife, the weather is sunny and warm even during most of the winter. During the voyage in the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sails at very low latitudes, including crossing the equator, which means summer, mostly sunny days, spending time in the pools, and many activities on the decks.
The ship has two main expansive decks with pools, jacuzzis, a large cinema screen, lounge chairs, game tables, and more, which have a retractable roof: in rainy, cold, or windy weather the roof closes, and in pleasant summer weather the roof opens. In this cruise, transitioning from wintry Europe to summer South America, this is a great advantage allowing guests to enjoy the pools and other surrounding facilities throughout the cruise, regardless of weather and wind conditions.

♦ Departure Port - Savona, Italy

The described voyage began at the port of Savona on the Italian Riviera, which is the home port for the Costa company. Most of the cruise passengers boarded at this port, though it was also possible to board at the nearby port of Rome the day before, or the following day at the port of Barcelona. Boarding begins at 12:30 PM and ends at 4:00 PM. The ship sets sail at 5:00 PM. Since most passengers board at this port, expect crowds and lines, and it is advisable to be patient. There is no point in arriving at the port before 12:00 PM, so it is recommended to use the morning hours for a stroll in the old city of Savona, which is very close to the port.

The nearest airport to Savona is Genoa, but there are no direct flights to it from Israel. You can fly there with a stopover in Rome. For those preferring a direct flight, you can fly to Milan and from there take a transfer by Costa, or travel by train or taxi to Savona. For those arriving several days before the cruise in Milan, it is recommended to rent a car, tour Northern Italy (there are many options, but take into account that the weather in mid-November can be wintry and some tourist sites and attractions might be closed or partially active).
Therefore, for those preferring to tour Italy before the cruise, it is better during the winter months to visit Rome or Tuscany. For this, it is recommended to fly to Rome several days before the cruise, tour it, and then board the ship from the port of Civitavecchia (near Rome) or land in Rome, rent a car, and drive for about 2:30–3:00 hours to Tuscany, tour it for several days, and from there continue on an approximately three-hour drive to Savona.

Barcelona - Spain

The first port, reached the very next day, is the port of Barcelona. No matter how many times you have already visited Barcelona, it is always fun to wander around, in any month of the year, especially at the beginning of winter when it is decorated for Christmas.

It is worth walking at least one way from the port to the city center. It is a walk of about 20–25 minutes providing views of the port with its many cruise ships anchoring there, the many cars being unloaded from cargo ships, and the city.

♦ Casablanca - Morocco

The following day is a fun day on the ship at sea on the way to Morocco. In the port of Casablanca, the ship stays from morning until late evening to allow passengers to visit other, more distant destinations in Morocco such as Rabat, Marrakech, or Fes. It is important to emphasize that Israeli passport holders require a visa for Morocco. Since the visa for Morocco is collective, a couple traveling alone cannot obtain a visa, but must join a group of at least 4 passengers. Furthermore, the only company in Israel handling visas for Morocco does not allow paying only for the entry permit but requires purchasing a tour through them that includes a driver (without guidance). They claim that due to bureaucracy in the port, it is not possible to join tours organized by the ship.
For personal security reasons, we preferred to skip the visit to Morocco and enjoy another day of fun on the ship. It turned out we were not the only ones who preferred staying on the ship over visiting Morocco. The ship was full of people—the decks, pools, gym, dining rooms—were bustling almost as usual...

The Canary Islands - Spain

After another relaxing day at sea, we arrived at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Tenerife is an enchanting island abundant in possibilities. You can take a ship tour, rent a car and tour alone, or take a local tour to one of the most popular attractions on the island: the dormant Teide volcano in the heart of the island (Teide National Park), Loro Parque, which is a combined marine life and land animal park with botanical gardens and shows, and the charming town nearby: Puerto de la Cruz.

Those who have already visited Tenerife can settle for a walking tour in the port city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is the island's capital and largest city. The port where the ship is located is a ten-minute walk from the city center.

There is also a free shuttle service from the port from the ship's side to the city center. It's fun to stroll along the promenade by the harbor, through the bustling shopping streets, and in the lovely indoor market Nuestra Sra. de Africa, which is a combination of a food market (fruit, vegetables, delicacies, and of course fish) and a souvenir and accessory market.

Sitting in one of the many cafes, seeing the historical buildings including several churches—the most famous of which is Iglesia de San Francisco—Teatro Guimera, the art museum, and enjoying a free tour in a welcoming city. It is recommended to pick up a good map of the city with all its points of interest at the visitor center located right at the port entrance. Do not miss a walk along Calle Castillo, which is the city's main pedestrian street. From it, other nice shopping streets branch out. The city's main and most beautiful square is Plaza de España, with a water pool and fountain in its center. The city abounds with cafes with free internet and cheap, good coffee. Even beer in the city is exceptionally cheap; in several places, they claim it is the cheapest beer in Europe.

