Newspaper Post March 2011
Index Costa Concordia Pg 4 - 5 Deck Plans Pg 6 - 7 Wellness Pg 8 Dining Pg 9 Entertainment Pg 10 Kids/ Shopping Pg 11 Ports of Call Pg 12 Prices Pg 13 Terms & Conditions Pg 14 - 15 Fly & Cruise Pg 16
2 Cruises 2011
Costa Crociere, Europe’s biggest and top-selling cruise line, honoured Cruises International (now Orange Cruises) exclusive agents for Malta with the most prestigious “Over the Top” award given to the 2010 top-selling agent of Costa in each region. Orange Cruises forms part of the largest region which comprises UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Belgium, Russia, Poland and all other Central and East European countries, the Balkans, the Middle East & Africa.
Our Ships
Mr. Michael Abele, Commercial Director of Orange Cruises receiving “Over the Top” award from Mr Giovanni Onorato (Costa President), and Mr Angelo Capurro (Costa Diretor for UK and Growth Markets), and Italian TV personality Ms Sarah Facciolini looking on.
With the addition of the latest flagship, Costa Favolosa, the Costa fleet now has 15 beautiful cruise ships. Each one is a gem ready to surprise you again and again with comfort, elegance and style. They are rich in unique works of art and will guide you through the oceans to the most unique places in the world.
Concordia
Cradle of European Style Its name suggests harmony among peoples, and its ambience evokes the class, culture and taste of the architectural styles of Europe. Experience it on our Mediterranean routes - Costa Concordia cruises the waters of the Mediterranean Sea all year round. A real treasure trove of innovation, it will become another destination on your cruise, to be enjoyed a little at a time. A drink in the Stockholm Sports Bar - ideal after a jog on the deck. Sample the delights of the Helsinki Coffee and Chocolate Bar. Or get together on the central deck, among the pools and Jacuzzis, under the stars. And after enjoying the dazzling range of entertainment, there’s the relaxing peace and quiet of one of the largest onboard spas at sea - the thousand and one pleasures of the Samsara
4 Cruises 2011
Concordia
Ship Specifications Tonnage: 115,000 Length: 290m Width: 33,5m Capacity: 3700 passengers Max speed: 23 knots Entered Service in 2006 Cabins and Suites • 1,500 cabins in total, including: 55 with direct access to the spa, 505 with private balcony, 58 suites, all with private balcony, 12 suites with direct access to the spa food and drink • 5 restaurants, (including the Club Concordia the Samsara Restaurant at an additional charge) • 13 bars, including a Cognac & Cigar Bar and a Coffee & Chocolate Bar
• Samsara Spa: 6,000 m2 on two levels, with gym, baths, thalassotherapy pool, treatment, rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, UVA-ray, solarium, Cabins and Suites • 5 Jacuzzis • 4 pools, including one with a retractable cover • Water slide • Multipurpose sports pitch • Outdoor jogging track Entertainment • Theatre on three levels • Casino • Disco • Grand Prix Simulator with singleseater racing car • Internet Point • Library • Shopping Center • Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation • 4D Cinema
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Deck Plans
6 Cruises 2011
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You finally find time to take a holiday with your partner, your family or your friends. You want to make the most of it, and you deserve a proper break from life’s stress. What better way than on a Costa Crociere flagship? You have some proper quality time to share with your loved ones, to destress yourself and enjoy some serene moments, taking care of your well-being. Treat yourself to a thorough massage with oils, have a healthy session at the sauna and then a relaxing dip in the Jacuzzi after a powerful shower. You deserve this holiday – Costa offer you all the means to relax and enjoy yourself: - Samsara Spa: 6,000 sq metres on 2 levels, with gym, baths, thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, UVA-ray solarium. - 4 pools, including one with a retractable cover - 5 Jacuzzis - Multi-purpose sports pitch
You deserve a holiday that pampers you 8 Cruises 2011
Indulge your senses in the ultimate dining experience.
