October 2020 is the date chosen by Costa Cruises for the start of operations of its new ship, the Costa Firenze. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the 135,500-ton , with a capacity for more than 5,200 passengers, will be the sister ship of the Costa Venezia, which was unveiled on March 1st in Trieste, Italy.
The two ships are the first that the Italian company has designed specifically for the Chinese market. Before the Costa Firenze's repositioning in Asia, the cruise ship will sail throughout October 2020 in the Mediterranean, allowing its guests to be the first to enjoy a unique experience aboard the new vessel. The Costa Firenze will offer five itineraries ranging from five to seven days in the Mediterranean, followed by a 51-day repositioning cruise to China. Bookings for these cruises are now open.
“Given the success of the Costa Venezia’s inaugural cruises, we have decided to keep the Costa Firenze in the Mediterranean for a full month before its deployment to Asia. The delivery of the Costa Firenze is part of the Costa Group’s ambitious expansion plan, which will add seven new ships by 2023, a fleet increase in which it has invested more than €6 billion. The next ship to enter service, in October 2019, will be the Costa Smeralda, a true tribute to the best of Italy and our excellence,” commented Neil Palomba, CEO of Costa Cruises SpA.
The Costa Firenze's inaugural cruise will depart from Trieste on October 1, 2020, bound for Savona, with stops in Bari, Barcelona, and Marseille. On October 8, 2020, the ship will depart from Savona, calling at Barcelona and Marseille. The Costa Firenze will offer three more one-week departures on the 12th, 19th, and 26th of the same month. The cruises departing on the 12th and 26th will call at Savona, Naples, Messina, Valencia, Barcelona, and Marseille; while the cruise departing on the 19th will replace Naples with Civitavecchia and Messina with Palermo.
The latest available cruise is the China repositioning cruise, a fantastic 51-day itinerary departing from Savona on November 2, 2020, and ending in Hong Kong on December 22, 2020. This voyage is a unique opportunity to discover diverse cultures, landscapes, and flavors. From the Mediterranean, the ship will sail to Dubai, passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, with stops in Naples, Messina, Greece, Israel, Jordan, and Oman. From Dubai and Abu Dhabi, futuristic cities built in the desert, passengers will enjoy India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The final leg of the cruise will be dedicated to the Far East, with stops in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam before arriving in China. The itinerary can also be divided into three different legs: Savona-Dubai (19 days), Dubai-Singapore (20 days), and Singapore-Hong Kong (14 days), which can also be combined.
Like its sister ship Costa Venezia, Costa Firenze will feature an innovative offering designed specifically for the Chinese market. The Italian company was the first to operate in China in 2006 and is currently a leader in its sector, allowing guests from the Asian country to discover Italian culture and lifestyle.
“Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze are proof of Costa Cruises’ long-term commitment to the Chinese market,” said Mario Zanetti, Managing Director of the Costa Group in Asia. “Costa aims to bring the beauty of the Italian lifestyle to its Chinese guests, introducing them to its aesthetics and culture. The arrival of the Costa Firenze, along with that of the Costa Venezia, will contribute to the development of the cruise industry in China.
The ship is inspired by Florence, the Italian city renowned for its centuries-long rich culture and history. Guests who choose Costa Firenze will be able to immerse themselves in Italian beauty and style, reflected in every aspect of onboard life, from interior design and cuisine to entertainment and renowned Italian hospitality.
