Cruise without internet: This is how young people use the Costa Toscana!

Cruise without internet: This is how young people use the Costa Toscana!

On the Costa Toscana, the new flagship of the Costa fleet, guests experience an exciting cruise in the western Mediterranean. There are currently more than 6,000 passengers on board, which is a completely different dimension compared to the dream ship Amadea, which can only accommodate a tenth of this number. The author's 17-year-old niece is on her first cruise, and although there were concerns as she is often busy with her smartphone, she quickly shows that it can be fun even without a constant internet connection.

The journey begins with cocktails as storm clouds gather over Savona. But out at sea, the niece has to come to terms with a painful loss after setting sail: there is no longer any cell phone reception, which makes her despair because contact with her friends has been lost. A survey by AIDA Cruises shows that fast internet is very important for many young people on cruises. Costa Toscana offers the Starlink broadband service, available since July 2023, originally tailored to the needs of young travelers.

Young people on board

Guilherme Marques, the chief animator for kids and teens, notes that traditional programs such as competitions are becoming less and less popular among young people. They often want to share their experiences online immediately, which makes it difficult to adapt the activities on board. On the first evening, the niece wants to come to dinner in casual everyday clothes, but feels uncomfortable and ultimately decides on something more formal. After dinner, she beams with joy and is ready to enjoy the evening show.

But not everything is going well: the dance floor in the TeenZone remains empty because many teenagers are afraid of exposing themselves on social media. Still, the niece seems to appreciate the trip overall. The day at sea and the various stops in cities such as Marseille, Barcelona and Rome in particular offer a welcome change and many new impressions.

Comfort and amenities on the Costa Toscana

The Costa Toscana, which sails a regular 8-day route between Italy, France and Spain, offers a variety of cabins ranging from compact interior cabins to luxurious suites. The balcony cabins are between 14 and 20 m² in size and offer modern comfort with Dorelan mattresses and 40-inch flat-screen TVs. For dining, main restaurants, specialty restaurants and buffet restaurants are available, offering a variety of culinary experiences.

The ship has numerous leisure options, including a modern gym, a water park and a spa area with a sauna and steam room. There are also entertainment options such as the professional Colosseo theater, the aqua park and numerous bars that invite guests to enjoy their time on board to the fullest. Children and young people up to the age of 17 can travel free of charge in their parents' cabin on Costa Crociere, which makes the cruise attractive for families.

The regular price for the Costa Toscana is 669 euros per person in the “Cruise Only” tariff with full board in the inside cabin. The attractive combination of leisure activities and the possibility of traveling without an internet connection shows that even offline times for young people on board the Costa Toscana can be made exciting and eventful.

You can find more information about Costa Toscana on the website Augsburger Allgemeine and Cruise practice.