Costa’s New Flagship: Costa Smeralda is a Tribute to Italy

Daniel Sacerio

Costa Cruises has presented an innovative virtual reality preview of Costa Smeralda, Costa Cruises’ new flagship and the first cruise ship to be powered both in port and at sea by liquefied natural gas (LNG) that is currently under construction at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland.

Costa Smeralda will be an authentic tribute to the Belpaese, offering a unique travel experience inspired by the style, hospitality and warmth of Italy. Smeralda’s debut is scheduled for … Read the rest

Divers Can Net Cash and Prizes for Bagging Lionfish

Blog Team

FLORIDA KEYS — Divers planning trips to enjoy the Florida Keys’ living coral barrier reef also can help protect it and give back to the environment by capturing and removing non-native lionfish from Keys waters while vacationing.

A partnership forged between the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Reef Environmental Education Foundation and the dive community has created hands-on, focused opportunities for Keys visitors who enjoy the island chain’s natural resources to take action and remove lionfish. The popular aquarium fish … Read the rest

Late Summer Full Moons to Cue Spawning on Keys Coral Reefs

Blog Team

FLORIDA KEYS — Divers and snorkelers have an opportunity to witness a fascinating annual phenomenon among coral reefs as boulder and branching corals release millions of gametes in synchronized mass-spawning rituals.

Sparked by the August and September full moons, the rare and wondrous underwater exchange of gametes (eggs and sperm) means the continued survival of coral reefs including brain and star corals and the protected elkhorn and staghorn corals. 

The spectacular white excretion enables the eggs and sperm to enter … Read the rest