Three Costa Ships and One Iberocruceros Ship Entered Dry Docks between November and December
MIAMI, FL - (December 22, 2009) – Costa, the largest Italian tourism group and Europe’s number one cruise company, entered four ships in dry docks for routine and extraordinary maintenance between December and November. The investment totaled approximately €66 million.
The most significant investment, worth approximately €55 million, is being carried out on Iberocruceros’Grand Holiday in the S. Giorgio shipyards in the port of Genoa from December 2009 through April 2010. These operations entail a radical restyling of the ship that previously operated for Carnival Cruise Lines as the “Holiday.” The ship will enter service with the Iberocruceros brand in May 2010. The objective is to adapt the ship to the quality standards of the Spanish clientele for which it will operate. In addition to completely restyling the cabins and public areas, four new suites with balconies as well as a new wellness center will be built. The hull will be painted with a special silicone-based ecological paint that reduces the formation of micro-organisms on the hull without releasing toxic substances into the sea. This increases the vessel’s hydrodynamic performance while reducing its environmental impact given reduced fuel consumption. At the end of the refurbishment, the Grand Holiday will be the fourth ship of the Iberocruceros fleet. The first cruise will depart from Barcelona on May 18, 2010, with destinations including Villefranche-sur-Mer, Leghorn, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres. For the entire summer season, the ship will sail seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean. Departing from Barcelona on Sundays, the ship will call on Villefranche-sur-Mer, Leghorn, Civitavecchia, Naples and La Goulette.
In addition to the Grand Holiday, three ships belonging to the Costa Cruises brand recently completed dry docks: the Costa Magica (November 4-18) and the Costa Mediterranea (November 21-December 5) in Palermo and the Costa Marina (November 4-18) in Genoa.
The Costa Mediterranea, Costa Magica and Costa Marina underwent routine maintenance, operations that the Italian company carries out every two years to maintain its fleet’s high quality standards and to comply with Italian and international safety norms. The maintenance involved the hull and engine as well as the hotel section of the ships. In the hotel area, carpeting, curtains, fabrics and other objects and materials subject to wear and tear were replaced in the public areas and in cabins. For the hull and engine, the largest amount of maintenance entailed cleaning and painting the hull. Inverter devices that optimize conditioning system operation while reducing fuel consumption and subsequent CO2 emissions, were installed in the engine room of the Costa Magica. These were already successfully tested on two other ships.
Costa Cruises is Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. For more than 60 years its ships have sailed the seas of the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations filled with 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, Canada/New England, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian Ocean. Three more new ships are due to enter service by 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, 2007) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2008). All the 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 WWF Italy for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea. In Mediobanca’s 2009 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 10th in terms of profitability and 65th in terms of sales. In the “Global Reputation Pulse 2009” international study, Costa Cruises ranked first among Italian “service industry” companies. Pulse scores are a measure of corporate reputation of the 600 largest enterprises located in 32 countries worldwide.
Costa Crociere S.p.A. is a member of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
COSTA KICKS OFF FOURTH CRUISE SEASON IN DUBAI
Biggest and Best Season Yet with Two New Ships and Costa Deliziosa Inaugural Set for February 23
MIAMI, FL - (December 10, 2009) – Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, is beginning its biggest and best season yet in Dubai with two of its newest ships positioned from the region for the 2009/10 season. The stunning Costa Luminosa, inaugurated this past June, will set sail on seven-night sailings from the international locale beginning this week. Her sister ship, the Costa Deliziosa, will sail similar routes after she is inaugurated in the international locale on February 23. Stylish and stunning, both ships (92,600 tons; 2,260 dbl occ) are designed to exude the ultimate in elegance and refinement.
The inaugural season of the Costa Luminosa from Dubai will feature Saturday departures complete with two overnights in Dubai and visits to Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Her season will begin on December 12 and run through April 10. On February 23, the Costa Deliziosa will be named in Dubai during her “Grand Inaugural Cruise,” which departs from Savona on February 5. The ship will call on Dubai for her inaugural festivities from February 23-26. Guests sailing on the February 5th departure will be able to attend the naming ceremony. The ship’s regular route from Dubai will feature the same seven-night routes as her sister ship, the Costa Luminosa, with departures on Sundays. Her season will begin on March 14 and extend through May 9.
Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa will also be joined by the Costa Europa (55,000 tons; 1,494 dbl occ). The ship will offer a brand new itinerary with a series of eight alternating cruises from Italy to Dubai, a unique route crossing the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
“Costa Cruises 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 our Italian company,” said Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Cruises.” The appreciation of the destination from the public is increasing. In the 2009/2010 winter season, bookings to date are in line with the increase of the offer, that was 40% over last winter, thanks to the positioning in the area of three ships. In particular, for the first time ever we are deploying in the same area the “top of the range” sister ships Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa. Moreover, the naming ceremony of the Costa Deliziosa in Dubai confirms our growth strategy, while strengthening the partnership between Costa Cruises and DTCM (Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing). We are working together towards the same goal of creating an unforgettable event rich with surprise and atmosphere, combining the charming tradition of an Arabian night with the unique Italian style of Costa Cruises,” he added.
