Travelers' tastes are changing, and this requires tourism companies to evolve in the same direction.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 64 – March 2023
Following this premise, Costa Cruises commissioned a study from the Italian market research consultancy Human Highway to learn more about the preferences of Spanish customers and thus be able to offer an exclusive product for this market. The results of this study confirmed that more than 30% of Spaniards want to experience a cruise on their holidays to see firsthand the benefits of having everything at their fingertips while discovering new corners of the world. This percentage would confirm 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 Pacifica, the Costa Magica, the Costa Fortuna, which have recently been joined by the newer LNG-powered ships: the Costa Toscana and the Costa Smeralda.
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 Cruises is redesigning its shore excursions, making them longer so passengers can enjoy more time at each destination.
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.
A variety of destinations and itineraries for the 2023 season, all with a "Spanish flavor", aboard sustainable ships, including the new generation of ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, respecting the environment and the communities visited.
2023 ITINERARIES WITH “SPANISH FLAVOR”
Costa Cruises and its “Spanish flavor” offer itineraries for the 2023 season in the Western Mediterranean, the Greek Islands, and Northern Europe. These voyages entice cruisers with destinations that can be fully enjoyed, thanks to longer port calls that provide more time to explore at a leisurely pace. Choose from a variety of excursions to suit all tastes; enjoy onboard entertainment and fun; and everything is included in the price: cruise, meals, drinks, port taxes, and service charges. Furthermore, Costa offers its guests direct connections to the embarkation ports, providing air travel with charter and scheduled flights, as well as train or bus service to the Spanish ports of Barcelona and Valencia. This allows guests to choose the most convenient transportation option from the point on the Iberian Peninsula that best suits their needs.
