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Using a true cruise travel specialist, with years of experience selling ocean and river cruises, can offer numerous advantages that save you both time and money while providing a truly carefree vacation where all your needs have been anticipated and provided for. Time and time again, it has been proven that the expertise and knowledge of a cruise specialist can enhance every aspect of your cruise experience.

Let's explorel how our cruise travel specialists can add value to your vacation:

Extensive Product Knowledge: A cruise travel specialist possesses in-depth knowledge about various cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and destinations. They stay up-to-date with the latest offerings, promotions, and trends in the cruise industry. This wealth of information enables them to offer valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your preferences, ensuring that you choose the cruise that aligns perfectly with your desires.

Time-Saving Expertise: Planning a cruise vacation can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially with the multitude of options available. A cruise travel specialist can efficiently guide you through the decision-making process by presenting you with carefully selected options that match your preferences. Instead of spending hours researching and comparing cruises, you can rely on the expertise of a specialist to provide you with well-curated choices, saving you valuable time.

Cost Savings and Value-added Benefits: Cruise travel specialists often have access to exclusive deals, promotions, and discounts that are not available to the general public. Their strong relationships with cruise lines and industry connections enable them to secure special pricing, onboard credits, cabin upgrades, and additional amenities. By leveraging their network and expertise, they can help you find the best value for your money, maximizing your vacation budget.

Tailored Itinerary Planning: A cruise travel specialist takes the time to understand your travel preferences, interests, and expectations. They can craft a personalized itinerary that includes must-see attractions, unique experiences, and activities that align with your desires. Whether you seek a cultural immersion, adventure-filled excursions, or a relaxing retreat, a specialist can tailor the itinerary to ensure that every aspect of your vacation caters to your specific needs and desires.

Hassle-Free Booking Process: Booking a cruise involves navigating complex reservation systems, coordinating flights, transfers, and arranging pre- and post-cruise accommodations. A cruise travel specialist manages all the logistics on your behalf, ensuring a seamless booking process. They can handle all the necessary arrangements, documentation, and special requests, saving you the hassle and stress associated with organizing a cruise vacation.

Personalized Customer Service: A cruise travel specialist is committed to providing exceptional customer service and support. They are dedicated to understanding your preferences, addressing your concerns, and answering any questions you may have. With their guidance, you can make informed decisions and have peace of mind throughout the planning and booking process. During your vacation, a specialist can assist with any unforeseen issues, acting as your advocate and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, the expertise of a cruise travel specialist can make a significant difference in your cruise vacation. By leveraging their knowledge, connections, and attention to detail, they save you time and money, while ensuring that all your needs are met and exceeded. With a specialist by your side, you can embark on a carefree vacation, confident that every aspect of your journey has been thoughtfully planned and curated to provide you with a memorable and fulfilling cruise experience.

With so many Cruise Companies vying for this ever increasing number of passengers, each claiming to be the best option in the Budget, First Class or Deluxe categories, it has becomes quite difficult for travelers to know which is the best Cruise Company, Ocean Boat, Destination or Itinerary FOR THEM! Without years of experience and the knowledge and access to information that those years bring, consumers run the risk of paying more than they need to, or getting less than they expected to!

That is where we come in! CruiseGenie.com a service of Smart Traveler, puts you in touch with the best cruise counselors for your lifestyle and budget - and our service is FREE.

In fact, we guarantee that, at the time of your initial Ocean cruise reservation, you will never pay more than if you booked it yourself directly! In addition to absolutely NOT paying more using our services, for over 80% of our reservations, our customers pay less, sometimes MUCH less, than if they booked it themselves!

So, please, look around, get some ideas, and whenever you feel ready for some assistance, simply fill out the Quote Request Form below.

"Mister Cruise" Peter Coloyan, Sr. President, Smart Traveler

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Our team will connect you with our dedicated cruise specialists who possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the specific type of cruise, destination, and cruise line(s) that align with your interests and preferences. We understand that each traveler has unique desires and requirements when it comes to their ideal cruise experience. Therefore, we will ensure that you are paired with a specialist who is well-versed in the specific cruise style you desire, whether it's a themed cruise, a luxury voyage, an adventure-filled expedition, or any other type that captures your imagination. Our goal is to ensure that you embark on a cruise that perfectly aligns with your desires, whether it's the type of cruise, the destination, or the cruise line itself. We are dedicated to creating a seamless and enjoyable booking experience, with our cruise specialists being your trusted partners every step of the way. Get ready to embark on a remarkable journey, and let our specialists guide you towards the cruise experience of your dreams.

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Destinations

To read more about any destination that Costa explores, click the name below. For a list of discounted cruises that visit one of these regions, select that region in the search box at the right and click "Show Me the Deals!"

