As the last one flies the coop, Costa Cruises urges parents to take a well earned break on a long haul cruise.

It’s that time of year when a raft of new students leave home for university, leaving their parents with empty houses, full fridges and a taste of freedom – use it wisely with one of these indulgent Costa Cruises:

Treasures of the Far East
14 nights from only £1209
Costa Cruises take you on the ultimate trip to the Oriental Far East on a 14-night cruise of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and China. Enjoy leisurely days at sea onboard the elegant Costa Classica, free of the “are we nearly there yet?” whines and potter to your heart’s content through the streets of Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. Other highlights include the tropical island retreat of Hainan – known as China’s Hawaii – and the untamed jungles of Kota Kinabalu and Borneo.
Departs Hong Kong on November 20 2010
The price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.
For more information or to book, go to www.costacruises.co.uk or call 0845 351 0552.

Alluring East
22 nights from only £1279
Being foot-loose and teenager-free gives you more time to yourselves, so why not take a 22-day cruise of the Far East, taking in Malaysia, Thailand, India and the Maldives? Sailing onboard the aptly-named Costa Romantica, there’s plenty of chances to relax and enjoy some couple-time in between trips to some of the world’s most exotic and exciting places. Explore the cities of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Cochin in India as well as the beaches of Langkawi, Phuket, Male, Mahe, St Denis and Port Louis.
Departs Singapore on November 20 2010
The price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.
For more information or to book, go to www.costacruises.co.uk or call 0845 351 0552.

Middle Eastern Odyssey
18 nights from only £1089 – save £520
Whilst your offspring are off exploring new places and enjoying new experiences, why not push yourself to do the same? Costa Cruises’ 18-night cruise of the Middle East visits Egypt, Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates and offers a fascinating mix of sun, sea and culture. With trips to the pyramids and the Red Sea and tours of castles, souks and desert safaris, you’ll have plenty of stories to rival those of your kids when you’re all back home.
Departs Savona on November 11 2010
The price is based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.

For more information or to book, go to www.costacruises.co.uk or call 0845 351 0552. 

Due for delivery in summer 2011, Costa Favolosa is launched in Marghera

Costa Favolosa, the new “Italian-made” flagship of Costa Cruises fleet, took to the sea on Friday 6 August for the first time at a technical launch ceremony held at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard.

Setting sail on her first cruise in July 2011, Costa Favolosa (114,500 gross tonnage and 3,780 total guests) is the fourth of five new ships due for delivery between 2009 and 2012, marking a total investment worth 2.4 billion Euros.

The addition of the Costa Favolosa’s sister ship Costa Fascinosa, also being built in Marghera, will complete the Italian company’s ambitious fleet expansion programme when she launches in Spring 2012.

“The launch of Costa Favolosa underlines the strength and leadership of Costa Cruises,” says Marco Rosa, Area Director UK, Ireland, Scandinavia & South Africa from Costa Cruises.

“Despite the ongoing effects of the economic downturn and the uncertain outlook for global tourism, our fleet expansion programme has continued uninterrupted. The strength of our brand, which comes with a guarantee of over 60 years of experience and the quality of our product remain winning assets, highly appreciated by our customers. Also confirmed by the positive bookings achieved this summer, current projections suggest we are to end 2010 with a total of 2.1 million guests for the group as a whole, an increase of around 17% compared to last year.”

The construction of each new ship involves the labour of around 3,000 people, including both Fincantieri’s own employees and around 500 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms. Overall, the fleet investment programme launched back in 2000 by the Costa Crociere S.p.A. Group (Costa Cruises, as well as the number one brand for the German market, AIDA Cruises and Iberocruceros, which operates mainly for the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets) is worth 9.3 billion Euros.

“It is a source of great pride for us to launch this new jewel we are building for Costa Cruises, Europe’s cruise leader, with whom we are pleased to further strengthen our long-lasting, successful relationship,” says Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri CEO.

“This partnership, besides affording prestige, is absolutely vital for the future of the tourism sector and all the areas of business involved. Without the many ships built for Costa Cruises, Fincantieri would not be here today defending the company’s world leadership and the impact of the current serious crisis would be even greater. More than ever before, it is important to develop the partnership to ensure that our two companies, the leading builder and the leading operator in the cruise ship market, may long continue to represent the excellence of ‘Made in Italy’ around the world.”

The ceremony for the launch of Costa Favolosa observed the protocol laid down for such occasions by seafaring tradition. The director of the shipyard invited the Godmother, Beatrice Siri, to cut the ribbon and the bottle of champagne duly broke against the bows of the ship. Betarice Siri, Newbuilding and Special Projects Deputy of Costa Cruises, has been directly involved in the construction of the fleet’s last six ships, including Costa Favolosa, and on 8 March 2010 she received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. After the opening of the valves and the gradual flooding of the slipway where the ship has taken shape over the last few months, the hull of the Costa Favolosa was transferred for the first time to its natural element – the sea. The launch was preceded by the welding of a coin to the base of what used to be the mainmast in a ceremony traditionally considered to bode well.

As her name suggests (Favolosa is Italian for ‘fairy tale’), Costa Favolosa is intended to interpret the excitement and emotion of people who view the cruise as a magical voyage in a ‘contemporary enchanted castle’, a perfect combination of fabulous atmosphere and state-of-the-art hi-tech fun with a truly amazing range of amenities. The main on board innovations include: six new suites with private verandas and Jacuzzis, a new entertainment area for teenagers (but other age groups will enjoy it too), 4D Cinema, PlayStation World, a bar with ice-cream, drinks and popcorn, and a Teens’ Dance Floor; plus a children’s game room, and a new open-air Aqua Park water playground with its own pirate galleon.

Facilities will combine the very best of the Costa product: the Samsara Spa, one of the largest and most exclusive wellness centres ever built on a cruise ship; a large lido extending over two decks, with a sliding glass roof and giant movie screen; a Grand Prix driving simulator; and a golf simulator. The brand new design aft pool area will be particularly spacious: 1000 m2 of space dedicated to relaxation and entertainment with the added attraction of new raised whirlpool tubs.

Costa Favolosa’s position at the cutting-edge of cruise ship building technology also extends to environmental compliance, which has always been a hallmark of Costa Cruises. Similar to selected other fleet members, the Italian Company’s new flagship will be equipped for “cold ironing”, namely a system whereby the ship is plugged into shore side electrical power, enabling generators to be shut down during stopovers in port.

Costa Favolosa is set to make her debut on a three-day mini cruise departing from Venice on 4 July 2011; calling at Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Koper (Slovenia). This will be followed by her grand inaugural cruise, leaving Venice on 7 July and comprising of a ten day itinerary taking in Israel, Greece and Turkey with stopovers in Bari (Italy), Corfu (Greece), Haifa (Israel), Izmir (Turkey) and Dubrovnik (Croatia). Throughout the 2011 summer season, Costa Favolosa will be offering seven-day cruises from the Italian ports of Venice and Bari to Olympia (Greece), Izmir and Istanbul (Turkey), and Dubrovnik (Croatia).
 

