Klaipeda is an up-and-coming, quaint and charming seaside city that presents opportunities to explore cultural, historical and natural attractions. The region bills itself as “One port, three destinations,” and cruise ship visitors who have time will want to explore Klaipeda itself as well as nearby Nida and Palanga. Combined, the three destinations are “the jewels of Lithuania,” and all are worth a visit.

Klaipeda. From the new cruise ship terminal, the historical city center is only a few steps away. Visit the Old Town for glimpses of Germanic architecture (Klaipeda was occupied by Germany from 1939 until 1944) and half-timbered, lattice-work buildings that reflect the city’s Prussian past. Stroll through Drama Theater Square, where Hitler incited fear into Lithuanians in 1939, or visit some of the city’s many museums.

Take a break at any of Klaipeda’s 300 restaurants and cafes. Adjacent to the terminal, the Castle Museum opened in 2002 on the foundation of an old castle. The museum features authentic 16th and 17th century exhibits. Throughout Klaipeda are reminders of the Soviet occupation that visitors may find interesting.

You’re likely to see antique automobiles from Russia and former East Germany. Venture out into the country side to experience Village Life Lapiai, a preserved collective farm where traditional ways are maintained.

Nida. You’ll want to ferry across the Curonian Lagoon to visit the National Maritime Museum and make your way 30 miles south to the seaside resort of Nida. The drive itself is spectacular, as most of the route takes you through the Curonian Spit National Park, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site just five years ago.

A ribbon of blacktop rolls over and along sand dunes, the highest in all of Europe (stop to walk out on the dunes and admire the views), to Nida and Lithuania’s border with Russia.

The German writer Thomas Mann lived here in a house commanding a view over the lagoon, and today, his home serves as a museum. Along the way, stop in the resort town of Juodkrante for a stroll up the Hill of Witches, where Lithuanian folklore and fairy tales are depicted through wooden statues.

Palanga. Lithuania boasts more than 60 miles of sandy seashore exposed to the open water. Evenings in the resort town Palanga, throngs of people amble along wide pedestrian promenades, with cafes and attractions on each side, that lead out to the sea for spectacular sunsets.

You’ll want to amble over to the Amber Museum, housed in the 19th century mansion of Count Tishkevichius. There, you’ll learn that there are seven shades of amber ranging from white to black.

Millions of years ago, forests wept resin into the sea, giving birth to the amber that visitors today still find in galleries and museums. It boggles the mind how you can leave Lithuania clutching a piece of amber 40 million to 55 million years old, with “inclusions” of insects or even reptiles that were caught in the resin millennia ago.

No place in the Baltic values amber more than Lithuania. Steeped in national folklore and fairy tales, “the gold of Lithuania” is much like Klaipeda itself — lovely to look at and so special that you’ll want to take a piece home.

Klaipeda is a member of Cruise Europe.

Costa's Massimo Masso, master of five languages and ready to serve you.

On board Costa Deliziosa en route to Naples, Italy.

After 24 hours on Costa’s brand new Deliziosa, two things become apparent:

1. Deliziosa feels like a Carnival Corporation ship, which, of course, it is. Those who have cruised Carnival Corp.’s other brands, particularly Carnival Cruise Lines or Princess Cruises, will feel at home on Deliziosa.
2. There are about 1,000 people, or a little more than half of the population on this preview cruise, who look as though they’ve just stepped off a Milanese catwalk and onto the ship — and perhaps they have.

That’s because Deliziosa (is it just me or does the name sound like a cocktail or an entree at Olive Garden?) is an Italian ship through and through. On board, it’s not unusual to see people wearing sunglasses, indoors and in winter, mind you; or skirts so short, and with so little material, that it makes one wonder if the seamstress was fired before finishing her job.

There is a style and finesse that is indisputably Italian and all the things that Italy represents to the rest of the world, concisely characterized perhaps in the phrase, la dolce vita. With some imagination, Deliziosa, in fact, could well be just another small town in Italy.

“With Costa, there is a natural continuity between being on the water and being on land,” says Costa President and CEO Maurice Zarmati, explaining that Costa’s on board experience is similar to the experience guests might have if they were touring Italy.

Yes, there is the pizza and the pasta, the busy coffee shop, an appropriately ornate chapel, and the language. Filipino crew members greet guests with Bon Giorno! Presented in six languages, the muster drill is agonizingly long but handy if you’re attempting to master various European languages.

Customer service staff wear pins with flags depicting the languages they speak. I saw no one behind the desk with fewer than five flags, and one staff member proudly waved six from his lapel.

For the North American market, Costa may just be the least appreciated cruise line sailing Europe. We North Americans simply don’t think of Costa. The concept of “Cruising, Italian Style” never quite caught on, despite years of marketing to us. Does Costa deserve a second look for Americans considering cruising in Europe?

In answer to that, Zarmati asks rhetorically, “Is it better to sell an American on an American ship to a European destination, or could it be more attractive to sell an American on a European ship to a European destination?” Obviously, he believes Americans are better served by fully immersing themselves in European culture by cruising on a ship where they don’t represent the majority. Pack your sunglasses and short skirts and explore Europe the European way.

Now, it’s your turn to join the conversation. What do you think?

Deliziosa’s diversions include a 4D cinema; a roller-skating track; golf simulator with outdoor putting green; a Grand Prix race car driving simulator; the Samsara Spa and PlayStation World.

The new ship underscores Costa’s commitment to taking travelers to the safe regions in the Middle East. Beginning in February, Deliziosa will launch a series of weeklong cruises from Dubai.

In the spirit of such exploration, please enjoy The Avid Cruiser’s list of the top 10 Middle East destinations for historical interest, lovely landscapes, super shopping, spectacular cities and village life experiences.

Read more about Cruising The Middle East and The Top Ten Middle East Attractions. And be sure to tune in February 1 for a preview of the new Costa Deliziosa.