Embarkation in the Port of Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe — and easily one of the most convenient cruise ports. But there’s a catch. When you mix Dalí’s surrealism, Gaudí’s architecture, vibrant nightlife, and irresistible sangria, keeping track of embarkation time can become… challenging.

This port is a starting point for unforgettable trips through historic Europe — from the sun-drenched Balearic Islands to timeless Italy and elegant France. Thanks to the gentle Mediterranean climate, cruises sail from here all year round.

And it gets better: Barcelona offers departures in any season. Whether you’re chasing a summer adventure or a quiet, cozy winter escape, you’ll find it here. The port is among the largest and most modern in the world, with excellent connections to the airport.

We did what we always recommend to our travellers: arrived the day before, checked into a hotel on La Rambla, had a fantastic dinner at the famous Boqueria Market, and ended the evening at a flamenco show. After that, we slept like babies on crisp white hotel sheets.

We made the most of the morning too: left our luggage with the hotel and joined a guided city tour. The surprise stop? A visit to "Caganers" — a shop dedicated to a very particular Catalan tradition: the “caganer” figurines, tucked into nativity scenes as a symbol of good luck. Did we buy one? Of course we did.

Caganers are traditional figurines placed in Catalan nativity scenes — they depict men or women squatting to defecate. The idea is to hide one or more of them among the other peaceful biblical figures, and guests (especially children) try to spot them. According to Catalan Catholic tradition, finding one will bring you luck all year. Yes, they take it very seriously.

Pro tip:
Getting from the city to the cruise port is easy. But once you're inside the port, distances can be long — especially with luggage or kids. Take the shuttle bus (€3/person). Totally worth it.

Embarkation Process

• Small line for luggage screening
• Quick document check
• And within minutes — you’re inside the duty-free zone

I highly recommend skipping the magnets and grabbing a bottle of sparkling wine instead — to enjoy later on your balcony as the sea stretches out before you.

Insider tip:
Arrive early. Even if your cabin isn’t ready yet, you can drop off your bags and relax on deck, grab lunch, or explore the ship’s common areas. Restaurants will already be open. No stress, no bother.

Important:
If you're boarding in Savona — Costa Cruises' main homeport — prepare for longer lines. This is where most passengers get on. For about three hours, all ship services are paused and crew undergo mandatory safety briefings.

A Day at Sea

Many travellers think of it as just “a travel day,” but it’s actually much more: a chance to unwind — whether in your cabin, by the pool, or exploring the ship. There’s plenty to enjoy: jacuzzis, all-you-can-eat buffets, bars, shows, fresh air, books, and the rhythm of the open sea.

Port 2: Palermo, Sicily

The main event? The market. Local wines, artichokes, Sicilian lemons — pure sunshine in food form.

Tip: Buy straight away. By afternoon, the market winds down with the sun.

Personal highlight? Arancini — rice balls filled with meat. But there are other versions, too: with salmon, with octopus. And of course: cannoli. One important thing — a real cannolo is filled in front of you. If it’s pre-filled, the texture’s already gone.

Port 3: Rome (Civitavecchia)

You could say a lot about Rome — but here’s enough: the cobblestones whisper stories, fountains compete with voices from trattorias, and every street corner looks like stills from a film. But one problem: there’s never enough time.

Advice: Take the cruise line’s excursion. Rome is huge. The port is far out. Italian trains can be temperamental. And time slips away quickly here — don’t leave logistics to chance.

Port 4: Savona

Another day, another market — and worth it. Sure, you’ll see the city regardless. But the Mercato Civico is an experience: prosecco, cheese, local delicacies, perfect edible souvenirs. These won’t just gather dust — they’ll be eaten long before the magnets make it to the fridge.

Port 5: Marseille

Marseille is the gateway to Provence. Fish, sea urchins, cheese, wine, and fresh baguettes — need I say more? Yes, another market. While the city’s iconic basilica is currently under renovation, believe me: there are many reasons to take an excursion inland. The memories will last.

About the Costa Toscana

On Food and Drink

Yes, there are a lot of passengers. But there’s always food. And no one is left hungry.