Costa Cruises partners with the World Wildlife Fund and the Joint Research Centre to study whale movements and monitor climate change

New technology has been installed on Costa Pacifica to record and transmit whale sightings and monitor air pollution.

Costa Cruises has teamed up with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to monitor whale activity and with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) to monitor air pollution.

Costa Pacifica is the first cruise ship in the world to install REPCET (www.repcet.com), a trial programme designed to help reduce the risk of whale strikes while plotting the movements of these giants of the ocean.

The REPCET programme uses a global satellite network and the reports of sightings sent by participating ships in order to transmit warnings to passenger and commercial vessels whose routes are likely to take them close to the animals. Whale strikes can injure or kill the animal and also pose a serious threat to shipping.

The project is supported by WWF Italy, a partner of Costa Cruises since 2005. The partnership is now dedicated to a specific project which aims to create an integrated network in the marine protected areas of the Mediterranean. Currently the project involves the Costa Cruises/WWF-protected areas of Miramare in Trieste (Italy), Cabrera (Spain), Cap d'Agde (France) and La Galite (Tunisia).

Costa Cruises has also joined up with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and Costa Pacifica will soon be the location of a brand new series of atmospheric measurements for monitoring climate change in the Mediterranean.

Since 2005, Costa Cruises has been collaborating with the JRC on a new way of monitoring climate change. Automatic air pollution monitoring stations have been installed on three of the company’s ships, most recently Costa Pacifica. The data obtained from the stations on board the Costa ships are yielding important results for the JRC, since these kinds of measurements have rarely been taken before, particularly for such a lengthy period on the open sea.

The next round of field observations, scheduled to begin next week on the Costa Pacifica, involves the use of weather balloons that will measure variations in the concentration of ozone at different heights above sea level.

Throughout summer 2010, the Costa Pacifica is operating on seven-day western Mediterranean cruises with port calls at Civitavecchia, Savona, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tunis, Malta and Catania.

Costa’s ships are among the most advanced ships in the world in terms of environmental design, management, compliance and energy saving. Across the Costa fleet there is a policy of 100% separation of shipboard solid waste and no special waste is ever discharged overboard. Waste recycling is a top priority: approximately 1,675 m³ of glass and 451 m³ of aluminium from Costa’s ships were sent for recycling in 2008. Most of the water used on the ships in the Costa Cruises fleet is produced directly on board using desalination plants.

In November 2009, Italy’s number one cruise line presented the results from the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report (fiscal year December 2007/November 2008), drafted in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative and certified by RINA (the Italian Shipping Register). The most significant results achieved in 2008 in the area of environmental protection were a 5% reduction in fuel consumption per mile travelled; a 5% reduction in consumption of water per person on board the ships; 30% of special waste recycled, amounting to 273,458 kg; 2126 m3 of glass and aluminium sent for recycling; and an 8.5% reduction in the quantity of garbage.

Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, the German leading company belonging to Costa Crociere’s group, are the only cruise companies to have their own environmental management system developed in accordance with the latest international standards (UNI EN ISO 14001, issued in 2004) and documented in a Sustainability Report. Moreover, in 2005 Costa Cruises became the first company in the world to receive the “Green Star” across the fleet from RINA. This prestigious notation certifies that all Costa’s vessels comply with environmental standards for the prevention of pollution of the marine environment and it is actually stricter than the prevailing provisions of the international MARPOL Convention.

The technical launch of Costa Favolosa, the next flagship of the Costa fleet occurs on 6 August 2010. Like Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, Costa Favolosa will be one of the first ships in the world to be equipped for “cold ironing”, namely a system whereby the ship is plugged into shoreside electrical power, enabling generators to be shut down during stopovers in port. Costa Favolosa will start cruising in July 2011.
 

Costa Cruises launches a first for the global cruise industry

Costa Cruises is bringing mainland Europe closer to the UK and launching a brand new 11-day itinerary taking in the capital cities of seven European countries.

Departing from the UK on Costa Magica, ‘A Taste of the Great Capitals of Europe’, will transport guests to the delights of Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo and Edinburgh.

This truly cosmopolitan cruise allows travellers to visit Parisian bistros, sample fresh local seafood in Copenhagen’s Nyhavn area, take a leisurely stroll along the canals of Amsterdam and admire the 212 bronze and granite statues in Oslo’s Vigeland Park.

“Only Europe’s number one cruise company could come up with an itinerary like this one, uniting Europe and enabling guests to visit seven of the continent’s top short break destinations all in one trip,” says Marco Rosa, Area Director UK, Ireland, Scandinavia & South Africa from Costa Cruises.

“Every year we do our utmost to innovate and improve, providing a unique holiday experience that will turn our customer’s dreams into reality. We are delighted with this new addition.”

The first departure is scheduled for 29 May 2011 from Harwich. Cruises will sail from Dover on 8, 18 and 28 June, 8, 18 and 28 July and 7 and 17 August 2011. The final cruises of the season will depart from Harwich on 27 August and 6 September.

Costa Magica will call at the following ports: Le Havre, with excursions to Paris; Dover, gateway to London; Amsterdam; Hamburg, with trips to Berlin; Copenhagen; Oslo; and Edinburgh. For cruises leaving on 28 May, 17 July and 6 August, the port of call at Edinburgh will be replaced by a stopover in the Scottish harbour of Invergordon, the seaway to Loch Ness and the Highlands. Prices start from £1019pp.

About Costa Magica
Costa Magica, which was built in Genoa at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente yard and entered service in 2004, is designed to offer the ultimate in hospitality. The 1,358 roomy cabins all feature cutting-edge facilities. The central idea behind the design of the interiors, which are the work of architect Joseph Farcus, is a fantastic voyage to some of the most magical places in Italy. The central pool deck, with the Lido Maratea and Lido Palinuro, is shaped like an amphitheatre, while the aft pool deck, the Lido Positano, has a retractable glass roof so that guests can swim in any weather. One of the highlights of Costa Magica is the 1,300 m2 Spa where you can pamper your body and soothe your spirit. The two restaurants and buffet offer the best of Italian and international cuisine and the most refined palates will relish the à la carte Club Vicenza restaurant. Other “fun ship” facilities include 11 bars, a theatre extending over three decks, a disco, dance clubs, a game room, a casino and an Internet café. In accordance with the finest tradition common to the Costa fleet as a whole, art in all its forms plays a major role on Costa Magica, which features some 360 original works and 5292 copies. Particularly worthy of note are the works by teachers and students from the Brera Academy of Art, notably Fernando De Filippi, Nicola Salvatore, Aldo Spoldi, Stefano Pizzi, Pablo Togni, Christian Ribecchi and Bruno Lucchi.
 

