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.