Costa Cruises has presented the new season for the Costa Victoria in Tarragona. This ship, which will call at the city 23 times, either at the beginning or end of its cruise, from April 6 to September 29, will allow up to 52,000 passengers to embark or stop over at this port, 79% more than last year.
Costa Cruises and the Port of Tarragona held an event aboard the Costa Victoriato officially present the ship's operations from Tarragona in 2018. Those participating in the event included: Mr. Josep Andreu, President of the Port of Tarragona; Mr. Raffaele D'Ambrosio, Managing Director of Costa Cruises for Spain and Portugal;Mr. Jordi Sierra, Deputy Government Delegate in Tarragona; Ms. Inmaculada Rodríguez, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism and Strategic Planning of the Tarragona City Council and President of the Tourism Board; Ms. Montserrat Caelles, Councillor for Culture and the City Project of Reus; and Mr. Martí Carnicer, President of the Costa Daurada Tourism Board. and Ms. Carmen Mansilla, director of the Territorial Services of the Department of Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
The President of the Port of Tarragona, Josep Andreu, expressed his gratitude for the work carried out by all those involved in this project, “a project that creates synergies with the region's tourism sector.” Andreu also thanked the city's business sector, which was present at the event and plays a vital role in the success of the cruise project. Josep Andreu recalled the positive outlook for 2018, with 55 cruise ships and 80,000 passengers. According to the Port President, “working with Costa has allowed us to acquire invaluable know-how to face future challenges.” Finally, he emphasized the need to continue with a primary objective: “the satisfaction of Costa Cruises passengers.”
General Manager of Costa Cruises for Spain and Portugal, commented: “At Costa Cruises, we are delighted to increase our operations in Tarragona, a destination that perfectly combines all the necessary elements to attract visitors: rich cultural, gastronomic, and entertainment offerings, a wide range of shore excursions, and excellent connectivity. Thanks to the outstanding collaboration of all the partners gathered here today and the work of travel agents, it is becoming a leading cruise destination in the Mediterranean. Following last year's positive results and with a favorable outlook for this year, we have decided to invest in a larger ship, the Costa Victoria, and increase the number of port calls to further contribute to Tarragona's success as a cruise port in 2018.”
A renovated ship and two itineraries from Tarragona
Costa Cruises returns to Tarragona following the excellent reception of the Costa neoRiviera in 2017 and as a result of the outstanding work carried out with local institutions and strategic partners – a collaborative model presented as a success story at the 2017 International Cruise Summit in Madrid, one of Europe's most important cruise conferences. Furthermore, in 2018, the company opted for a larger ship, the Costa Victoria– accommodating 2,394 passengers compared to the Costa neoRiviera – which has recently undergone a refurbishment.
The refurbishment of this ship, which involved an investment of 11 million euros, included cabins as well as interior and exterior areas. On board, passengers can find five restaurants, ten bars, a wellness with a gym, treatment rooms and a sauna, three swimming pools (one of them indoors and exclusively for adults), as well as a theater, casino, nightclub, library, and a selection of new shows. Guests can thus enjoy excellent onboard service in an elegant, renovated, and modern atmosphere.
This ship will sail two itineraries. From April 6 to May 24, Costa Victoria embarking in Tarragona can visit Marseille, Savona, La Spezia, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Palma de Mallorca. On the second itinerary, from May 25 to September 29, travelers can discover Savona, Olbia, Mahón, Ibiza, and Palma de Mallorca. On this itinerary, the company offers "Fun & Beach," a cruise concept very popular with its guests, where fun, relaxation, and music take center stage.
