Following the successful restart of Costa Deliziosa and Costa Diadema cruises, Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation & plc, has announced that from October 10, the Costa Smeralda will also return to cruise operations with new and improved health protocols.
For the relaunch of its flagship, the first ship in its fleet to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), Costa Cruises has designed a new week-long itinerary dedicated to rediscovering the best of Italy. A total of five cruises are scheduled from October 10 to November 7, allowing passengers to visit beautiful Italian cities and natural parks, as well as savor traditional local cuisine.
The itinerary begins in Savona, from where passengers can visit nearby destinations such as Genoa or Finalborgo. It then stops in La Spezia, with excursions to Cinque Terre, Lerici, Florence, or Pisa; Cagliari, followed by Naples, with the option to visit Sorrento, Pompeii, and the Royal Palace of Caserta. The final two destinations on the itinerary are Messina, with excursions to Mount Etna and Taormina; and Civitavecchia, which offers visits to Rome and Tarquinia.
Like the other two Costa ships that have already returned to service, the Costa Safety Protocol will be in effect on board the Costa Smeralda. This protocol, developed by the company in conjunction with scientific experts, includes new operational measures addressing the COVID-19 situation, in full compliance with the regulations established by Italian and European authorities.
Costa's safety protocol considers every aspect of the cruise, from booking to returning home. Key measures include antigen testing for all passengers and crew before embarkation, temperature checks during disembarkation and upon returning to the ship, visits to destinations only with protected excursions, and physical distancing onboard and in the terminals. Furthermore, with the reduced number of passengers, the enhanced protocols include new ways to use onboard services, improved health and medical services, and the use of face masks when required.
The Costa Smeralda, christened in Savona on February 22nd, is a tribute to Italy, the result of an extraordinary creative project designed to celebrate and bring to life the very best of Italy in one place. Italian design is the defining feature of the CoDe-Costa Museum, the first museum built on a cruise ship. The onboard highlights fit perfectly into this extraordinary setting: from the Solemio Spa to the entertainment areas; from the themed bars, in collaboration with leading Italian brands, to the 16 restaurants and areas dedicated to the "dining experience," including a new restaurant specifically for families with children.
The Costa Smeralda is a floating “smart city,” where sustainable technologies and concepts are applied to reduce its environmental impact. By using LNG, the Costa Smeralda is able to almost completely eliminate sulfur oxide emissions (zero emissions) and achieve a 95 to 100% reduction in particulate matter. The use of LNG also significantly reduces nitrogen oxide and CO2 emissions. The ship's daily water needs are met by directly transforming seawater using desalination plants. Energy consumption is minimized thanks to an intelligent energy-efficiency system. Furthermore, 100% of waste is collected on board, and materials such as plastic, paper, glass, and aluminum are recycled.
Starting November 14, 2020, the Costa Smeralda will resume its week-long itinerary in Italy, France, and Spain, departing once again from Savona. Costa Cruises is working with national and local authorities in the countries included in this itinerary to offer guests a safe and enjoyable vacation experience by implementing the Costa Safety Protocol both onboard and at all destinations.