Africa Arctic Australia & New Zealand British Isles Canary Islands Caribbean (All) Caribbean (Eastern) Caribbean (Southern) Europe (All) Greek Islands Indian Ocean Mediterranean (All) Mediterranean (Eastern) Mediterranean (Western) & Atlantic Islands Middle East Northern Europe Norway Repositioning South America Tahiti & South Pacific Islands Transatlantic Transpacific World

Everything I Ate on my Costa Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review

If you are taking a cruise with Costa you may be wondering what the food will be like. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are all included at no extra cost on a Costa cruise.

I have just disembarked a cruise on the Costa Smeralda and in this post we will look at everything I ate in the main dining room, buffet and room service. Menus are also provided.

I took my first Costa cruise in 2018 and the food quality has increased dramatically in my opinion.

Main Dining Room – Il Meneghino – Included in the Cruise Fare

There was more than one main restaurant. We were assigned Il Meneghino Restaurant on deck 6.

My parents and I had separate cruise bookings and so ended up with separate tables in the same restaurant at the same time. We asked if we were able to sit together, and they were very accommodating.

We were given a temporary table for the first night, then they sent a letter to our cabin with a permanent table number on the next day.

We ate at 5.45pm – the earliest time available. This suited us, as we rarely eat late at home.

There are no fixed dining times for breakfast or lunch. Guests are able to eat in the main dining room whenever it is open for breakfast or lunch.

Menus can be viewed in advance on the Costa Cruises App.

From The Main Restaurants Lunch Time Menu

The main restaurant on Deck 5, The Colombina Restaurant, was sometimes open for lunch.

The menu below shows a typical lunchtime selection :

Buffet – Included In the Cruise Fare

The buffet on the Costa Smeralda was open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner. It was shut in-between times, so consult your daily schedule or Costa Cruise App to check it is open before you visit.

The buffet is called La Sagra dei Sapori, and can be found towards the back of deck 8.

The buffet at dinner time consisted of:

• Mini Pizzas
• Ethnic Corner (Usually Chinese)

The sections would be different for breakfast and lunch.

The above photos are of lunches I had in the buffet. The great thing about the buffet is that you can combine anything that you think looks interesting .

The last photo is of the Costa Mini Pizzas, which were delicious!

Afternoon Snacks in the buffet for us meant Churros!

Everyday from 4pm there were a selection of afternoon snacks in the buffet

Churros became a daily routine, in the absence of my normal cookies .

There was also a good selection of sandwiches, paninis, cakes and desserts.

The Salty Beach – Street Food – Additional Charge Fast Food Restaurant

The Salty Beach snack bar can be found on deck 16, under the dome where the indoor pool is situated.

Here you can order either a meal – burger or toasted Panini with fries and a cake for €5 – or just a burger or toasted Panini for €3.50.

At time of writing, this is around $5.50/£4.50 for the meal, or $3.80/ £3 for just the burger or panini.

The burger and chips meal was huge, and we struggled to eat that – and then there was an included cake too.

Both the burgers and toasted paninis were delicious !

Burgers came in a variety of options, including a veggie burger.

Toasted Paninis had a selection of fillings.

There was a variety of cakes, none of which looked familiar to me. Nice to try something different when on a cruise. Some I liked, some I didn’t…

The food was always cooked to order, so was hot and tasty.

Pummid’Oro Pizzeria – Additional Charge Pizzeria

Pummid’Oro Pizzeria can be found on deck 8, towards the middle of the ship.

They serve a selection of Pizzas, and you pay per item, as in a normal restaurant on land.

The pizzas we chose were €9 and €11.

At time of writing, this is around $10/ £8 for one pizza and $12 / £ 9.70 for the other.

If you are a member of Costa Cruises Loyalty Club, you receive a 25% discount. Worth joining for that alone. Joining the Costa Club itself is totally free.

Other Speciality Restaurants Onboard That I Didn’t Try – Additional Charges Apply to all.

There are many other restaurants onboard that you can try at an extra cost, some formal, some informal. Here is a selection of other options available:

Archipelago Restaurant

This is a gourmet restaurant with menus consisting of 5 courses.

You can choose one of 3 different menus, and these are apparently an interpretation of a route you are travelling around the world! (They serve specialities from different places along the way.)

Costa donates € 5 to the Costa Cruise Foundation for every meal sold In the Archipelago Restaurant. This goes towards Social and Environmental projects.

Teppanyaki Restaurant

Food is served in an Oriental-style environment. Here you ca order Japanese seafood specialties. Restaurant tables are arranged around a large cooking table where the chefs prepare each meal at a time.

The Food Lab

The Food Lab is a “Seaside Cooking School” and specialty restaurant where you can try your hand at making your own dinner creations!

An onboard Sushi Bistro which offers dine-in or takeaway lunch or dinner.

Room Service

Room service is available 24 hours a day, at an extra charge. I never ordered from the room service menu on this cruise.

Check your daily schedule or onboard Costa Cruises App to find the latest details on the additional charges for these alternative restaurants.

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

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