Costa Romantica is the first ship to call into the international cruise terminal in Tianjin, the gateway to Beijing. London – 28 June 2010 – Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s favorite cruise line, has inaugurated the new international cruise terminal in Tianjin with the first port call by the Costa Romantica (53,000 gross tonnage and total guest capacity of about 1700).

The opening of the new terminal is a major step forward in the growth of cruising in China, particularly for Costa Cruises, which was the first international cruise company to enter the Chinese market. With the arrival of the Costa Romantica, the Italian Company is further expanding its cruise capacity in China: the Costa Romantica is joining her sister ship Costa Classica, already deployed in the Far East.

In all, the Costa Romantica will be calling at Tianjin 10 times this year. Since its debut in China in 2006, Costa Cruises has invested around 50 million euros in the region and quintupled its cruise capacity, with a total of 93 Chinese port calls in 2010. More than 120,000 cruise guests are expected to be on a holiday onboard a Costa ship in Asia this year. Costa’s Far Eastern cruises sail from the ports of Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Singapore and include stopovers in some of the region’s most popular resorts such as Sanya (China), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Da Nang (Vietnam), Okinawa (Japan), Kagoshima (Japan), Nagasaki (Japan), Fukuoka (Japan) and Cheju (South Korea).

“Costa Cruises is proud that the first call of the Costa Romantica, a symbol of “Italian-made” excellence and elegance worldwide, also marks the inauguration of the new Tianjin cruise terminal,” says Costa Crociere S.p.A. President Gianni Onorato. “The new terminal is a reward for our pioneering investments and work in this part of the world, and brought to fruition thanks to the invaluable support of the Chinese authorities. The ultimate aim is to popularise a new form of vacation in China, a type of holiday that was practically unheard of before in the People’s Republic: namely, cruise vacations.”

China’s third most important city in terms of commerce and industry, Tianjin is currently enjoying rapid expansion in the cruise sector. The local port, called Xingang (New Port), is the most important commercial harbour in China’s northern provinces and also serves as the port of Beijing. The new terminal is located south of the Dongjiang port area and covers some 1.2 million square metres. The area developed in the first stage of the building project comprises 700,000 square metres and can accommodate six large cruise ships at a time. The actual terminal building itself has a surface area of 59,000 square metres and can handle up to 4000 cruisers, with a total of 500,000 passengers a year.

The Italian Company’s operations in China began in July 2006 with one ship, the Costa Allegra (28,400 gross tonnage and 1000 guests), offering cruises out of the port of Shanghai. In 2008 Costa inaugurated Shanghai’s cruise terminal on the 100th cruise of Costa Allegra.

Costa was the first international cruise company to operate regular cruises in China and Asia, bringing its special brand of “Cruising Italian Style” to the Chinese market. The arrival of the Costa Allegra in Shanghai coincided with the celebration of the opening of the “Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal”.

Encouraged by the positive performance of its cruises and believing in the potential for further development of the market, Costa Cruises positioned a second liner in China and Asia in April 2009 – namely the Costa Classica (53,000 gross tonnage and 1680 guests), deployed alongside the Costa Allegra. In April this year Costa boosted its regional capacity yet again, replacing the Costa Allegra with an even larger ship, the Costa Romantica, which joined the Costa Classica.

Almost four years on, Costa has contributed significantly to the development of the cruise industry in China, consolidating its leadership in the sector. Costa is the only international line to market cruises in China and the Far East all year round. Costa has two local offices supporting its expansion in China and the Far East – one in Shanghai and the other in Hong Kong.

In January 2010, Costa was the first international operator in China to offer regular cruises to Taiwan for customers in China. There are 15 such cruises scheduled this year, each lasting five days and four nights, with departures from Hong Kong in January, February, May and June on the Costa Classica, and port calls at some of the island’s finest resorts such as Taipei, Keelung and Taichung.

The Itineraries
The two Costa liners currently operating in China and the Far East – the Costa Classica and Costa Romantica – offer both short cruises, from four to six days, favoured by the local clientele, and longer holidays, from 14 to 16 days, which are more popular with international customers.

In the 2010 summer season, the Costa Romantica will be offering five and six day cruises to South Korea (Cheju and Pusan) and Japan (Fukuoka) with departures from Tianjin and Shanghai. Meanwhile, in June this year the Costa Classica will resume her direct sailings from Hong Kong to Taiwan; then from July she will be operating out of Shanghai on four to six day cruises to South Korea (Cheju and Pusan) and Japan (Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Nagasaki).

In the 2010/11 winter season, while the Costa Romantica will be positioned in Mauritius on Indian Ocean cruises, the Costa Classica will be offering 14-day cruises from Hong Kong to Vietnam and Thailand, plus a new 14-day itinerary, which can be broken down into two seven day segments, sailing from Singapore to some of the loveliest destinations in Thailand and Malaysia.  In February, May and June 2011 the Costa Classica will once again be deployed on regular scheduled cruises to Taiwan.

In the 2011 summer season the Costa Romantica will be back in Shanghai operating on four to six day cruises to South Korea (Cheju and Pusan) and Japan (Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Nagasaki). Meanwhile, the Costa Classica will be departing from Tianjin and Shanghai on new six to eight day itineraries to South Korea (Cheju and Pusan) and Japan (Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Nagasaki). 
 

The Costa Favolosa, Costa’s new flagship currently under construction in Marghera, is now sporting the distinctive yellow funnel with the blue “C” in preparation for her debut in summer 2011.

London, 22 June 2010 – Work is continuing in Fincantieri’s Marghera yard on the construction of the Costa Favolosa, the 15th member of the Costa fleet and her funnel has now been installed: the same distinctive yellow funnel with the blue “C” that for over 60 years has graced every vessel in the fleet of Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s n.1 cruise company. Since the establishment of the historic brand in the 1940s, some 35 ships have sported the iconic Costa funnel. Like the other 14 members of the fleet currently in service, the Costa Favolosa will also fly the Italian flag, confirming Costa Cruises’ role as the only ambassador for “Italian-made” excellence in the cruise industry.

The Costa Favolosa (114,500 gross tonnage and 3780 total Guests) will enter service in summer 2011 on a grand inaugural cruise bound for Israel and Turkey, thereafter offering seven-day cruises from Venice and Bari to Turkey, Greece and Croatia throughout summer 2011. She will be the first of two sister ships set to join the Costa fleet by 2012. The Costa Fascinosa, the sister ship of the Costa Favolosa and like her built in Marghera, is scheduled for delivery in spring 2012.

Costa’s fleet expansion program, which included a total of five new ships between 2009 and 2012, is presently the largest of its kind in the world. Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica were delivered in 2009, while Costa Deliziosa joined the fleet earlier this year. The addition of the two sister ships, Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa, will complete the expansion of the Costa fleet, Europe’s biggest, which by 2012 will be 16-strong with accommodation for 45,000 total guests. All 5 of these ships have been (or will be) built in Italy by Fincantieri, each one with the labor of around 3,000 people, comprising both Fincantieri’s own employees and those of about 500 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms. In overall terms, the fleet investment program launched back in 2000 by the Costa Crociere S.p.A. Group (comprising Costa Cruises as well as the German brand AIDA Cruises and Iberocruceros, which operates mainly for the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets) is worth some 9.3 billion euros.

