p16 Cruise Mar5 2/3/10 12:49 Page 16
Cruise
Chris Gray
020 7921 8003
cgray@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit ttglive.com/cruise
The launch of Costa Deliziosa in Dubai was the Italian cruise
line’s highest profile naming so far. Sara Macefield reports
New Costa ship to
boost UK bookings
COSTA CRUISES chiefs are confident last week’s over 2008, and looking similarly strong so far
high-profile naming in Dubai of Costa Deliziosa this year. Three launches
and the introduction of Red Sea cruises next “If it continues like this for the next eight
winter will help boost UK business. weeks, we will have reached our targets for
in nine months
UK managing director Marco Rosa said the 2010,” he added.
company’s profile had massively increased Rosa claimed Costa was now reaping the THE latest addition to the fleet signals a remark-
among agents and consumers over the last few rewards of previous marketing, training and able expansion by Costa Cruises, which claims it
years and there was now a greater understand- promotional efforts, but he also felt Costa’s is the only line in the world to have launched
ing of what the Costa brand meant. new ships and itineraries had played a three ships in just nine months.
“We are not P&O in the UK market and never significant part. Last June, Costa made history by holding the
will be. That was not our objective,” he said. “The opening of new destinations such as the first dual cruise ship christening with its vessels
“But what is good is that the majority of Far East, Middle East, and Indian Ocean has Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica.
agents now know about Costa and what it stands established us as a pioneer,” he said. Last week it was Costa Deliziosa’s turn to hog
for.” “And for those who have already cruised the the limelight with an extravagant naming at
The Italian line works with around 2,400 Mediterranean or Caribbean, we offer something Dubai’s Port Rashid – the first cruise ship nam-
agents, including Thomas Cook and Tui, but Rosa else.” ing to take place in an Arab port – with skydivers,
said this figure was still growing and Costa was The UK and Germany are Costa’s top markets dancers, opera singers and dramatic Arabian-
keen to attract more retail partners. for its Persian Gulf cruises on Costa Deliziosa and style horsemanship displays.
“Ninety-five per cent of our business is with Costa Luminosa this winter, but Rosa expects its Guest of honour was Dubai’s Crown Prince
the trade. . . we will invest more with our top Red Sea itineraries to be similarly in demand Sheikh Hamdan.
partners and support even more activities,” he among British cruisers as the area is already The roll call of new ships does not end there.
added. popular with UK tourists. Costa has two more new-builds waiting in the
Rosa claimed the line’s UK business had The line’s new round the world cruise, planned wings – Costa Favolosa, due to launch next year;
continued to accelerate despite the economic for 2011, has also attracted “quite a few” British and Costa Fascinosa, to launch in spring 2012,
downturn, with bookings rising 74% in 2009 passengers. bringing Costa’s fleet to 17.
Deliziosa dossier: Ship features
Costa Deliziosa carries all Other key features include:
the novel hallmarks for ■ Four restaurants, includ-
which the most modern ing the a la carte Club
Costa ships have become Deliziosa
known. The 2,260-passen- ■ Eleven bars, including the
ger vessel is a sister ship Coffee and Chocolate Bar
to the Costa Luminosa with ■ A “4D cinema” with vibrat-
the same layout and facili- ing seats, jets of water,
ties and a more hi-tech feel. wind and smells
This includes doors to the ■ An 800-seat theatre
Samsara Spa which slide ■ Grand Prix simulator
open after reading an ■ Golf simulator and outside
electronic signal from the putting green
wristband passengers are ■ Movie screen on pool deck
given. ■ PlayStation gaming area
16 05.03.2010
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