Exquisite Costa Cuisine
Experience an unforgettable culinary delight: the choice of 50 different dishes in our restaurants, all prepared with the dedication and special attention of our skilled chefs. Indulge your taste buds in ethnic food, all types of pasta imaginable, refreshing salads, mouth-watering pizzas. For refined and exclusive dining in a relaxed atmosphere, there is the Samsara Restaurant. Here, at a small charge, the passengers can enjoy the very best cuisine in a chic intimate restaurant. For the chocolate lovers, there is the Coffee & Chocolate Bar, with a delightful chocolate fountain and various enticing bonbons.Tasty grills and pizzas are available throughout the day, and one can also enjoy an ice cream at the ice cream station. The Costa Concordia caters for special dietary needs. The staff are most helpful in assisting the passengers. It is important that all necessary information is handed over to the travel agent at the time of booking.
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Are you ready for Costa nights? When night falls on board, get yourselves ready for some surprising new adventures. You will sample a refined cocktail of different types of entertainment, to be shaken to your liking. You can look forward to scintillating shows in the Theatre, featuring internationally renowned artistes. If you are in the mood for dancing, feel the energy of the live music in the lounges, the themed parties, or the wild rhythm of the disco long into the night. Feeling lucky? Try your hand on the slot machines and roulette wheels in the Casino. And let us not forget the Bars, where you can sip on a drink and make new friends. Whatever your idea of a good night may be, we know you will have many great nights on your cruise.
10 Cruises 2011
Happy children means relaxed parents. You won’t need to worry about a bored child asking “What can I do now?” in a defiant tone of voice. There’s nothing like a Costa cruise to entertain the kids and let the parents relax. We have the most qualified entertainment staff, and the most engrossing activities, in areas that are completely safe. Priority boarding for under 3s, tempting and healthy kids’ menus, all kinds of activities from drawing to karaoke.
Navigate your way through Costa’s irresistible shopping. Shopping is something you cannot afford to miss on board a Costa ship. Imagine yourselves strolling past sparkling shop windows displaying the best of Italian-made goods, while brands like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Bulgari, Swarovsky, Rayban, Lancôme, and Dior tempt you at every step. It is all very enticing. The prices in Costa shops are guaranteed: if during the cruise you find the same product ashore at a lower price, we will reimburse you the difference. And for a truly original souvenir, take a look at the collection of beachwear and gifts bearing the Costa name. Simply irresistible. Cruises 2011
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Ports of Call Palermo
Palermo is an extraordinary city. Its history, its culture, its monuments, its gastronomy, its popular traditions, and its natural scenery offer such a rich variety that it is unavoidably one of the most interesting and fascinating places in the world. Everyone visiting Palermo, from the tourist to the visitor just passing through, discovers a city that reflects centuries of history yet at the same time is open to a thousand new influences, one that is truly a meeting-place - not only symbolic but also physical - where European cultures meet Oriental and African cultures in an extraordinary blend that is most effectively expressed in its Euromediterranean vocation. Palermo has got lots of monuments and churches, theatres and museums, places of unspoilt natural beauty that leave an indelible mark in everyone’s heart and mind
Civitavecchia (Rome)
A visit to Rome is a must. There is so much to see: from the Vatican to the Colosseum and Piazza del Popolo, all popular sights are within walking distance. Comfortable shoes are a must, but one is rewarded with historical sights every few metres: Castel Sant’ Angelo, Pantheon, Fori Romani, Piazza Navona, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia. It is a pleasure to walk in this fabulous city.
Savona
From Savona you can either opt to go to Genoa, where a visit to the Aquarium is highly recommended, or explore Portofino, a picturesque fishing village in the Costa Azzurra. The huge Genoa Aquarium is an opportunity to see an enormous variety of aquatic animals.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city. Strolling up the Ramblas is fun, while the Sagrada Familia Cathedral is one of the most awe-inspiring views one can ever see. Indeed, Barcelona is an architectural marvel, so a climb up the Montjuic Hill for a striking panorama of the city is not to be missed.
Palma de Mallorca
The capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma is a very quaint city, with many winding streets asking to be explored. A blend of ancient and modern, Palma is an ideal place to relax and have a coffee, or enjoy a walk by the seaside. 12 Cruises 2011
Weekly departures from 15th April till 18th November
All prices are valid until 30th April. From 1st May Euro100 per adult person must be added. Supplement for single person staying in a cabin is of 80% of the twin rates.