As her name suggests (Favola is Italian for “fairy tale”), the Costa Favolosa is intended to be the epitome of ship interior design, interpreting the excitement and emotion of people who view the cruise as a magical voyage in a “contemporary enchanted castle”.

Magic, emotion, excitement and passion: these are the elements that have always inspired Costa Cruises in the design of the ships for its fleet and the creation of a unique and unforgettable cruise experience.

The Costa Favolosa will indeed be a contemporary fairy tale ship – a perfect combination of magical atmosphere and state-of-the-art hi-tech fun with a truly fabulous range of amenities. The main innovations on board include: six new veranda Suites with their own jacuzzis; a new entertainment area called Club Cavallo Bianco, comprising: 4D Cinema, PlayStation World, a bar with ice-cream, drinks and popcorn, Kids’ Dance Floor, children’s game room, and a new Aqua Park water playground for little ones with its own pirate galleon. Facilities will combine the very best of the Costa product: the Samsara Spa, one of the largest and most exclusive wellness centers ever built on a cruise ship; a Grand Prix driving simulator; a golf simulator; a large lido extending over two decks, with a sliding glass roof and giant movie screen. Surrounding the pool is 1,000 m2 of space dedicated to relaxation and entertainment with the added attraction of new raised whirlpool tubs.

The Costa Favolosa is set to make her debut on a 3-day premiere cruise departing from Venice on July 4, 2011, and calling at Dubrovnik and Koper. This will be followed by her grand inaugural cruise, which leaves Venice on July 7: a 10-day itinerary taking in Israel, Greece and Turkey with stopovers in Bari, Corfu (Greece), Haifa (Israel), Izmir (Turkey) and Dubrovnik (Croatia). Throughout the 2011 summer season the Costa Favolosa will be offering 7-day cruises from Venice and Bari to Turkey (Istanbul and Izmir), Greece (Olympia) and Croatia (Dubrovnik).
 

The global launch of the 50th anniversary festivities for the Italian cult-movie La Dolce Vita starts in Stockholm today onboard the Costa Atlantica. Anita Ekberg, one of the leads in the movie, is Costa Cruises’ honorary guest at a luncheon in Stockholm to celebrate the anniversary, along with specially invited guests. After the celebration Ms. Ekberg will continue to cruise around North Europe onboard Costa Atlantica. The seven-day itinerary will call at the most iconic cities of the Baltic Sea: Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallin, St. Petersburg, Warnemunde/Berlin.

Enjoy the atmosphere of the terraces, even whilst out at sea and enjoy the World Cup whilst on a cruise of a lifetime.

London – 02 June, 2010 – Whilst World Cup fever is rising, Costa Cruises announces that, thanks to an agreement with Sky Italia, it will be broadcasting the FIFA World Cup 2010 on board 12 of its ships.

Costa Cruises, the largest Italian tourism group and Europe’s no.1 cruise company, will give its guests the chance to share in the adventure of the eagerly-awaited tournament; 12 live matches will be broadcast in total, each against the stunning backdrops of the Mediterranean or North Cape.

During the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 championship, to be held in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July, cruise guests on one of more than 20 itineraries will be able to cheer for their team on.

After enjoying the thrills and spills of the beautiful game, there’s nowhere better to celebrate or commiserate than out on the majestic sea with the ever-changing scenery that cruising affords.

The announcement continues Costa Cruises’ tradition of showing top sporting events onboard its ships: The Fifa World Cup 2006 semi-final and final matches, which saw Italy triumph was shown in an unforgettable and emotion-packed celebration on the central swimming pool deck’s giant screen on Costa Concordia!
 

New agreement builds on the success of the long-time partnership in providing an exceptional onboard retail experience. 

London, 28 May 2010 – Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s number one cruise line, today announced that it has entered into a new agreement with Starboard Cruise Services, Inc. The agreement continues the partnership between the companies that began in 1988. Under this new, five-year agreement, Starboard - the world’s largest onboard retailer - will provide an enhanced assortment of merchandise in Costa’s onboard shops, including a wider offering of European luxury brands as well as a more updated, fashionable collection of Costa Cruises-branded apparel and accessories.

Each year, Costa offers 250 destinations, which attract guests from more than 170 countries, across its current fleet of 14 ships, with two more ships being added within 2012. The merchandise assortment in each Costa Cruises “Galleria Shop” will be tailored to reflect the cruise itinerary and the preferences of guests based on their nationality mix. Additionally, Costa Cruises will collaborate with the Starboard personnel in the Galleria Shops to ensure consistent execution of its customer service brand strategy, which reflects the highest standard in cruise line travel. Among the range of luxury brands to be carried in the Galleria Shops will be the most renowned such as: Dior, Chanel, Bulgari, Versace, Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Moschino, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Armani, Hermes, Hugo Boss, Versace, Valentino, and Swarovski.

Starboard and Costa Cruises have also worked together to innovate the product range offered, with special regard to Costa Cruises’ in-house collection: fashion items and accessories with the Company logo reflecting the latest trends.

“Having an exceptional retail offering is an important part of the holiday experience. Costa Cruises’ ships offer a high quality product for an international clientele, including the very best of “Made in Italy”, that is synonymous worldwide with quality, good taste and prestige. That is our goal also for the onboard shopping experience,” says Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Cruises.

“Due to Starboard’s deep understanding of the most successful onboard merchandise assortments and preferences across nationalities, they have been an ideal partner for us. We look forward to working closely with them to make our onboard shops even more appealing and exciting for our guests.”

Starboard’s President Robin Norris said, “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Costa and deliver the finest onboard retail experience available. This includes further improving our assortments to reflect a greater European fashion sensibility as well as providing a more targeted offering that reflects passengers’ nationalities and the destinations they will visit.”
 

Costa Deliziosa (www.costadeliziosa.com) and her sister ship Costa Luminosa, the most exclusive and innovative ships operated by Europe’s number one cruise line, are bringing golfing and cruising closer together. They offer avid golf enthusiasts a complete golf programme with waterborne golf on the world’s leading simulator, plus shore excursions to exotic and famous golf courses in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf. The shipboardsimulator is based on state-of-the-art technology making it the undisputed leader in indoor golf simulation.  Using real balls and clubs, the simulator combines the feel of playing golf with the visuals of a live PGA event.

Guests on Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa will also be able to work on their short game using the custom putting green, which is just a chip away from the simulator.  Situated on deck 10, near the top of the ship, the practice area extends about 100 square metres and features six different holes.  The ultra-light synthetic turf and special construction techniques provide true ball roll and make this putting green very realistic for the discerning golfer.  

