Costa Cruises has unveiled a new way to travel by cruise ship, reinventing its vacation offerings. The company presented its new Costa product to travel agencies, focusing on enhanced culinary experiences and longer shore excursions to discover the hidden gems of its destinations, all underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainable development.
In November, Costa kicked off a roadshow to present the new features coming to its ships to hundreds of travel agents across Spain. Events were held in iconic locations in 10 Spanish cities, with over 500 travel agents in attendance.
Additionally, nearly 2,500 travel agents were able to access the new information virtually through 47 webinars organized by the company, in which all agency consortia and groups participated. And as a grand finale, more than 400 agents were able to experience all these new features firsthand, thanks to a program of 11 familiarization trips (Fam Trips) aboard the Costa Smeralda and the Costa Firenze, the newest ships in the fleet.
One of the key areas improved in Costa Cruises is its shore excursion offerings. To allow guests to explore destinations in a unique way, the company has sought out the "hidden gems" of each destination—towns and villages near its ports that retain their character but are less crowded. Furthermore, itineraries have also been redesigned to include longer port calls, allowing for a deeper exploration of a destination and maximizing the cruise experience. All of this aligns with the principles of its "Manifesto for Value-Driven, Sustainable, and Inclusive Tourism," the ten-point plan outlining the company's commitment to sustainable growth alongside local communities.
Aware of the importance of sustainability, another of the pillars on which the new product is based, the company will welcome the Costa Toscana, its second LNG-powered ship, in December. The company's new flagship will feature sustainable technology and circular economy concepts to reduce its environmental impact. The ship will almost completely eliminate sulfur oxide emissions (zero emissions) and particulate matter (95-100% reduction), significantly decreasing nitrogen oxide emissions (85% direct reduction) and CO2 emissions (up to 20% reduction). Furthermore, in line with its commitment to the environment and the destinations where it operates, Costa is researching ways to achieve net-zero emissions for its ships by 2050.
The company has also sought to enhance its culinary offerings, one of the most important aspects for cruise passengers. Costa has begun offering Destination Dishes, recipes designed by three Michelin-starred chefs that interpret the traditions and flavors of the destinations guests will visit the following day. These dishes are included in the cruise fare. Furthermore, the new ships will also exclusively feature the new Archipelago restaurant*, offering guests a truly unique culinary experience with three menus to choose from, one from each chef. These menus offer five exquisite courses created to explore each part of the maritime route through its cuisine, providing the opportunity to enjoy a unique gastronomic experience with 16 Michelin stars on the table.
All these new features have been experienced by the company's main strategic partners, who have enjoyed an experience on board the company's newest ships, Costa Smeralda and Costa Firenze, the best ambassadors of the new way of traveling on a cruise offered by Costa Cruises.
