Luxury liner graces Grand Harbour

The Costa Magica, the flagship of Costa Crociere, sailed majestically into the Grand Harbour yesterday giving a start to its new spring/summer itinerary.

The 890-foot liner, which started operating in November, will be calling at Malta every Friday to pick up and drop off Maltese passengers travelling on its eight-day western Mediterranean cruise. The fact that the liner has chosen the island as one of its ports of calls, starting and finishing off the cruise in Malta, is expected to boost local tourism.

The liner, with a gross tonnage of 105,000, can take up to 2,720 passengers plus a crew of 1,068 and cruise at an impressive 22 knots.

The wide array of facilities include two, split-level restaurants, self-service buffet, a specialty restaurant, a pizzeria, a theatre extending over three decks, a two-storey disco, 11 bars, an internet café, a casino, a health and beauty centre, four swimming pools and six jacuzzis.

The eight-day cruise, which will run until November 18, starts from the Grand Harbour sailing to Palermo, Civitavecchia, Rome, Savona, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunis and returning to Malta.

Costa Crociere is represented locally by SMS Travel.