Genoa, September 10, 2020– Costa Cruises, Europe’s leading cruise line and part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is ready to launch its 2020/21 winter season with a new vacation offering aimed at European citizens. Having announced a few days ago the resumption of operations this month with the Costa Deliziosa and Costa Diadema, the Italian company has redesigned its itineraries from October 2020 to March 2021 to ensure a gradual return to service and the highest safety standards, in accordance with new health and safety protocols.
Costa Cruises' 2020/21 winter season will be available to all European citizens residing in countries included in the Italian government decree*. However, the restriction of cruises to Italian passengers only will remain in place for the first three sailings of the Costa Deliziosa (September 6, 13, and 20) and the first sailing of the Costa Diadema (September 19). Details and availability dates for booking the new winter itineraries for European citizens will be announced soon on the company's website and through travel agencies. Costa is working with national governments and local authorities to offer a safe and secure experience to all its guests by effectively implementing the Costa Safety Protocol on board all its ships.
The big news of the season will be the debut of the new Costa Firenze, currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera (Venice). This ship will be a showcase of inimitable Italian style, with a design inspired by the beauty of Renaissance Florence. Starting December 27th, passengers can discover this state-of-the-art vessel on a 7-day Mediterranean cruise, visiting Savona, La Spezia, Naples, Valencia, Barcelona, and Marseille.
The Costa Deliziosa 's week-long itinerary from Trieste, dedicated to rediscovering the best of Italy, will also be available to European residents on departures on September 27 and October 4. From October 10, the Costa Deliziosa will sail week-long itineraries from Trieste to the Greek Islands.
Costa's offerings in the Mediterranean will be even greater thanks to the flagship Costa Smeralda, the first Costa ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which will depart from Savona on October 10th for itineraries in the Western Mediterranean. Starting in November, the Costa Diadema will offer two wonderful destinations: a 12-day itinerary to the Canary Islands and a 14-day itinerary to discover Egypt and Greece. TheWorld Cruise is also confirmed with the Costa Deliziosa, beginning its thirteenth edition on January 3rd, 2021.
Apart from the itineraries included in this announcement, all other cruises scheduled from October 2020 to March 2021 are canceled. Costa will inform affected travel agencies and guests, who will receive rebooking in accordance with current regulations. Caribbean cruises aboard the Costa Favolosa are excluded from these cancellations. The company will provide information about these cruises soon.
With the aim of offering maximum safety and the latest health and safety procedures to passengers, crew, and local communities, the Costa Safety Protocol will be implemented on cruises during the 2020/21 winter season. This protocol includes a wide range of measures to address the situation created by Covid-19, all related to every aspect of the onboard experience, both on the ship and ashore. This collection of measures also includes the Covid antigen test that Costa will administer to all guests before embarkation, and protected shore excursions. Thanks to the advice of a panel of independent scientists specializing in Public Health, the Costa Safety Protocol is consistent with, and even exceeds, the protocols defined by the Italian Government and European authorities. The protocol is constantly updated in accordance with the evolving situation and advances in medical knowledge.
*Editor's Note: The first three sailings of the Costa Deliziosa (September 6, 13, and 20) and the first sailing of the Costa Diadema (September 19) are exclusively for Italian residents. From September 27, 2020, cruises will also be available to residents of European cities included in Annex 20 of the Italian Prime Minister's decree of September 10, Lists A and B, which correspond to: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Should any new government regulations be issued in this regard, Costa will implement them immediately and inform its customers.