Costa Cruises, along with AIDA Cruises, the German brand that also belongs to the Costa Crociere group, was the first cruise company to market regular cruises in the Arabian Gulf. This presence helped turn Dubai into a major cruise destination and contributed to its growth as a tourism destination.
In winter 2009/10 Costa’s ships are expected to bring 140,000 passenger movements to Dubai given the presence of three ships - the Costa Luminosa, the Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Europa - for a total of 32 calls. The estimated economic impact will be approximately €14 million,* coming from Costa guests’ direct spending, shore excursions, transfers, cruise operation expenditures, and general food and beverage expenditures. In addition to Costa Cruises’ ships, the AIDAdiva (69,200 tons; 2,500 total guests), will call 20 times in Dubai during the winter 2009/10 season.
The immediate success of Costa’s operations in the area began in winter 2006/07 with the Costa Classica (53,000 tons; 1,308 dbl occ). The new cruise destination prompted Costa Cruises to increase its capacity in the area year after year. Costa Cruises’ passenger movements in Dubai increased from 44,000 in winter 2006/07 to 100,000 in winter 2008/09. Costa Cruises’ ships have generated substantial and growing business for the emirate of Dubai and the other ports of call on the itinerary.
Per a WEFA report, one of the most respected economic information companies, tourism’s direct contribution to Dubai’s GDP stands at 19.89 percent, while the indirect contribution is 35 percent. Dubai is poised to become the ultimate cruise destination of the Middle East. The cruise industry is rapidly growing with 260,817 cruise tourists predicted to visit the emirate during 2009, nearly a 25 percent increase over last year. In 2010, Dubai is expected to host 99 calls with over 383,000 passengers. The burgeoning cruise industry is set to grow further as the new Dubai Cruise Terminal becomes operational in January 2010.
In a survey, 80 percent of cruise passengers in Dubai noted that they would extend their visit to the Emirate during their next visit and 95 percent said they would recommend others to visit Dubai to enjoy its all-appealing facilities, pristine beaches and unparalleled shopping options.
MIAMI, FL - (December 10, 2009) – Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, is beginning its biggest and best season yet in Dubai with two of its newest ships positioned from the region for the 2009/10 season. The stunning Costa Luminosa, inaugurated this past June, will set sail on seven-night sailings from the international locale beginning this week. Her sister ship, the Costa Deliziosa, will sail similar routes after she is inaugurated in the international locale on February 23. Stylish and stunning, both ships (92,600 tons; 2,260 dbl occ) are designed to exude the ultimate in elegance and refinement.
The inaugural season of the Costa Luminosa from Dubai will feature Saturday departures complete with two overnights in Dubai and visits to Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Her season will begin on December 12 and run through April 10. On February 23, the Costa Deliziosa will be named in Dubai during her “Grand Inaugural Cruise,” which departs from Savona on February 5. The ship will call on Dubai for her inaugural festivities from February 23-26. Guests sailing on the February 5th departure will be able to attend the naming ceremony. The ship’s regular route from Dubai will feature the same seven-night routes as her sister ship, the Costa Luminosa, with departures on Sundays. Her season will begin on March 14 and extend through May 9.
Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa will also be joined by the Costa Europa (55,000 tons; 1,494 dbl occ). The ship will offer a brand new itinerary with a series of eight alternating cruises from Italy to Dubai, a unique route crossing the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
“Costa Cruises 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 our Italian company,” said Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Cruises.” The appreciation of the destination from the public is increasing. In the 2009/2010 winter season, bookings to date are in line with the increase of the offer, that was 40% over last winter, thanks to the positioning in the area of three ships. In particular, for the first time ever we are deploying in the same area the “top of the range” sister ships Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa. Moreover, the naming ceremony of the Costa Deliziosa in Dubai confirms our growth strategy, while strengthening the partnership between Costa Cruises and DTCM (Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing). We are working together towards the same goal of creating an unforgettable event rich with surprise and atmosphere, combining the charming tradition of an Arabian night with the unique Italian style of Costa Cruises,” he added.
Costa Cruises, along with AIDA Cruises, the German brand that also belongs to the Costa Crociere group, was the first cruise company to market regular cruises in the Arabian Gulf. This presence helped turn Dubai into a major cruise destination and contributed to its growth as a tourism destination.
In winter 2009/10 Costa’s ships are expected to bring 140,000 passenger movements to Dubai given the presence of three ships - the Costa Luminosa, the Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Europa - for a total of 32 calls. The estimated economic impact will be approximately €14 million,* coming from Costa guests’ direct spending, shore excursions, transfers, cruise operation expenditures, and general food and beverage expenditures. In addition to Costa Cruises’ ships, the AIDAdiva (69,200 tons; 2,500 total guests), will call 20 times in Dubai during the winter 2009/10 season.
The immediate success of Costa’s operations in the area began in winter 2006/07 with the Costa Classica (53,000 tons; 1,308 dbl occ). The new cruise destination prompted Costa Cruises to increase its capacity in the area year after year. Costa Cruises’ passenger movements in Dubai increased from 44,000 in winter 2006/07 to 100,000 in winter 2008/09. Costa Cruises’ ships have generated substantial and growing business for the emirate of Dubai and the other ports of call on the itinerary.
