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Costa Pacifica

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELVIN BROWN

Anyone who has sailed on Costa Cruises’ previous flagship, Costa Serena, will feel more than a sense of déjà vu when they step on to the cruise line’s latest flagship. Yet while these two vessels share the same layout and bold (some would say brash) interior design that has become such a hallmark of modern Costa ships, that’s where the similarity ends.

This latest Costa baby is the more attractive of the two. Costa Serena’s riot of colour and outlandish design has been slightly toned down to create a sense of style (in some quarters at least) that still packs plenty of wow factor.

You feel the evidence of its official name, ‘The Ship of Music’, as soon as you step into the dramatic atrium decorated with musical symbols and instruments. And music here is all around, with notes and instruments incorporated into the décor wherever possible. Even the lift doors have violins painted on them.

Each deck has its own musical theme, be it Groove, Mood, Swing or Adagio, and original music. But the high note of Pacifica’s musical attributes is its very own state-ofthe-art recording studio – the first at sea. Passengers can sing their favourite song, taken from a list of 400 titles, and record their own CD with the help of the studio’s full-time sound engineers. With a little Dutch courage, it’s definitely a fun way to spend an hour – all for €35 (£30).

Alternatively, budding musicians who don’t want to break into song can have their own private music lessons on the piano, guitar or drums.

Another ‘first’ for Costa Pacifica is PlayStation World – an exclusive PlayStation 3 video gaming area which spills on to the giant screen on the central lido deck for special PlayStation evenings.

The Pacifica has also taken some of the best features from its sister ships. There’s the exhilarating Grand Prix driving simulator, which realistically lets passengers race around four different racing circuits at speeds of up to 350km/h.

But my favourite has to be the fabulous 6,000sqm Samsara Spa, which made its first appearance on the Costa Concordia three years ago and has been a key part of each Costa ship since then. Stretching out over two decks, the Samsara is just as impressive as I remembered from previous cruises. It has classy spa suites, a bubbling thalassotherapy pool, a solarium and different rooms where the temperatures range from the hot and steamy Turkish bath to the cooler tepidarium and laconium.

Step outside and passengers can choose from three pools, including two with a retractable roof – making the Pacifica a perfect ship for winter cruising in the Mediterranean.

The Calypso pool deck is the liveliest spot to be, with live bands playing during the day and amusing antics coming from the entertainment team, who on my trip did their best to coax passengers into some salsa dancing lessons.

Passengers wanting a more peaceful option can retreat to the aft Ipanema lido pool or the smaller La Bamba pool, where it is fun to watch speed fans splash out of the corkscrew-like waterslide.

There’s definitely a continental feel to this ship – which makes it perfect for cruisers looking for something a little more international than the strictly British or American flavour found on other ships.

Dining still mainly sticks to the traditional first and second sitting formats in the main restaurants, appropriately named New York, New York and My Way, where I had some excellent meals. As you might expect from an Italian line, pasta and risotto dishes are perfect.

For diners who don’t want to follow the crowds, Costa Pacifica has two alternatives. The Club Blue Moon is the ship’s à la carte option, run under chef Ettore Bocchia, whose previous restaurants have gained Michelin stars and who is famous for his molecular cuisine.

The intimate setting makes it feel even more upmarket, though diners have to pay for the privilege with tasting menus starting at around €20 (£17) each.

The Samsara Restaurant serves up healthy options with guests staying in the spa suites dining there for free. Other passengers can book if there is space but have to pay extra.

There’s no shortage of bars and lounges to while away the days and evenings. Two of my favourites are the stylish Grand Bar Rhapsody and the convivial atmosphere of the cosier Rick’s Piano Bar. The so-called Fever Disco, with its dazzlingly underlit dancefloor, big screen and huge colour-changing chandelier was definitely the place for party animals.

As you would expect on a ship dedicated to music, there were plenty of bands in the lounges, while the baroque-style Stardust Theatre – designed with perfect acoustics – is the setting for an impressive high-energy song and dance extravaganza, which one guest commented was the best he’d seen on a cruise ship.

But what about younger cruisers? Costa Pacifica offers an admirable range of activities led by the Squok Kids Club, which are split into different age groups. There is also an outdoor Lido Squok area, complete with toys and a small pool for little children.

As for the cabins, these were spacious and my outside balcony cabin had a double bed and pull-out sofa, three wardrobes and drawers, giving space and storage for families.

The downside was that the décor wasn’t as upmarket as the higher-grade cabins, which were more attractive. But this is a small criticism of a ship that is big on panache, extravagant touches and impressive facilities.

For more, call 0800 916 3233, visit cruisethomascook.com, your local Thomas Cook or Going Places strore, or see Thomas Cook TV, Sky channel 655

Vital statistics

Passengers: 3,780 | Crew: 1,100 | Tonnage: 114,500 | Set sail June 2009

HOW THE SHIP SHAPES UP

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