In the port near the ship, there is internet available for a modest fee, so before the ship sails for five days into the heart of the ocean, this is a good place to wrap up the city visit with final calls to family or friends or post a status on Facebook.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean

Five days in the heart of the ocean sounds like a lot of time, but it's hard to believe how quickly and pleasantly the time passes. During the day there are various activities, mainly sports competitions, exercise, dancing, handicrafts, bingo, and more. But the primary pleasure is enjoying the sunny summer while it is rainy and wintry at home. Spending time in the pools, on lounge chairs, walking on the decks, and enjoying the sight of the ocean surrounding you from every direction.

Enjoy quality Italian meals fit for a king, shows, musicians, and pampering service. There is nothing like the sunrises and sunsets in the open sea, revealed in all their glory across all stages from the ship's deck.

It is highly recommended to join a guided ship tour on one of the sea days to places you cannot visit alone. The tour is called "All the Secrets of Costa Pacifica" and lasts about three hours, during which you will visit the kitchen, various food storage warehouses and refrigerators, the giant laundry, the workshops of various craftsmen: carpenter, metalworker, tailor, etc., the crew bar and corridors between their rooms, the theater, backstage, the dressing rooms, and the stunt-filled stage. You will chat with the workers and operators everywhere you visit, watch demonstrations of towel folding and artistic fruit and vegetable carving, taste various delicacies in the kitchen as well as champagne, and even enjoy a private laser show just for the tour participants.
Additionally, a film about the "behind the scenes" of the ship is screened for all passengers (at no extra charge): the bridge, engine room, storage, recycling, and clinic, including photos from the stages of the ship's construction and launch.
During the voyage, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know the workers more personally and see their talents not just in their routine jobs but their artistic skills.

On one of the sea days, a "meet and greet" is held with several crew members in diverse roles who talk about themselves, their work, their families, and life on board. Each passenger can ask them questions of interest about their lifestyle and quality of life.
On sea days, a lovely show called "I Have a Dream," based entirely on the employees and including singing, dancing, stunts, and more, is held in the main theater (3 stories).
On another day, a colorful show is held with dozens of workers divided by their departments: kitchen staff, security staff, waiters, bartenders, the entertainment team, etc., where each group excels in dance and song with amazing teamwork.
When crossing the equator, a colorful celebration is held on the deck to mark the event. The next day, each passenger receives a certificate confirming they crossed the equator.

Ports in Brazil:

Recife Port

The first port of call is Recife, located slightly south of the equator in northeastern Brazil. It is the largest city in the province of Pernambuco with about one and a half million inhabitants in the city itself and a similar number in its suburbs, whose first residents and builders were Dutch.
In this port, it is recommended to take a tour organized by the ship because Recife is a relatively large city, crowded and congested, and also because you cannot walk from the ship to the port entrance but must take a shuttle service (free) provided by the ship. Those without a ship tour are forced to wait in line for a number for their disembarkation and bus ride, which consumes valuable time in the city.
Recife is called the "Venice of Brazil" because it is crossed by many rivers with numerous bridges over them.

The City of Maceió - Brazil

The second port in Brazil, reached the very next day after sailing south along the coast of Brazil in the evening and night, is the port of the city of Maceió.
Maceió is a large city with over a million inhabitants, known primarily for its wonderful beaches. This is the place to take a tour to a magical beach and spend several hours there. Since the ship stays in port for only half a day and because the particularly recommended beaches are over 40 minutes' drive away, it is recommended here too to take a ship tour to avoid being late back and missing it...

Salvador Port - Brazil

The third port in Brazil, reached already the next morning, is the port of Salvador da Bahia. The city is located in the heart of a giant bay with several islands. It is a historical city with a rich culture, one of the first where the Portuguese settlers established themselves, and its entire historical part has become a UNESCO conservation site. The city, situated in the second largest bay in the world, "Bay of All Saints" (Bahia de Todos os Santos), was the first capital of Brazil. There are so many churches in the city that it is said to have 365 churches, one for every day of the year. The city is also known for its numerous celebrations; everything is an excuse for a party, dancing, and carnival in a city known for its warm and welcoming residents.

Upper city in Salvador da Bahia

The port is located in the city center and most of the city's tourist sites and attractions are within a relatively short drive. The ship offers two main tours: a panoramic tour of the city and a historical tour of the city. Here it is recommended for those who prefer to see more with personal explanations and by choosing the style and pace of travel that suits them to join a private tour by an excellent local guide named Dirk Van Kerckhove—originally Belgian who moved to Brazil for love—with excellent and clear English, possessing rich knowledge which he conveys during the tour in a fascinating way.

You must coordinate the tour with Dirk in advance via email: dirk_vaker@yahoo.com or by phone: +557199533134. He will wait for you with a sign bearing your name at the port passenger terminal adjacent to the ship.