When sharing with 2 adults
Price includes:
•7-night cruise in the cabin of your choice. •Full board (daily breakfast, lunch dinner and various snacks) at a choice of restaurants. •On-board entertainment (such as animation, variety shows, discotheque entrance, etc…).
Inside Cat. I1 / I2
Not included in the price:
•Tips (Compulsory) Adult €49 / Children 14-17yrs € 24.50 / Under 14 free •Drinks, bar expenses, telephone, personal services (e.g. hairdresser, wellness centre, treatments, laundry), medical fees, purchases made in shops, etc… •The Club restaurants. •Excursions ashore. •Casino, video games, internet, Grand Prix / Golf simulators, 4D cinema, etc
Outside Cat. E2
If you book by 30 April
Balcony Cat. B1 / B2 Cruises 2011 13
Terms & Conditions 1. TRAVEL CONFIRMATION Orange Cruises Ltd (hereafter O.C.) is the only authorized sales agent for Costa Cruises in Malta. Accepting the booking request results in a travel contract between yourself and your travel agency. The travel confirmation contains the significant details of your booked services. Should the services in the travel confirmation differ from those in the booking then a new offer will be presented by O.C. In this case you have 7 days in which to accept the new offer. During this period the offer remains legally binding for O.C. Should you accept the new offer in writing within 7 days then the travel contract will be completed on this basis. 2. PAYMENT A deposit of €700 per cabin must be effected in order to obtain a formal confirmation of your holiday. 3. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Travel documents will be delivered approximately 2 weeks prior departure. If the due balance is not transferred to our account before the date of travel you are not authorised to travel, instead we may charge a cancellation fee as compensation according to point 6.1. O.C. is not obliged to accept a passenger if the balance payment has not been made before the date of travel. Travel documents are made available in form of e-docs. 4. SERVICES AND PRICES The scope of contractual services corresponds to the description in the brochure as well as the stipulated details in the travel confirmation. The same applies to the travel costs to be paid by you. All price information displayed in the brochure is based on valid rates at time of printing (March 2011) depending on cabin category and travel dates. All Cruise-Only Rates reflect starting prices and can vary on a daily basis depending on the capacity. For the available price of each stateroom and for your travel date at time of your booking please contact your travel agency. All declarations stated in the booking confirmation are binding for O.C.. Alterations and subsidiary agreements to the contractual services require specific confirmation by O.C. 5. SERVICE & FARE CHANGES 5.1 Service Changes Alterations to the cruise itineraries are possible e.g. due to official regulations, particular shipping conditions, medical emergencies, or when, due to adverse weather conditions, the Captain decides to alter the route in the interest of the safety of the passengers. The Captain makes the decisions on necessary itinerary changes and/or travel times alone. 5.2 Such and similar individual service changes and deviations from the contractual contents of the travel contract, which become necessary after conclusion of contract and which were brought about contrary to good faith on behalf of O.C., are permitted so far as the changes and deviations are not considerable and do not impair the overall form of the holiday.O.C. is obliged to inform you of possible changes. The service changes replace the original contractual obligation. Even¬tual warranty claims will remain unaffected even if the service replacement is inadequate. Should such service changes make the overall form of the tour unacceptable to you, O.C. offers you the right to either change the booking or withdraw from the contract free of charge. You also have the right to request an equivalent alternative O.C. tour, provided O.C. is able to offer such a tour without additional expenses. You must assert your rights arising from contract changes or cancellations in writing and immediately following O.C.’s declaration of the changes. 5.3 Fare Changes In lawful circumstances and within legal scope, O.C. reserves the right to pass on any increases in the costs of transportation, taxes, and exchange rates, provided the date of travel does not fall withen 21 days from departure. This is applicable exclusively for fare changes where cost factors were subject to unforeseeable changes after the conclusion of the contract. Significant and unpredictable reasons for a price increase are e.g. the increase in public dues, the increase in value-add¬ed tax, changes in the world oil prices, changes in or harbour dues, or, in particular cases, a more than 10% increase in the EURO vs. US-Dollar exchange rate. To the same extent an adjustment of the agreed travel fare is permitted should there be a change in the official passenger tariffs. As proof of the legitimacy of a price change, O.C. will provide certification of each cost and rate increase for you to check.In case of alterations of prices or services O.C. will contact you immediately but no later than 21 days prior to the scheduled sailing date. Increases after that date are not allowed. You have to assert your rights against O.C. immediately after O.C. has informed you about alterations of price. 6. CANCELLATION, BOOKING CHANGES, REPLACEMENTS AND NAME CHANGES 6.1 Cancellation through the passenger You can cancel your contract at any time before date of travel. As means of proof, cancellations should be made in writing. Your cancellation notice is effective upon receipt by O.C. Should you cancel your booking or not commence the holiday, O.C. reserves the right to levy charges for made travel provisions and expenses in-curred. When calculating the charges, O.C. takes into account the services saved and the possible other use of the services. O.C. may claim cancellation fees ex¬pressed as a percentage of the travel fare according to the amount of notice given between cancellation date and departure date, as listed below.
