Distinguished guests including Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group, government officials, distribution partners, journalists and nearly 1,000 passengers celebrated the first round-the-world voyage from China with the Costa Atlantica, before its departure from the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.
For the first time, this ship will take Chinese passengers across five continents on an 86-day cruise, visiting 28 destinations in 18 countries.
Costa Cruises celebrated the inaugural round-the-world cruise aboard the Costa Atlantica yesterday with a pre-departure event for nearly 1,000 passengers from its home port of Shanghai. Distinguished guests, including Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Cruises Group, government officials, distribution partners, journalists, and passengers, attended the ceremony to bless the Costa Atlantica as it prepared to embark on its 86-day voyage.
“This first world voyage by a ship designed specifically for the Chinese market marks a very special milestone for the Costa Group and the cruise industry within the rapid development of our business in Asia. We will continue to invest in it and accelerate the future development of these important markets with innovative ideas and products. I wish the passengers of the Costa Atlantica a unique, eventful, exciting, and simply wonderful cruise on this world premiere!” said Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group.
The Costa Atlantica, inspired by Italian art and cinema, has been dedicated to the Asian and Chinese market since May 2013, and is highly regarded for its unique elegance and style. During its inaugural 86-day World Cruise, the Costa Atlantica will take passengers across five continents, visiting 28 destinations in 18 countries. Some of the most fascinating places on Earth are included in its itinerary: the Maldives, Athens (Greece), the island of Sicily in Italy (with a stop in Catania), Rome (Italy), Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), a 3-day stop in New York (USA), Miami (USA), a 2-day stop in Los Angeles (USA), San Francisco (USA), and the Polynesian paradise islands of Maui and Hawaii.
“As a leader in the Chinese cruise industry, we strive to offer our passengers in the region the best vacation options. Our unique Round the World package will undoubtedly exceed customer expectations. At Costa Cruises, we are always ready to introduce new approaches to make a difference in the Chinese cruise industry,” commented Buhdy Bok, President of Costa Asia.
The Round the World products represent a new chapter in the Chinese tourism industry, ushering the country into the era of world cruises. They offer a unique travel opportunity for a wider audience, introducing an innovative win-win for both Costa and its distribution partners in China. With the support of the local government, tourism boards, and other partners, this new vacation option is expected to have a significant impact on the local cruise industry.
Since Costa entered China in 2006, as the first international cruise line to operate from homeports in the country, it has supported the Chinese cruise industry, helping to make it the most exciting market in the world. Costa will always be committed to bringing the most innovative vacation options to this market.