A few notes:

• There are fixed-schedule restaurants and à la carte ones. Go to those where you have a table assigned — it streamlines service for you and the crew.
• Menus throughout are nearly identical, but the experience is smoother when there's structure.

The food? It’s solid — and we’ve been on enough cruises to compare. Costa Toscana offers a fantastic variety of seafood for both lunch and dinner.

Not to mention the custard-filled pastries — dangerously delicious desserts you won't want to say no to.

A bit of trivia:

Every day, passengers consume 500 kg of pasta, 1,500 kg of meat, 1,900 kg of fish,
15,000 eggs, 400 kg of sugar, 1,400 litres of beer, 1,500 bottles of wine, 500 bottles of prosecco

Call it a cruise diet.

There’s also a family restaurant onboard where you can quickly get a meal and feed hungry kids. Service here is lightning-fast — they clearly know that hungry children are scarier than rough seas.

Now, for coffee lovers: the machines serve paid coffee, but prices are no higher than what you'd pay onshore.

Specialty restaurants come at extra cost. For instance, we visited the sushi bar:

For €24 per person, they brought out a “boat” of 24 assorted sushi pieces. You try the entire selection, then reorder the ones you liked — it's essentially a “refill” system.

Yes, some passengers complained there wasn’t enough salmon. But honestly, for the price, the variety and portion size were perfectly fair.

We didn’t buy a drink package — we wanted to see what the experience would be like without it, just as many of our travellers do. I grabbed coffee in the morning either from the buffet or one of the bars.

Water is always available on the buffet line. However, at lunch and dinner, there are no tea bags provided — just hot and cold drinking water. I’ll admit this: I hoarded a few tea bags in the morning, so we could enjoy tea in the cabin in the evening. Couldn’t do without it. I also tried ordering tea at the bar, but it was quite weak — so yes, stash a few for later!

As for non-alcoholic drinks, we tried a virgin mojito and a strawberry mocktail — each around €8 plus 15% service charge. If you enjoy a glass of wine or bubbly with dinner, keep in mind that in the main restaurant, a glass usually costs up to €10. And if you’re planning to dance the night away at the disco, it might honestly be worth considering a beverage package.

A litre of water costs about €4 onboard.

There’s also ice cream — available for an extra fee at the bar on Deck 8. Nearby, you'll find coffee and crêpes — the big, warm, sweet or savoury kind you associate with holiday indulgence. Tasty, atmospheric, pure vacation energy.

About the Cabins

Cabins are cleaned thoroughly every day. The staff are cheerful, always smiling, and constantly on the move — cleaning, tidying, creating a feeling of care.

There are no mini-fridges — part of the ship’s broader effort to reduce onboard plastic waste.

The cabins themselves are comfortable and inviting. I always say: a balcony is worth it if you love watching the sea. Interior cabins are perfect for those who just drop their bags, crash after a full day, and get up ready for the next adventure — especially ideal for younger travellers.

Entertainment Onboard

Let me start with something that truly moved me: a performance by an all-girl band. At the end, one of them simply and sweetly said, “Thank you.” It was sincere and simple — and it got me.

Evening live music, dance classes, the onboard talent show “Voice of the Sea” (think “The Voice,” but at sea — with passengers singing): it was fun, light, and surprisingly heartfelt.

Onboard Facilities

You’ll find pools, jacuzzis, a gym, a sauna, beauty salon, a football field (!), a running track. There’s even Pilates with a trainer — for an extra fee.

And yes, despite it being February, both the open-air pool and the waterpark were up and running. For families, there’s an indoor pool with a daytime entertainment programme, plus jacuzzis the kids can enjoy.

One small thing I missed? Photo-worthy spots. I would have loved a dramatic staircase, or a promenade-style gallery with sparkling ceiling lights. Maybe that’s just a travel-content creator’s wish. Still, I love a good visual highlight.

That’s all for now! Just remember: if you’re planning a cruise with us, we don’t just sell you a ticket. We help tailor the journey — from choosing the ship to selecting the right deck, based on your itinerary, budget, and interests.

Message us — we’ll guide you, advise you, and share our own experience on board.

With love —
for the sea, and for you,
KJ Tours