Eachsummer, in August, the Costa Line flagship Eugenio "C" (laterrestyled as Eugenio Costa) did a long cruise from Genoa. Itwas usually about 30 days or so and appealed to the Italians on long summerholidays. The itineraries varied. But in August 1978, theship -- a "cousin" of sorts to Home Lines' much celebrated Oceanic-- came to New York for the very first time. I was fortunate to goaboard.
Inside, the Eugenio"C" was pure Sixties Italian moderne: highly polishedlinoleum floors overlaid by large Persian carpets, wine-colored ultra suedechairs, florescent lighting and, on the walls, lots of contemporaryMediterranean art. Up on deck, there were several pools surroundedby colorful umbrellas, tile outer areas and those orderly rows ofcushioned chairs.
And from down below, as lunch was being prepared, you could smell the fineItalian cooking.
