COSTA CRUISES DONATES 100 OLIVE TREES TO CINQUE TERRE NATIONAL PARK

MIAMI (July 15, 2009) – Costa Cruises, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, planted 100 organically-certified olive plants today in the Cinque Terre National Park near Castagnoli di Riomaggiore in Italy.

As an environmental effort, Costa Cruises decided to make the inaugural event last month of its two newest ships, the Costa Luminosa and the Costa Pacifica, a “zero impact” event. Carbon dioxide emissions produced during the Guinness world record event will be offset by Costa’s planting of 100 olive trees. The inaugural ceremony took place in Genoa, Italy on June 5, 2009. The planting will repopulate nearly 2,000 square meters of terraced land in the Cinque Terre National Park.

Costa Cruises believes in and actively promotes responsible tourism. Costa’s shore side excursions are a prime example of their accordance with this high priority. Costa offers various eco-tourism excursions, comprising of visits to parks, oases and nature reserves, with programs that minimize the impact on the ecosystem and create economic opportunities for the local communities.

Environmental compliance has always been one of Costa Cruises’ distinguishing features. It’s the only cruise company to have an environmental management system developed according to the latest international standards (UNI EN ISO 14001 2004). These standards are witnessed by the Social and Environmental Report drawn up according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and certified by RINA (Italian Register of Shipping).

Costa Cruises was also the first company in the world in 2005 to receive the “Green Star” award from RINA (Italian Register of Shipping). This showcases Costa’s respect for environmental standards relating to the prevention of air and sea pollution. Further confirmation of Costa’s commitment to environmental protection comes from its partnership with W.W.F. Italia, which began in 2005, for conservation and protection of the sea. This year they are dedicated to a conservation project for the Mediterranean Sea.

In 2007 Costa Cruises endorsed the very first version of the voluntary “Venice Blue Flag” agreement designed to safeguard the environment and heritage of Venice.

The initiative, which was made known by the local municipality, is designed to reduce air emissions. Under the terms of this major environmental undertaking, Costa Cruises, along with the other signatories to the agreement, adopts standards for all its ships calling in Venice. The values are stricter than the environmental compliance provisions currently in force. In addition, each year since 2005, the Swiss branch of the tour operator Kuoni has awarded on Costa the Green Planet Award. This award is the highest seal of eco-approval in the travel and tourism sector for the exemplary ecological management and performance of its ships, aimed at minimizing their environmental impact.

Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line.  For the past 60 years its ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2008, 1.2 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the European cruise industry. The company’s 14 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Three additional ships are on order through 2012.

Costa Cruises is certified by RINA with the BEST4 status, a detailed system of voluntary certification regarding social responsibility (SA 8000 in 2001), the environment (UNI EN ISO 14001 in 2004), safety (OHSAS 18001 in 2007) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001 in 2008). All the ships in the Costa fleet have received the RINA “Green Star” award, which certifies respect for the highest standards of environmental protection. Costa Cruises supports WWF Italia in its work to protect the Mediterranean Sea. In 2008, Costa Cruises S.p.A. also came 72nd in terms of turnover and 12th in terms of profitability in the Mediobanca ranking, which covers over 3,700 Italian companies with a turnover of at least 50 million euros in the last financial year. In 2009, Costa Cruises was the fourth best Italian company for reliability and reputation in the international “Global Reputation Pulse” survey, which covers 600 of the biggest companies in 32 countries around the world.

The Cinque Terre National Park
The Cinque Terre National Park is just a few kilometers of land in eastern Liguria. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 and a few months later it was transformed into the first protected marine area and then into a national park.

The Cinque Terre National Park contains five fishing villages, winding alleys and pastel-colored houses that are all huddled together. The park is home to steep flights of stairs leading to small natural terraces with sheer drops to the sea below, picturesque churches caressed by the waves and even castles, with high stone walls and towers.

The area is cultivated with vines, olive and lemon trees and many miles of winding paths, running along the coast. The paths are located at different heights above sea level and they journey though the vivid and sweet-smelling Mediterranean maquis, the main vegetation of the Mediterranean coasts. The primary attractions for tourists include rural history, ancient rituals, crafts and traditions, including its food and wine.

Costa Cruises is Italy and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line.  For the past 60 years its ships have sailed the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations with the best in fun and relaxation. In 2008, 1.2 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the European cruise industry. The company’s 14 fleet members, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Three additional ships are on order through 2012.

Costa Cruises has been certified by RINA (Italian Shipping Register) with the BEST4, an integrated system of voluntary certification of corporate compliance with the highest standards governing social accountability (SA 8000, issued in 2001), environment (UNI EN ISO 14001, 2004), safety (OHSAS 18001, 1999) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2000). All ships in the Costa fleet have been assigned RINA’s Green Star notation certifying that they are operated in compliance with the highest environmental protection standards. Costa Cruises is an official partner of the WWF for the protection of the marine ecoregions of the Mediterranean, the Greater Antilles and Brazil.  In Mediobanca’s 2008 survey of over 3,700 Italian enterprises that recorded revenue of at least 50 million euros the previous fiscal year, Costa Crociere S.p.A. ranks 72nd in terms of sales and in 12th place in regards to profitability.

For reservations or more information regarding Costa Cruises, guests may contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit  www.costacruises.com.