Costa Cruises, the Italian company belonging to Carnival Corporation & plc, today celebrated the launch of its new flagship ship, the Costa Toscana, at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland.
The Costa Toscana, like its sister ship the Costa Smeralda, is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the most advanced combustion technology in the maritime sector, which reduces emissions both while sailing and in port. The Costa Group, which includes Costa Cruises, the German company AIDA Cruises, and Costa Asia, was a pioneer in the global cruise industry in introducing this technology to its fleet, having commissioned the construction of five new LNG-powered cruise ships, two of which, the Costa Smeralda and the AIDAnova, have already begun operations. These ships are part of the company's expansion plan, which includes seven new ships with an investment of over six billion euros.
The ship will begin operating in December 2021, once the ship's interiors are fully fitted out.
Mario Zanetti, Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises and President of Costa Group Asia, stated, “Despite the challenges presented by the current situation, Costa Group reaffirms its commitment to expanding its fleet. We are confident in the industry's recovery and excited about the arrival of new ships like the Costa Toscana, which embodies all the elements we want to focus on for the future. First, it is an innovative and attractive ship for new customers, something that will be essential, especially when travel is possible again and people can enjoy much-needed vacations. Another key element is the implementation of a sustainable model in our operations and fleet. In addition to LNG technology, we are developing other innovative solutions related to shore power and batteries, with the aim of achieving zero-emission operations in the future.”
“The launch is always a very special occasion and the beginning of the final stage of the ship's construction, when all the colors, spaces, and details will begin to take their final shape. In the coming months, construction will be completed at the dock before the ship is tested and delivered in the fall,” commented Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku.
The Costa Toscana has been designed as a floating “smart city,” implementing sustainable and circular economy solutions to reduce its environmental impact. Thanks to the use of LNG, sulfur dioxide emissions are completely eliminated (zero emissions), and particulate matter in the atmosphere is virtually eliminated (95-100% reduction). Nitrogen oxide emissions are also significantly reduced (85% direct reduction), as are CO2 emissions( more than 20%). The ship features onboard desalination plants that will process seawater to meet daily water needs. Furthermore, energy consumption will be minimized thanks to an intelligent energy efficiency system. Additionally, 100% of recyclable materials on board, such as plastic, paper, glass, and aluminum, will be separated as part of a comprehensive approach to promoting circular economy projects.
The new flagship is a tribute to Tuscany and the result of an extraordinarily creative project led by Adam D. Tihany and designed to enhance and showcase the best of this wonderful Italian region in one place, which gives its name to the ship and its different areas, such as the decks and the main common areas.
Tihany has collaborated with prestigious international architecture firms – Dordoni Architetti, Jeffrey Beers International , and Partner Ship Design – to design the ship's various areas. All the furniture, lighting, fabrics, and accessories have been manufactured in Italy by 15 suppliers representing Italian excellence, including both items designed specifically for the new flagship and standard production pieces.
The onboard services will blend seamlessly into this extraordinary setting. Highlights include the Solemnio Spa, entertainment areas with themed bars featuring collaborations with leading Italian brands, and 16 restaurants and areas dedicated to the culinary experience, including a family-friendly restaurant and the LAB restaurant, where guests can test their cooking skills under the guidance of a Costa chef.
The "heart" of the new flagship will be the "Colosseo," the ship's central space built over three decks, where the best shows will take place. Large screens, located on the walls and dome, offer the possibility of creating different stories in each port of call and at every moment of the vacation.
Also noteworthy is the long staircase that runs through three decks and leads to the stern: an ideal place to entertain guests of all ages and which features a glass floor that will allow you to experience the sensation of "flying" over the sea.
To relax and enjoy the sun, the ship will have four swimming pools, one of which will be indoors and filled with salt water, as well as a beach club, recreating the atmosphere of a spa.
The company's new flagship will feature more than 2,600 cabins reflecting Italian style and taste, as well as rooms with terraces and sea views where guests can have breakfast, an aperitif, or simply enjoy a sunset.
Costa Toscana will make its debut in Brazil during the 2021-22 season. Specifically, the inaugural New Year's Eve cruise will depart from Santos on December 26, 2021, for a one-week itinerary visiting Salvador and Ilhéus, returning to Santos on January 2, 2022. From April 2 to 10, 2022, the Costa Toscana will offer 15 more cruises with the same itinerary, with the option of embarking in Santos and Salvador. These 15 cruises will include departures during Carnival and Easter, with the final cruise departing from Santos on April 17, 2022, being the ship's last before sailing to Italy.