Golf buffs will be able to enjoy their sport in the unique setting of a fabulous fun vacation on board the Costa Deliziosa or the Costa Luminosa, emblems of Italian-made excellence worldwide, both of which are 92,600 gross tonnage and can carry up to 2,826 total guests.

Not only will they be able to play on board; the Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa have introduced itineraries featuring stops at resorts with actual courses and dedicated excursions.  In the 2010 summer season, both vessels’ Northern European cruises include tours to world-class golf courses from the two main Norwegian ports:  namely the Baerum GolfKlub Oslo and the Meland Golf Club in Bergen.  

The Costa Deliziosa offers two regular seven-day cruises:  the first to the northern fjords departing from Copenhagen (Denmark) and stopping over in Flam, Hellsylt, Geiranger, Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo (Norway).  The second itinerary also operates out of Copenhagen and takes in the Baltic cities with port calls at Tallinn (Estonia), St. Petersburg (Russia), Helsinki (Finland) and Stockholm (Sweden).

The Costa Luminosa is deployed on two regular 11-day itineraries:  the first goes to the Baltic cities departing from Amsterdam (Netherlands) and calling at Copenhagen (Danimarca), Stockholm (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), St. Petersburg (Russia) and Tallin (Estonia).  The second cruise sails to North Cape, once again sailing from Amsterdam, and includes stopovers in Hellsylt, Geiranger, Honningsvag, Tromso, Giavdal, Trondheim, Andalsanes and Bergen (Norway).

Next winter, on their Arabian Gulf cruises, the Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa will be offering tours to famous golf clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Guests will enjoy up to 60 minutes on the practice range followed by a round lasting four or five hours on lush courses carved out of the desert against a backdrop of sea, endless beaches and luxury hotels.  These international standard courses in the United Arab Emirates offer golfers of all handicaps a great game of golf.  Costa Cruises’ Arabian Gulf itinerary comprises seven-day cruises departing from Dubai:   Two nights in Dubai and one-day stopovers in the ports of Muscat (Oman), Fujairah (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Bahrain.

Cruisers who choose the Mediterranean routes on one of the other Costa ships can also go on excursions to the following courses:  the Do Santo Da Serra Golf Club in Funchal, Madeira (Portugal), the Costa Teguise Golf Club in Lanzarote (Spain), the Glyfada Golf Club of Athens and the Afandou Golf Club in Rhodes (Greece), the Kemer Golf Club in Istanbul, and the Filanda Golf Club in Savona.

The new standard in golf simulator technology

The interactive golf software is based on GPS (Global Positioning System) data and satellite imagery to create the most realistic experience in golf simulation today and allow you to play 18 holes on famous courses from around the world.  The 4D CAD (Computer Aided Design) modelling software uses the most advanced computer-generated imaging to provide the ultimate golf entertainment experience.  4D because the temporal dimension is added to the spatial:  advanced animation techniques are used to display complex sequences for moving objects.  The high definition graphics resolution in over 16 million colours is so realistic that playing virtual golf on the simulator is just like the real thing.  The computer-driven game reproduces every last detail on the video screen – buildings, fairways, water hazards, bunkers, greens and even the weather.   

You play with real balls and clubs.  Guests on the Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa can choose a set of clubs for men or women, and there are also junior sets (10-14 years old) and sets of left-handed clubs.

A system consisting of sensors positioned on the ground and two high speed video cameras is used to measure the swing path, club head speed and face angle and to calculate the force, ball speed and launch angle, shot direction, hit distance and swing tempo.  The screen displays the ball’s trajectory in 4D and players can choose between two options:  “fly-with-ball” using a virtual camera view from the ball itself, or picking up the shot in flight and showing it landing on the fairway (or in the rough). 

The golf simulator combines a high tech design concept with user friendly features, such as a touch screen monitor and instructions in a choice of 20 different languages.

There are 37 championship courses from around the world to choose from, including the St. Andrews Old Links in Scotland, Pebble Beach in California, the Preserve Golf Club in Kenya, the Kungsangen Kings Golf Club in Sweden; the El Cortante Golf Club in Sierra Nevada (Spain) and the Tempete Golf Club in Quebec (Canada).  The scenery includes desert, lakes, forests, mountains and parks – all faithfully reproduced by the simulator.  Before you start you can tour your course of choice and see a simulated “bird’s eye view” of all 18 holes.  You can choose whether you want to play a full round, the front nine, the back nine, or one hole in particular.  You can also decide on the weather conditions:  sun, cloud cover, rain and wind.  

There are several game modes, including longest drive, nearest to pin and putting green contests.  Each player’s data (name, handicap, right- or left-hander, etc.) are stored in the database so that the information can be retrieved when they start a new game.  While you play you can see the details of each stroke as well as your current score.

The simulator costs a minimum of 20 euros for half an hour.  Novices and others who wish to hone their skills can also take part in shipboard golf clinics (individually or in pairs) led by a professional golf instructor. 

The golf facilities on the Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa are managed by “Golf Community”, a partner company of Costa Cruises (www.golf-community.it).

Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa

The two Costa Cruises’ diamonds are the most exclusive and innovative members of the fleet, constituting the Italian company’s top of the range offer.  This is readily apparent in their cutting-edge design conceived by innovative architect and interior designer Joseph Farcus, and in the use of premium materials.  Costa Luminosa has 20 different types of marble, timbers, mother-of-pearl, granite, 120 “La Murrina” Murano glass chandeliers and LED lights.  On Costa Deliziosa, guests can admire various types of marble and granite, stucco applied by spatula using the technique known as “spatolato veneziano” and other decorative interior finishes including “parchment scroll” lamé, refined Zebrano wood and Wenge timber, Murano glass, stylish polished and glazed steel, and 970 La Murrina chandeliers.  In the stunning atrium, very much the focal point here as on all Costa ships, are fine works of art, notably the sculpture “Reclining Woman 2004” by Fernando Botero on the Costa Luminosa and “Sphere” by Arnaldo Pomodoro on the Costa Deliziosa.

Whether it is fun or relaxation, there are an incredibly large number of entertaining things to do on board the Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Luminosa, all involving the use of leading-edge technology:  4D cinema; roller skating track; the latest generation super-realistic golf simulator, with a real outside putting green; Grand Prix driving simulator, produced from an original GP car with the same software and technology used by the F1 champion drivers themselves in training; the exclusive 3,500 square metre “Samsara Spa” wellness centre with the Technogym Kinesis circuit, a world first; and “PlayStation World”, an area on board dedicated exclusively to PlayStation3, plus the “PlayStation on demand” cabin service.

Costa Deliziosa (www.costadeliziosa.com), the latest “diamond” in the Costa Cruises fleet, called at Muscat and Abu Dhabi for the first time on her Grand Inaugural Cruise.

Costa Deliziosa was the first ship to call at the new cruise terminal in Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos, designed to ensure fast and trouble-free handling of cruise ships as well as comfort, service and safety for passengers. Its facilities include a shopping arcade, duty-free shopping, Omani handicrafts store and a cyber café.