Day at Sea

After three consecutive port days, it's nice to relax again with a day at sea on the ship. This day is entirely dedicated to Italy with performances of Italian music and an Italian "Gala" dinner where, towards the end of the meal, the waiters sing and dance to famous Italian songs with passengers joining in the dancing. This is a common custom in every Costa cruise and adds atmosphere and action to the delicious dinner.

Guests and waiters dancing in the dining room

Rio de Janeiro

The next port, the fourth in Brazil, is the port of Rio de Janeiro. This is a large port where sometimes 5–6 ships anchor simultaneously. Despite this, disembarking from the ship and reaching the passenger terminal is easy and fast, with no need for any shuttle service. The port is located in the heart of the city's commercial district and has a small visitor center where maps and information are distributed, alongside a taxi service that also provides city tours.

It is better to pre-book a private tour in Rio in order to make the most of this day. The ship stays in Rio for a full day (unlike some other ports where it stays only half a day), but since it is such a large and crowded city (over 6 million residents live in the city itself, and it is known for its traffic jams) and full of attractions, it is advisable to make the best use of every minute. A private tour allows you to experience the best the city has to offer, tailored to your pace and interests, and also to the weather. In photos, Rio is always sunny, but in reality, specifically in summer (December–March), there are many rainy days because it is the hot and rainy season.
Rio is the most impressive city in Brazil, considered the most popular tourist destination in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is a city of contrasts: luxury skyscrapers versus "Favela" slums,

beaches at the foot of mountains and cliffs, a giant forest in the heart of the city full of tropical vegetation and wildlife (considered the largest urban forest in the world!) alongside dense construction. The city's residents call it, and rightly so, the "Marvelous City" (Cidade Maravilhosa). The city is surrounded by many islands and islets; some say 365 islands, one for every day of the year.

A perfect conclusion to the touring day in Rio is watching the ship leave the port and depart the city. The ship passes near most of the famous sites you visited on the tour: the Sugarloaf cable car, Mount Corcovado in the distance where only its black shadows can be seen in the dark, the giant Christ the Redeemer statue lit with a bright white light, and of course the famous beaches glittering with the many lights of their luxury homes: Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.

♦ Santos Port - Brazil

The next port, reached already the following morning, is the port of Santos, considered the largest port in Latin America. It is recommended to watch from one of the decks as the ship enters the long harbor built on both banks of an expansive river. Since it is such a large and busy port, walking is forbidden; you must use the port's shuttle (free) to exit.

Santos is located about 70 km from São Paulo, the largest of Brazil's cities, but it is not recommended to travel there as it is not a very attractive tourist city, more of a commercial and business city, and due to traffic, the travel time can be long. In Santos, it is worth relaxing at one of the city's beaches or traveling (by ship-organized shuttle or taxi) to the nearby popular resort and holiday city of Guarujá, located about an hour's drive from Santos port. This city is considered the most popular holiday spot for São Paulo residents and has many beaches, promenades along the sandy shores with a variety of shops, stalls, and restaurants, and numerous hotels and holiday apartments.

The ship leaves the port in the late afternoon, and upon exit, it is also recommended not to miss the views of the receding city with skyscrapers on one side and fishing villages and a fortress on the other.

Day at Sea

After Brazil's final two ports comes the last sea day on the ship. Final leisure time and enjoyment of its facilities, explanations of the disembarkation process in the port of Buenos Aires, and the last Gala evening which includes, at the end of dinner, a procession of the servers with the famous ice cream cakes, a parade of waiters, bartenders, cooks—including the executive chef—heads of the dining rooms, and other workers. The evening ends with a champagne toast shared by passengers and crew.

Montevideo - Uruguay

The next port is Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, reached only at noon. The city is located on the northern bank of a giant river called "Rio de la Plata." The port is located in the heart of the Old City near the city's main attractions. Just disembarking from the ship brings you directly to the popular food market Mercado del Puerto, known for its "Parrilla" grill restaurants, completely surrounded by souvenir shops and stalls.

Buenos Aires - Argentina

The following morning, the ship reaches its final destination: the port of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

But you don't bid farewell to the ship yet. The ship stays in port until the following evening, and most passengers stay on board for another full day and leave the ship only the next morning. This allows for a full day's tour including an evening out in this giant and interesting city. The ship essentially serves as a pampering floating hotel to return to for meals and sleep after a day's touring in the city.
Of course, it is recommended to dedicate several more days to Buenos Aires to enjoy the best it has to offer.

It's hard to believe that 20 days of the cruise have already ended. We moved from the European winter to the South American summer, saw many destinations in a variety of countries across three continents while enjoying, vacationing, and being pampered—all without the need to move accommodations or pack and unpack suitcases, without renting and returning cars or taking domestic flights. The winning recipe for the best vacation ever!