14 Cruises 2011
Cancellation fees: Up to 340 days before: €100 per cabin 339 to 120 days: €700 per cabin 119 to 90 days: 25% of the total fare or €700 per cabin (whichever is higher) 89 to 60 days: 50% of the total fare or €700 (whichever is higher) 59 to 30 days: 75% of the total fare or €700 (whichever is higher) 29 days or less: 100% of the total fare or €700 (whichever is higher) 6.2 Booking Changes Your booking can be changed upon request and subject to availability (rebooking). This can be done until 60 days before date of travel. O.C. charges the sum of €50 rebooking fee per person. Should you wish to make a rebooking after 60 days before date of travel, then booking changes can only be made, if at all possible, by cancelling the travel contract under the conditions stated in 6.1 and rebooking. Any form of alteration made to the date of travel, destination or place of start, accommodation, the cabin or mode of transport is considered as a change. 6.3 Replacements Up to the date of travel i.e. taking into consideration a reasonable amount of time for organisational matters, you may demand that a third party takes over all rights and liabilities of your travel contract. O.C. reserves the right to decline the third party should he/she not meet the travel requirements or should there be legal re-strictions or an official directive against his/her participation. Should a third party enter the contract then he/she and you are liable as co-debtors for the travel fare and the additional costs caused by the third party entering. 6.4 Name Changes At time of booking all passengers names need to be submitted to O.C. Names need to be congruent with the valid passenger passports. O.C. reserves the right to pass on the service charges of €50 per person for name changes after the option is confirmed. 6.5 Cancellation and rebooking fees are due immediately. 7. CANCELLATION IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES 7.1 Cancellation prior to the date of travel Should travel be largely hindered, endangered or affected due to a force majeure (e.g. through war, natural disasters, government authority measures, transport embargos, ship loss or other similar incidents) which were not predictable at the time of conclusion of the contract, then both the passenger and O.C. may cancel the contract. In the event of O.C. cancelling the holiday prior to departure the passengers receive a refund of all sums paid to O.C. Otherwise no compensation shall be payable. 7.2 Cancellation after date of travel Should cancellation be made after the date of travel then O.C. is obliged to take necessary action, if possible, for return transportation. The charges for return transport and other additional costs will be charged to you as traveller. 8. LIABILITY & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 8.1 Costa Cruises’s contractual liability is limited to three times the travel fare for damages which are not personal injuries, as far as the damage was not caused by intention or gross negligence, or as far as O.C. alone is liable for the damage caused by default of a service provider. 8.2 O.C. is not liable for changes in political circumstances or entry regulations, making an entry to the country or destination difficult or impossible, provided these occur after the printing date of the brochure. In the event that it is neces¬sary to make changes we will always try to advise you in advance, but this cannot be guaranteed. 8.3 Loss or damage to baggage: Loss or damage to baggage during embarkation or debarkation must be reported. You are obliged to notify the relevant authority or an official agent thereof in writing. Should cabin baggage be noticeably damaged externally then you must submit written notice forthwith; at the latest by the time of debarkation. Should other baggage, which has been handled or stored by the crew, be noticeably damaged externally then you must report this upon receipt of your baggage. If the damage is not noticeable externally then the notice must be submitted no later than 15 days after debarkation, receipt of baggage, or date of foreseen receipt of baggage. Should you not fulfil these obligations then you are not entitled to make a claim. Passengers’ own carrying, storing and handling of baggage on board will always be at passengers‘ own risk. 9.WARRANTY 9.1 Remedy Should you, contrary to expectation, have grounds for complaint you can seek remedy. According to the law of warranty and the right of notice, you are obliged to report the deficiency forthwith on-site to the ship’s reception or an interna¬tional hostess and