Costa Cruises celebrated the commissioning of its newest ship, the Costa Venezia, in a spectacular delivery ceremony held yesterday, February 28, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The event was attended by travel agents from around the world, international media, and representatives from leading Italian institutions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Matteo Salvini and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi.
Following the handover ceremony, the ship sailed today to the city of Trieste for the traditional christening. Guests will enjoy a spectacular air show by the Italian Air Force's aerobatic display team, the Frecce Tricolori, and a fireworks display. The event will be attended by Italian national and city officials, as well as the President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia, Michel Thamm, the CEO of Fincantieri, Giuseppe Bono, and the President of Costa Group Asia, Mario Zanetti.
The delivery of the Costa Venezia is part of the company's expansion plan, which will add seven new ships by 2023, an increase in its fleet in which it has invested more than €6 billion. The new ship, weighing 135,500 tons, measuring 323 meters in length, and with a capacity of over 5,200 passengers, will be the largest vessel Costa has introduced to the Chinese market to date. A pioneer in operations in China since 2006, the company is now the leading cruise line in the Asian country.
The customization of the ship is one of the most significant aspects of the new Costa Venezia, incorporating features specifically tailored to the Chinese market. The ship has been designed to immerse its passengers in Italian culture, cuisine, and lifestyle, and its interiors are inspired by one of Italy's most iconic and recognizable cities, Venice. Spaces such as the theater, emulating La Fenice, the atrium, inspired by St. Mark's Square, and the restaurants, which reflect the influence of Venetian architecture, transport Costa Venezia passengers to the heart of Italy, including the two real gondolas crafted by Italian artisans that have been installed on board.
Following the commissioning and christening ceremonies, the Costa Venezia will embark on a vernissage cruise to Greece and Croatia, a fascinating voyage departing on March 8th. This 53-day journey will follow in the footsteps of the explorer Marco Polo, traversing the Mediterranean and the Far East before arriving in Tokyo. This itinerary will offer passengers the opportunity to
visit destinations such as Bari, Jerusalem, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong, among many others. These two voyages will be the only ones available to European and American visitors before the ship begins operating exclusively for the Chinese market.
The Fincantieri shipyard is already working on the construction of a second ship designed exclusively for the Chinese market, a sister ship to the Costa Venezia that will be delivered in 2020. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to receive the Costa Smeralda in October 2019, the new flagship of Costa Cruises and the first ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas to be marketed for the global market.