To celebrate the arrival of the new ship and Costa Cruises’ commitment in the region, a delegation of dignitaries, including H.E. Ahmed Abdul Nabi Yousuf Macki, the Minister of National Economy, H.E. Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, the Minister of Commerce & Industry, H.E. Dr. Rajiha Bint Abd Al-Amir Bin Ali, the Minister of Tourism, H.E. Khamis Mubarak Al Alawi, the Minister of Transport & communication, and H.E. Cesare Capitani, Italian Ambassador in Oman, visited the vessel.

“I would like to express all my satisfaction,” said Costa Crociere Chairman & CEO, Pier Luigi Foschi, “for the debut of the Costa Deliziosa in Muscat and thank Omani authorities for their cooperation. I am also very proud that the new diamond of our fleet is the first ship to call at the new cruise terminal. Since 2006, when we started our regular cruises in the Gulf, we have been increasing our presence in Muscat. In winter 2009/10 we expect a 40% increase of our guests, with an estimated economic impact of 5 million euro for the city. The new terminal will support us for a further development of our cruises in Muscat”.

Costa’s commitment to Muscat is confirmed also for winter 2010/2011, with 33 calls and 85,000 guests forecasted. In addition to Costa Cruise ships, AIDA Cruises - the German brand belonging to the Costa Crociere’s group - called AIDAdiva (69,200 gross tonnage and 2,500 total Guests), will be calling 20 times at Muscat in winter 2009/10.

Costa Deliziosa also called at Abu Dhabi for the first time on 22nd February 2010, an occasion marked by high dignitaries H.E. Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, and Mr. Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of ADTA (Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority), and H.E. Paolo Dionisi, Italian Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates has visited the ship.

According to current forecasts, in winter 2009/10 Costa will make 28 calls in Abu Dhabi with 65,000 guests in transit, a 20% increase compared to the previous year. The estimated economic impact will be about €4 million*, coming from guests’ direct spending, shore excursions, transfers, cruise operation expenditures, general expenditures. Most of Costa’s customers come from Europe (Italy, Germany, UK, Spain and France). A further increase is forecasted for winter 2011/2012 with 30 calls and 75,000 guests in transit coming from Costa’s ships.

As the first cruise company to market regular cruises in the Arabian Gulf – with Costa Classica in winter 2006/2007 – Costa Cruises have turned both Muscat and Abu Dhabi into premier cruise destinations, contributing to their development as tourist resorts.

In winter 2009/10, Costa Deliziosa, together with its sister ship Costa Luminosa, the “top of the range” ships, are positioned in the Arabian Gulf offering seven-day cruises with two nights in Dubai and one-day stopovers in the ports of Muscat (Oman), Fujairah (United Arab Emirates), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Bahrain. Costa Deliziosa will be sailing from Muscat every Tuesday from 16 March until 4 May 2010 and Abu Dhabi every Thursday from 18 March – 6 May 2010; while Costa Luminosa is departing Muscat every Monday from 14 December 2009 through until 5 April 2010 and Abu Dhabi every Wednesday from 16 December 2009 – 7 April 2010.

Four additional calls are scheduled during the positioning cruises of the two ships from Italy to the Arabic Gulf and from the Arabic Gulf to Italy. In addition to the two diamonds of the Costa fleet, Costa Europa (54,800 gross tons and 1,830 Total Guests) is offering a new itinerary: 18-day cruises from Savona to Dubai and Dubai to Savona – on an exclusive route crossing the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, including Muscat.

Costa Deliziosa left Savona (Italy) on 5 February, directed to Dubai with about 2,200 Guests on board. The itinerary includes calls at Civitavecchia (Italy), Port Said (Egypt), the Suez Canal, Sharm el Sheik (Egypt), Aqaba (Jordan), Safaga (Egypt), Aden (Yemen), Salalah (Oman), Muscat (Oman), Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Costa Deliziosa (92,600 gross tons and 2,826 total Guests), an emblem of “made in Italy” excellence, was delivered on the 29 January 2010 by Fincantieri in Venice Marghera’s ship yard at a final cost of 450 million euros.

Costa Deliziosa

Together with her sister ship Costa Luminosa, Costa Deliziosa represents Costa Cruises’ top of the range product, as the most exclusive and innovative member of the fleet. All the ship’s features combine to create an experience of “sheer pleasure”. This is readily apparent in her cutting-edge design and use of premium materials such as various types of marble and granite, stucco applied by spatula using the technique known as “spatolato veneziano” and other decorative interior finishes including “parchment scroll” lamé, refined Zebrano wood and Wenge timber, Murano glass, stylish polished and glazed steel, and 970 La Murrina chandeliers. Featuring in the stunning atrium, very much the focal point here as on all Costa ships, are fine works of art, notably “Sphere” by Maestro Arnaldo Pomodoro, and “Physical delight and intellectual delight” by leading contemporary Italian painter Maestro Mario Donizetti.

Costa Deliziosa is an ultramodern ship also in terms of environmental compliance, which has always been one of Costa Cruises’ distinguishing features. The Italian company stands out on account of its environmental excellence and innovation. Like her sister ship Costa Luminosa, Costa Deliziosa is the first vessel in Italy and one of the first in the world to be equipped for “cold ironing”, namely a system whereby the ship is plugged into shore side electrical power, enabling generators to be shut down during stopovers in port. This is a way of further reducing the environmental impact of liners when they call at ports. Other energy and fuel-saving measures have also been introduced on Costa Deliziosa, with a reduction in CO2 emissions and the objective of cutting down on waste in the use of electricity and water.

Whether it’s fun or relaxation, there are a multitude of entertaining things to do on board Costa Deliziosa, all involving the use of leading-edge technology: 4D cinema; roller skating track; the latest generation super-realistic Golf simulator, with a real outside putting green; Grand Prix driving simulator, produced from an original GP car with the same software and technology used by the F1 champion drivers themselves in training; the exclusive 3500 m² “Samsara Spa” wellness centre with the Technogym Kinesis circuit, a world first, as well as the innovative 24-carat gold facial, the ultimate skin rejuvenating treatment using a sheet of 24-carat gold leaf; and “Playstation World”, an area on board dedicated exclusively to PlayStation3, plus the “PlayStation on demand” cabin service.

In winter 2010/11 and 2011/12 the ship will be offering seven-day cruises in the Arabic Gulf from Dubai, while in Summer 2010 and Summer 2011 cruises in the Fjords and Baltic Capitals with departures from Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

Round the World Cruise

Testimony to the company’s reputation for innovation, and reflecting its pioneering spirit, Costa Cruises’ brand new 2011 brochure – available at leading travel agencies – features the return of the historic “round-the-world” cruise, on Costa Deliziosa. This wonderful 100-day trip will provide an unforgettable travel experience and the opportunity to follow in the wake of the world voyages of yesteryear while enjoying world-class amenities. Costa Deliziosa will be the first Costa ship to offer once again the historic “round-the-world” cruise, for so long a highlight of the Italian company’s operations spanning more than 6 decades.