then present O.C. with a time limit to provide a remedy, unless remedy is impossible or is refused by O.C., O.C. can offer remedy by providing an equivalent replacement service as long as this is reasonable. Should O.C. offer you a reasonable remedy then you are obliged to accept it. Should you refuse a reason¬able offer you are no longer entitled to make warranty claims for inconveniences. If O.C., contrary to obligation, does not succeed in providing a remedy within a given fair time limit then you may seek your own remedy. Hostesses or responsible travel staff are not authorised to recognise any claims, they may only confirm the registration of your complaints. Should you not fulfil this duty to cooperate by actual fault, then you will
not be entitled to make a claim. 9.2 Claims & Time Limits Notice of any claim must be made to O.C. within a month following the travel termination as per contract. 10. PASSPORT, VISA, CUSTOMS, CURRENCY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS O.C. is responsible for making sure that citizens of Malta where the cruise is offered are informed of passport, visa and health requirements and possible changes thereof prior to starting the journey. O.C. may delegate this instruction to the travel agent. Citizens of other countries, please check passport, visa and any other entry requirements with your own country’s embassy. In doing so O.C. assumes that there are no peculiarities in the customer itself and potential fellow travellers (e.g. dual citizenship, statelessness). The customer is responsible for obtaining and entrainment of required documents, potential mandatory vaccination as well as compliance of customs and exchange control regulations. Inconveniences that might accrue from non-compliance of these regulations e.g. payment of cancellation fees are for your account. 11. RESTRICTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS OF CONVEYANCE 11.1 For safety reasons infants under the age of 6 months are not allowed on board. 11.2 O.C. will not accept passengers who will have entered their 24 week of preg¬nancy by the time of their travel. A medical certificate establishing due date and fitness to travel must accompany an expectant mother’s application for passage. O.C. will not be responsible or liable for any complications of pregnancy which arise or occur during the cruise. 11.3 Any physical challenge or medical condition that requires special treatment or attention must be reported to O.C. at the time of reservation. For certain conditions we ask for affirmation and liability forms. O.C. has the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, in our judgment, is in physical or mental condition unfit for cruise travel or who may require care beyond what O.C.can provide. All physically impaired passengers must be self-sufficient and should travel with a passenger who will provide any assistance needed during the cruise or in the event of an emergency. Passengers who use a wheelchair must provide their own small, collapsible type. 11.4 Children under 18 years travelling without their parents must bring proof of acceptance to travel on their own signed by both parents / Legal guardians. 11.5 Wearing diapers in the swimming pools or whirlpools is not allowed. People and children dependent on diapers are not allowed in the pools. 12. MISCELLANEOUS Notice: Please keep in mind to board the ship at the embarkation port no less than two hours before the scheduled departure time. It is the guest‘s responsibility not to miss such final boarding time and the ship’s scheduled departure from the embarkation port. Any and all costs incurred as a result of not boarding the ship on time at the embarkation port shall be borne by the guest. In all ports of call you must return to the ship no less than one hour before the scheduled departure time. Please consider that shipboard and shoreside clocks may have different times, but it is the guest‘s responsibility to return to the ship so as not to miss the ship‘s departure. Any costs associated with transporting the guest to rejoin the ship including, but not limited to, government fees, visa fees, subsist¬ence, lodging, air fare, launch fare, car hire or agency fees shall be borne by the guest. For further questions please contact your travel agent or our reservations department. 13. PLACE OF JURISDICTION Place of jurisdiction for lawsuits against O.C. is Malta. Solely Maltese law will be applicable regarding the contractual relationship between you and O.C.. The same applies to the entire legal relationship. TOUR OPERATOR: Orange Cruises Ltd., 45 Ordnance Street, 1021 Valletta, Malta
