Feature 1 | Cruise ship TeChnology
Costa design a beacon in European
cruising
Costa Luminosa’s eclectic design has broadened the line’s business scope,
writes David Tinsley.
D
elivered by prolific passenger vessel
builder Fincantieri, Costa Crociere’s
92,600gt Costa Luminosa represents
a milestone in the development of Carnival’s
Italian brand, and provides a model example
of design platform usage and adaptation for
different companies encompassed by a major
shipowning group.
In keeping with recent years’ expansion of
Costa’s operating remit, within and beyond its
fountainhead Mediterranean business, Costa
Luminosa offers a high level of operational
flexibility and a more upmarket product
by virtue of innovative new features and
combination of design elements from several
different classes of ship deployed by various
Carnival-owned lines.
She and newbuild sister Costa Deliziosa
have accordingly been described as of hybrid Fincantieri’s Costa Luminosa at sea shortly after its delivery.
design, wherein a circumspect project
approach has imbued the Costa marque with
a new reference point for onboard quality and cruises, such as summer deployments from the design is also evident from the expansive
for technical attributes bearing on efficiency Amsterdam to the Norwegian fjords, and on atrium, extending for 12 decks.
and environmental protection. itineraries along the Arabian Peninsula out of Iridescent interiors decorated with
Costa Luminosa owes its main derivation Dubai during the winter period. high-grade materials such as fine
to the Vista class, originally conceived for Advances with regard to public facilities marble, ebony, and mother-of-pearl, are
Holland America Line but also built in include the Samsara Spa, arranged over complemented by the use of state-of-the-art
other variants for Cunard Line and P&O two decks and ranking as one of the largest technology to provide spectacular lighting
Cruises. However, she also embraces aspects ‘wellness centres’ in the cruiseship market, an and colour effects. In line with the tradition
of the Costa Atlantica/Costa Mediterranea/ 18-hole championship golf course simulator, in the Costa fleet, Costa Luminosa houses
Carnival Spirit series from Finland, as well as a Grand Prix Formula One race car driving an extensive art collection, including nearly
Costa’s own larger, post-Panamax Concordia simulator, a 4-D cinema, and a pool area 300 original works as well as a multiplicity of
type. The resulting Costa Luminosa class, amidships over two decks encompassing a copies. The focal point of the central atrium
optimised for Panama Canal transits at 294m movie screen and a retractable roof of the at its lowest level is a huge bronze sculpture,
length overall and 32.2m moulded breadth, Skydome type. Reclining Woman 2004, by Fernando
is the first of its type in the Costa Crociere Constructed on the Venetian industrial Botero.
operation, and provides 1130 cabins for a mainland at the Marghera shipyard, Costa Mobility throughout the vessel, of which
double-occupancy passenger complement of Luminosa has provided a new vehicle for a total 12 decks are used by the public, is
2260, up to a maximum of 2826. the interior design and architectural skills of provided by 27 elevators and also escalators
With 772 cabins having private balconies, Joseph Farcus, whose name is synonymous from the Swiss firm Schindler Management’s
Costa Luminosa has the highest proportion of with the Carnival fleet and who has been marine unit. Lifts in such applications have
balconied cabins in the Costa fleet exceeding retained for all Costa projects since the to meet stringent engineering, installation
that of the larger, Concordia vessels. The 2000-built Costa Atlantica. Light has been a and performance criteria, ensuring 24-hour
nature and standard of the accommodation main theme in the creation of the passenger operation regardless of ship motions. The
befits the vessel’s target market at the spaces, to the extent that this has influenced elevator cabins in Costa Luminosa, for
‘high end’ of the business, and in longer the choice of ship name. Mr Farcus’ stamp on instance, are vibration-free and protected
34 The Naval Architect February 2010
NA Feb10 - p34+p36.indd 34 02/02/2010 12:47:38
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