Art Store

Beautiful prints brought to you by Raleigh's own Art.com, can be purchased framed or unframed.


CRUISES

Cruising "Italian Style" on Costa Atlantica




Jana M. Jones, NBC 17 Travel Expert


Page Three

Café Florian
©Ray Fischer 2005
On Deck Three, in addition to the Conference Center and the Paparazzi Lounge, is Atlantica's designer Joe Farcas' pièce de resistance, the Café Florian. With its red velvet banquette seating, white marble tables, and inlaid wooden floors, the Café is a replica of the original, world famous Café Florian in St. Mark's Square, Venice, Italy. Several small, intimate rooms surround the bar and grand piano where guests can gather in these cozy -yet sophisticated- surroundings for cocktails or traditional afternoon tea. If you close your eyes you might float with the music to another world in another era.

Mangiare (Dining)

The Botticelli Buffet, Deck Nine, serves breakfast and lunch, and transforms at night to a casual, alternate dining room for those who don't want to go to their traditional seating or dress up on formal night. Easy access is available for al fresco dining at the tables outside. Several individual stations around the room help ease congestion at prime times. Breakfast fare is standard, with two well-hidden grill stations offering made-to-order eggs and omelets. At lunch time, two of the four main stations are devoted to a theme of the day, with such specialties as Mexican food, barbecue, and Oriental items. There is also a pool grill outdoors which serves hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and grilled chicken breast, plus condiments.


Tiziano Ristorante
©Ray Fischer 2005
Food quality in the Botticelli Buffet is very inconsistent and service can be poor. Don’t expect an eager waiter to snatch your tray from your arms and lead you to a nice, clean, waiting table. Your biggest hope should be that when you do find an unoccupied table, it will not be stacked high with the remains of previous diners’ meals. It’s unfortunate that the food, which is such an important part of life in Italy, does not receive higher praise, however the pleasant demeanor and smiles that are on the faces of the crew members “stretch from here to Italy.”

We really enjoyed the Pizzeria Napoli on Deck Nine, which offers a selection of rich pies from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily. A popular choice; someone always seemed to be passing by with a slice in hand.

For guests wishing a less casual (and more consistent) dining experience, the main dining room, the Tiziano Restaurant , situated on Decks Two and Three, is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Note that dining times may vary depending on whether the ship is at sea or in port. Although the food quality here can still be inconsistent, it is generally fairly well-prepared and served by a smiling, if laid back, staff. And, if something is not to your liking, servers are more than happy to exchange it for what you prefer. Costa’s emphasis on family travel is apparent here where parents and children will enjoy the special children’s menu, which offers a variety of choices to appeal to even the most finicky eater.


Page One | Page Two | Page Four | Page Five | Page Six


Back to Front Page



E-Mail Jana








All content and photos unless otherwise noted copyright Jana M. Jones, on contract to NBC 17. All rights reserved.


POSTERS AND PRINTS



Art Shop

Visit our art store. Beautiful prints brought to you by Art.com, can be purchased framed or unframed; just choose the theme.
___________