Genoa, March 2, 2018- Costa Cruises has begun selling tickets for the inaugural cruise of the Costa Venezia, the Italian company's new ship, which will make a unique itinerary.
The ship will set sail from Trieste on March 8, 2019, and, on a 53-day itinerary that will follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo to the East, will end in Yokohama, Japan, on April 29, 2019.
The cruise will take passengers on an exciting journey to discover different cultures, landscapes, and flavors, just as the Venetian explorer did. The ship will leave the Mediterranean behind and, after visiting Dubrovnik, Greece, Israel, and Jordan, will cross the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, reaching the Persian Gulf for a stop in Oman. After visits to Dubai and Abu Dhabi—futuristic cities built in the middle of the desert—the ship will set sail for India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. The final leg of the cruise will be dedicated to the Far East: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and finally, Japan.
The itinerary can be divided into three different sections: Trieste – Dubai (21 days), Dubai-Singapore (17 days) and Singapore-Yokohama (17 days), or combined with each other.
The maiden voyage is, for now, the only opportunity to enjoy a vacation on the new ship. In fact, the Costa Venezia is Costa 's first ship designed and built specifically for the Chinese market, and after this, its first voyage, it will be dedicated exclusively to customers from that Asian country. Therefore, this will be a unique opportunity to experience a cruise different from what is normally offered to European and American guests.
A unique cruise experience, starting with its interior design, will offer a truly immersive "virtual" journey to Venice. The culinary, entertainment, and shopping options will be especially appealing. Passengers on the inaugural cruise can participate in a fun-filled "Golden Party," inspired by the color that represents fortune and wealth in China, with numerous surprises and prizes awarded every 10 minutes. They can also experience the special atmosphere of a masquerade ball inspired by the famous Carnival of Venice. The onboard cuisine will be incredibly diverse: guests can savor Italian delicacies and discover traditional Chinese and Asian dishes, as well as typical offerings from the ports of call. The shopping area will be particularly spacious and will feature numerous renowned Italian and international brands.
The Costa Venezia will have a gross tonnage of 135,500 and will accommodate 2,116 cabins for a total of 5,260 passengers. A second ship built for the Chinese market, the sister ship of the Costa Venezia, will be delivered by Fincantieri in 2020.
In addition to these two ships, Costa Cruises will receive two more before 2021, built by the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, which will be among the first cruise ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The first, Costa Smeralda, will enter service in October 2019.
In 2006, Costa Cruises became the first international cruise line to enter the Chinese market, where it has since become a leader. In China, Costa are known as “Italy at Sea” because they offer local passengers a vacation experience in the Italian and European style, with high-quality cuisine, entertainment, and hospitality.