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS PERTINENT TO ORANGE CRUISES LTD., MALTA. DOING A BOOKING AND PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS Holidays in this brochure are put together for the Maltese market by Orange Cruises Ltd (CI) of 45, Ordnance Street, Valletta, Malta. Booking a holiday from this brochure implies the acceptance of both the conditions set by Costa Cruises Ltd and those of Orange Cruises Ltd which is Costa Cruises’s exclusive preferred travel partner for Malta and Gozo. Once you have completed and signed the booking form and paid your deposit, which is of €700 per cabin, and have been issued a receipt by your travel agent, the booking is taken as confirmed and it is understood that you have read and accepted the accompanying terms and conditions. Full payment for your holiday must reach O.C. at least 75 days prior departure and therefore you are requested to pay your travel agent at least 80 days prior to departure to allow the agent to effect payment in time. Should payment not be received by 75 days before departure, O.C. shall have the right to cancel your holiday and charge all the applicable cancellation fees. FINANCIAL ASPECT Once you have made your booking and paid a deposit, then the cost of your holiday cannot be increased, except in the case of substantial currency fluctuations and/or increase of taxes.(see 5.3)INFORMATION CHANGES Costa Cruises reserve the right to change the itinerary due to bad weather or industrial action, in which case neither the cruise company nor O.C. are liable to pay any form of compensation for the missed ports or the change of programme. If any portion of holiday is lost due to natural disasters, bad weather, industrial action, war, government restrictions or any matter of force majeur, neither Costa Cruises, O.C. nor their subcontractors can be held liable to pay compensation or for damages incurred. In the event that a ship is prevented to enter a port in order to either embark (to start a cruise holiday), or disembark (to finish a cruise holiday) due to bad weather, industrial action, or such unexpected circumstances, O.C shall be responsible to convey the passengers to the next possible port of embarkation or disembarkation but it is also being hereby understood that neither Costa Cruises nor O.C. shall be liable to pay any expenses related to loss of holiday or other sorts of moral damages arising from such circumstances since they are completely out of the control of both Costa Cruises and O.C. FURTHER SHIP-RELATED ISSUES Costa Cruises’s cabins have 2 lower berths. In most of the cabins these twin beds can be pushed together to make a double. The 3rd and 4th beds can be either pullman beds (bunk beds) or Sofa beds. Especially the inside cabins are not suitable for 4 adults to share as cabin’s space is very limited. The bunkbeds are not suitable for older passengers or passengers with mobility problems. As a responsible Company we feel it only right to point out these possibilities, however unlikely. If you have a particular problem, please inform the ship’s reception desk/or our representative in writing at the time so that, if possible, it can be dealt with there and then. Having said all that, we want to give the following assurance about our liability to you:- We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements have been made for all the holidays which are advertised in this brochure. You will appreciate, however, that we have no direct control over the provision of services to you by suppliers so should you have any complaint which has not been successfully addressed during your vacation, kindly send it in writing to your travel agent within two weeks of your arrival back in Malta.
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Fly & Cruise
on Costa Concordia 25 Nov - 27 Nov
2 Nights Concordia Transfer: • Civitavecchia - Rome centre -Rome airport • Flight: Rome - Malta on Airmalta • All Taxes Price: €279 p/p twin in I1 (inside cabin) €299 p/p twin in I2 (inside cabin) €319 p/p twin in E2 (outside cabin) €349 p/p twin in B2 (balcony cabin) Not included service charge of €21 p/p for Triple deduct €20p/p (from twin) for Quad deduct €20p/p (from twin) Children 6 months to 17 years pay €139
311, Republic Street, Valletta Tel: 21232211 / 27232211 30, Republic Str, Rabat (Gozo) Tel: 21551126
2, Naxxar Rd, B’Kara - Tel:21443333 745, High Street, Hamrun - Tel:21240203 103, Paola Square, Paola - Tel: 21667666 39, High Street, Sliema - Tel: 21322687 8, Republic Square, Valletta - Tel: 21226633