Travelers' tastes are constantly evolving, requiring tourism companies to adapt accordingly. Following this premise, Costa Cruises commissioned a study from Human Highway, an Italian market research consultancy, to learn more about the preferences of Spanish customers and thus offer a product tailored specifically to this market. The results of this study confirmed that over 30% of Spaniards want to experience a cruise during their holidays to discover firsthand the benefits of having everything at their fingertips while exploring new corners of the world. This percentage suggests that 3.1 million Spaniards dream of taking a cruise soon.
Furthermore, according to the results of this study, travelers from our country prioritize three factors in particular when booking the perfect cruise: that it offers quality gastronomy, an essential option for 50% of those surveyed; that it is all-inclusive with no additional costs; and that it allows them to visit historical sites.
In this sense, and focusing the product on our market, Costa Cruises launches “Spanish Flavor”, offering the main ingredients to satisfy the tastes of the Spanish cruiser: gastronomy, culture, economy and relaxation, on board a cruise where, whether as a family, with children, as a couple or alone, they will enjoy attractions that are not found in other vacation options.
This launch by Costa Cruises reinforces its approach to our market with five ships in its fleet, on its itineraries through the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands and Northern Europe: the Costa Deliziosa, the Costa Pacifica, the Costa Firenze, the Costa Diadema, which have recently been joined by a newer LNG-powered ship: the Costa Toscana.
The "Spanish flavor" enhances the onboard culinary offerings, including traditional recipes, appetizers, "tinto de verano" (a refreshing summer red wine drink), and the "cañas" (small beers) and "tapas" that are staples of Spanish cuisine and leisure time. Furthermore, for lovers of haute cuisine, the cruises included in this campaign offer gastronomy designed and promoted by the Chef of the Sea, Ángel León, whose recipes reflect the destination being visited the following day, providing culinary experiences to remember as once-in-a-lifetime moments. This option is available at the new Archipelago restaurant, inspired by the sea, where design and sustainability merge.
Costa's new offering also includes even more personalized onboard customer service in Spanish and new meal times adapted to Spanish customs, with breakfast until 11:30 a.m., lunch until 3:30 p.m., and dinner until 9:30 p.m. It also offers entertainment options to suit Spanish cruisers, with shows by popular comedians José Corbacho, El Sevilla, and Jaimito Borromeo; daily entertainment activities in Spanish; and even the chance to enjoy a "Spanish party" with the latest musical hits.
And to cater to the tastes of those who love visiting historical sites, Costa Cruises is redesigning its shore excursions, making them longer so that you can enjoy more time in each destination, for example, the 13-hour stay in Mykonos, or the 10 hours in Cagliari and Ajaccio, among others.
A holiday tailored to the tastes of the Spanish cruiser, on an all-inclusive basis, offering Spanish products, customs and traditions, combined with the characteristic Italian touch of Costa Cruises.
