New Cruise Destination: The Coast of West Africa – Other Cruise News: Costa Takes Delivery of Costa Fascinosa and Names New CEO

          THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com

          by Kevin Griffin

     The Cruise Examiner for 7th May 2012

The Ocean Princess departed Cape Town today for West Africa © Ian Shiffman

Today’s departure of Princess Cruises’ 688-berth Ocean Princess from Cape Town on a 28-night West African Adventure cruise brings attention to a new cruise destination that is slowly attracting more attention from international cruise lines. West Africa now attracts calls by Crystal Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, G Adventures, Noble Caledonia, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Saga, Silversea Cruises, Travel Dynamics International and Variety Cruises, to name just some of the more obvious. Among these, Fred. Olsen is a newcomer, and will be making regular calls next winter with its 930-berth Braemar, while Saga will have three of its ships on the coast over the next year and Travel Dynamics International is bringing in a larger vessel with the 100-berth Corinthian. Meanwhile, as Costa Cruises takes delivery of its newest ship, the 3,016-berth Costa Fascinosa, it announces some changes to its safety regime as well as the appointment of Michael Thamm as new ceo of the Costa Cruises Group.

THIS WEEK’S STORY                                          (See previous columns)

New Mega Yacht Variety Voyager To Cruise From Nice This Summer

Variety Cruises’ new 223-foot Variety Voyager, a newly-built 36-cabin mega yacht, will accommodate up to 72 passengers onn her cruises from Nice this summer.

Her sleek lines and ample deck space give her the feel of a luxurious yacht and she is furnished with warm fabrics, rich marble and wood panelling. Throughout you will find unobstructed views, while a professional crew of 28 will ensure impeccable service.

Ranging in size from 170 to 216 square feet, the cabins are arranged over three decks, all with en-suite marble bathrooms, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, safety deposit box, 24 hour WIFI internet access, flat screen television and DVD player. Bathrobes and deluxe toiletries are provided. Cabins on the Marina deck have two oversized portholes and cabins on the Main and Horizon decks feature large windows.

Variety Voyager‘s finely decorated public areas are very spacious. The main lounge offers comfortable seating with an internet and library area. The dining room seats all passengers at one sitting and has floor to ceiling windows, extending to the adjacent open deck, where meals can be taken al fresco.

The large Sun deck has Balinese beds and sun loungers, as well as the Horizon Bar & Lounge, which offers shaded seating and music in the evening. There is also a small spa with sauna, fitness equipment, massage, hair and beauty services.

The Variety Voyager‘s 7-night “Romancing the Mediterranean” cruise this summer will start and end in Nice, visiting the Cote d’Azur, St Tropez, Monte Carlo, the Italian Riviera, Elba and Corsica, with a departure from Nice every Saturday July 14 through August 25, 2012. Nice can be reached from the UK by Eurostar and TGV on the same day.

These will be followed in the autumn by 7-night “Treasures of South Italy & Malta” cruises that start and end in Salerno, navigating Sicily and the islands of Capri, Lipari and Malta, with a departure from Salerno every Saturday September 5 through October 13, 2012. Salerno also has a regular weekl;y connection from Southampton by Grimaldi Lines, with arrivals on Fridays.

For further details please call The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.