Per a WEFA report, one of the most respected economic information companies, tourism’s direct contribution to Dubai’s GDP stands at 19.89 percent, while the indirect contribution is 35 percent. Dubai is poised to become the ultimate cruise destination of the Middle East. The cruise industry is rapidly growing with 260,817 cruise tourists predicted to visit the emirate during 2009, nearly a 25 percent increase over last year. In 2010, Dubai is expected to host 99 calls with over 383,000 passengers. The burgeoning cruise industry is set to grow further as the new Dubai Cruise Terminal becomes operational in January 2010.
In a survey, 80 percent of cruise passengers in Dubai noted that they would extend their visit to the Emirate during their next visit and 95 percent said they would recommend others to visit Dubai to enjoy its all-appealing facilities, pristine beaches and unparalleled shopping options.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
COSTA CRUISES WINS “BEST MEDITERRANEAN, AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST ITINERARIES” IN 2009 PORTHOLE READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
MIAMI, FL - (December 8, 2009) – Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, was awarded “Best Mediterranean Itineraries” and “Best Africa/Middle East Itineraries” in the eleventh annual Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards are published in the December 2009 issue of the publication.
“We’re honored that the readers of Porthole have named Costa the best in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East once again,” said Maurice Zarmati, president and ceo of Costa Cruise Lines—North America. “As I always say, the Mediterranean is our back yard – we’ve been there for over 60 years and offer more ships and more sailings in the region than any other cruise line. Our innovative itineraries from Dubai and Mauritius are some of the most unique available, and offer a glimpse of this part of the world at a tremendous value. Grazie mille to the readers of Porthole for sharing our enthusiasm for the itineraries we offer in these regions.”
For over 60 years, Costa has sailed the Mediterranean and today offers the biggest and best selection of cruises from the region with more ships, more ports and more seven-night itineraries than any other cruise line. Costa sails the region year-round and always features its newest ships in the Mediterranean at any period of the year. In 2006, Costa became the first cruise line to home port from Dubai and has increased its capacity there ever since. 2010 features Costa’s best season yet with three ships sailing the region—the new Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa—as well as the Costa Europa. The new Costa Deliziosa will be named in Dubai on February 23, 2010. Costa is the only cruise line to home port from Mauritius, offering 14-night sailings aboard the Costa Romantica this season through March 2010.
“Costa Cruises is always a reader favorite when it comes to itineraries,” said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. “With some of the most unique and exotic itineraries out there, it’s no wonder experienced cruisers have awarded the line with these distinctions.”
Costa Cruises is Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. For more than 60 years its ships have sailed the seas of the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations filled with 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 more new ships are due to enter service by 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, 2007) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2008). All the 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 WWF Italy for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea. In Mediobanca’s 2009 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 10th in terms of profitability and 65th in terms of sales. In the “Global Reputation Pulse 2009” international study, Costa Cruises ranked first among Italian “service industry” companies. Pulse scores are a measure of corporate reputation of the 600 largest enterprises located in 32 countries worldwide.
Costa Crociere S.p.A. is a member of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company.
“We’re honored that the readers of Porthole have named Costa the best in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East once again,” said Maurice Zarmati, president and ceo of Costa Cruise Lines—North America. “As I always say, the Mediterranean is our back yard – we’ve been there for over 60 years and offer more ships and more sailings in the region than any other cruise line. Our innovative itineraries from Dubai and Mauritius are some of the most unique available, and offer a glimpse of this part of the world at a tremendous value. Grazie mille to the readers of Porthole for sharing our enthusiasm for the itineraries we offer in these regions.”
For over 60 years, Costa has sailed the Mediterranean and today offers the biggest and best selection of cruises from the region with more ships, more ports and more seven-night itineraries than any other cruise line. Costa sails the region year-round and always features its newest ships in the Mediterranean at any period of the year. In 2006, Costa became the first cruise line to home port from Dubai and has increased its capacity there ever since. 2010 features Costa’s best season yet with three ships sailing the region—the new Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa—as well as the Costa Europa. The new Costa Deliziosa will be named in Dubai on February 23, 2010. Costa is the only cruise line to home port from Mauritius, offering 14-night sailings aboard the Costa Romantica this season through March 2010.
“Costa Cruises is always a reader favorite when it comes to itineraries,” said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. “With some of the most unique and exotic itineraries out there, it’s no wonder experienced cruisers have awarded the line with these distinctions.”
Costa Cruises is Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. For more than 60 years its ships have sailed the seas of the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream vacations filled with 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 more new ships are due to enter service by 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, 2007) and quality (UNI EN ISO 9001, 2008). All the 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 WWF Italy for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea. In Mediobanca’s 2009 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 10th in terms of profitability and 65th in terms of sales. In the “Global Reputation Pulse 2009” international study, Costa Cruises ranked first among Italian “service industry” companies. Pulse scores are a measure of corporate reputation of the 600 largest enterprises located in 32 countries worldwide.
Costa Crociere S.p.A. is a member of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company.
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