Costa flagship takes to the seas
Costa Cruises’ new flagship, Costa Favolosa, has taken to the sea for the first time at a technical launch ceremony in Italy.
She is the fourth of five new ships due for delivery between 2009 and 2012 and will set sail on her first cruise in July 2011.
The addition of the Costa Favolosa’s sister ship Costa Fascinosa will complete the Italian company’s fleet expansion programme when she launches in Spring 2012.
Marco Rosa, area director UK, Ireland, Scandinavia & South Africa, said: “Despite the ongoing effects of the economic downturn and the uncertain outlook for global tourism, our fleet expansion programme has continued uninterrupted.
“Confirmed by the positive bookings achieved this summer, current projections suggest we are to end 2010 with a total of 2.1 million guests for the group as a whole, an increase of around 17% compared to last year.”
On board innovations on Costa Favolosa include six new suites with private verandas and Jacuzzis, a new entertainment area for teenagers, 4D Cinema, PlayStation World, a bar with ice-cream, drinks and popcorn, and a Teens’ Dance Floor.
She is set to make her debut on a three-day mini cruise departing from Venice on 4 July 2011; calling at Dubrovnik and Koper in Slovenia.
This will be followed by her grand inaugural cruise, leaving Venice on 7 July for a 10-day itinerary taking in Israel, Greece and Turkey.
Throughout the 2011 summer season, Costa Favolosa will be offering seven-day cruises from the Italian ports of Venice and Bari to Olympia, Izmir and Istanbul, and Dubrovnik.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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