On December 28, 2011 Costa Deliziosa will depart from Savona on a 100-day world voyage. The cruise can also be completed by stand-alone legs: from Savona to Los Angeles via the Caribbean and the Panama Canal; from Los Angeles to Singapore with stopovers in Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia; and from Singapore to Savona via Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, the Red Sea and Egypt.

*Partially based on equivalent expenses done by cruise guests in EU ports as estimated by the European Cruise Council in 2008.

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Only six days to go till the inauguration of the ship in Dubai

Only six days to go to the big inauguration event for Costa Deliziosa (www.costadeliziosa.com), the new jewel of the Costa Cruises fleet, which will be held in Dubai on 23 February in a unique and innovative ceremony staged by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), together with Europe’s number one cruise line.

Costa Deliziosa, which was built in Italy by Fincantieri and delivered in Venice on 30 January 2010, set sail from Savona on 5 February on her Grand Inaugural Cruise. This took her across the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Red Sea and Arabian Gulf to Dubai, where she will make a stopover from 23 to 26 February.

Costa Deliziosa, the 15th Costa fleet member, will be the first cruise ship ever to be named in an Arab city. The ceremony will further strengthen the links between Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and Europe’s number one cruise line, and the DTCM. More than 3,000 guests are expected to witness the event, including about 2,200 Costa guests travelling on the first sector of the maiden cruise.

En route to Dubai, Costa Deliziosa – a roving ambassador of Italian-made excellence – will be celebrating with two first ever calls: one on 20 February in Muscat, the splendid capital of Oman where the new cruise terminal will be inaugurated, and the other on 22 February in Abu Dhabi. During both stopovers the ship will be met by government delegations and Italian State dignitaries who will pay a special tribute to the Italian Tricolor.

Tuesday 23 February in Dubai will see the grand inauguration event, involving not only the ship but also the new cruise terminal at Port Rashid and part of the quay where a stage and grandstand with seating for 3,000 will be set up specially to celebrate Costa Deliziosa.

The inaugural show is set to be a memorable occasion and will stress the links between Italian and Arab culture. The first part will be an artistic journey into the history and culture of Dubai and the Emirates, with traditional dance and music. The second part will be dedicated to Italian culture, music and art. Khalid Ahmed Bin Sulayem, director general of the DTCM, and Pier Luigi Foschi, Costa Crociere S.p.A. chairman & CEO, will both make speech. There will also be an exchange of greetings between local dignitaries and their counterparts from the Italian government. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony will climax with the arrival of the godmother, who will cut the ribbon thus letting the bottle of champagne break against the bows of the ship. The event will end with a fireworks display and a gala dinner in traditional Arab style.

The naming ceremony of Costa Deliziosa in Dubai will be broadcast live on www.costadeliziosa.com. Costa Cruises’ fans can share their thoughts and report on the event through the social channels of the company (Facebook, blog, Twitter, Youtube).

The inaugural event for Costa Deliziosa is taking place in Dubai under the patronage of the Italian Embassy to the United Arab Emirates, the Consulate General of Italy in Dubai and the ICE (Istituto Italiano per il Commercio Estero, or Italian Institute of Foreign Trade). It is being staged in partnership with Alpha Tours, Dnata, Emirates, Grand Hyatt, Gulf Venture, Jumeirah, Maserati and RHS (Raiss Hassan Saadi Group).

This event is the result of an alliance between Costa Cruises, the first operator in the world to market regular cruises in the Gulf back in 2006, and the Government of Dubai, through the DTCM. This solid partnership has contributed to the development of local tourism.

Following her Grand Inaugural Cruise, which will continue after the event to India and the Maldives, Costa Deliziosa will be redeployed back in Dubai in March where, like her sister ship Costa Luminosa, she will be offering seven-day Arabian Gulf cruises.

The itinerary includes two nights in Dubai and one-day stopovers in the ports of Muscat (Oman), Fujairah & Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and Bahrain. Costa Deliziosa will be sailing from Dubai every Sunday from 14 March to 9 May 2010; the Costa Luminosa is departing every Saturday until 10 April 2010.

Looking beyond the two jewels of the Costa fleet, Costa Europa is operating another intercontinental itinerary this winter: 18-day cruises from Savona to Dubai and Dubai to Savona – on an exclusive route crossing the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

In winter 2010/2011, Costa Cruises will once again be offering seven-day Gulf cruises on Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa, the top of the range of Europe’s number one cruise line.

In summer this year and next, Costa Deliziosa will be deployed on cruises to the Norwegian fjords and Baltic cities. Another highlight will be on 28 December 2011, when she sets sail from Savona on an exceptional 100-night round-the-world cruise, which can also be broken down into three stand-alone segments: Savona-Los Angeles; Los Angeles-Singapore; Singapore-Dubai.

Costa Deliziosa will be named in Dubai on 23 February with a charming and innovative event organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) together with the leading European cruise company, Costa Crociere.

The naming ceremony will take place during the ship’s grand inaugural cruise, departing from Savona (Italy) on February 5 and calling at Dubai from February 23 to 26.

Costa Deliziosa, the 15th ship in Costa’s fleet, will be the first ever cruise ship to be named in an Arabian city. The ceremony will further strengthen the ties between Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, and DTCM.

Over 3,000 guests are expected to attend the event, including about 2000 Costa Guests cruising on the first leg of the grand inaugural cruise.
This was announced at a Press conference aboard Costa Luminosa at Dubai Cruise Terminal on Saturday.

It was addressed by Fabrizia Greppi, Costa Cruises Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Communications, and Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM Executive Director Business Tourism. Also present were Mr. Saleh Al Geziry, DTCM Director Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, and Mr. Tarek Bin Khalifa, Commercial Director of Dubai World –UAE, and the Italian Consul General in Dubai.

“The naming ceremony of our fifteenth ship, Costa Deliziosa, in Dubai confirms again our pioneering spirit in setting “new record” and strengthens the partnership between Costa Cruises and the Dubai Emirate. We are working together the DTCM to create an unforgettable event rich with surprise and atmosphere, combining the charming tradition of an Arabian night with the unique Italian style by Costa Cruises,” said Fabrizia Greppi, Costa Cruises Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Communications.

“Our Italian Company was the first and it’s still the major operator to believe in the value of this new cruise destination, confirming the pioneering spirit of Costa Cruises. Thanks to our four-year-partnership with DTCM, we are boosting our presence in the Arabian Gulf by bringing ships to Dubai, such as Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa, which are ambassadors of the best “made in Italy” in the world. In winter 2009/10 we expect a 40 per cent increase of our Guest cruising to Dubai, with an estimated economic impact of 14 million euro for the city.”

Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM Executive Director Business Tourism, said: “Dubai is steaming ahead and we look forward to a period of tremendous growth in cruise tourism segment. Cruise tourists are becoming an increasingly important part of Dubai’s tourism industry. Costa Cruises made Dubai its regional cruise hub in 2006 giving the growing cruise industry a major boost. Costa’s decision reconfirms the potential of Dubai as the regional cruise industry hub. We are delighted with their decision and assure of our whole hearted cooperation and support to make the initiative successful. We are confident that this will help expand the cruise tourism industry in the region and stimulate other cruise operators to use the emirate as a cruise hub.”

In 2009, Dubai played a host to 100 cruise ships that brought 260,000 cruise tourists. This year, Dubai will be hosting 120 ships with over 325,000 passengers after the new Dubai Cruise Terminal gets operational from January 18. Next year, the terminal is expected to receive 135 ships with 375,000 passengers followed by 150 ships with 425,000 passengers in 2012, 165 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2013 and 180 ships with 525,000 passengers in 2014 and 195 ships with 575,000 passengers in 2015.

The new terminal spanning an area of 3,450 square metres will have the capacity to handle four ships simultaneously. The terminal will have facilities like money exchange, ATM machine, post office outlet, duty free shop, souvenir shops, business centre and VIP Majlis.

Costa Deliziosa naming event in Dubai will be sponsored by the Italian Embassy in the UAE, the Italian Consulate in Dubai, the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) and supported by Alpha Tours, DNATA, Emirates, Grand Hyatt, Gulf Venture and Raiss Hassan Saadi (RHS) Group.

In winter 2009/2010 season, Costa’s ships are expected to bring 140,000 passenger movements to Dubai thanks to the presence of three ships for a total of 32 calls.

Mr. Saleh Al Geziry said DTCM has been promoting cruise tourism in a big way through a variety of tourism exhibitions and road shows it participates in across the world.

Source: eyeofdubai.com

Four ships in the Costa group entered Genoa’s dry-docks for maintenance operations.

Costa Cruises, the largest Italian tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, continues to invest in fleet quality and sustainability, with four ships in the Costa group entering dry-docks for maintenance operations totalling €66 million.

The most significant works, worth approximately €55 million, are being carried out on Iberocruceros’ Grand Holiday in the S.Giorgio shipyards in the port of Genoa from December 2009 to April 2010. Operations entail a radical restyling of the ship that previously operated for the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet as the ‘Holiday’, with the new ship entering service under the Iberocruceros Spanish brand in May 2010.

Altered to accommodate the tastes of their Spanish clientele, the ship will include restyled cabins and public areas, four new suites with balconies and a new wellness centre. The hull will be painted with a special silicone-based ecological paint that reduces the formation of micro-organisms without releasing toxic substances into the sea, increasing the vessel’s hydrodynamic performance while reducing the environmental impact thanks to reduced fuel consumption. At the end of the works, the ‘Grand Holiday’ will be the fourth ship of the Iberocruceros fleet.

The ship’s first sailing will depart from Barcelona on 18 May 2010, with destinations including Villafranche-sur-Mer, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres. For the entire summer season the ship will sail seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean: departing from Barcelona on Sunday, she will make calls to Villafranche-sur-Mer, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and La Goulette.

Besides the Grand Holiday, three other ships belonging to Costa Cruises brand entered dry-docks: Costa Magica (4 to 18 November) and the Costa Mediterranea (21 November – 5 December) in Palermo; while the Costa Marina (4 to 18 November) docked in Genoa.

Works on Costa Mediterranea, Costa Magica and the Costa Marina are routine maintenance operations which are carried out by the Italian company every two years to maintain its fleet’s high standards which comply with Italian and international safety norms. The works involve the hull and engine as well as the ‘hotel’ section. Carpeting, curtains, fabrics and other objects and materials subject to wear and tear will be replaced in the public areas and in cabins. The ‘hull and engine’ areas will be the biggest job, involving cleaning and painting the hull. ‘Inverters’, devices that optimise conditioning system operation while reducing fuel consumption and the subsequent CO2 emissions, will be installed in the Costa Magica’s engine room conditioning system. These have already been successfully tested on two other ships in the fleet,

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Start 2010 as you mean to go on with a relaxing Samsara Spa break aboard Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises boasts some of the largest and most luxurious spas afloat, aboard four of its newest ships - Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica and Costa Luminosa.

The Samsara Spas each feature a Thalassotherapy bath, a rock sauna, a Turkish bath and a comprehensive list of treatments. With a fitness centre offering a selection of exercise classes and a dedicated wellness restaurant, featuring a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef and founder of molecular cuisine, Ettore Bocchia, the spas are the perfect way to start a health kick, get fit and lose weight.

Book a Samsara spa cabin aboard the cruises below and enjoy unlimited, direct access to the adult-only spa and access to the Wellness restaurant. You will also enjoy two exercise classes and two treatments, choosing from: Balinese massage, Samsara stone therapy, Elemis pro-collagen marine facial, Therapie Hydra-lift facial, Elemis lime & ginger salt glow and Samsara frangipani body nourish float.

Costa Luminosa – Jewels of the Emirates

Seven nights Cruise Only – from only £951 per person, sharing a Samsara cabin

Taking in Dubai, Bahrain, Fujayrah, Abu Dhabi and Muscat, this cruise encompasses some of the world’s most modern cities, as well its most ancient traditions, taking in deserts, mosques and bustling markets along the way.

Departs Dubai, on 9, 16, 23 or 30 January.

Costa Pacifica – Mediterranean Highlights

11 nights Cruise Only – from only £949 per person, sharing a Samsara cabin

Sailing through Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and Italy, this cruise takes in the gems of the Mediterranean: visit the ancient treasures of Olympia, Athens and Rhodes; learn the legends of the gods in Cyprus; explore the mystery of the Pyramids; and wander the living museum that is the city of Rome.

Departs Savona on 8 and 30 January

Costa Serena – Canary Islands

11 nights Cruise Only – from only £949 per person, sharing a Samsara cabin

After a long British winter, enjoy the sunshine and bright colours of Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Madeira. Visit Gaudi’s vibrant artworks in Barcelona, take in Morocco’s souks, bursting with multi-coloured leathers and silks, and enjoy the sub-tropical vegetation of Tenerife’s San Andres and the botanical gardens of Funchal.

Departs Savona on 7, 18 and 29 January

Costa Concordia – Brazil

7 nights Cruise Only – from only £1049 per person, sharing a Samsara cabin

Discover the best of Brazil on this cruise, taking in the lively city of Rio de Janeiro, the fine colonial architecture of Salvador de Bahia and some of the country’s best beaches and most beautiful landscapes.

Departs Santos on 2, 9, 16 and 23 January

Prices are based on a cruise-only basis, including all meals, entertainment and activities. Flights and transfers can be added for an additional charge.

For more information or to book go to www.costacruises.co.uk or call 020 7940 4499

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