Genoa, November 13, 2017 – Costa Cruises, the Italian brand of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, held a coin-tossing ceremony on November 1 to unveil its newest ship, the Costa Venezia, at the Fincantieri shipyard, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, in Monfalcone, Italy. This will be Costa’s first ship built and designed specifically for passengers from the Chinese market and will begin service in 2019.
During the ceremony, a newly minted coin was placed on the ship's keel as a symbol of good luck and a blessing for the crew and passengers on future voyages. This ancient naval tradition has an unknown origin, although some historians attribute it to the Vikings. On this occasion, this age-old act united Italy and China in an event to mark this milestone, attended by government representatives, partners, and representatives from Costa Cruises.
“Costa Cruises is delighted to have a new ship built and designed specifically to offer the best experiences to consumers in the Chinese market,” said Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia. “The Costa Venezia demonstrates our commitment to and confidence in the world’s fastest-growing cruise market. The ship’s arrival in 2019 will enhance our offering and reinforce our leadership in China.”
The Costa Venezia will have a gross tonnage of 135,000 and will offer 2,116 cabins with a total capacity of 5,260 passengers. The ship's design is dedicated to the city of Venice, so passengers from this Asian market will enjoy a unique experience by immersing themselves in a multisensory "virtual" journey to the capital of Veneto, where food, art, music, and entertainment will play a key role. At nightfall, passengers can join in the onboard version of the Venice Carnival, the world-famous festival known for its elaborate masks.
“With the Costa Venezia, Costa Cruises is proud to showcase the wonders of one of Italy’s most popular and culturally rich cities to customers in the Chinese market,” said Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Group Asia. “This planned addition to our Asian fleet is part of our ongoing efforts to innovate and consistently exceed our guests’ expectations, offering authentic and unforgettable Italian experiences to all who sail with us.”
The Costa Venezia's inaugural cruise will depart from Trieste, Italy, in early March 2019, following Marco Polo's route to Shanghai and visiting countries including Greece, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Japan. Tickets for the inaugural cruise will also be available to European customers.
Fincantieri will deliver a second ship in 2020, a sister ship to the Costa Venezia and also specifically designed for passengers in this booming Asian market. These new Costa ships for Asia will be the 13th and 14th vessels built in Italy by Fincantieri for the company, representing a total investment of over €6 billion. These projects are expected to create jobs for thousands of shipyard workers and allied industries in Italy. The employment benefits extend even further, particularly regarding interior outfitting, which will involve a significant number of suppliers, mostly Italian firms.
With the arrival of Costa Venezia, Costa Cruises will reposition Costa Fortuna, one of the five Costa ships currently operating in Asia, returning it to the Mediterranean to strengthen cruise options in this strategic region.
In 2006, Costa Cruises became the first international cruise line to enter China, and since then, it has become a market leader. The launch of "Costa's New Decade" in China will provide an opportunity to continue exceeding guest expectations through ongoing innovation to deliver the best onboard experiences.
Costa Cruises markets itself in China as "Italy at sea," offering an authentic Italian and European experience to Chinese passengers, thanks to excellent hospitality, style, cuisine, and entertainment.
